Day 1, ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND - EMBARKATIONWelcome to Amsterdam, a modern city with a rich and fascinating 700-year old history. Explore its unique and elegant architecture, lively cafés and markets, and vibrant night life. This evening, meet your fellow passengers on board at the Welcome Dinner. (D)
Day 2, AMSTERDAM - VOLENDAM - EDAMAfter breakfast, enjoy a scenic morning cruise through the historic harbour and canals of Amsterdam. See the beautiful homes that line the water, the fabled Skinny Bridge, and the famous house where Anne Frank spent years in hiding during World War II. Later, enjoy a panoramic city tour that includes a windmill and other iconic landmarks. Return to the ship for lunch while you cruise the Ijsselmeer towards Volendam. Enjoy a late afternoon tour of Volendam Harbour and see the fishing fleet and fish auction building. Continue by motor coach to Edam, a picturesque town with a rich historic past. You will have a walking tour of the Old Quarter's beautiful houses, canals, bridges and churches, including one of the largest in Holland, the Grote Kerk (Great Church). (B,L,D)
Day 3, ARNHEM - NIJMEGEN
Arrive in beautiful Arnhem early this morning and choose from two tours today. Your first option is to see the monument commemorating the Battle of Arnhem Bridge made famous by the classic film "A Bridge Too Far." You'll also visit the Airborne Museum and learn more about the Battle of Arnhem, one of the major campaigns of World War II. Your second choice is a tour of the most stunning royal residence in Holland, Het Loo Palace, with lavishly furnished rooms and meticulously sculpted gardens. After your tour, return to the ship for lunch and cruise to Nijmegen for some free time. Enjoy scenic cruising this evening as you sail through the Netherlands en route to Belgium. (B,L,D)
Day 4, ANTWERP, BELGIUMThis morning, enjoy a walking tour of Antwerp and see Antwerp Castle, Grote Market, Brabo Fountain and the city's superb architecture. Alternatively, visit the Rubens House, former home and studio of Peter Paul Rubens, the famous 17th century Flemish Baroque painter. You will also visit the Antwerp Cathedral, which houses two of Rubens' most important works, The Elevation of the Cross and The Descent from the Cross. The afternoon is free to explore Antwerp on your own. Alternatively, take an optional excursion to nearby Brussels, the capital of Belgium and site of NATO headquarters. After dinner, your ship departs for Ghent. (B,L,D)
Day 5, GHENT
After breakfast, take a guided walking tour of Ghent, which includes such highlights as the Belfry Hall, the Koornlei, the Graslei and the Castle of the Counts. This afternoon you may take an optional excursion to Bruges, one of Europe's most perfectly preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Early this evening, cruise through the Dutch region of Zeeland, home to one of the world's most complex engineering projects, the Delta Works, which took more than 30 years to complete. (B,L,D)
Day 6, WILLEMSTAD, THE NETHERLANDS - KINDERDIJK - SCHOONHOVENThis morning we will stop in the charming 400-year old town of Willemstad for a walking tour and special organ recital at the oldest Protestant church in the Netherlands. In the afternoon, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk, a lovely village renowned for having the country's greatest concentration of windmills, all dating from the 18th century. Tonight the ship cruises to Schoonhoven, where we will moor overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 7, AMSTERDAM- KEUKENHOF - AMSTERDAM
We arrive in Amsterdam today. Admire the spectacular display of millions of flowering tulips during your morning excursion to the famous 70-acre Keukenhof Gardens. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to delightful Zaanse Schans, a small historic village just outside of Amsterdam. The ship moors overnight in Amsterdam. (B,L,D)
Day 8, DISEMBARKATION - DEPART AMSTERDAMDisembark the ship and prepare for your homeward flight. (B)
