Tauck 8-Day Belgium & Holland River Cruise

Antwerp, Belgium’s second largest city, is the capital of the province of Flanders, also known as the Low Countries. Its historic center is noted for its many historic buildings and monuments. Take an orientation tour of the city and discover Grote Market, the old market square… the lavishly decorated Flemish Renaissance City Hall… and numerous restored merchants’ houses harkening back to the days when Antwerp was a powerful center of international commerce – at one time, the richest city in Europe. Hang out at a local brewery and enjoy some free time to exploring Antwerp before setting off for Ghent.

Arrive in the historic city of Ghent after cruising through Flanders overnight. Ghent is arguably Belgium’s most beautiful city, and its pedestrian-friendly cobblestoned town center feels like an outdoor museum of early Flemish architecture. Think about climbing to the top of the 14th-century belfry for a view – Ghent laid out before you is a visual delight of castles, churches, and historic merchants’ houses. Be sure to try the local speciality, Ghent noses – traditional raspberry candies sold at stands on the street or enjoy a warm Belgium waffle. After breakfast, continue on to Bruges, known as the Venice of the North. You’ll have lunch in town and then take a walking tour to see the city’s canals and tiny medieval streets. You’ll feel like you’ve walked into a painting by Jan Van Eyck, who captured life in Bruges during its heyday in the 15th century. The hike up the stairs of the medieval belltower is well worth the effort; from there you’ll get wonderful panoramic views of the city. For dinner, you’ll be served a chef’s Signature Dinner on board as you sail toward Dordrecht in the Netherlands.

Today you’ll dock in Dordrecht, a city on the banks of five rivers. A walking tour reveals the city’s architecture and monuments from the 15th to 18th centuries. Have lunch, then head to Kinderdijk for an unforgettable experience that offers views of 19 original windmills preserved as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the unique Dutch history of windmills at Kinderdijk, where you can see an array of historic windmills set in an authentic environment. Alternatively, you can choose a bicycle trip among the windmills. Later, visit Rotterdam and disembark for a Tauck Exclusive evening featuring dinner and live music at The Hague’s Mauritshuis museum, home to some of the world’s most renowned works by famous Dutch artists from the Golden Age.

Wake up in Utrecht and visit Keukenhof Gardens, the most beautiful spring garden in the world. More than seven million colorful tulips, daffodils and hyacinths blanket the 80-acre landscape each year for eight weeks. Spend the morning here and have lunch. Cruise on to Amsterdam later in the evening.

Wake up in Amsterdam—a lively blend of history and contemporary life. After breakfast on the ship, begin your exploration of this nearly car-free city with a canal boat cruise of its 17th-century canals, which offer a refreshing perspective on the Netherlands’ capital city. You’ll discover that Amsterdam boasts more canals than Venice…and more museums per kilometer than any other European capital. One of the most famous is the Rijksmuseum, filled with works by Dutch Masters like Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid. Spend the afternoon any way you like and return to your riverboat in the late afternoon. After dinner, enjoy a final performance by the ship’s band, followed by a farewell reception and toast.

Your Captain and crew bid you farewell as you disembark this morning; your transfer to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport or Central Train Station is included. Fly home anytime, with plenty of time to check in at the airport.