Bulbfields Cruise in Spring 2013 

EARLY BOOKING OFFER

Book any 2013 cruise before 30 September 2012 and save £50 per person for everyone travelling on your booking. Terms and conditions apply.

We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar for Brussels, travelling in Standard Premier Class, with a light meal and drinks served on board. We continue to Amsterdam in First Class and on arrival transfer to our 5-star ship MS AmaPrima for a cocktail reception and welcome dinner. Once our cruise begins, the pace of the holiday is set by you alone - you may wish to take part in our included shore excursions, explore independently, or simply take it easy and enjoy the facilities on board. (E,D)

After breakfast we cruise through the historic canals of Amsterdam on a local canal boat. Whilst navigating the city's most famous waterways, we also see some of its most popular landmarks, including Rembrandt's House, the Skinny Bridge and Anne Frank's House. We follow this with a tour of Amsterdam by coach, seeing more of the characteristic gabled buildings. We return to the ship for lunch while cruising the Ijsselmeer to Volendam, a charming fishing port, where we have time for a walking tour. We then take an excursion to the village of Edam, world-famous for its cheese, some of which we sample during our tour. We cruise through the night to Arnhem. (B,L,D)

Arriving early this morning in Arnhem we see the site of the Battle for Arnhem Bridge during 'Operation Market Garden'. We also visit the Arnhem Museum Hartenstein, which shows the course of events during one of the major battles of World War II. After lunch we cruise onwards to Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands. You can take time to admire the old buildings on the Grote Markt, stroll down the Waalkade along Europe's busiest waterway, or discover Roman finds and modern art in the Museum Het Valkhof. This evening we sail a scenic route from Holland on to Belgium. (B,L,D)

This morning we take a guided walking tour of Antwerp, admiring the beautiful buildings of the Grote Markt and the imposing Church of Our Lady among many other examples of the city's superb architecture. Your afternoon is free to explore at leisure, or alternatively take an optional excursion to nearby Brussels (payable locally). Belgium's capital is home to a number of attractions including the Grand Place, one of the world's great market squares. After dinner we cruise towards Ghent. (B,L,D)

After breakfast we take a guided sightseeing tour of Ghent, the fourth largest city of Belgium. This city is the highlight of Flanders and has retained its medieval charm. Take the time to visit 'Castle of the Counts', a real medieval castle in the centre of town. The afternoon is yours to explore Ghent at your own pace, or alternatively take an optional excursion (payable locally) to nearby Bruges, one of Europe's most perfectly preserved medieval cities, whose centre has UNESCO World Heritage status. (B,L,D)

This morning we sail through the Dutch region of Zeeland. This region is home to one of the world's most complex engineering projects, the Delta Works. During the morning's cruise you will pass some of these magnificent projects, before stopping in charming Willemstad, a tiny town still surrounded by its defensive walls. After a short walking tour, we are treated to an organ recital in the town's octagonal church. We enjoy lunch as we sail towards Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to the Netherlands' largest collection of windmills. This evening we enjoy our Gala dinner on board, ahead of our final day of cruising. (B,L,D)

During breakfast we enjoy some scenic cruising along the Amsterdam Rhine canal to Utrecht. Our included shore excursion today is one of the real highlights of the tour as we visit the famous Keukenhof Gardens. Admire the spectacular display of bulb flowers in bloom during this morning's excursion, where 80 acres of flower-filled park awaits us. About seven million tulip bulbs are planted here each year along with crocuses, daffodils, orchids and other flowers creating an explosion of brilliant colour. Keukenhof also offers several ponds, sculpture gardens, greenhouses, a windmill which can be visited, and several terraces to relax on. We return to the ship in Amsterdam for lunch, and the rest of the day is free to enjoy at your leisure. (B,L,D)

After our final breakfast on board we transfer to Amsterdam station, travelling by train to Brussels. We change trains for the return Eurostar service to London, travelling in Standard Premier Class, with a light meal and drinks served at your seat during our journey to London St Pancras International. (B,E)

E=Eurostar Meal, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
These meals, where shown are included in the price of your holiday





During your time on board MS AmaPrima, included excursions are offered at every port of call. Every day you will be provided with a schedule of shore excursions - including informative walking tours and local excursions by coach - and a range of different activities available on board the ship.

The programme of excursions is interesting and varied, having been specially designed to make sure you get the most out of the places and regions that you visit. Walking tours are led by knowledgeable, experienced local guides who delight in sharing their passion for each destination.

Tours are conducted in English and relayed using individual radio headsets, ensuring that everyone in the group is able to hear the guide clearly.

Guests are split into three groups (slow, medium and fast), allowing everyone to join in and enjoy a tour which will suit them. There are also 'late starter' tours for those who prefer a few more minutes in bed!

If you would prefer not to join an excursion, you have the opportunity to explore at leisure. The ship has a number of bicycles on board which you are free to use as you wish.

Occasionally there will be additional optional excursions available to book and pay for on board. These extra excursions are designed to complement and enhance the excellent programme of included excursions.