Sail through Belgium and the Netherlands, discovering the Rhine’s history, picturesque cities and beautiful gardens with experts including Colonel Piers Storie-Pugh OBE and Charlie Dimmock

Meeting at London St Pancras* this morning, your holiday begins as we board the Eurostar, travelling by rail to Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Once in the Dutch capital, we head to our luxurious cruise ship and are welcomed by our wonderful crew. Once on board our floating home, there is free time to settle into your cabin and soak up the new surroundings.

This evening, we enjoy a welcome drink in the lounge before dinner in the panoramic restaurant.

Please note: on the 8th and 29th April departures, our ship will be moored at the village of Huizen, near Amsterdam.

*If you would like to travel by air, view our Fly & Cruise option here.

After breakfast aboard our ship, we get to know the Dutch capital on a canal boat cruise, soaking up stunning views of the city's picturesque waterways and architecture. Crossed by more than a thousand bridges and lined by gabled mansions, the canals reveal the history and charm of Amsterdam - a city unlike anywhere else.

After lunch, there is free time to explore Amsterdam at your own pace. Among the sights, you could view Dam Square, the city's main square dominated by the Royal Palace - a classical 17th-century masterpiece, the famous Flower Market, or visit the Rijksmuseum. We set sail to Ghent this afternoon and enjoy dinner on board this evening.

Please Note - For departures on the 29th April, Days 2 and 7 have swapped around.

Waking up to the gentle lapping of the water, we enjoy breakfast on board before our ship arrives in Ghent, a historic city in Flemish Belgium. This morning, an expert delivers a fascinating talk about the region's battlefields, using his expertise in the field to take us back in time.

After a relaxed lunch, you can choose between two excursions: an afternoon coach tour to Bruges or a guided sightseeing tour of Ghent. Bruges is an enchanting medieval town with a proud history. Here, you'll uncover winding streets, noble townhouses and grand squares, often filled with locals enjoying cafés serving Belgian delicacies. Alternatively, explore Ghent, one of Belgium's oldest cities, on a tour that showcases the city's medieval architecture and includes a chocolate tasting.

This evening, we return to our ship for dinner and drinks.

This morning, you have the choice to take an optional excursion to Ypres battlefields, including entrance to Sanctuary Wood. This area was a key battlefront during World War One and stands today as a poignant reminder of the conflict. The museum at Sanctuary Wood takes visitors back to 1914, with an original trench layout dug by British troops.

Alternatively, you could explore the attractive town of Ghent at your own pace, venturing into the narrow streets and pretty boulevards. The architecture lends an elegant grandeur to the buildings here, such as the impressive St Bavo's Cathedral and the Belfry.

As we return to the ship for lunch, we set sail towards the Netherlands. This afternoon, you can spend a relaxing time enjoying the ship's facilities or unwinding in your cabin as the scenery passes by.

Breakfast and lunch are served on board today as we continue sailing to Arnhem. A battlefield expert delivers a presentation on the Battle of Arnhem, providing experts insights into the Allied offensive of September 1944.

On arrival in the Dutch town of Arnhem, you have a choice of two excursions. Your first option is to visit Oosterbeek and enjoy a guided tour of the Hartenstein Airborne Museum. This institution focuses on the fierce Battle of Arnhem, part of Operation Market Garden in World War Two, the story of which was later detailed in the 1977 war film A Bridge Too Far. For a glimpse into Dutch heritage, you could visit the extensive Netherlands' Open-Air Museum. This 44-hectare museum park brings to life the country's culture and history through authentic buildings, farmhouses and mills from across the ages, as well as demonstrations of traditional crafts.

Back on board our ship, we enjoy dinner and drinks this evening.

Delightful harbour-town views greet us this morning as we reach Hoorn, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands.

Here, we enjoy a guided tour of Hoorn's historic centre. Hoorn grew rapidly during the Dutch Golden Age and prospered as a centre for trade, including as a base for the influential Dutch East India Company. Sights include the 15th-century Hoofdtoren, a former harbour control tower, and the charming main square lined by attractive buildings including the grand Statencollege. Later, we embark on a nostalgic journey through the picturesque countryside aboard the Medemblik Steam Train. During the trip, we can admire evocative Dutch landscapes of tulip fields, windmills and charming villages - the epitome of the Netherlands' culture.

Boarding our ship later this afternoon, we begin sailing to Amsterdam where we dock for the night.

Please note: on the 1st and 22nd April departures, our ship will be moored at the village of Huizen, near Amsterdam.

Renowned horticulturist Charlie Dimmock joins us on board this morning. The star of BBC's Ground Force delivers a presentation about her time at the BBC and her tips on horticulture and garden care. Afterwards, there is a question-and-answer session with Charlie.

Later, we set off to experience a highlight of our cruise - a visit to the incredible Keukenhof Gardens. Also known as the 'Garden of Europe', it bursts into colour as the glorious tulip displays begin to bloom. Open only from the end of March to the beginning of May, the gardens present an astonishing display of more than seven million daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and other spring-flowering bulbs. Besides early spring flowers, there are seasonal shows of scented freesias, chrysanthemums and roses. As you walk, swathes of flowers of every hue and shade contrast with brightly coloured sculptures, creating a one-of-a-kind experience.

Tonight, we enjoy our last night onboard with an elegant gala dinner while a Dutch sea shanty choir provides the entertainment - the perfect end to our cruise.

From the flower-lined canals of Amsterdam to the spectacular tulip fields of Keukenhof Gardens, this wonderful river cruise through the Netherlands and Belgium has revealed the culture, history and beauty of these two countries. Experts including Charlie Dimmock were welcomed on board our luxury ship to deliver informative talks on the battlefields of Flanders and Arnhem, and horticulture. A choice of excursions also provided the opportunity to immerse yourself in your area of interests, giving you the chance to explore the attractive cities of Bruges and Ghent, or uncovering the poignant battlefields of Ypres and Arnhem.

After a leisurely breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to the ship's crew. From Amsterdam railway station. We head towards Brussels and catch the Eurostar to London St Pancras, where your holiday comes to an end.

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

At the heart of the Netherlands, with a handsome whistling steam engine and attractive wooden carriages, the Medemblik Steam Train is a wonderfully nostalgic railway which skirts coastlines, tulips and windmills on a pretty Dutch route. This heritage railway was originally opened in 1887, and had operated up until 1941 before being closed down. Nowadays, the railway operates as a heritage train and the livery is that of the cars of 1926, during the golden age of the Medemblik Steam Train

The MS Amadeus Star is a 'masterpiece of design' and offers impeccable cabin spaces with 70 deluxe cabins and 12 Amadeus suites. Made up of 4 decks, the ship features several facilities including the panorama bar, restaurant, river terrace, as well as a wellness centre where you can book a relaxing massage, or arrange one of many beauty treatments. The sun deck on board also provides a fitness suite, which is open all day. Each bedroom onboard comes with a spacious ensuite bathroom, a mini bar, a flatscreen television, walk-in wardrobe, and either a double or twin bed. Some rooms also offer panoramic windows or a balcony.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.