Springtime Tulips & Keukenhof Gardens

Meeting at London St Pancras this morning, your vacation begins as we board the Eurostar, traveling by rail to Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Once in the Dutch capital, we head to our luxurious cruise ship and are welcomed by our wonderful crew. Once on board our floating home, there is free time to settle into your cabin and soak up the new surroundings.

This evening, we enjoy a welcome drink in the lounge before dinner in the panoramic restaurant.

• Dinner

After breakfast aboard our ship, we get to know the Dutch capital better on a sightseeing tour. Amsterdam is famous for its pretty canals and bridges, friendly people, relaxing parks, unusual museums and laid-back atmosphere.

Enjoying a canal boat cruise, we soak up stunning views of the city's picturesque waterways and architecture. Crossed by more than a thousand bridges and lined by gabled mansions, the canals reveal the history and charm of Amsterdam - a city unlike anywhere else.

After lunch, there is free time to explore Amsterdam at your own pace. You could view Dam Square, the city's main square dominated by the Royal Palace - a classical 17th-century masterpiece, the famous Flower Market, or visit the Rijksmuseum. We set sail to Ghent this afternoon and enjoy dinner on board this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking up to the gentle lapping of the water, we enjoy breakfast on board before our ship arrives in Ghent, a historic city in Flemish Belgium. This morning, Colonel Piers Storie-Pugh OBE delivers a fascinating talk about the region's battlefields, using his expertise in the field to take us back in time.

After a relaxed lunch, you can choose between two excursions: an afternoon coach tour to Bruges or a guided sightseeing tour of Ghent. Bruges is an enchanting medieval town with a proud history. Here, you'll uncover winding streets, noble townhouses and grand squares, often filled with locals enjoying cafés serving Belgian delicacies. Alternatively, explore Ghent, one of Belgium's oldest cities, on a tour that showcases the city's medieval architecture and includes a chocolate tasting.

This evening, we return to our ship for dinner and drinks.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, you have the choice to take an optional excursion to Ypres battlefields, including entrance to Sanctuary Wood. This area was a key battlefront during World War One and stands today as a poignant reminder of the conflict. The museum at Sanctuary Wood takes visitors back to 1914, with an original trench layout dug by British troops.

Alternatively, you could explore the attractive town of Ghent at your own pace, venturing into the narrow streets and pretty boulevards. The architecture lends an elegant grandeur to the buildings here, such as the impressive St Bavo's Cathedral and the Belfry.

As we return to the ship for lunch, we set sail towards the Netherlands. This afternoon, you can spend a relaxing time enjoying the ship's facilities or unwinding in your cabin as the scenery passes by.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast and lunch are served on board today as we continue sailing to Arnhem. Colonel Piers Storie-Pugh OBE delivers a presentation on the Battle of Arnhem, providing expert insights into the Allied offensive of September 1944.

On arrival in the Dutch town of Arnhem, you have a choice of two excursions. Your first option is to visit Oosterbeek and enjoy a guided tour of the Hartenstein Airborne Museum. This institution focuses on the fierce Battle of Arnhem, part of Operation Market Garden in World War Two, the story of which was later detailed in the 1977 war film A Bridge Too Far. For a glimpse into Dutch heritage, you could visit the extensive Netherlands' Open-Air Museum. This 44-hectare museum park brings to life the country's culture and history through authentic buildings, farmhouses and mills from across the ages, as well as demonstrations of traditional crafts.

Back on board our ship, we enjoy dinner and drinks this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Delightful harbor-town views greet us this morning as we reach Hoorn, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands.

Here, we enjoy a guided tour of Hoorn's historic center. Hoorn grew rapidly during the Dutch Golden Age and prospered as a center for trade, including as a base for the influential Dutch East India Company. Sights include the 15th-century Hoofdtoren, a former harbor control tower, and the charming main square lined by attractive buildings including the grand Statencollege. Later, we embark on a nostalgic journey through the picturesque countryside aboard the Medemblik Steam Train. During the trip, we can admire evocative Dutch landscapes of tulip fields, windmills and charming villages - the epitome of the Netherlands' culture.

Boarding our ship later this afternoon, we begin sailing to Amsterdam where we dock for the night.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Renowned horticulturist Charlie Dimmock joins us on board this morning. The star of BBC's Ground Force delivers a presentation about her time at the BBC and her tips on horticulture and garden care. Afterwards, there is a question-and-answer session with Charlie.

Later, we set off to experience a highlight of our cruise - a visit to the incredible Keukenhof Gardens. Also known as the 'Garden of Europe', it bursts into color as the glorious tulip displays begin to bloom. Open only from the end of March to the beginning of May, the gardens present an astonishing display of more than seven million daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and other spring-flowering bulbs. Besides early spring flowers, there are seasonal shows of scented freesias, chrysanthemums and roses. As you walk, swathes of flowers of every hue and shade contrast with brightly colored sculptures, creating a one-of-a-kind experience.

Tonight, we enjoy our last night onboard with an elegant gala dinner while a Dutch sea shanty choir provide the entertainment - the perfect end to our cruise.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From the flower-lined canals of Amsterdam to the spectacular tulip fields of Keukenhof Gardens, this wonderful river cruise through the Netherlands and Belgium has revealed the culture, history and beauty of these two countries. Col. Piers Storie-Pugh and Charlie Dimmock were welcomed on board our luxury ship to deliver informative talks on the battlefields of Flanders and Arnhem, and horticulture. A choice of excursions also provided the opportunity to immerse yourself in your area of interests, giving you the chance to explore the attractive cities of Bruges and Ghent, or uncovering the poignant battlefields of Ypres and Arnhem.

After a leisurely breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to the ship's crew. From Amsterdam railway station. We head towards Brussels and catch the Eurostar to London St Pancras, where your vacation comes to an end.

• Breakfast