Colours of the Netherlands & Belgium

Arrive in Amsterdam and transfer to your river ship. This evening, join your Cruise Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception.

Board a glass-top boat and glide through Amsterdam’s maze of waterways with a local guide, then enjoy some free time to explore at your leisure.

Enhance Your Journey – Muiderslot Castle

Visit one of the Netherlands’ best-preserved medieval fortresses. Dating to the 13th century, Muiderslot Castle is famed for its round corner towers, surrounding moat and beautifully kept gardens.

In Arnhem, visit the Airborne Museum and gain insight into the Battle of Arnhem, when Allied forces attempted to secure a vital bridgehead on the northern banks of the Rhine River in September 1944.

Enjoy a guided tour of the city of Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands. Situated close to the German border in the east of the country, Nijmegen celebrated its 2,000th birthday in 2005. Nijmegen’s fame stretched to new corners when legendary America singer Nina Simone bought a home there in 1988, staying until 1990. Admire the city’s many beautiful historic buildings and landmarks, and don't miss a visit to one of the city’s many bars to soak up a slice of authentic Dutch charm.

Set out on a guided tour of Maastricht, the birthplace of the modern European Union. Developed as a Roman settlement around 50BC, it is a city of many personalities having undergone a number of identity changes throughout its history. Admire the beautiful Basilica of Our Lady, one of the oldest remaining religious buildings in the city, see traces of the Middle Ages in the city walls, stroll along the city’s iconic cobblestone roads, and enjoy the welcoming feel of what is today an energetic university city.

Enhance Your Journey – Regional Wine Tasting

Masstricht is filled with underground cellars that are ideal for wine storage. On this optional excursion, you'll visit one of the oldest cellars in the Netherlands, where'll you'll be guided around the facilities and the cellars, before sampling three local wines from the region.

Arrive in Antwerp and embark on a guided walking tour. Discover the vibrant Grand Square, with its bustling market, before visiting the impressive Steen Castle and the majestic Cathedral of Our Lady. Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore further.

Today is at leisure to explore Antwerp. For those keen to immerse themselves in Antwerp’s culinary delights, consider joining a Belgium chocolate tour.

Enhance Your Journey – Chocolate Nation Tour

Sample some of Belgium’s renowned chocolate, and taste for yourself why they’re considered the world’s finest.

Embark on a guided discovery of Ghent, then unwind on a scenic canal cruise past gabled facades, historic guild houses and graceful bridges, offering a unique waterside perspective of this beautifully preserved medieval city.

Today, visit the Menin Gate, the iconic memorial honouring Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave. Continue to the Memorial Museum Passchendaele, dedicated to the 1917 battle where nearly 500,000 men died in just 100 days. Afterwards, pay your respects at Tyne Cot Cemetery — the largest Commonwealth War Graves site — and the Polygon Wood battlefield.

Today is a day at leisure, or you may wish to join an optional tour to Bruges.

Enhance Your Journey – Bruges

Join an excursion to discover the historic wonders of Bruges, including the Markt Plaza and medieval bell tower. End your visit with a scenic canal cruise, gliding through the city’s charming waterways and admiring its beauty from a unique waterside perspective.

Enjoy a special Insider Experience today.

Insider Experience - Delta Works

Visit the Delta Works, one of the world’s most impressive engineering achievements. Learn how this vast network of dams, storm surge barriers and sluices — constructed over more than 30 years — protects the Netherlands from the sea. Spanning 13 sections, it is the largest flood-defence system on earth and one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

This morning, join a walking tour of Willemstad, exploring its historic streets and fortified harbour. Later, cruise to Kinderdijk and visit the World Heritage-listed village, home to the Netherlands’ greatest concentration of 18th-century windmills.

Stroll through Rotterdam’s striking skyline and past the famous Cube Houses, then stop at a local market to sample the city’s beloved stroopwafels.

Enhance Your Journey – The Hague

Discover The Hague on a guided tour, including a visit to the Binnenhof complex — home to the Dutch Parliament — and the renowned Peace Palace.

Enjoy a day of exploration before gathering this evening for a Captain’s Farewell Dinner.

Insider Experience – Keukenhof Gardens

Visit Keukenhof Gardens, a vibrant floral showcase spanning more than 70 acres of landscaped parklands. Admire sweeping displays of spring bulbs, including colourful tulips (March–April departures).

Insider Experience - National Maritime Museum

Explore Amsterdam’s striking National Maritime Museum, where immersive galleries and historic vessels bring the Netherlands’ legendary seafaring past to life. (July departure).

Today, your journey comes to an end. After saying farewell to your fellow travellers, disembark your ship and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.