Join the MS Amabella on a unique journey to discover the beauty and history of the Dutch and Belgian waterways. Admire the spectacular tulip carpets in Keukenhof Gardens. Visit the lush green countryside of Kinderdijk, home to the country’s greatest concentration of windmills, and experience Amsterdam’s distinctive architecture and vibrant nightlife. A wonderful opportunity to admire the great medieval cities of Antwerp and Ghent and to delve into the cultural traditions of the friendly Dutch and Flemish people awaits you.
Highlights
Join a panoramic tour of Amsterdam & observe the city's renowned landmarks
Visit a family-run tulip farm to learn about the growing process
Tour Rubens House, the former home of the famous Flemish Baroque painter
Explore Kinderdijk, a village renowned for its concentration of windmills
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Enjoy a scenic cruise through the Ijsselmeer to Hoorn, where you have a choice of three excursions. Visit a family-run tulip farm with over one million tulips, each in different phases of growth and in many species and colors. For those seeking to travel back in time, you can tour De Halve Maen, a replica of the Dutch East India Company’s most famous ship and then stroll through Hoorn’s beautiful old harbor. And for more active adventurers, go for a guided bike ride through the Dutch countryside.
After enjoying a scenic cruise through the Delta, you can explore medieval Middelburg, which was the second largest trading city of the Dutch East India Company. Or, if you feel like exploring the city on two wheels, a guided bike ride is the perfect choice. Alternatively, you may venture off to the Delta Works storm surge barrier, an impressive series of dams and Dutch hydraulic engineering. More than half of the Netherlands lies below sea level and the Delta Works were built to prevent a recurrence of the 1953 flood disaster.
Discover medieval Ghent on a walking tour. Admire the canal-side architecture and some of its famous sights, including the Castle of the Counts and Ghent Cathedral. Those more inclined to learn about the art of Belgian chocolate making can join a master chocolatier as he shares his insights. Alternatively, you may also visit one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, Bruges, on a full-day excursion that includes a visit to the Church of Our Lady, home to the beautiful Carrara marble Madonna and Child sculpture by Michelangelo. And for those who wish to see both Ghent and Bruges, join a highlights tour showcasing them both.
Explore this trendy city on a walking tour where you can see Antwerp’s Steen Castle, Grote Market and Brabo Fountain, along with the UNESCO-designated Cathedral of Our Lady. For a more active exploration of the area, join a guided bike tour. Or you can visit the Rubens House, the former home of the famous 17th-century Flemish Baroque painter. Later in the afternoon, you have a choice of two excursions. Go on a culinary tour to indulge in chocolate, waffles and beer, or roam through the Floralia, an annual spring flower show featuring approximately one million bulbs that are hand-planted each year by the castle staff.
Day 8: Rotterdam | Kinderdijk | Schoonhoven, Netherlands
During the morning, you can visit The Hague, the capital city of the province of South Holland, before going to the charming city of Gouda, known for its delicious cheese. Alternatively, combine Gouda with a visit to the Royal Delft Porcelain Factory and Museum, known for being the manufacturing base for hand-painted blue pottery known as Delftware. Or enjoy a guided bike tour through scenic Rotterdam, nicknamed the "Gateway to Europe." In the afternoon, venture to 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.
One of the most impressive public gardens in the world, Keukenhof, presents a spectacular display of millions of flowering tulips spread out over 70 acres. Spend time ambling through this legendary garden, open only nine weeks a year and sometimes referred to as the "Garden of Europe." Later in the day, admire Amsterdam’s historic harbor and canals, where you can see beautiful homes lining the water, the fabled Skinny Bridge and the Anne Frank House.
Day 10: Amsterdam, Netherlands | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark the ship and prepare for your homeward flight.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Category E
Piano Deck, Fixed window, private facilities, 170 sq. ft.
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Category D
Piano Deck, Fixed window, private facilities, 170 sq. ft.
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Category C
Cello Deck, French Balcony, private facilities, 170 sq. ft.
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Category BB
Cello Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 210 sq. ft.
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Category BA
Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 210 sq. ft.
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Category AB
Cello Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 235 sq. ft.
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Category AA
Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 235 sq. ft.
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Suite
Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 350 sq. ft.
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
TrustScore 4.8 | 169 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 169 reviews on
32 minutes ago
Friendly and professional interactions. Answered my questions and followed up on initial contact.
Tim Elliott
1 day ago
Adventure Life has been an extraordinary travel resource for us over the years and today was no exception. Our River Cruise booking was handled by Jess (who has been our personal trip planner for several years) the same day as our inquiry. Suggestions were given for cabin choice and pre-trip options (that were not shown on the cruise line's website) like airport transfers and prepaid gratuities. Trip insurance recommendations followed and we were assigned a travel co-ordinator till the end of the tour. All we have to do is show up! Great service from friendly folks.
APtravelwell
2 days ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
2 days ago
Although there was a lot of paper work, I received help and guidance when I needed it.
Donna Kirby
3 days ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.