Please note the tour price reflected on the brochure is subject to change. Due to seasonality, and taxes prices of the tour are subject to change without due notice. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price.
Active & Discovery in Holland & Belgium with 1 Night in Amsterdam
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Welcome to Amsterdam
- Off the beaten path walking tour; onboard welcome reception
- Choice of nature walk, or visit of the Flood Museum and guided walking tour of Veere, or Middelburg walking tour, or visit to an Oyster Farm
- Choice of biking tour, or guided sightseeing, or Graffiti tour
- Choice of chocolate workshop, or biking tour, or Brussels guided tour
- Choice of biking tour, or visit the Red Star Line museum, or Antwerp guided tour
- Choice of architectural biking tour, or ceramic painting workshop, or Rotterdam guided tour; Rotterdam harbor cruise
- Choice of painting class, or biking tour or canal cruise
- There’s no better way to spring into action and catapult into culture than on an Avalon Active & Discovery cruise to the Netherlands and Belgium
- Belgian chocolate workshop, classic paintings, and even graffiti walls glow brighter when you experience them in the most interactive ways
Short Description
There’s no better way to spring into action and catapult into culture than on an Avalon Active & Discovery cruise to the Netherlands and Belgium. Belgian chocolate workshop, classic paintings, and even graffiti walls glow brighter when you experience them in the most interactive ways. Discover the graceful ways of Holland on an Active & Discovery cruise. The way the wind moves the grasses beneath the stalwart windmills of the “Low Countries;” how the city cobblestones buzz with the ubiquitous bicycles and lively cafes and canals in Amsterdam; or the narrow houses evoking a time gone by. The visions of Holland come to life as you float past unforgettable scenes, pedal past incomparable views, and capture it all in a painting class a la the Dutch Masters. Our varied selection of Classic, Discovery and Active excursions from Amsterdam to Brussels and back lets you experience Holland and Belgium in the most colorful and cultural ways. Move.Enjoy a little get-up-and-go on your cruising vacation when you:•Soak in castle and farmland views on a walk through the woods and dunes of Domburg. •Pedal past polders, dykes, and quaint centuries-old villages through the Dutch countryside.•Take an architectural bike tour through Rotterdam to see the design highlights of Europe’s largest seaport.And be moved.Get off the beaten path and relish the world when you:•Visit a century-old, oyster farm in Middleburg and savor the catch of the day.•Paint the town red, green or whatever color you choose on an interactive tour of Ghent’s Graffiti Street.•Discover your inner artist at a Delft tile pottery workshop in Rotterdam or a painting class in Amsterdam. Start sooner with a one-night hotel stay in Amsterdam! Avalon Choice sightseeing is the perfect highlight of your stay.Plus, Classic sightseeing is always available in every port along the way.
Itinerary
Day 1: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Welcome to Holland.
Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure.
Day 2: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
Amsterdam Off the Beaten PathYour Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
CLASSIC Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city.
During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year.
Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MIDDELBURG
(Breakfast,Dinner)
Day 3: MIDDELBURG
A Castle Moat, an Oyster Farm and Dutch Sea Trade
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
ACTIVE Take a Guided Walk through woods and dunes; see Castle Westhove and farmlands of the beautiful North-Sea area, OR:DISCOVERY Visit the fascinating Flood Museum to hear and see the stories of the flood of 1953, reconstruction, the Delta Works, and flood risk management – told by the people who have experienced it. Later, explore the town of Veere, OR: DISCOVERY Enjoy a Guided Visit to a family owned Oyster Farm, active in the cultivation of crustaceans and shellfish in the Netherlands since 1906. A taste of oysters and lobster, accompanied with a glass of wine is the perfect ending of this beautiful experience, OR: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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GHENT(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
Day 4: GHENT, BELGIUM
Flemish Artwork and Street Artists
ACTIVE Explore the outskirts of the city and the lesser known sights on a Guided Bike Tour, OR:DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour of Graffiti Street, where artists create striking spray-can art to their heart’s content. And do not miss the chance to become an artist yourself, creating your street art, OR: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 full-day Guided Optional Excursion of Bruges to explore its canals, cobbled streets, and medieval buildings.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRUSSELS
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
Day 5: BRUSSELS
Ancient Streets, and Chocolate Sweet
ACTIVE Take a bike tour to explore the beauty near Brussels, including the Belgian town of Laken, home to the Royal family estates, exotic pavilions from the world expo, and beautiful parks and lanes, OR:DISCOVERY Join a Belgian chocolate-making Workshop to learn how to create your own delicious candies. Enjoy a cup of the finest hot chocolate, while crafting traditional confections of pralines and mendiant from scratch, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Brussels, see the Town Hall with its landmark buildings, discover the many local bars, cafés, and shops of the Lower Town Streets, and visit the Atomium.
