Tulip Time Highlights with 1 Night in Brussels 2021

Day 1 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
Filling Fare and Fabled Beer

Spend a day at leisure to sample Brussels hearty cuisine and famous beer.

Day 2 BRUSSELS (EMBARKATION)
Ancient Landmarks and New Finds

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Brussels, see the Town Hall with its landmark buildings and discover the many local bars, cafés and shops of the Lower Town Streets. 

Your Suite Ship® is now Ready for Boarding.

Enjoy dinner on board as you sail for Ghent this evening.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GHENT (B,D)

Day 3 GHENT
Medieval Masterpieces and Flemish Finery

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

CLASSIC Explore Ghent—“The Diamond of Flanders”— with a Guided Sightseeing Tour of this showcase of medieval Flemish wealth. You’ll visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral—with its remarkable Flemish artwork.

Alternatively, you may choose to join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion of Bruges to explore its canals, cobbled streets, and medieval buildings. You’ll see its crisscrossed canals, the 13th-century belfry of Market Square, and charming patrician houses.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BOSSUIT (B,L,D)

Day 4 BOSSUIT
Battlefield Remembrances in Flanders

DISCOVERY Visit the In Flanders Field Museum in Ypres—named for the soldier’s famed poem. Learn about the story of the invasion of Belgium, the first months of the mobilization, the four years trench war in the Westhoek, the end of the war, and the lasting remembrance to follow. After your visit, enjoy lunch at the museum’s café.

DISCOVERY Following the museum visit battlefields, cemeteries, memorials and private collections.

DISCOVERY Experience the Last Post Ceremony, taking place nightly under the Menin Gate. Enjoy some free time for dinner before the Ceremony starts. 

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MIDDELBURG (B,L,D)

Day 5 MIDDELBURG, HOLLAND
A Spicy History in Middelburg’s Dutch Harbor Town

CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour through the winding cobblestones and canals of Middelburg. See the 15th-century Gothic Town Hall and learn about ist important role in the spice trade and Dutch East India trading.

Enjoy lunch on board while cruising to Veere.

VEERE
The Delta Works Stand Strong as a Technical Marvel

DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour of the Delta Works, the largest flood-protection system in the world, and a miracle of modern technology. 

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KINDERDIJK (B,L,D)

Day 6 KINDERDIJK–ROTTERDAM
Harnessing the Wind for 300 Years

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Kinderdijk where 19 windmills were built in 1740 as flood prevention and water management. You’ll hear about the windmill’s vital role in the Netherland’s history and why it became a national symbol of Holland. 

Enjoy a cruise through Rotterdam harbor.

CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rotterdam featuring innovative architecture, including the marvelous Erasmus Bridge.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ZAANDAM  (B,L,D)

Day 7 ZAANDAM 
Windmills, Waterways, and Waving Fields of Flowers

Arrive in Zaandam this morning with free time to explore this quintessential Dutch town. During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses

Cruise to Haarlem this afternoon while enjoying lunch on board.

HAARLEM
Tulips and North Sea Trading Ports

CLASSIC Visit Haarlem, a major flower bulbs growing district outside of Amsterdam. Explore the former North Sea trading port with its medieval features, gabled houses, and leafy courtyards. 

Enjoy dinner on board your ship this evening as you sail to Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)

Day 8 AMSTERDAM
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age”, OR:

ACTIVE Join a Biking Tour through the Dutch countryside past polders, dykes, and quaint centuries-old villages.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM  (B,L,D)

Day 9 AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

• Day 1 Brussels: welcome to Brussels
• Day 2 Brussels (Embarkation): guided tour, see the town hall; transfer to ship; onboard welcome reception
• Day 3 Ghent: guided tour
• Day 4 Bossuit: visit to Flanders Field Museum in Ypres; visit to the battlefields; Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate
• Day 5 Middelburg–Veere: guided tour in Middelburg; guided tour of the Delta Works
• Day 6 Kinderdijk–Rotterdam: guided tour in Kinderdijk and Rotterdam; harbor cruise in Rotterdam
• Day 7 Zaandam–Haarlem: free time in Zaandam; guided tour in Haarlem
• Day 8 Amsterdam: choice of canal cruise, or biking tour
• Day 9 Amsterdam (Disembarkation): your cruise ends this morning

