Tulip Time in Holland & Belgium for Garden & Nature Lovers 2020

8 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Brussels

2020 Information

If you’re passionate about gardening, or you simply love nature, this Tulip Time cruise is for you! A special interest departure designed with inspirational horticultural art in mind. Special features combined with the season of endless rows of blooming colors make your cruise through Holland and Belgium one to be pressed in the memory books.

If you’ve dreamed of a view filled with windmills and blooming fields of color in Holland and Belgium, it all comes true on your European river cruise from Amsterdam to Brussels! Cruise on the Rhine River with a visit to Arnhem’s WWII Airborne Museum, and join your ship in Nijmegen and visit the lovely forest setting of ‘s-Hertogenbosch for decadent Dutch chocolate desserts. You may otherwise visit a fruit and flower farm to hear the history of a 15th-century windmill. Take a carriage ride through the nearby nature reserve to watch for herons, storks, birds of prey, and wild horses or, if you prefer, take a guided bike ride along the Rhine River banks of Arnhem. In Maastricht, tour the old cobblestoned university town, or visit a working mill to make Limburg pie.

On to Belgium for a sightseeing tour of medieval Namur. In Liège, see the ancient quarters of the “Fiery City” as well as its romantic streets, steps, and tiny alleyways. Next, you’ll explore the city of Antwerp—birthplace of the master painter Pieter Paul Rubens. Stroll its cobbled lanes amid 16th-century guildhall houses and the cathedral’s stunning altarpiece paintings by the famous artist on your guided tour of the diamond capital. In Brussels, you’ll find landmark buildings of Town Hall with a collection of cafes and shops on the Lower Town streets on your guided tour.

Accompanying your cruise is a botany expert who shares fascinating facts about gardening and the world of plants. You’ll learn a lot with knowledgeable onboard lectures on your Garden & Nature Lover cruise. Memories of Holland and Belgium will bloom in your memory for seasons to come!


Dates & Prices Get a Quote Book Online

Cruise at-a-Glance

Day 1 Amsterdam (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception Day 2 Arnhem—Nijmegen:Choice of guided tour of Airborne Museum or hike tour in a National Park; choice of guided excursion to ‘s-Hertogenbosch, or visit the mill of Thorn and a farm in NijmegenDay 3 Maastricht:Guided tour; visit a National Park in BelgiumDay 4 Namur:Botany lecture; guided tourDay 5 Liège:Guided tourDay 6 Antwerp:Guided tour, visit the central Grote Markt or visit a botanical garden; botany lectureDay 7 Brussels:Choice of guided tour, see the town hall or chocolate workshopDay 8 Brussels (Disembarkation):Your cruise ends this morning

Cruise YourWay

Avalon makes it easy to experience vacation your way with seamless extension options before and after your cruise. Your Way offers added nights in a selection of locales. From Budapest to Barcelona, you can spend a little or a lot more time getting to know more on shore with Your Way custom itineraries.

View 7 Your Way Cruise Options »

Always Included

You've always forged your own path...with your own distinct perspective of looking at the world. Avalon Waterways presents a river cruise experience with your unique style in mind—offering expansive views and wider perspectives. That's why we've designed a cruise experience that's just a bit different.

Here are just some of the features and amenities you'll experience on board our Avalon ships. See the Ship Amenities Section below for more information about the amenities in our fleet’s unique ships.

Throughout the Ship
Suites & Staterooms
Health & Fitness
Dining

Throughout the Ship:

  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Panoramic windows
  • Elegant, contemporary design & decor
  • Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
  • Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area and premium lounges
  • Covered Observation Lounge
  • Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day

Suites & Staterooms:

  • Comfort Collection BedsSM with choice of mattress firmness
  • Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
  • Bathrobes & slippers
  • Premium L'Occitane bath products
  • Large bathroom featuring shower with glass door
  • Flatscreen satellite TV with free movie channels
  • Individual climate control and in-room safe
  • USB Ports
  • Complimentary bottled water daily
  • And, much more.

