Tulips and Windmills - Exclusive Cruise
SPECIAL OFFERS - £400 PER PERSON DISCOUNT (Book by 24th March - Limited Availability)
Based on the Amadeus Silver III - 13th - 20th April 2017 - from only £895 per person
Day 1: Amsterdam
Your tulip cruise starts out from the Dutch city of canals, Amsterdam, where the Amadeus Silver III awaits. After boarding there's plenty of time in the afternoon to explore your floating hotel before we invite you to join us for a welcome cocktail in the panorama bar in the evening. Afterwards the crew will get you in the mood for your cruise with an exclusive welcome dinner. The vessel will stay in Amsterdam overnight.
Day 2: Amsterdam / Volendam
After breakfast those interested can take a city tour of Amsterdam. This is a chance to discover the main sights of this metropolis and pay a visit to the world-famous flower market -- and of course a trip on a canal is a must! Alternatively you can visit the world famous Van Gogh museum -- nowhere else in the world are so many works by this Post Impressionist painter housed under one roof.
At midday the vessel sails from Amsterdam heading north. Here we cross the 1,100 km2 Ijsselmeer Lake and in the afternoon reach the picturesque fishing village of Volendam, the starting point for our trip to northern Holland. After a walk through the village, you'll have the chance to visit a regional cheese dairy to watch Holland's most popular export being made before taking a trip to the small town of Edam with its world-famous cheese market. In the evening you return to the vessel and we set off for Arnheim the same night.
Day 3: Arnheim
In the morning, take this opportunity to enjoy the wonderful views of the river landscapes from the sun deck, before arriving in Arnhem just in time for lunch. The varied afternoon programme has something to suit everyone. There's a trip to the local open-air museum with its 85 historic buildings, offering exciting insight into the daily lives of people in the past, whilst the 'Bridge of Arnheim' tour takes visitors to this former Second World War battlefield and includes a trip to the Airborne Museum Hartenstein. In the evening, it’s full steam ahead again as the vessel takes you to Middleburg, the capital of the province of Zeeland.
Day 4: Middelburg
We arrive in the small town of Middelburg at midday on the fourth day of your trip. Two different excursions are on offer in the afternoon, each charming in its own way. During a tour of the town you can visit the smallest university in the country as well as gain an insight into the rich history of the town with its impressive monuments and picturesque facades. Alternatively you can take a trip to the imposing Delta Works -- a pioneering architectural project established in 1953 following the devastating flood catastrophe. Today it serves as a protection against flooding and storm surges. Afterwards the trip takes you to the historic trading town of Veere before you return to the vessel and set sail from Middelburg in the early evening
Day 5: Ghent & Bruges
Overnight we cross the border into Belgium and reach the city of Ghent in the early morning, where the cruise vessel will be docked all day. It you wish, you can join a tour in the morning to learn about the country’s third largest city, especially the city centre which has protected monument status, and the St Bavo cathedral, famous for its ‘Ghent altar’ and 85 m bell tower.
In the afternoon you can enjoy a tour of the town of Bruges complete with another cultural highlight. The centre of this former European Capital of Culture has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 and has numerous historic treasures to offer including the impressive Church of Our Lady and the belfry tower, the most important tower in the city. At 83m high and with 366 steps to climb, it offers unrivalled views over the city of Bruges. On returning from the excursion you will still have time for a lovely walk around Ghent, before your luxury cruise vessel continues on towards Antwerp in the evening.
Day 6: Antwerp & Brussels
Your ship arrives in Antwerp in Belgium early in the morning. After breakfast you can explore the city yourself or take a city tour. Antwerp is one of the world's most important centres of diamond trading as well as home to the largest Gothic church in Belgium, the 'Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal' containing some valuable paintings by Peter Paul Rubens. Those interested can take a trip to the Belgian capital of Brussels in the afternoon. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to explore this lively city, capital of the European Union. You'll have the chance to discover world-famous sights such as the Manneken Pis, Atomium and royal residence. When you're back on board, you'll be greeted by the captain inviting you to enjoy an elegant gala dinner before whiling away the evening in the panorama bar while the vessel sets sail for the Netherlands.
Day 7: Kinderdijk/Utrecht/Amsterdam
On your penultimate morning we arrive in Kinderdijk, a small Dutch town famous for its windmills were you'll find a total of 19 wind pumps dating from the 18th century. The mills have been replaced by more efficient pumps but many of the old structures still remain and can be visited as part of a tour. Anyone wishing to see these distinctive Dutch landmarks with their own eyes can do so during our morning excursion to Kinderdijk.
At midday the vessel sets sail for Utrecht where the highlight of your tulip cruise awaits: a visit to the world-famous Keukenhof flower park. This beautiful green area is only open to guests for 8 weeks of the year and during this time there are more tulips in flower here than anywhere else in the world. Over 7 million bulbs are planted here each year and each season visitors from all over the world come to the Keukenhof flower park to attend more than 30 flower shows and explore a 15 km long network of footpaths and the largest sculpture park in the Netherlands.
After this trip a coach will take you to Amsterdam where your ship is ready and waiting. During your last evening on board you can enjoy a Dutch folklore show in line with the theme of the trip and have a chance to reflect on your adventure-packed day.
Day 8: Amsterdam
After breakfast it's time to say goodbye to the crew on board. The disembarkation in Amsterdam takes place in the course of the morning and the AMADEUS team will be on hand to help you with checking out. They're already looking forward to your next visit!
Port times and itineraries are subject to change.