Make your visions of tulip season in Holland and Belgium come into view! Begin your vacation your way with a night in Brussels before your cruise. Enjoy superior hotel accommodations with complimentary breakfast, sightseeing with an expert Local Guide, and courtesy hotel-to-ship transfer. You’ll join a guided tour to see the landmark buildings and inviting venues before embarking on your river cruise from Brussels to Amsterdam. Delight in quintessential scenes of windmills, waterways, and rows of blooming color along the way. Embark in Brussels and sail to Ghent—“The Diamond of Flanders.” Visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral with its stunning Flemish artwork. Sail to Bossuit for moving battlefield remembrances, including In Flanders Fields Museum and the Last Post Ceremony. On to Holland for a visit to the former Dutch East India Company trading port of Middelburg. You’ll tour the Delta Works in Veere—a marvel of flood-protection. In Kinderdijk, see 19 windmills built in 1740 for water management, and in Rotterdam the Erasmus Bridge. You’ll see why windmills are a symbol of Holland!

Take in the tulips and other flowering bulbs in the flower farm regions of Zaandam and Haarlem, and conclude your river cruise through Belgium and Holland with a visit to Amsterdam. Take a guided canal cruise past bridges and homes of a golden age.

Ship Amenities:

• Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows
• Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, shade awnings, & outdoor deck game area
• State-of-the-art fitness center
• Non-smoking staterooms & ship interior
• Convenient Elevator Service
• Elegant, contemporary design
• Outside viewing deck
• Headsets for guided shore excursions
• English-speaking friendly crew, staff & professional Cruise Director
• Sightseeing with Expert Local Guides
• Onboard lectures, activities & entertainment
• Complimentary room service for Continental breakfast
• Sky Deck whirlpool
• Complimentary Wi-Fi access
• Additional biking excursions available in Amsterdam, Breisach and Bernkastel
• Onboard Adventure Center with active gear, bikes, Nordic walking sticks, watercraft & maps
• Casual dinner in the Panorama Bistro
• Avalon Choice® cruising experience
• Choice of Classic, Active or Discovery excursions so that you can experience your cruise your way
• Nordic walking sticks available onboard for complimentary check-out
• Onshore & Onboard experiences with regional customs, cultures & tastings with local artisans, experts & entertainers
• Self-serve beverage station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, including decaf options
• Well-stocked library with books, cards, and board games
• Complimentary bottled water, fresh fruit, and cookies available throughout the day
• Full-size closet mirror

Ship Dining:

• Avalon Fresh^SM healthy cuisine options at every meal
• Self-serve beverage station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, including decaf options
• Welcome & farewell cocktails with sparkling wine & canapés
• Spacious, open-seating Panorama Dining Room
• Daily early-riser breakfast
• Daily late-riser breakfast
• Full buffet breakfast with sparkling wine and made-to-order egg station
• Lunch buffet with carving and pasta stations
• Al fresco lunch in the Sky Grill
• Cocktails with a view on the Sky Deck
• Healthy Corner options including low calorie, low fat, high fiber, low cholesterol, and high energy choices
• Vegetarian options at every meal, as well as vegan and allergy-free selections
• Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, and sweet treats
• Happy Hour every evening including featured drink specials
• Seasonal cuisine featuring the freshest local ingredients
• Chef-prepared onboard meals with regional cuisine and familiar favorites
• Four-course dinners with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts or cheese
• Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Complimentary room service for Continental breakfast
• Panorama Lounge & Bar with premium spirits, cozy seating, panoramic windows & dance floor
• Healthy meal options
• Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro's tasting menu for a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere
• Tastings - sample the destination's famous delicacies
• Casual dinner in the Panorama Bistro
• Coffee or tea after dinner
• Light lunch in the Panorama Lounge
• FlexDining flexible dining times with menu & venue options

Brussels: Sofitel Le Louise
Cruising: Cabin onboard Avalon Imagery II

• Cabin upgrades are available.
• In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
• Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
• Port charges $196
• Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included.
• Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).
• Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
• Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the trip origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package at the price quoted.