RR40160
From the canals of Amsterdam to the belfry of Bruges, you’ll discover the best of the Netherlands & Belgium. Stroll through colorful acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens to get a sense of the Netherlands’ extraordinary connection to these blooms. Then visit the 19 UNESCO-designated windmills of Kinderdijk to better understand how these mighty structures have been used to protect the Low Country from ever-rising water levels for hundreds of years. Wander through the picture-perfect villages of Veere, Hoorn & Enkhuizen, & the enchanting outdoor Zuiderzee museum. Uncover the rich treasures at Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of the postimpressionist master’s paintings, & take in the dazzling skyline of Rotterdam as you cruise through the bustling harbor. Drift along the canals of Bruges, or discover Belgium’s thriving flower culture as Ghent’s famous flower show takes to the streets for the first time ever, & then “Do as the Locals Do” in vibrant Antwerp. All along the way, you’ll savor Dutch delights & Belgian treats as you sail the aquatic highways & byways of two amazing countries shaped by water.
Starting from | R40 160 |
Package Validity | Selected departure dates: MAR 2017 - APR 2017. *** Book & pay by 28 FEB 2017 & SAVE up to 20%, discount already included in the price *** |
Duration | 9 nights |
Destination | Netherlands & Belgium |
Starts in | Amsterdam/Antwerp |
Ends in | Antwerp/Amsterdam |
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- All transfers on arrival & departure days
- 9 nights cruise in a riverview stateroom on-board the River Queen/River Dutchess/River Princess
- All dining & unlimited beverages on-board including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee & tea & bottled water
- Captains Welcome & Farewell Receptions
- Welcome & Farewell Gala Dinners
- Unlimited beverages on-board, including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee & tea & bottled water
- 8 excursions including "Choice is Yours" options, all fully hosted by English speaking local expert
- Guided "Do as the Locals Do", "Village Day" & "Gentle Walking" programs
- Assistance of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
- Visit 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites
- On-board local entertainment
- Cultural enrichment including a Signature Lecture: "Life & art in the golden ages of the low lands"
- Exclusive Epicurean Adventurer Program
- Port charges & upgrade fee
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Amsterdam
Arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, where you will be transferred to the ship.
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Amsterdam
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Choice of Amsterdam by canal with either Van Gogh Museum OR Rijksmuseum visit OR exclusive “Do as the Locals Do” Amsterdam walking tour
Amsterdam is often referred to as the “Venice of the North,” as canals crisscross the heart of the old city & bridges link some 90 islands. A canal cruise brings
to life its beauty & history. From famous canals to famous art, visit either the Van Gogh Museum or the Rijksmuseum, home to Rembrandt’s The Night
Watch. If you prefer to get an authentic view of local life, a stroll through the canal district uncovers some of Amsterdam’s most charming & little-known
treasures along with the Museum Van Loon, a restored 17th-century canal house. Cap the day off at the Captain’s Welcome Reception & Gala Dinner.
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Amsterdam (Haarlem)
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Choice of full day at Keukenhof Gardens OR Keukenhof Gardens combined with Haarlem walking discovery tour with Teylers Museum visit
Spend all day at the Keukenhof Gardens, one of the most impressive public gardens in the world, with more than seven million bulbs planted on a 70-acre site. Or spend a half day at the gardens & either relax on-board after lunch or experience charming & lively Haarlem, where you’ll explore the historic centre before visiting Teylers Museum, the oldest museum in the Netherlands & home to a fascinating collection of fossils, historic scientific instruments & paintings, all displayed under skylights. *Note: Lunch is not included with the full day at Keukenhof Gardens.
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Hoorn (Enkhuizen)
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Hoorn walking discovery tour & “Life on the Zuiderzee” outdoor museum visit
Two ports of call offer you insight into the Netherlands’ rich seafaring history. While visiting charming Hoorn’s old harbor, your guide will point out & explain the markings on medieval buildings noting the former inhabitants’ trades. At your next port of call, Enkhuizen, visit the fascinating Zuiderzee outdoor museum, a reconstructed fishing village from before the IJsselmeer Dam was built in 1932.
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Nijmegen
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Choice of National Liberation Museum OR Kröller-Müller Museum visit
Nijmegen, the oldest town in the Netherlands, is your gateway to one of two intriguing discoveries today. WWII history buffs will want to visit the National Liberation Museum in Groesbeek. Art lovers will wish to go to the Kröller-Müller Museum, home to the second-largest collection of Van Gogh paintings & Europe's largest sculpture park with famous works by Rodin & Moore, among others.
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Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, Dordrecht
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Kinderdijk windmills
Cruise through the Rotterdam harbor, where you’ll have leisure time before setting sail to Kinderdijk. Join a local guide as you discover 19 astonishingly well-preserved windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Note: If docking in Kinderdijk is not possible, the excursion will be arranged by motorcoach from Rotterdam.
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Veere
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Delta Works museum & guided stroll into the artists’ village of Veere
The Delta Works museum presents a wonderful overview of the engineering marvels used in the Netherlands’ long battle to hold back the sea. You’ll have time to explore Veere, a popular artists’ retreat.
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Ghent (Bruges or Ghent)
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Choice of full day Bruges with canal cruise & walking discovery tour OR Ghent walking discovery tour
Choose between two lovely cities: Bruges or Ghent. Experience Bruges, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe & a UNESCO World Heritage Site, via foot & on a canal cruise. Ghent is one of the oldest Belgian cities & home to St. Bavo’s Cathedral. Visit the cathedral & its famous Ghent Altarpiece, one of the world’s historical art treasures, painted by the brothers Hubert & Jan van Eyck in the 1400s.
Antwerp
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Choice of Antwerp walking discovery tour with Cathedral of Our Lady OR exclusive “Do as the Locals Do” Antwerp walking tour
Spend a full day in Antwerp with a choice of excursions. Be guided to the city’s architectural gems, including the Cathedral of Our Lady, which houses four masterpieces by Peter Paul Rubens. If you wish to do as the locals do, stroll through the main shopping district & sample Belgium's culinary specialties. Bid farewell to your fellow travellers at the Captain’s Farewell Reception & Gala Dinner.
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Antwerp (disembark), transfer to Brussels Airport
Disembark the ship in Antwerp & transfer to Brussels Airport for your flight home.
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