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:Guided tour of Airborne Museum in Arnhem; choice of guided excursion to ‘s-Hertogenbosch, or visit to a fruit and flower farm, or bike tourDay 3 Maastricht:Choice of guided tour, or guided visit to a mill; 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; botany lectureDay 7 Brussels:Guided tour, see the town hallDay 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 »

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

A Duke’s Forest and a Dutch Treat

Classic
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the Airborne Museum of Hartenstein commemorating the 1944 WWII Battle of Arnhem.

Join your ship in Nijmegen and enjoy lunch onboard.

Classic
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
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, OR:
Active
ACTIVE Join in a Guided Bike Ride to explore the river banks of Arnhem.

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
CLASSIC Discover this vibrant university town with its lovely cathedrals, old houses, and buildings, and impressively cobblestoned town center, OR:
Discovery
DISCOVERY Take a Guided Visit to an old working mill still in operation. At the end of your visit, join the interactive museum and bake your own Vlaai—a delicious Limburg pie.
Discovery
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
DISCOVERY While sailing satisfy your curiosity about botany and nature during a lecture hosted by a local expert.
Classic
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
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
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.
Discovery
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
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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BRUSSELS

Day 8

(B)

BRUSSELS (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Notes

  • 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 for Garden & Nature Lovers

Start Sooner, Stay Longer

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

Ship Details

Imagery II

Imagery II

One of 2016's two new additions to the youngest fleet on Europe's waterways, the Imagery II continues all of Avalon's outstanding Suite Ship traditions. Passengers can choose from two full decks of Panorama Suites, featuring Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows that transform the living space into a unique Open-Air Balcony. At a spacious 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, affording the incomparable opportunity to awaken each morning facing the splendid passing scenery. Onboard amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi access, an expanded Fitness Center, an elevator, alternative light dining options in the Panorama Bistro or al fresco grill lunch at the Sky Bistro, and an expansive Sky Deck with whirlpool, premium lounge chairs, a shade system, and deck games.

Included Amenities


Staterooms & Suites

Avalon Deluxe Stateroom (Cat. E) - 172 sq. ft.
Avalon Deluxe Stateroom (Cat. E)
Features
  • Comfort Collection BedsSM
  • Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
  • Soft & firm pillows
  • Choice of bed configuration
  • Bedside tables with reading lamps
  • L'Occitane bath products
  • Easy under-bed luggage storage
  • Alarm clock
  • Bathrobes & slippers
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Individual climate control
  • Large mirror in bathroom
  • USB Ports
  • Full shower with glass door
  • Vanity and lighted makeup mirror
  • Luxurious mattress toppers
  • European-style duvets
  • Extra blankets
  • Nightly turn-down service
  • Hairdryer
  • Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
  • Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
  • Direct-dial telephone
  • Well-stocked minibar
  • In-room safe
  • Elegant, contemporary design
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Two windows
  • Writing desk and chair
Panorama Suite (Cat. A, B, P) - 200 sq. ft.
Panorama Suite (Cat. A, B, P)
Features
  • Comfort Collection BedsSM
  • Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
  • Soft & firm pillows
  • Choice of bed configuration
  • Bedside tables with reading lamps
  • L'Occitane bath products
  • Easy under-bed luggage storage
  • Alarm clock
  • Direct-dial telephone
  • Well-stocked minibar
  • In-room safe
  • Elegant, contemporary design
  • Marble countertops in bathroom
  • USB Ports
  • 6-person sitting area
  • Writing desk and chair
  • Sofa
  • Luxurious mattress toppers
  • European-style duvets
  • Extra blankets
  • Nightly turn-down service
  • Hairdryer
  • Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
  • Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
  • Make-up mirror
  • Bathrobes & slippers
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Individual climate control
  • Large mirror in bathroom
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air BalconySM
  • Full shower with glass door
  • Vanity and lighted makeup mirror
  • Coffee table
Royal Suite - 300 sq. ft.
Royal Suite
Features
  • Comfort Collection BedsSM
  • Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
  • Soft & firm pillows
  • Choice of bed configuration
  • Bedside tables with reading lamps
  • L'Occitane bath products
  • Easy under-bed luggage storage
  • Alarm clock
  • Direct-dial telephone
  • Well-stocked minibar
  • In-room safe
  • Elegant, contemporary design
  • Marble countertops in bathroom
  • USB Ports
  • 6-person sitting area
  • Writing desk and chair
  • Sofa
  • Double sinks
  • Luxurious mattress toppers
  • European-style duvets
  • Extra blankets
  • Nightly turn-down service
  • Hairdryer
  • Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
  • Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
  • Make-up mirror
  • Bathrobes & slippers
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Individual climate control
  • Large mirror in bathroom
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air BalconySM
  • Full shower with glass door
  • Vanity and lighted makeup mirror
  • Coffee table
DECK PLANS

 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.