Avalon Waterways River Cruise

8 days Amsterdam/Amsterdam
Cruise through Holland and Belgium in the Spring

INCLUDED FEATURES

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
This eight-day cruise gives you picturesque Holland and Belgium in the spring. Sightsee in Antwerp Ghent in Middelburg and Volendam. Visit the world's busiest port of Rotterdam and see the blazing colours of tulip fields in the Keukenhof Gardens. Finally enjoy free time and a canal cruise in the 700-year-old European capital of Amsterdam.

This cruise is also available in reverse, travelling from Amsterdam to Amsterdam (tour code: WAA).

Visited Cities
Amsterdam, Arnhem, Dordrecht, Antwerp, Ghent, Middelburg, Veere, Rotterdam and Volendam

Highlights
Superb dining with all meals on board including a Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner, and Captain's Gala Dinner. Quality wines from Europe's most famous wine regions included with every dinner.

Meals
Breakfast - 7
Lunch - 6
Dinner - 7

Standard Features
AMSTERDAM: Welcome reception; canal cruise
ARNHEM: Guided sightseeing; visit the Airborne Museum Hartenstein and War Cemetery
DORDRECHT: Picture stop at Kinderdijk
ANTWERP: Guided sightseeing
GHENT: Guided sightseeing; visit St. Baaf's Cathedral
MIDDELBURG: Guided sightseeing
VEERE: Orientation and excursion to the Delta Works
ROTTERDAM: Guided sightseeing; visit Keukenhof Gardens
VOLENDAM: Orientation and excursion to Edam

ITINERARY (Amsterdam to Amsterdam)

Day 1 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION). Welcome to Amsterdam! Holland's capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. This delightful 700-year-old city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafés, restaurants and lively marketplace has a distinct ambience. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. This afternoon the crew of your vessel awaits to welcome you on board. (D)

Day 2 ARNHEM-DORDRECHT. One of the major tragedies of World War II was the Battle of Arnhem, featured vividly in the AIRBORNE MUSEUM HARTENSTEIN and the inspiration for the movie "A Bridge Too Far". Sitting between two branches of the Rhine, picturesque Dordrecht inspired many painters in the 17th and 18th centuries. Nearby is Kinderdijk with its picturesque row of windmills. (FB,L,D)

Day 3 ANTWERP, BELGIUM. Antwerp is Belgium's second-largest city and one of the world's most important ancient seaports. Its superb architecture, the GROTE MARKT with its beautiful city hall and Church of Our Lady make this city well worth a visit. An optional excursion to nearby Brussels, Belgium's capital and home of the European Union, is available. (FB,L,D)

Day 4 GHENT. In a unique way Ghent, the "diamond" of Flanders, has managed to preserve its medieval charm and power while keeping up with the times. The city centre alone is a showcase of medieval Flemish wealth and commercial success. From here an optional excursion to fascinating Bruges, with its criss-crossed canals and charming old patrician houses, is available. (FB,L,D)

Day 5 MIDDELBURG, HOLLAND-VEERE-DELTA WORKS. It is certain that Middelburg was originally built as a stronghold to protect the population of Zeeland from the water and enemies. Later it became a prosperous merchant city with great wealth being spent on the construction of important buildings such as the town hall. The eye-catching tower of the town hall dominates, the charming town of Veere, which was once an important wool-trading centre. One of the most complex engineering projects, the Delta Works, is located nearby. After the flood of 1953 during which over 1,800 people drowned in one night, the Delta Plan was born to prevent another disaster of this magnitude. The final defence in the battle against the water is the storm flood barrier, almost 10 kilometres long (6 miles) and considered a technical miracle. The project took 30 years to complete. (FB,L,D)

Day 6 ROTTERDAM. EXCURSION TO KEUKENHOF GARDENS. Rotterdam is a bustling port city that was levelled by German bombs in WWII. Now it has a modern high-tech look and boasts the world's busiest port. The gardens of Keukenhof, near Lisse, encompass over 70 acres of parkland with lakes, sculpture gardens, greenhouses and a windmill to explore. Millions of flower bulbs are grown here that present a spectacular display of blooms every year. (FB,L,D)

Day 7 AMSTERDAM-VOLENDAM. EXCURSION TO EDAM AND ENKHUIZEN. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by canal boat, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's "Golden Age." To the north of the city, located on the Ijsselmeer, is Volendam, a maze of fishermen's houses built on poles and a unique open harbour. The small timbered church dates back to 1658. Edam cheese has become famous world-wide, and cheese markets are still held in the summer months. The old town centre, especially the Kwakelsteeg, still have lovely characteristic Waterland houses. Enkhuizen, a charming port with a rich maritime past, was in its prime during the first half of the Eighty Years War. It has maintained an ancient charm with it cobblestone street and traditional Dutch buildings. (FB,L,D)

Day 8 AMSTERDAM. (DISEMBARKATION). Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (FB)

Cabin Upgrades

Pre and Post Accommodation (prices per person)

Triple rooms not available.

Last Minute SPECIAL 2 cabins available departing 21 SEP 2008 Amsterdam to Budapest A$3199 per/person

2009 Amsterdam to  Budapest EARLYBIRD SUPER DEAL $2638 p/person

VERY LIMITED availability!!

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17 Sept and 14 Oct 2008

from A$2358*

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*BASED ON TWIN SHARE - PORT CHARGES NOT INCLUDED (APPROX A$198)

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Departures 

31 AUG 2008

14 SEP 2008

*BASED ON TWIN SHARE - PORT CHARGES NOT INCLUDED (APPROX A$68)

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