Springtime Tulips Cruise: Netherlands & Belgium – 2-Night London Stay

Your scenic springtime vacation begins today in London. As you arrive, enjoy a private taxi transfer to your four-star hotel on Euston Square for a two-night stay. Hotel check-in starts from 3:00 p.m., so if you arrive early, you can leave your luggage before setting out into the city.

Your time in London is unescorted and filled with opportunities, with many attractions and museums within walking distance. You might like to explore the West End's attractions, such as Piccadilly Circus, or pre-book admission to the British Museum, home to more than eight million objects that tell the stories of humanity. Other landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament, are also within reach.

As evening falls, you might like to explore London's eclectic dining scene, with restaurants serving everything from traditional fish and chips to global cuisine. Overnight London.

With a full free day in London, you can enjoy breakfast at the hotel before setting out at your own pace. In the spring, the gardens throughout London burst to life with colorful blooms. You might like to wander through the gardens at Buckingham Palace, or head across London to the incredible Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, which has been setting a stunning backdrop for more than 250 years.

Elsewhere in the city, famous landmarks await your discovery. Seek out points of interest like Big Ben or Westminster Abbey, or get a look at the city from above on the London Eye. Theater enthusiasts could seek out connections to Shakespeare, such as the Globe Theatre or the George pub, London's last surviving galleried inn.

London also has an excellent array of neighborhoods to explore, including Notting Hill, where charming antique stores and vintage shops can be found within candy-colored buildings. Overnight London.

• Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before a coach transfers you to London St. Pancras, where you meet the Cruise Director and your fellow travelers. Together, we board the Eurostar, traveling by rail to Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

On arrival in the Dutch capital, a shuttle bus takes us to the waterfront, where we board our luxurious cruise ship to begin our seven-night river cruise. There is some free time to settle into your cabin on our five-star floating hotel, and you could use this time to get acquainted with onboard amenities or soak up views of our new surroundings from the sun deck.

This evening, we enjoy a welcome drink in the lounge to celebrate our cruise before sitting down to dinner in the panoramic restaurant. Our meal is accompanied by live music from a traditional Dutch sea shanty choir - the perfect beginning to our springtime cruise. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Eurostar light meal, Dinner

Setting out after breakfast, we get to know Amsterdam on a scenic canal cruise, admiring views of the city's picturesque waterways and architecture. Crossed by more than a thousand bridges and lined with elegant gabled houses, the canals reveal the history and charm of Amsterdam - a city unlike anywhere else. 

Lunch is served back on the ship before a free afternoon to explore Amsterdam at your own pace. As you discover the city at leisure, you may choose to wander the charming side streets and hidden courtyards, enjoy a drink at a canal-side café, or visit one of the city's world-class museums, such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum. We set sail toward Ghent later this afternoon and enjoy dinner onboard this evening. Overnight ship.   

Please note: On the April 29th departure, Days 4 and 9 will be swapped, and we will visit Keukenhof Gardens today. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Enjoy a leisurely morning onboard as our ship sails toward Ghent, one of Belgium's most historic cities. Breakfast is served in the restaurant, and later in the morning, renowned expert Piers Storie-Pugh delivers a fascinating talk about the region's battlefields. A former infantry battalion commanding officer, Piers uses his expertise in the field to take us back in time.

Following a relaxed lunch onboard, you can choose between two excursions: an afternoon coach tour to Bruges or a guided sightseeing tour of Ghent.

Bruges is a medieval town of cobbled lanes, stately townhouses and peaceful canals. Stroll through the grand squares to discover the city's proud heritage, often best appreciated over a Belgian waffle or locally brewed beer. Alternatively, explore Ghent on a guided tour that showcases the city's medieval architecture, from the imposing Castle of the Counts to St. Bavo's Cathedral. A local chocolate tasting adds a delicious finishing touch to your visit.

We return to the ship this evening for dinner and drinks. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our day starts with an optional excursion to the Ypres Battlefield, including entrance to Sanctuary Wood. Once a key battlefront during World War I, the area remains a poignant tribute to those who served. At the Sanctuary Wood Museum, we step back in time to 1914, with powerful exhibits and an original trench layout dug by British troops.

