Bruges, Medieval Flanders, Amsterdam & the Dutch Bulbfields River Cruise

Your adventure begins in Amsterdam, as you board your five-star ship. The dedicated crew welcomes you aboard, ensuring you settle in to your extremely comfortable and well-appointed cabin. There’s time to familiarise yourself with your first-class floating hotel before experiencing the chef’s specially chosen menu for your first dinner on board.

Breakfast is an on-board institution and you’re always assured of an enticing range of choices. Then we’ll visit Keukenhof, the heart of the glorious Dutch bulbfields.

On arrival, nothing will prepare you for the dazzling spectrum of colours stretched out before you in the world’s largest flower garden, covering nearly 80 acres. The art of flower planting reaches breathtaking heights at Keukenhof, a gardener’s heaven created by more than seven million tulips, daffodils and other blooms set among a beautiful landscape of shimmering lakes, ancient trees, flowering shrubs and water gardens. You’ll have the choice of returning to the ship for lunch or staying longer in Keukenhof to explore further and returning to the ship later in the afternoon. 

Returning to Amsterdam, you’re free to explore as you wish. Amsterdam is an art-lover’s dream. You could visit the Rijksmuseum, an architectural marvel itself, it holds a magnificent collection of works by Dutch masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer. Or, if post-Impressionism interests you more, you might prefer the Van Gogh Museum, housing the world’s greatest collection of works by this genius of a man.  

For those with an interest in history, the Anne Frank Huis provides a poignant look at the war’s impact on real people’s lives. Anne’s record of the two years her family and friends spent in hiding is now a classic of Western literature, but the tiny, dark rooms put their experience into harrowing clarity. And the museum of the Dutch Resistance, the Verzetsmuseum, using personal stories, letters, artefacts, films and photographs to illuminate local resistance to end collaboration with the Nazis.

After dinner, you can relax with a nightcap and enjoy the sounds of traditional Dutch music performed live on board.  

One of the delights of river cruising is the enchanting experience of waking somewhere new, the water gently lapping as the ship glides almost imperceptibly along. We’re now deep in the heart of Holland, passing flower-bedecked houseboats, flocks of wildfowl and, of course, windmills! 

We’ll soon arrive in Arnhem, synonymous with the ill-fated 1944 aerial assault depicted in the film A Bridge Too Far. We’ll visit the battle HQ of the British 1st Airborne Division at Oosterbeek, now an excellent museum, and the Commonwealth War Cemetery, the final resting place of so many.

You have a couple of options on how to spend your afternoon. You may wish to visit the wartime headquarters of the British 1st Airborne Division at Oosterbeek, now an excellent and immersive museum that brings the story of Operation Market Garden vividly to life. Followed by the nearby Commonwealth War Cemetery, that offers a deeply moving experience, where beautifully kept grounds and long, quiet rows of headstones honour the courage and sacrifice of those who lost their lives here.

Or you can visit the fascinating Openluchtmuseum, an open-air museum showcasing traditional Dutch life, crafts and customs. During a guided tour, you’ll explore a variety of historic buildings and exhibits, with highlights varying along the way. Afterwards, there’s free time to wander at your own pace or even hop on the museum’s tram, which runs throughout the day, before a short coach journey back to the ship.

Back on board, we’ll continue our passage along the Dutch waterways, before enjoying another sumptuous dinner on board, as distant lights glint on the waterfront as we silently slip by.

This morning there’s a chance to relax as we sail. Having crossed into Belgium now, sit back on one of the comfortable deck chairs on the Sun deck and soak up the atmosphere of these magical waterways. Breathe in the clean air, listen to the rippling water and marvel at the captain’s skill as he calmly navigates the busy River Scheldt on our way to Antwerp.

We’ll arrive in the city after lunch for a tour led by a local guide taking in its numerous highlights and lesser-known features.

The birthplace of the Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens was once part of the Spanish Empire. Antwerp grew wealthy during its 16th-century Golden Age, when it was Europe’s largest port north of the Alps, with profits invested in the city’s Flemish art and architectural heritage, and later it became the world’s diamond trading centre. At its heart is the captivating main square – the Grote Markt – dominated by ornately gabled guildhouses, the Renaissance town hall and opulent Brabo Fountain.

