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Springtime Tulips and Keukenhof Gardens River Cruise

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8 days From £1,995 £1,895 per person
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Sail through Belgium and the Netherlands visiting beautiful gardens and discovering picturesque cities.

Operated by our sister company Great Rail Journeys
Save up to £300pp

Save up to £300pp on selected River Cruise 2024 holidays when you book by 31st October 2023.

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2024 Tour code: NER24

About the tour

Lose yourself in scents and colours on this flower-filled cruise through scenic Belgium and the Netherlands. Walk among floral displays at Keukenhof Gardens, visit poignant war sites, and explore the quaint streets of Amsterdam, Bruges, and Ghent.

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Unforgettable experiences

Keukenhof Gardens
Keukenhof Gardens
Experience the fabulous Keukenhof Gardens on a full-day guided sightseeing tour.
Bruges
Bruges
Discover fairytale Bruges on a sightseeing tour.
Battlefields of Ypres
Battlefields of Ypres
Visit the Battlefields of Ypres and hear an onboard talk by Col. Piers Storie-Pugh OBE.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Explore vibrant Amsterdam, admiring its architecture and soaking up the lovely atmosphere.
Medemblik Steam Train
Medemblik Steam Train
Choose to journey on the delightful Medemblik Steam Train through the Dutch countryside.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - To Amsterdam to board our luxurious ship

Meeting at London St Pancras this morning, our holiday begins as we journey on the Eurostar to Amsterdam. Here, we board our luxurious ship and are welcomed by our wonderful crew. Once on board, take some time to settle into your cabin and relax in your surroundings. We enjoy a welcome drink in the lounge before dinner in the panoramic restaurant.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Vibrant Amsterdam

Today we enjoy a sightseeing tour of vibrant Amsterdam, a city famous for its pretty canals and bridges, friendly people, relaxing parks, unusual museums and laid-back atmosphere. Among the sights, we discover Dam Square, the city's lively main square dominated by the Royal Palace - a classical 17th-century masterpiece. You'll also get to explore the famous Flower Market, visit the Rijksmuseum, and enjoy a canal boat cruise, soaking up stunning views of the city's picturesque canals and architecture.

After lunch, explore this exciting city at your own pace before we set sail to Ghent this afternoon and enjoy dinner on board this evening .

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Historic Ghent or fairytale Bruges

Waking up to the gentle lapping of the water, we enjoy breakfast on board before our ship arrives in Ghent, in Flemish Belgium. This morning, Colonel Piers Storie-Pugh comes aboard to deliver a fascinating talk about the battlefields in the region, using his expertise in the field to take us back in time.

After a relaxed lunch, you can choose between two excursions: an afternoon coach tour to Bruges or a guided sightseeing tour of Ghent.

Bruges is an enchanting medieval town with a proud history - there you'll find winding streets, noble townhouses and friendly squares, often filled with locals enjoying cafés which serve up Belgian delicacies.

Alternatively, you could explore Ghent, one of Belgium's oldest cities, on a tour that showcases the city's medieval architecture and includes a chocolate stop.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Ypres Battlefields or Ghent at leisure

This morning you can choose to take an optional excursion to the poignant Ypres Battlefields, a key battlefront in the First World War, including the Sanctuary Wood Cemetery with entrance included. Alternatively, you could explore the attractive town of Ghent at your own pace, venturing into the narrow streets and pretty boulevards. The architecture lends an elegant grandeur to the buildings here, such as the impressive St Bavo's Cathedral and the Belfry. During lunch, we set sail and you can spend the afternoon enjoying the ship's facilities or relaxing in your cabin.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Hartenstein Airborne Museum or Netherlands' Open-Air Museum

We have breakfast and lunch on board today as we continue sailing to Arnhem where we arrive this afternoon. Here you can choose from two different excursions. Your first option is to visit the excellent Hartenstein Airborne Museum, in nearby Oosterbeek, for a guided tour. This institution focuses on the fierce Battle of Arnhem in WWII and was the setting of the war film 'A Bridge Too Far'. Alternatively, you could visit the fascinating and interactive Netherlands' Open-Air Museum, recounting the storied history of this proud European country.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Hoorn or the Medemblik Steam Railway

We wake to delightful harbour town views this morning as we reach Hoorn, one of the oldest cities in The Netherlands. You can explore independently or on an optional guided excursion by coach. A second optional excursion is a nostalgic journey through the enchanting countryside aboard the Medemblik Steam Train. During the journey, you'll admire the picturesque landscape of tulip fields, windmills, and charming villages - the epitome of Dutch culture.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Amsterdam’s Keukenhof Gardens

This morning we arrive back in Amsterdam. We're joined onboard by the wonderful Charlie Dimmock, star of BBC's Ground Force. We enjoy a presentation, followed by a question and answer session with her, learning about her time at the BBC and her tips on horticulture and garden care.

We then set off to experience a true highlight of our cruise - the vibrant Keukenhof Gardens. Known especially for its glorious tulip displays, this is one of the loveliest gardens in Europe. Tonight, we enjoy an elegant gala dinner for our last night onboard.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Homeward bound

After a leisurely breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew. We journey to the railway station and head towards Brussels where we catch the Eurostar to London St Pancras. Here, we say goodbye to new friends and fellow travellers.

Additional information

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Train

Eurostar

Ship

MS Amadeus Star

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