Tulip Time Cruise (Amsterdam to Amsterdam)

Day 1 Amsterdam. Travel to Amsterdam where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship for embarkation. (D)

Day 2 Arnhem – Dordrecht. Excursion to Kinderdijk. One of the major tragedies of World War II was the Battle of Arnhem featured vividly in the Airborne Museum Hartenstein and the inspiration for the move ‘A Bridge Too Far’. Sitting between two branches of the Rhine, charming Dordrecht inspired many painters in the 17th and 18th centuries. Visit nearby Kinderdijk with its picturesque row of windmills. After dinner on board, enjoy a diamond party. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Antwerp. Antwerp is Belgium’s second largest city and one of the world’s most important ancient seaports. Included sightseeing shows you its superb architecture and the Grote Markt, with its beautiful city hall and the Church of Our Lady, make this city well worth a visit. An optional excursion to nearby Brussels, home of the European Union, is available. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Ghent. Ghent, the ‘diamond’ of Flanders, has a beautifully preserved and restored medieval centre. A Local Guide will show you the city centre, a showcase of medieval Flemish wealth and commercial success and take you into St Baaf’s Cathedral. From here, an optional excursion to Bruges, with its criss-crossed canals and charming old patrician houses, is available. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Middelburg – Veere – Delta Works. Middelburg was originally built as a stronghold to protect the population of Zeeland from the water and enemies. Later, it became a prosperous merchant city that spent great wealth on the construction of important buildings such as the town hall. The eye-catching high tower of the town hall dominates the charming town of Veere, which was once an important wool-trading centre. Continue to one of the most complex engineering projects, the Delta Works, located nearby. After the flood of 1953, during which more than 1,800 people drowned in one night, the Delta Plan was born to prevent another disaster of this magnitude. The final defence in the battle against the water is the storm flood barrier, almost six miles long and considered a technical miracle. The project took 30 years to complete. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Rotterdam. Excursion to Keukenhof Gardens. Rotterdam is a bustling port city that was levelled by German bombs in World War II. Now it has a modern, high tech look and it boasts the world’s busiest port. Today’s highlight is the Keukenhof Gardens, near Lisse, which encompasses over 70 acres of parkland with lakes, sculpture gardens, greenhouses and a windmill to explore. Millions of flower bulbs are grown here that present a spectacular display of blooms every year. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Amsterdam – Volendam. Excursion to Edam. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by canal boat, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s Golden Age. An excursion takes you north of the city to Volendam on the Ijsselmeer, a maze of fishermen’s houses built on poles and a unique open harbour. The small, timbered church dates back to 1658. Continue to Edam, whose cheese of the same name has become famous worldwide and where cheese markets are still held in the summer months. The old town centre, especially the Kwakelsteeg, still has lovely characteristic Waterland house. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Amsterdam. Transfer to the airport or station for your journey to the UK. (B)