Health & Fitness:

  • Bikes
  • Canoe, kayak and jogging excursions
  • Maps for hiking, biking and jogging routes
  • Fitness and wellness activities
  • Fitbits®
  • All through your Avalon Adventure HostSM

Dining

  • FlexDining® for more venue and seating options, including flexible seating times in our Panorama Dining Room
  • Avalon Fresh® healthy cuisine options at every meal
  • Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with every lunch and dinner
  • Early and Late Riser breakfast options
  • Daily full buffet breakfast with made-to-order egg station, hot and cold menu items
  • Daily lunch buffet with pasta or carving stations
  • Alternative light lunch at Sky Grill on the Sky Deck (weather permitting)
  • Daily Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, sweet treats & sandwiches
  • Daily four-course a la carte dinner in the Panorama Dining Room with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and desserts. Includes selections of regional recipes, Western dishes and vegetarian options.
  • Enjoy a tasting menu with a view in the Panorama Bistro - a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere while lingering over several satisfying selections
  • Captain’s welcome & farewell receptions and dinners with sparkling wine and canapés
  • Panorama Lounge featuring premium spirits and Avalon specialty cocktails, along with local entertainment special guests
  • Cocktails available on the Sky Deck
  • Fresh fruit available throughout the day

Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are 3 types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:

Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Discovery
We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Active
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
  • Plus independent exploration options and use of our exclusive AvalonGO APP.

Day-By-Day Itinerary

(B) = Breakfast   (L) = Lunch   (D) = Dinner

Day 1

(D)

AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 2 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure.

You may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ARNHEM

Day 2

(B, L, D)

ARNHEM–NIJMEGEN

A Duke’s Forest and a Dutch Treat

Classic
Join a Guided Tour of the Airborne Museum of Hartenstein commemorating the 1944 WWII Battle of Arnhem, OR:
Active
Join a Hiking Tour in the National Park and admire its diversity of scenery, from dense forests to high sand dune.

Join your ship in Nijmegen and enjoy lunch onboard.

Classic
Join a Guided Excursion to ‘s-Hertogenbosch (meaning the Duke’s Forest). Sample a Bossche Bol—a decadent cream puff covered in Dutch chocolate, OR:
Discovery
Visit a windmill and family-operated fruit and flower farm. Hear the history of a 15th century windmill with a local flour miller. Then, enjoy a carriage ride through the Ooijpolder nature reserve—home to herons, storks, birds of prey, and wild horses.

Sail out this evening for Venlo while dining on board.

AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO VENLO

Day 3

(B, L, D)

MAASTRICHT

Dutch History, Modern Spirit, and Fresh Pie

Enjoy an early morning sailing to Maastricht.

Classic
Discover this vibrant university town with its lovely cathedrals, old houses, and buildings, and impressively cobblestoned town center.
Discovery
Join a Guided Experience in a unique natural reserve and discover the typical heath landscape of Benelux.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NAMUR

Day 4

(B, L, D)

NAMUR, BELGIUM

Ancient Architecture and Charming Cafés

Discovery
While sailing satisfy your curiosity about botany and nature during a lecture hosted by a local expert.
Classic
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the picturesque old-town, fortress citadel, and medieval architecture.

Take free time to stroll along Namur’s cobblestone lanes and visit its charming cafés and bookshops.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NAMUR

Day 5

(B, L, D)

LIÈGE

Historic Wonders and Wonderful Waffles

Classic
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Fiery City” of Liège with its beautiful ancient quarters, peculiar alleys, and romantic streets. Don’t miss sampling authentically sweet Liège Waffles.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ANTWERP

Day 6

(B, L, D)

ANTWERP

A Grand Gothic Cathedral in Artful Antwerp

Classic
Take a Guided Tour of this sophisticated city to visit the central Grote Markt, lined with 16th-century guildhall houses. You’ll also see the beautiful city hall, the Cathedral of Our Lady with its stunning altarpiece paintings by Rubens, OR:
Discovery
Join your guide for a visit of a botanical garden.
Discovery
While sailing satisfy your curiosity about botany and nature during a lecture hosted by a local expert.

Enjoy cocktail or coffee aboard your ship as you sail to Brussels this afternoon.

Later, enjoy dinner and live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BRUSSELS

Day 7

(B, L, D)

BRUSSELS

Ancient Landmarks and New Finds

Classic
Join a Guided Tour of Brussels, see the Town Hall with its landmark buildings and discover the many local bars, cafés and shops of the Lower Town Streets, OR:
Discovery
See the major highlights of Brussels and join a do-it-yourself chocolate workshop for a fun and interactive experience.

The afternoon is free to explore Brussels at your pace.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BRUSSELS

Day 8

(B)

BRUSSELS (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

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Tulip Time in Holland & Belgium

Start Sooner, Stay Longer

Start your vacation earlier or stay longer with destination options before or after your Avalon cruise.

Ship Details

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyAvalon site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

No Excursions are available at this time.

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