Tulip Time in the Netherlands and Belgium

Embark your ship in Amsterdam for your 7-night cruise. (D)

Enjoy a scenic cruise through the IJsselmeer to Lelystad. Venture to the charming, canal-laden village of Giethoorn, nicknamed the “Dutch Venice.” Capture wonderful photos of the picturesque thatched-roof farmhouses, which are seemingly lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. In the afternoon, go for a guided bike ride through the Dutch countryside or visit Flevoland’s vibrant tulip fields. (B,L,D)

After enjoying a scenic cruise through the Delta, join a guided tour to the medieval harbor town of Zierikzee, brimming with delights, from its 16th-century stone-built Gravesteen to its lovely harborside shops and cafes. This excursion includes a photo stop at the Oosterschelde Kering, the largest storm surge barrier of the Delta Works. Alternatively, focus your tour on the history of the Delta Works at Neeltje Jans, one of the world’s most impressive storm surge barriers. 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. Prefer discovering Bruinisse on two wheels? Join our guide for an exhilarating bike tour. (B,L,D)

Admire Ghent’s canal-side architecture and some of its famous sights, including the Castle of the Counts and St. Bavo’s Cathedral and its Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. Those with a sweet tooth can visit a chocolate maker’s shop. After being greeted with a glass of champagne, a master chocolatier will brief you on the history of chocolate. You will also have the opportunity to taste different types of pralines – and try your hand at making your own. Alternatively, take a full-day tour of Bruges, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through Grote Markt and Burg Square, visit the centuries-old Church of Our Lady with its prominent spire, and, if you choose, sample some of the local specialties, from Belgian fries to waffles to chocolate, before returning to the ship. (B,L,D)

Explore this trendy city 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. For a more active exploration of the area, join a guided bike tour. Later in the afternoon, you have a choice of two excursions. Foodies will want to go on a culinary tour to indulge in chocolate, waffles and beer. Flower lovers and gardeners can roam through the Floralia, an annual spring flower show featuring approximately one million bulbs that are hand-planted each year by the castle staff. (B,L,D)

In the morning, venture to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk, a lovely village renowned for having the country’s greatest concentration of windmills, all dating from the 18th century. Visit a private windmill via electric boat. You may also pedal past the windmills from the seat of a bike. Then, cruise to Rotterdam, where you can go on a walking tour of this city, nicknamed the “Gateway to Europe,” and get a taste of a local specialty at the market hall. Alternatively, go on an excursion to Delft to visit the Royal Delft Porcelain Factory and Museum. If you prefer a more active adventure, then go on a bike ride through Rotterdam and past some of its famous landmarks and architecture. Or, if you wish to explore the history of US immigration, join us on an excursion that visits Delfshaven, where, on August 1, 1620, the Pilgrim fathers departed on their epic journey aboard the Speedwell, plus tour the FENIX Museum of Migration, a former harbor warehouse that has been transformed into a unique educational experience. (B,L,D)

Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising before venturing out in the afternoon on a smaller boat specially designed to glide beneath the many bridges of Amsterdam. Admire the city’s historic harbor and canals, where you’ll see beautiful homes lining the water and the fabled Skinny Bridge. Alternatively, marvel at one of the most impressive public gardens in the world, Keukenhof**, which presents a spectacular display of millions of flowering tulips spread out over 70 acres. Spend time ambling through this legendary garden, open only nine weeks a year and sometimes referred to as the “Garden of Europe.” (B,L,D)

Disembark the ship and prepare for your flight home. (B)