Alternatively, you could explore the attractive town of Ghent at your own pace. Wander along cobbled streets lined with shops, galleries and inviting cafés, or stroll along the Graslei and Korenlei, the city's picturesque canal side quays, once part of Ghent's medieval port. You might also explore the colorful street art of Werregarenstraat or stop by the Great Butchers' Hall for a taste of traditional delicacies and local flavors.

As we return to the ship for lunch, we set sail toward the Netherlands. This afternoon offers time to relax onboard, whether you enjoy the ship's comfortable lounge and facilities, or unwind in your cabin as the scenery passes by. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sailing toward the Netherlands this morning, we enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard and beautiful views as we near the Dutch town of Arnhem. During the journey, Piers Storie-Pugh again lends his expertise as he delivers a presentation on the Battle of Arnhem, providing insights into the Allied offensive of September 1944.

You can choose between two excursions upon docking. Your first option is to visit nearby Oosterbeek for a guided tour of the Hartenstein Airborne Museum, set in the former Allied headquarters. Through immersive exhibits and personal stories, you can gain a powerful understanding of the Battle of Arnhem and its pivotal role in Operation Market Garden in World War II. Alternatively, step into centuries of Dutch heritage at the Netherlands' Open-Air Museum, an expansive museum park filled with authentic buildings, farmhouses and mills from across the ages, as well as demonstrations of traditional crafts. 

Returning to the ship after soaking up the rich cultural heritage of the Netherlands, we enjoy dinner and drinks ahead of a relaxed evening on board. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Scenic harbor views greet us as our ship drifts into Hoorn, one of the oldest and most historic cities in the Netherlands, and once a major trading port during the Dutch Golden Age.

Here, we enjoy a guided walking tour through its well-preserved historic center, discovering sights such as the 15th-century Hoofdtoren, once a harbor control tower, and the elegant main square, lined with gabled buildings and the impressive Statencollege. We pause afterward to enjoy a slice of traditional Dutch apple pie, a sweet treat beloved across the Netherlands.

Our day continues with a nostalgic journey aboard the Medemblik steam train, traveling through the scenic Dutch countryside. This leisurely ride offers postcard views of traditional windmills, stunning tulip fields and charming villages - the epitome of the Netherlands' culture.

We rejoin the ship later this afternoon and enjoy dinner and drinks this evening as we begin sailing toward Amsterdam, where we dock for the night. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Renowned horticulturist and star of BBC's Ground Force, Charlie Dimmock joins us on board this morning for an insightful presentation, sharing stories from her time at the BBC along with expert gardening tips and advice on horticultural care. Afterward, there is the opportunity to ask your own questions during a question-and-answer session.

Later, we disembark for a highlight of the cruise: a visit to the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens. Known as the "Garden of Europe," Keukenhof bursts into life each spring with an extraordinary display of more than seven million tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs. Open only from the end of March until the beginning of May each year, the gardens offer a fleeting but unforgettable showcase of color and creativity. Wander along beautifully landscaped paths and past water features, sculptures and seasonal flower shows.

This evening, we celebrate our final night onboard with a special gala dinner. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A showcase of Europe in spring, this vacation has explored famed cities, beautiful waterways and regional history in unforgettable ways. After two days of sightseeing in London at your own pace, we traveled by Eurostar to Amsterdam, from where a round-trip cruise journey revealed riverside charms from the Netherlands to Belgium. A range of optional excursions allows you to explore your way, whether visiting fairytale cities or exploring historic battlefields.

Along the way, battlefields expert Piers Storie-Pugh and renowned horticulturist Charlie Dimmock added a layer of expertise to an already exceptional trip.

Our cruise comes to a close after breakfast on the ship. An included transfer takes us to Amsterdam's station, where we board the Eurostar to London. On arrival this afternoon, you are free to continue your onward travels home independently.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar light meal