Embark on an 8-day cruise to and from Amsterdam aboard the MS Amastella—journey through the Netherlands and Belgium, indulging all your senses. Savor decadent Belgian chocolates and the aroma of fresh waffles. Hear the enchanting melodies of mechanical instruments at Utrecht's Museum Speelklok. Marvel at stunning castles, from Utrecht's de Haar to Brussels' Gaasbeek and Ghent's Castle of the Counts. Glide through Amsterdam's iconic canals, feeling their timeless charm. With expert local guides bringing history to life, return enriched by Holland and Belgium's flavors, sights, and stories.
Highlights
Explore Utrecht's medieval charm, visiting its Gothic cathedral and canals
Visit De Haar Castle’s grandeur, marveling at its fairytale architecture
Discover Hellevoetsluis harbor, strolling past windmills and wharf houses
Stroll through historic Ghent, admiring its medieval buildings and castle
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Amsterdam is home to 165 canals; you can enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, take a scenic cruise across the IJsselmeer to Utrecht, the religious center of the Netherlands since the 8th century. This vibrant city features a medieval old town with canals and a stunning Gothic cathedral, which you may explore during your walking tour. The tour also includes visiting Museum Speelklok, a whimsical collection of automatically playing musical instruments. Alternatively, on a walking or biking tour, you can marvel at De Haar, the largest castle in Holland. This castle looks like it came out of a fairytale, complete with turrets, moats, suspension bridges, and a luxurious interior that will leave you in awe.
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise through the delta before arriving in Hellevoetsluis, an island metropolis of South Holland. During your tour of this medieval harbor town, you may see enchanting sites such as its iconic working De Hoop windmill and witness the charming wharf houses. Later in the day, you may discover the intriguing history of how the Delta Works, a unique storm surge barrier, came to be while visiting the Flood Museum. More than half of the Netherlands lies below sea level and the Delta Works were built to prevent a recurrence of the 1953 flood disaster. Alternatively, visit a traditional Dutch flat-bottom boat and learn about the history of this unique type of vessel. For those who prefer an active adventure, pedal from Hellevoetsluis, with its cobblestone streets and charming harbor, across the Haringvlietdam and back.
There are several choices of excursions in Ghent, depending on your interests. Stroll through the Capital of East Flanders, learning about its unique history on your walking tour, or pedal through the spellbinding town on a guided bike tour. Alternatively, visit Bruges, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, on a full-day excursion that includes the renowned Church of Our Lady, home to the beautiful Carrara marble Madonna and Child sculpture by Michelangelo. If you prefer a shorter excursion in Bruges, visit the town later in the day or spend your afternoon at Ghent’s moated Castle of the Counts, which boasts an eye-catching design as well as a ghoulishly interesting collection of medieval torture devices.
Explore Belgium’s captivating capital on your guided walking tour or pedal through Brussels on a guided bike ride that takes you into Laeken Park, where you will see the unique architecture of the Far East Museums as well as the jaw-dropping iron molecule sculpture known as the Atomium. In the afternoon, visit Gaasbeek Castle, a 13th-century fortified castle built to defend the Duchy of Brabant against the County of Flanders. Alternatively, delight your palate with a Belgian chocolate tasting.
Explore Belgium’s trendy “City of Diamonds” on a walking tour where you’ll see Antwerp’s Steen Castle, Grote Market and Brabo Fountain, along with the UNESCO-designated Cathedral of Our Lady. Active travelers may prefer instead to bike through Antwerp. Later in the day, beer enthusiasts will appreciate a tasting of the local brew while foodies may prefer our excursion to sample some of Belgium’s culinary delights such as its fresh and fluffy waffles. An afternoon bike tour is also available for those who prefer to get their heart beating later in the day, and it includes an opportunity to visit the Red Star Line Museum, highlighting the historic shipping line responsible for transporting three million immigrants to America.
Early this morning, cruise through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Enjoy a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture, cobblestone streets and squares like Rathaus, Domplatz and Residenzplatz, as well as St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Guests looking for a more active morning can choose between a guided bike tour along the Danube from Passau to Erlau, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress overlooking Passau. This afternoon, the ship cruises to the medieval town of Vilshofen, where you will enjoy a festive Oktoberfest celebration with local beer and Bavarian folk music and dancing. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Amsterdam | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark your ship and bid farewell to Amsterdam as you prepare for your return flight home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,839
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Cat. E
Violin & Cello Deck
French Balcony, 170 sq. ft.
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Cat.D
Piano Deck
Fixed Windows, 160 sq. ft.
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Cat.CB
Violin Deck
French Balcony, 155 sq. ft.
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Cat.CA
Violin & Cello Deck
French Balcony, 170 sq. ft.
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Cat.BB
Cello Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
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Cat.BA
Violin Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
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Cat.AB
Cello Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft.
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Cat.AA
Violin Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft.
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Suite
Violin Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 350 sq. ft.
Notes
Single supplement is 50%, except for Suites which are 100%.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
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