Tulip Time Highlights with 1 Night in Brussels 2021
9 days with Avalon Waterways Rating: Deluxe
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River Cruise Itinerary
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
Ghent’s Cobblestones, Canals, and Cosmopolitan Charisma
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 to—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 Follow your visit to the museum with a journey back in time by visiting battlefields, cemeteries, memorials and private collections.
DISCOVERY Don’t miss the opportunity to take part to the Last Post Ceremony, taking place every evening under the imposing arches of 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 of the historic merchant city of Middelburg—with its 15th-century gothic Town Hall. You’ll learn about the spice trade of this Dutch harbor capital of Zeeland, its prosperity in the Dutch East India Company trading, and origins as a stronghold city. Enjoy its winding cobbled streets and canals that circle Old Town.
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.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
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–HAARLEM
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 See the sights of Amsterdam from a unique perspective by joining a Guided Jogging Tour of the city—all at an easy pace with stops for commentary.
Choose an Optional City Biking Tour to discover the countryside.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)
Day 9 AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Tour Map
River Cruise Highlights
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 jogging tour
Day 9 Amsterdam (Disembarkation): your cruise ends this morning
All This Included
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 - Avalon Imagery II:
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 Imagery II:
Avalon FreshSM 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
Accommodations on this Tour
Brussels: Sofitel Le Louise
Cruising: Cabin onboard Avalon Imagery II
Notes
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: $182.
Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included.
Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available.
Itineraries are subject to change. Final itineraries will be available April 2020.
Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.
Terms and Conditions
*
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.
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