TULIP TIME
8 Day - River Cruise
Sail Dates: March 31 - April 7, 2024
Destination: Holland & Belgium
Longship: Avalon Passion
Ship Size: Max 166 Passengers
HIGHLIGHTS:
Daily Biking Options to Explore Each City
Keukenhof Gardens Tour - 7 Million Flowers
Travel Through Several Locks
Trip Overview
Make your visions of tulip season in Holland and Belgium come into view!
This springtime river cruise gets underway in Holland’s colorful capital of Amsterdam. This 700-year-old city offers an abundance of classic architecture, cafés, and restaurants to explore before you embark on your river cruise through Holland and Belgium. Sail through Rotterdam’s harbor, said to be the world’s busiest port. Garden enthusiasts will delight in a visit to see the breathtaking colors of Keukenhof, also known as the “Garden of Europe.” With 70 acres of parkland and lakes, it’s one of the world’s largest flower gardens with nearly 7 million flowering bulbs bursting with color. Next, sail to Antwerp, Belgium’s second-largest city, known for its centuries-old history in diamond trading amid ancient buildings and monuments combined with modern architecture. In Ghent, Belgium, join a local expert for a guided tour of the city, including a visit to St. Baaf’s Cathedral.
Your cruise traverses back into Holland where you’ll explore Middelburg, formerly an important trading city. You’ll still get a sense of its historic wealth today with its impressive structures like the Gothic Town Hall, Abbey Tower, and bustling Market Square. Alternatively, visit the fascinating Flood Museum to hear and see the stories of the flood of 1953. This beautiful and historic springtime river cruise concludes with more time to explore the wonderful city of Amsterdam. See the most fascinating views of the city on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.”
Ship Features at a Glance
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Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, and sweet treats
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Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area, and premium lounges
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Covered Observation Lounge
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Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner
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Welcome & farewell cocktails with sparkling wine & canapés
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Happy Hour every evening featuring complimentary house beer, wine, cocktails and a drink of the day
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Panorama Lounge & Bar with premium spirits, cozy seating, panoramic windows & dance floor
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Complimentary Wi-Fi access
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Choice of Classic, Active or Discovery excursions so that you can experience your cruise your way
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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
Stateroom: Panorama Suite - Royal Deck
Panorama Suite - 200 sq. ft.
Your bed faces the sliding glass windows so you can literally see the countryside from the comfort of your bed. The room also contains a table with two chairs in front of the French balcony so a meal, a snack or just a great conversation can take place in front of these spectacular sights.
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Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony
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Premium Hairdryer
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L'Occitane bath products
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Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
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Easy under-bed luggage storage
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One Queen-Sized Bed or Two Twins
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Full shower with glass door
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USB Ports
Daily Itinerary
Day 1
Amsterdam
Day 2
Rotterdam
Day 3
Antwerp, Belgium
Day 4
Ghent, Belgium
Day 5
Middelburg, Holland
Day 6
Willemstad, Holland
Day 7
Amsterdam
Day 8
Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night onboard.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to beautiful Zaanse Schans where you’ll see a wonderful collection of well-preserved historic windmills and Dutch houses.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTTERDAM
Meals Included: Dinner
ROTTERDAM, HOLLAND - Dutch Treats and Flowers Sweet
Included Activity Options:
ACTIVE: Experience Rotterdam by foot with your Adventure Host
CLASSIC: Join a full- or half-day Guided Tour of breathtaking Keukenhof—known as the “Garden of Europe”—for its 70 acres of lush parkland, lakes, and the world’s largest flower gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths as well as other bulbs, planted each year.
Take some free time to relax on the harbor-side in Rotterdam with an artisan beer, a slice of appeltaart (Dutch apple pie), and a koffie verkeerd, a typical Dutch drink with equal parts coffee and milk. Take a bike from your ship to explore Rotterdam and the surrounding area.
