Holland River Cruise - Itinerary

Upon your arrival in Amsterdam, you’ll transfer to your Deluxe European river cruise ship, courtesy of Vantage (if you purchased your airfare through us). Or, if you like, begin your trip earlier with an optional extension in historic Brussels, Belgium. This afternoon, attend a Welcome Briefing and enjoy a drink in the lounge before dinner on board. Join us in the lounge tonight and relax to the sounds of classical keys and strings as your ship cruises peacefully towards Enkhuizen. Includes Dinner.

Cultural Connection: This morning, learn about modern life in Holland during an insightful presentation. Then, discover the trade secrets of tulip harvesting as you visit with some local bulbgrowers (keep in mind that flowers may not be in bloom depending on departure date). In the 17th century, this get-rich-quick scheme involved frenzied wheeling and dealing of rare tulip bulbs at exorbitant prices — until the bulb market crashed in 1637 — but today, the market is quite different. Cultural Connection and Unforgettable Moment: This afternoon, you'll be invited into a local home where you will sample an aperitif, a typical Dutch drink. Biking Opportunity: Cycle past the unique Lock of Houtribdijk during an easy 4-mile route.  Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Today you'll disembark in Arnhem — the site of an Allied Forces paratrooper landing and ensuing battle during World War II — where you’ll have your choice of tours. Visit Groesbeek and delve into World War II-era history with a visit to the Liberation Museum 1944-1945, an interactive experience that recreates conditions from the pre-war days through the rebuilding of the Netherlands and Europe, or explore the Kröeller-Müller Museum (closed on Mondays and holidays), which boasts an impressive collection of Van Gogh's work as well as a vast sculpture garden. Later, you'll get a true feel for the local culture as you practice pronunciation during a Dutch language lesson. Biking Opportunity: Grab a bike and head to the Royal Burgers’ Zoo, a great family destination, during an easy 6-mile route.  Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Discover Antwerp, Belgium’s second-largest city and one of Europe’s “undiscovered” gems, boasting beautiful gothic and baroque architecture and lively cafés. Among the landmarks we’ll see today is the impressive Antwerp Cathedral, which houses four incredible paintings by master Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) and offers services every Sunday. Your afternoon is at leisure to explore on your own, perhaps browsing the various shops, enjoying a game of golf at the Royal Antwerpen Golf Club, or joining your Cruise Director for a lively pub crawl. Alternatively, embark on your choice of optional tours: a delectable culinary walk through the city or an illuminating visit to the Concentration Camp in Breendonk. Cultural Connection: Back on board this evening, you're in for a real treat — a delicious Belgian chocolate-making demonstration, followed by a musical journey to Dixieland! Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Unforgettable Moment: Today you'll enjoy an included excursion to picturesque Bruges, one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. First, experience Bruges on a walking tour with ancient cobbles under your feet and fairy-tale turrets overhead. We’ll stop inside the Church of Our Lady to study Madonna of Bruges in person, a small but remarkable marble sculpture by Michelangelo and one of his only works found outside of Italy. You'll then be enchanted by a new view of the city from a canal cruise as you glide beneath graceful bridges listening to commentary. After the tour, you'll have time to explore at your own leisure, and use the lunch money provided for a local meal. Active Feature:Golfers have the opportunity to hit a course today; contact your Concierge in advance for details. Cultural Connection: Tonight, take "A Journey to Dixieland" with some onboard entertainment! Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Gain fascinating insight into the innovative minds of the Dutch as we visit Delta Works, an engineering marvel designed to protect low-lying Holland from flooding and one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World. We journey next to the historic village of Veere, where we’ll take a short walk and pause for photos along the color waterfront before returning to the ship for lunch. Cultural Connection: Feel like channeling your inner artist? Spend a relaxing afternoon onboard and join a painting lesson. You can also join an informative lecture onboard about the windmills and waterways of Holland. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner.

Cultural Connection and Unforgettable Moment: This morning, get an overview of the types and functions of Holland's graceful windmills during your visit to Kinderdijk. Nineteen UNESCO-designated original windmills line the canal here, all of them still in working order. You'll even enjoy a short canal cruise and step inside one of the windmills to see how it works! We’ll return to the ship for lunch and a presentation on the beautiful waterways of Holland. This afternoon, set out on a walking tour of Rotterdam, a city famous for its bike-friendly streets and one of the largest ports in the world. Back on board this evening, join your fellow travelers for a fabulous Captain's gala dinner, followed by evening entertainment. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner.

You'll be amazed by the grandest of Dutch gardens today as you travel to Keukenhof Gardens — the world’s largest flower fields and the heart of Dutch flower production. Once the kitchen garden of a medieval castle, you’ll find more than seven million tulips and a variety of other flowers in both indoor and outdoor exhibits. You’ll have leisure time to explore the garden on your own and receive a voucher for lunch. Back on the ship this evening, share a Farewell Drink with your fellow passengers before dinner. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner.

Cultural Connections: Begin your day with a presentation on the Dutch Royals after breakfast onboard. Unforgettable Moment: Today you'll embark on a lovely canal cruise along the city’s 17th-century canal ring, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will then visit the recently renovated Rijksmuseum, home of Amsterdam’s premier art collection, including works by such Dutch masters as Rembrandt and Vermeer. In the afternoon after lunch on board, explore Amsterdam on your own or consider an optional cultural tour through the historic former Jewish district. Cultural Connection: After dinner, gather into the lounge for more onboard entertainment: From Operetta to Broadway. Afterward, relax onboard or embark on an optional tour through Amsterdam's Red Light district at nighttime! Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Enjoy a final breakfast on the ship before disembarking and transferring to the airport for your return flight home. Included Meals: Breakfast.