Overview
Next, you’ll explore the city of Antwerp—birthplace of the master painter Peter Paul Rubens. Stroll its cobbled lanes amid...read more 16th-century guildhall houses and the cathedral’s stunning altarpiece paintings by the famous artist. In Brussels, you’ll find landmark buildings and a collection of cafes and shops on your guided tour. Visit “The Diamond of Flanders”, Ghent, for stunning Flemish artwork in St. Bavo’s Cathedral. Explore more of the Flanders area with tours in Bossuit—the In Flanders Fields Museum and moving battlefield memorials and memorabilia.
In Middelburg, explore its grand history in the Dutch East India Company. Visit the fascinating Flood Museum to hear and see the stories of the flood of 1953. Continue your cruise through Kinderdijk—where windmills built in 1740 for water management helped the iconic structures become a symbol of Holland. See the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam, and the quintessential Dutch towns of Zaandam and Haarlem with their signature flower farms, windmills, waterways, and North Sea trading. Your cruise through Holland and Belgium returns to Amsterdam for a guided canal cruise through the iconic city.
Itinerary
Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure. During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens - with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NIJMEGEN (D)
Wildlife, WWII Valor, and Famous Mills
- Active: Explore the beautiful landscape of lush fields and blue water on a bike ride through The Ooijpolder Nature Reserve, OR:
- Discovery: Join a Guided Tour of Nijmegen - the oldest town in the Netherlands. Learn how this city was first built more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans and see the archaeological Roman - era ruins in the city that was also damaged in WWII, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Tour of the Airborne Museum of Hartenstein commemorating the 1944 WWII Battle of Arnhem.
You may join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Windmill of Thorn or an Optional Cooking Workshop.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAASTRICHT (B/L/D)
Dutch History, School Spirit and an Architectural Feast
Enjoy an early morning sailing to Maastricht.
- Active: Maastricht's charm awaits, Follow your Adventure Host for a walk in this lovely town, OR:
- Classic: Discover this vibrant university town with its lovely cathedrals, old houses, historical buildings, and impressively cobblestoned town centre.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NAMUR (B/L/D)
Ancient Architecture and Charming Cafes
- Active: Explore Namur's countryside by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the picturesque old-town, fortress citadel, and medieval architecture.
Take free time to stroll along Namur's cobblestone lanes and visit its charming cafes and bookshops.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LIEGE (B/L/D)
Historic Wonders and Wonderful Waffles
- Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the "Fiery City" of Liege with its beautiful ancient quarters, peculiar alleys, and romantic streets. Don't miss sampling authentically sweet Liege Waffles.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ANTWERP (B/L/D)
A Rubenesque Cathedral in Artful Antwerp
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
- Active: Explore Antwerp by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Take a Guided Tour of this sophisticated city to visit the central Grote Markt, lined with 16th-century guildhall houses. You'll also see the beautiful city hall, the Cathedral of Our Lady with its stunning altarpiece paintings by Rubens.
Later, enjoy dinner and live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRUSSELS (B/L/D)
Ancient Landmarks and New Haunts
- Active: See Brussel's Aquaculture farm on bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Discovery: Join a do-it-yourself chocolate workshop for a fun and interactive experience, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Brussels, see the Town Hall with its landmark buildings and discover the many local bars, cafes and shops of the Lower Town Streets.
The afternoon is free to explore Brussels at your pace.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BRUSSELS (B/L/D)
Filling Fare and Fabled Beer
Spend a day at leisure to sample Brussels hearty cuisine and famous beer. Enjoy dinner on board as you sail for Ghent this evening.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GHENT (B/L/D)
Medieval Masterpieces and Flemish Finery
Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
- Active: Explore a different side of Ghent by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Explore Ghent - "The Diamond of Flanders" - with a Guided Sightseeing Tour of this showcase of medieval Flemish wealth. You'll visit St. Bavo's Cathedral - with its remarkable Flemish artwork.
Alternatively, you may choose to join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion of Bruges to explore its canals, cobbled streets, and medieval buildings. You'll see its crisscrossed canals, the 13th-century belfry of Market Square, and charming patrician houses. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN GHENT (B/L/D)
Battlefield Remembrances in Flanders
- Discovery: Visit the In Flanders' Field Museum in Ypres - learn about the story of the invasion of Belgium, the first months of the mobilization, the four years trench war in the Westhoek, the end of the war, and the permanent remembrance ever since. After your visit, enjoy lunch at the museum's cafe.
- Discovery: Following the museum, visit, battlefields, cemeteries, memorials and private collections.
- Discovery: Experience the Last Post Ceremony, taking place nightly under the arches of the Menin Gate. Enjoy some free time for dinner before the Ceremony starts.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MIDDELBURG (B/L/D)
A Spicy History in Middelburg's Dutch Harbour Town
- Classic: Join a Guided Walking Tour through the winding cobblestones and canals of Middelburg. See the 15th century Gothic Town Hall and learn about its important role in the spice trade and Dutch East India trading.
Enjoy lunch on board while cruising to Veere.
- Active: Alternatively, bike from Middelburg to Veere with your Adventure Host.
VEERE: History and Scottish Houses
- Classic: Explore the town of Veere with an expert local guide.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT SAILING IN KINDERDIJK (B/L,D: )
Harnessing the Wind 300 Years
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
- Active: See the windmills of Kinderdijk by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Kinderdijk where 19 windmills were built in 1740 as flood prevention and water management. You'll hear about the windmill's vital role in the Netherland's history and why it became a national symbol of Holland.
Enjoy a cruise through Rotterdam harbour.
- Active: Experience Rotterdam by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rotterdam featuring innovative architecture, including the marvelous Erasmus Bridge.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ZAANDAM (B/L/D)
Windmills, Waterways, and Waving Fields of Flowers
Arrive in Zaandam this morning with free time to explore this quintessential Dutch town. See windmills, waterways, and flower farms, while discovering Dutch history in its handicraft shops and museums. Cruise to Haarlem this afternoon while enjoying lunch on board.
HAARLEM: Tulips and North Sea Trading Ports
- Active: Enjoy an easy bike ride to the beach with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Visit Haarlem, a major flower bulbs growing district outside of Amsterdam. Explore the former North Sea trading port with its medieval features, gabled houses, and leafy courtyards.
Enjoy dinner on board your ship this evening as you sail to Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B/L/D)
Canals of Colourful Amsterdam
- Active: Join a Biking Tour through the Dutch countryside past polders, dykes, and quaint centuries-old villages, OR:
- Discovery: Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:
- Classic: Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age."
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B/L/D)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Life Onboard Avalon Tranquility II
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Avalon River Cruises (2024-25)
Availability Click on prices below to view cabin upgrades and details
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Avalon. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Avalon. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