The rest of the afternoon is free to explore as you wish, perhaps visiting Rubens’ extravagant former home and studio, the magnificent Gothic cathedral or even the painstakingly restored train station, of such architectural splendour it is often called the ‘Railway Cathedral’. 

Today, you’ll have the choice to enjoy a guided tour of Ghent, with the afternoon free to explore or join a full-day tour to Ypres and Tyne Cot Cemetery.

This Belgian treasure is bisected by a network of historic canals. Today, we'll join a local guide for a guided walking tour of the city, wandering through its many cobbled towpaths. Soak up the atmosphere as we admire the tall merchants’ houses and elegant bridges along the waterfront, and see the Saint Bavo Cathedral as we stroll along. The altarpiece, which features scenes from the Bible, is recognised as a work of art and people still flock to see the Flemish master's eye for detail and technical skill.

After our tour, you’ll have the afternoon at leisure to explore Ghent further. 

Synonymous with the horrors of the Great War and now a place of reflection, Ypres was almost flattened during the First World War as Allied and German forces fought for control of this strategically important town. After a guided tour of Ypres, there’s time to visit Flanders Field Museum and enjoy lunch in one of the local cafés.

The tour concludes with a visit to the world’s largest Commonwealth cemetery at Tyne Cot, its sea of 11,961 graves reflecting the First World War’s staggering loss of life. You cannot fail to be touched by the sights and sounds of this unforgettable trip back in time. We’ll return to the ship mid-afternoon, with the chance to explore Ghent before dinner. (Please note lunch is not provided when choosing this excursion.)

After breakfast we’ll drive to Bruges for a guided walking tour to discover the highlights of this alluring city. We’ll begin in its medieval heart, the Markt, which has served as the main market square since the 10th century. Towering 272 feet over the colourful gabled buildings framing the square is the Belfry and its 47-bell carillon.

You’ll have the opportunity to climb the 366 steps to the top, the reward being a breathtaking view of Bruges and the Flanders countryside extending beyond. We’ll also visit two other notable buildings in the Burg, the city’s second main square – the elegant Gothic Stadhuis (Town Hall) and the 18th-century law courts – plus the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Another must-see is the Church of Our Lady, which houses Michelangelo’s beautiful white marble sculpture, Madonna and Child. 

After lunch at leisure, the remainder of the day is free for you to explore. The Groeningemuseum and Sint-Janshospitaal are home to sublime works of art and you can find museums dedicated to Belgium’s holy trinity of beer, chocolate and frites. You can take a boat tour of the canals so you can see the city from a waterside perspective or find a café and enjoy watching the world go by. (Please note, lunch is not provided today)

Tonight, the chef will prepare superb dishes for you to enjoy at the Chef's Dinner. 

Early risers discover the ship making effortless progress along the delightful waterways and you experience the somewhat surreal effect of cruising above the surrounding reclaimed polders – it’s almost like flying!  After breakfast, you could watch as the riverbank glides by on the Sun deck, relax with a coffee in the panoramic lounge or pamper yourself with a treatment in the onboard spa.

During lunch we’ll arrive back in Amsterdam. There’s no better way to explore this delightful city than taking a classic glass-topped boat tour through the network of canals that infuse every aspect of life here.

The tour brings a real insight into the history and everyday life of Amsterdam, a maritime, financial and cultural powerhouse uniquely located facing both the sea and the heartlands of Europe. As we glide over the calm canal waters, you’ll see a fascinating variety of typically Dutch narrow gabled buildings, bustling streets and historic bridges immortalised by the great artists, and learn about its famous canalside residents, from the tragic Anne Frank, who wrote her diaries hidden in a merchant’s house, to Rembrandt, the Dutch Old Master.

Afterwards, you’re free to explore as you wish. Maybe relax in a pavement café and watch the crowds of Amsterdammers crisscrossing through the city on bikes. Looking for something a little stronger? Perhaps a tall, frothy beer from a local brewery. The city has a vibrant craft and speciality beer scene with many bars, tasting houses and breweries to choose from.

The Dutch are known for their chich, yet practical design, so why not browse the city's many shops in search of fun furniture, fashion and gadgets? The city is also home to many museums and galleries – the perfect place to while away the rest of the afternoon. Or you could also stay on board to catch up on some reading - the choice is yours.

After dinner tonight retire to the lounge to enjoy some well-known melodies during a guitar performance.