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Springtime Tulips & Keukenhof Gardens

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Discover the magnificent floral displays of the Keukenhof Gardens on this wonderfully diverse cruise on the enchanting Belgian and Dutch waterways.

You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
202320242025
8 days From $2,795 per person
Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager

2024 Tour code: GR-NERA-24

About the tour

On this tour we uncover the beautiful historic cities of Amsterdam, Ghent, and Antwerp as well as the Battlefields of Ypres, the spectacular Keukenhof tulips and the   Hoorn-Medemblik steam train. We also enjoy a talk from army veteran and battlefields expert Colonel Piers Storie-Pugh OBE on this memorable river cruise.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London to Amsterdam

Meet your group and Tour Manager at London St Pancras today, where you board the  Eurostar to Amsterdam. On arrival in Amsterdam you are escorted to the ship and can settle into your cabin and your new surroundings. Later, enjoy a welcome drink in the lounge before a sumptuous 5-course dinner in the restaurant. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Amsterdam

After waking up to your first morning and breakfast on board, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Amsterdam, taking in all the sights which make this enigmatic port city one of the most loved in Europe. Discover the Royal Palace, Dam Square and the pretty canals for which Amsterdam is famous. After lunch you are free to explore this exciting city at your own pace before we sail to Ghent. As we sail we enjoy dinner with drinks on board.  Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Ghent

Our vessel arrives into Ghent today, in Flemish Belgium. This morning, Colonel Piers Storie-Pugh MBE comes aboard to deliver a fascinating talk about the battlefields in the region, using his impressive expertise in the field to take us back in time. After lunch you have a choice of two excursions: an afternoon coach tour to Bruges or a guided tour of Ghent. Bruges is an enchanting medieval town with a proud history - there you'll find windings streets, noble townhouses and friendly squares often filled with locals enjoying cafes which serve up Belgian delicacies. If you choose the Ghent tour this includes a Chocolate Stop. Return to the ship later for dinner. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - The Battlefields of Ypres

This morning you could choose to take an optional excursion to the poignant Ypres Battlefields, a key battlefront in the First World War, including the Sanctuary Wood Cemetery. Alternatively, you may like to explore the attractive town of Ghent at your leisure, venturing into the narrow streets and pretty boulevards. The architecture lends an elegant grandeur to the buildings here, such as the ever impressive St Bavo's Cathedral and the Belfry. After lunch onboard we set sail for Arnhem and you are free to enjoy the ship's facilities or relax in your cabin. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Arnhem

We have breakfast and lunch on board as we continue sailing to Arnhem where we arrive this afternoon. Here you can choose from two different excursions. Your first option is to visit the excellent Hartenstein Airborne Museum, in nearby Oosterbeek, for a guided tour. This institution focuses on the fierce Battle of Arnhem in WWII and was the setting of the war film 'A Bridge Too Far'. The musuem features a collection of various artefacts from the battle itself. Alternatively, you may wish to visit the interactive Netherlands Open-Air Museum, recounting the storied history of this proud European country. Later, we enjoy another delicious dinner on board. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Hoorn or the Medemblik Steam Railway

We arrive into Hoorn this morning where yoy are free to explore, either independently or on an optional guided excursion by coach. Hoorn is one of the oldest cities in The Netherlands and an attractive harbor-town. A second optional excursion is to take a journey on the Medemblik Steam Railway. We enjoy lunch on board then set sail back to Amsterdam this afternoon. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Amsterdam's Keukenhof Gardens

This morning we arrive back in Amsterdam and are joined on board by the wonderful Charlie Dimmock, star of BBC's Ground Force. We enjoy a presentation as well as a question and answer session with her, learning about her time at the BBC and her tips on horticulture and garden care.

Later, we experience a true highlight of the tour, visiting the magnificent kaleidoscope of color that is Keukenhof Gardens. Lined and filled with all manner of glorious tulips displays of all sizes and variety, this is one of the best floral displays in Europe and indeed the rest of the world. Tonight we sit down to an elegant Gala dinner with our captain and crew. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Return to London

After a buffet breakfast, your cruise comes to an end and you disembark your ship in Amsterdam. Here you are escorted by your Tour Manager by rail back to London.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Please Note

Pre and Post-night hotel accommodations in London are recommended. Ask your rail agent for details.

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Trains

Eurostar
Medemblik Steam Train

Ships

MS Amadeus Imperial
MS Amadeus Cara

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