The Treasures of North - Through two extraordinary countries: Belgium and The Netherlands

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.
• Depending on the docking location in the port of Amsterdam, the duration of the excursion may vary.

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.

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 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.