Before dinner, enjoy a cruise through Rotterdam harbor.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ANTWERP
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ANTWERP, BELGIUM - Cathedrals, Carats and Crêpes
Included Activity Options:
ACTIVE: Explore Antwerp by bike with your Adventure Host
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.
Alternatively, you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the nearby capital, Brussels—considered home to the European Union, and admire its magnificent palaces and cathedrals.
You might prefer to take time on your own to indulge in Antwerp’s signature Belgian waffles and crêpes—or explore this bike-friendly city from its old wharfs to its legendary diamond district.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GHENT
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
GHENT, BELGIUM - Medieval Masterpieces and Flemish Finery
Included Activity Options:
ACTIVE: Explore a different side of Ghent by bike with your Adventure Host
CLASSIC: Explore Ghent—“The Diamond of Flanders”—with a Guided Sightseeing Tour of this showcase of medieval Flemish wealth. You’ll visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral—with its remarkable Flemish artwork.
Alternatively, you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion of Bruges to explore its canals, cobbled streets and medieval buildings. You’ll see its crisscrossed canals, the 13th-century belfry of Market Square, and charming patrician houses. You won’t miss the opportunity to explore Ghent since this Optional Excursion ends with an orientation walk of the "Diamond of Flanders.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MIDDELBURG
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
MIDDLEBURG, HOLLAND - VEERE - Spicy History in a Dutch Harbor Town
Included Activity Options:
ACTIVE: Bike from Middelburg to Veere with your Adventure Hos
CLASSIC: Join a Guided Walking Tour through the winding cobblestones and canals of Middelburg. See the 15th-century Gothic Town Hall and learn about its important role in the spice trade and Dutch East India trading.
During lunchtime enjoy a short sailing from Middelburg to Veere.
VEERE
CLASSIC: Explore the town of Veere with an expert local guide.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WILLEMSTAD
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
WILLEMSTAD, HOLLAND - Windmills and Historic Harbor
Included Activity Options:
ACTIVE: Willemstad by bike with your Adventure Host
CLASSIC: Join a Guided Walking Tour of Willemstad and discover its many beautifully restored buildings from the 17th and 18th Century.
Later, enjoy a Cheese Tasting on board as you prepare to sail to Amsterdam.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND - Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
Included Activity Options:
ACTIVE: Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam
DISCOVERY: Discover Aalsmeer Flower Auction—the largest in the world, where around 20 million flowers are sold every day. Later enjoy a typical Dutch breakfast
CLASSIC: Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”
This afternoon choose among the many Guided Optional Excursions available. Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
TRANSFER TO AIRPORT
Meals Included: Breakfast
PERSONALIZE YOUR TRIP
START SOONER, STAY LONGER
Dates & Pricing
SAIL DATE: Sunday MARCH 31 2024
DISEMBARK: Sunday APRIL 7 2024
SUITE LEVEL: Panorama Suite - Royal Deck
PRICING: $4,508.00 pp*
*based on double occupancy
$500 Non-Refundable Deposit Due At Booking
OFFER: $200 Shipboard Credit PER STATEROOM when booked with Cirillo Travel Group
Pricing Includes:
- Stateroom 8-Day Cruise
- Amsterdam Airport Arrival and Departure Transfers
- Included Excursions listed in the Itinerary
- All Meals: B, L, D aboard the ship outside of embarkation and disembarkation days
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Round Trip Airfare - Cirillo Travel Group can quote you airfare through Avalon or recommend other flights to book on your own. This gives you the flexibility to use miles and your preferred airlines.
- Travel Protection - Cirillo Travel Group will send options after booking.
- 1 Pre-Cruise Night Stay in Amsterdam - this is highly recommended and we can help book early arrival to reduce the risk of travel delays
- Crew & Tour Guide Gratuities
- Optional Excursions - Additional excursions are available for a fee - we will follow up with a list of these after booking.
Email us for additional 2024 Dates & Pricing or to request itineraries outside of the above