Northern European Culture and Charm: A Cruise between The Netherlands and Belgium. (port-to-port cruise)

Departure for a tour of Amsterdam by riverboat. With your guide, we'll glide further into this "Venice of the North” along the renowned Amsterdam canals, providing an ideal vantage point on the city's wonderful architecture. Our tour will take us through the four large canals surrounding the center - the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Singel canals. The Singel river was transformed into a canal in the 14th century to become part of the city's defensive belt, while the other three were conceived at the beginning of the Golden Age as a means to expand the city. Construction started in 1560 and lasted for more than a hundred years. The historical center is now surrounded by those four canals, parallel to one another. Shaped in half-moons, they follow the sun rays making sure that each and every house gets direct sunlight at some point during the day. When looking at a city map, Amsterdam resembles a half-bicycle wheel. Enjoy some free time in the city. Return on board.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.

The oldest building in the city sits on the banks of the Scheldt River. The medieval fortress Het Steen was built between 1200 and 1225 to defend and protect the inhabitants from invaders. Today, it houses a multimedia exhibition called The Antwerp Story, which traces the city through time in a surprising and innovative fashion. Travel from century to century as you traverse the rooms. Discover the tales, hidden secrets, and historic sites in the surprising city of Antwerp. The fortress roof offers an uncluttered view of the river, city, and the second-largest shipping port in Europe. After this immersive intro, we'll head over to the historic center and Grand-Place. The city hall—listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is, without a doubt, the most remarkable building. Richly decorated guildhalls line the edges of the Grand-Place. The square's center contains the eclectic Brabo Fountain. The stunning Gothic masterpiece—the Cathedral of Our Lady and its single belfry—has dominated the horizon for over five centuries.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.

We'll begin our tour of Antwerp this morning at the Grand-Place, surrounded by the elegant facades of ancient halls. We'll stop in front of the Flamboyant-style city hall. Then, we'll head over to the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library for a visit to one of the country's most prestigious book rooms. We'll visit the Nottebohm Room to learn about the rare historic collection it holds. The room is located in the library's oldest wing and was made into a showroom in 1936. Afterwards, we'll visit the Red Star Line Museum, which traces the saga of the great wave of Europeans emigrating to the USA between 1850 and 1930.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.

We'll leave from Ghent for Bruges (plan on a one-hour trip each way). Its works of art, tranquil ambiance, romantic aura, and stunning architecture make it one of the top places to visit during any European vacation. The city has meticulously preserved the elegance and class it exuded during its golden age as a maritime trade center. Among the sites we'll see are the market square with its medieval belfry, the Provinciaal Hof, and colorful stepped-gabled houses. We'll then visit a brewery for a taste of ale. Located in the historic center of the city, the brewery was founded in 1856. Six generations later, it is a dynamic brewery still attached to its origins and the authentic Brugse Zot. Explore the brewery as the earthy smell of malt and fresh hops permeates the air, while beer is brewed before our eyes. Of course, we'll get to drink a nice glass of ale! We’ll return to the ship in Ghent.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.

Did you know that Brussels claims to have the largest number of comic book authors per square mile? In honor of their artists, the city has decorated its walls with its well-known authors and characters. We'll set out on an urban hike to spot the murals that include Tintin, Gaston Lagaffe, Lucky Luke, Astérix, Corto Maltese, and many others. We'll find other affirmations along the way, such as street signs and statues referencing the "9th Art." Then, dive into the world of comics at the Belgian Comic Strip Center—a marvelous universe where comics are in the limelight. Inaugurated in 1989, the center houses permanent and temporary exhibits focusing on European comics and their progression.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.

Our visit of the Belgian capital will begin with a panoramic tour to see the famous monuments such as the Royal Palace of Laeken and the Atomium, a building originally constructed for the 1958 Brussels World Fair. We'll then head for the city center to admire the Royal Palace of Brussels - the King's workplace, as well as numerous Art Nouveau style buildings and the European Institutions. The visit will continue on foot to discover the Grand Place and its impressive Gothic town hall dating from the 14th century, as well as the iconic landmark Manneken Pis. We'll stop in a chocolate factory to learn what makes Belgian chocolates so delectable. Of course, we'll enjoy a tasting of these indulgent treats. Afterwards, we'll return to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• Panoramic tour by coach with stops to take pictures.
• Good walking shoes are recommended: the visit of the old town is on foot and the streets are cobblestoned.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Take a tour of the top sites in the largest city in the East Flanders Province. Follow the footsteps of Charles V and admire the monuments in one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. Ghent's city center is a pedestrian's dream—an open-air museum where Flemish architecture accents the indisputable beauty of its medieval heritage. Afterwards, we'll drop by a brewery to knock back a bottle. Ghent's city center was once home to a large number of breweries. Today, breweries have begun to pop up once again. Gruutbeer is the most famous, as they don't use hops to brew their beers; instead, they rely on a mixed of medieval herbs.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.

We'll leave by coach for The Hague, the seat of the Dutch parliament and one of the most beautiful cities in the country. The Hague is also known as the "Royal City by the Sea,” since the Royal Family enjoys the location for many of their vacations. The Hague counts no less than 155 courtyards, making it the courtyard capital of Holland. Your guide will show you some of the most splendid, including the Hof van Wouw, Hofje van Nieuwkoop and the Hofje Rusthof. We'll also stroll through the Binnenhof, where the House of Representatives meets, the prime minister works and the ministers hold their weekly consultations. It has been the seat of the Dutch government for over 400 years. Our guide will also show us royal monuments, including the Lange Voorhout Palace which houses the Escher Museum. Lastly, we'll pass by the iconic Hotel des Indes, the International Court of Justice, and the Kloosterkerk.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.

We'll leave by coach with our guide for Volendam, a charming village that has preserved its character for over six centuries thanks to the tough vitality of its fishermen. We'll then visit a cheese factory in the area to discover how the famous Gouda cheese is made. We'll enjoy tasting the different flavors and ages available of one of the most popular cheeses in the world. We'll then head for Zaanse Schans, an open air museum with wooden windmills, barns, and houses. Take a walk through the stunning buildings and the unique peat landscape or watch traditional clog making techniques. Don't miss the small but impressive clog museum that features one of the largest and most attractive collections of wooden shoes in the Netherlands: painted, carved, ice clogs with iron trimmings, horse clogs, and decorative clogs. Take advantage of some free time on this excursion to indulge in authentic Dutch traditions. We'll return to our ship in Amsterdam by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended: guided visit on foot at Volendam and Zaanse Schans.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We’ll leave by coach to visit the windmills of Kinderdijk. It’s the only place in the world where we can see so many windmills in one place, and that’s one of the reasons why they were listed as a prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The mills were built in the 18th century to remove water from the polder as everything is below sea level. The Dutch are masters at water management, and this attraction is the best place to learn how they have dealt with their struggles against the sea over the centuries. The area was also the inspiration for a familiar children’s game. Legend has it that after a flood in 1491, as someone from the local village was inspecting the damage, they saw a cradle floating in the water. As the floating cradle came nearer, a cat was seen trying to keep it balanced by jumping back and forth so that no water could get in. When the cradle came close enough for someone to pick it out of the water, they saw a baby quietly sleeping inside. This folktale is now well known as "The Cat and the Cradle."

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the excursions can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll set out to visit the largest flood protection system in the world, located along the Dutch coastline. The Delta Works was built to battle maritime inundations affecting the local provinces. Construction of the works lasted over 40 years and includes five storm surge barriers, two locks, and six dams. Traveling the Expedition Delta route brings the impressive works to life.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.