Day 1 - Arrive Amsterdam / Embarkation
Upon arrival, you'll be met and transferred to your luxury ship. There's time to settle-in and relax before gathering with your fellow travelers for dinner in the ship's elegant dining room. Meals D
Day 2 - Rotterdam and Delft
The devastation of Rotterdam during World War II was followed by an inspiring reconstruction effort, dubbed the 'Miracle of Rotterdam' - testament to the spirit of its residents. Your morning tour features Rotterdam's 590-foot tall Euro Mast, built in only 23 days, the moving 'Destroyed City' Memorial, and City Hall, built in a Flemish Neo-Renaissance style. Continue to historic Delft where you enjoy a walking tour through its romantic Old Town, laced with canals and arched bridges. You'll also have the opportunity to visit a porcelain workshop where the renowned 'Delft Blue' porcelain is made. This afternoon, you'll delight in the iconic windmills of Holland. On your tour to Kinderdijk, you will see 19 windmills built in the 1700's and standing in a row like sentinels along a tranquil canal. This evening, your captain hosts a gala welcome cocktail reception and dinner. Meals B,L,D
Day 3 - Cruising / Middelburg
A delightful morning onboard as your luxury ship charts a course through the canals and waterways of Holland. Enjoy the serene landscapes from the Sun Deck or relax in the spacious Lounge. Over the centuries, the Netherlands has endured a history of devastating floods. The Dutch response - a series of tidal wave dams - stands as one of the greatest hydro-engineering projects of all time. Today's afternoon sightseeing tour in Middelburg provides an inspiring look into the 200-year history of Dutch water engineering. Meals B,L,D
Day 4 - Ghent / Bruges Excursion
The perfectly-preserved medieval city of Bruges is one of the prettiest in Europe. Your escorted excursion features a walk along cobblestone streets to discover the magnificent architecture of Old Bruges and the historic marketplace, cradled by the Reie River. You'll admire fine Neo-Gothic buildings including the Government House, Palace of Justice, Town Hall and Church of Notre Dame. After lunch explore the charming town of Ghent at your own pace. Meals B,L,D
Day 5 - Antwerp / Brussels City Tour
Spend a leisurely morning exploring Antwerp at your own pace and discover its history as a diamond-trading center and the City of Rubens. Your afternoon's escorted visit to Brussels will pass by the Parliament and the Atomium - Belgium's 20th century landmark. Your walking tour through the medieval Old Town shows you the city's ‘talk of the town' - the iconic Mannekin Pis statue - and brings you to the famous Le Grand-Place, surrounded by some of the most magnificent architecture in Europe. With free time, you can visit a few of Belgium's famed chocolate-makers and browse through the delightful boutiques of the St. Hubertus shopping arcade. You return to Antwerp and board your ship with time to refresh and relax before another elegant dinner onboard. Meals B,L,D
Day 6 - Maastricht
This charming Dutch town has an ancient history stretching back to Roman times. As a wealthy medieval center of weaving, its fortunes were coveted and controlled, first by Burgundians and then by Austria, Spain, France and Holland. From the quay, your guide will lead you along the winding lanes of Old Town and through medieval squares to the historic Town Hall and central Market square, filled with boutiques and inviting cafes. As your ship charts a return course to Amsterdam, you'll have time to relax and refresh before tonight's gala farewell dinner. Meals B,L,D
Day 7 - Amsterdam and the enchanting blooms of Keukenhof Gardens
The Keukenhof Gardens is a masterwork that showcases nature's most colorful creations and the artistry of Holland's best landscape gardeners. Once a year, for just a few short weeks, millions of colorful bulbs burst forth in amazing glory, including a hundred varieties of tulips plus daffodils, hyacinths and more. Stroll the garden paths through vast fields of these springtime blooms and marvel at the floral displays and flower shows in the garden pavilions. Amsterdam is renowned as well for its canals, unique architecture and artists like Rembrandt and Van Gogh, and no visit would be complete without exploring these treasures. On today's in-depth tour, you also see the Royal Palace and Magere Brug, Amsterdam's most-photographed bridge. Then relax on a cruise along picturesque canals and visit the famous Rijksmuseum to see its impressive collection of Old Masters. Meals B,L,D
Day 8 - Amsterdam / Munich / Oberammergau
After breakfast, you'll be escorted to the airport for your flight to Munich. (Note that this flight is not included in the tour fare but can be purchased as part of your international air ticket) Upon arrival in Munich, board your deluxe motorcoach for a journey into the Bavarian Alps toward the enchanting town of Oberammergau for dinner and a restful overnight in this peaceful Alpine region. Meals B,L,D
Day 9 - Oberammergau and Passion Play
This morning, you'll enjoy a guided stroll through this enchanting village, set in a picturesque Alpine valley in the shadow of a dramatic granite mountain peak. Delight in the colorfully painted homes, centuries old and wonderfully preserved. Along the way, charming shops reveal the woodcarving skills of many town residents, whose families have perfected this craft over the past 800 years. At the Oberammergau Museum, you'll learn more about the fascinating history and inspiring traditions of the town. Following lunch, you'll be escorted to the historic Passion Play Theater, extensively renovated for the Millennium. This impressive venue now offers theater-style seating and a heated floor, ensuring your comfort as 2,000 actors take to the open-air stage, framed by a natural backdrop of spectacular Alpine scenery. The once-in-a-lifetime Passion Play is presented in two parts, including dinner in-town during intermission. Following the performance, you return to your hotel. Meals B,L,D
Day 10 - Oberammergau / Munich
After breakfast, an escorted transfer brings you to Munich Airport for your homeward flight. Meals B |
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