The afternoon is free to explore Brussels —considered home to the European Union, and admire its magnificent palaces and cathedrals. Alternatively, enjoy one of the Optional Excursions on offer.
Later enjoy live entertainment onboard.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ANTWERP(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
Day 6: ANTWERP
Bike Riding, Brave New Worlds, and Rubens’ Art
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
ACTIVE Enjoy a Bike Tour and discover centuries of history and a story around every corner. Don’t miss out the unique atmosphere of small neighborhoods and squares, OR:DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour of the Red Star Line Museum. Follow the footsteps of the emigrants, become acquainted with the Red Star Line passengers and accompany them on their trip from their native village via Antwerp to the new world, OR: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.
This afternoon 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. You might consider partaking one of the Optional Excursion available.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTTERDAM(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
Day 7: ROTTERDAM, HOLLAND
Avant-garde Architecture and Art Lessons
ACTIVE Take a unique Architecture Bike Tour to see the architectural highlights of Rotterdam. Do not miss the interesting Cube Houses, the popular Market Hall, the spectacular Erasmus Bridge, the vertical city ‘De Rotterdam’, and the iconic Central Station. In the city centre, admire how historic buildings lash cheerfully with hypermodern skyscrapers, OR:DISCOVERY Attend a Pottery Workshop. In a characteristic painter’s room, a professional painter will guide you through the process of painting a Delft tile, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rotterdam featuring unusual collection of cube houses innovative architecture, including the marvelous Erasmus Bridge, and plenty of other fascinating sites.Before dinner, enjoy a cruise through Rotterdam harbor.
In the evening, enjoy live entertainment on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
Day 8: AMSTERDAM
Colorful Canals of Amsterdam
ACTIVE Join a Biking Tour through the Dutch countryside past polders, dykes, and quaint centuries-old villages, OR:
DISCOVERY Attend a Painting Class and be inspired by the masters’ techniques. Paint your own canvas and discover your inner artist, OR:CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Canal Cruise to explore the iconic waterways and sites of Amsterdam.
This afternoon, choose among the many Guided Optional Excursions available or take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
Day 9: AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Avalon Waterways .
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click
"Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for
the final trip price.
1,680 Avalon Waterways Travel Reviews & Ratings
Active & Discovery in Holland & Belgium with 1 Night in Amsterdam
Company Reviews
1st river cruise exceeded expectations
The staff was very wonderful.
Extraordinary hotel and central staff!
BEST River Cruise!
This was a time of many firsts for me
The ship was spotless elegance. Our room was amazing like every part of our trip! The food and the excursions were perfectly executed.
I can’t wait to go on another trip. Thank you Avalon!
This was my first Rhine River Cruise
Details
Deck & Cabin Plans

Optional Activities
WAD|Active & Discovery in Holland & Belgium
WADQ|With 1 Night in Amsterdam
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Accommodations
Westcord Jakarta
A unique sustainable hotel in Amsterdam, where two worlds connect. At the former location where ships left for Jakarta, lies a green oasis in the centre of the city. Hotel offers 200 luxurious rooms with a Indonesian influenced style. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at Café Jakarta or get a drink at the Malabar. Be pampered in luxury and relax in our wellness and swimming pool with views towards the river IJ.
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Javakade 766
Movenpick Amsterdam City
A stylish 408-room hotel in the perfect location, this waterfront property offers Free Wi-Fi internet access throughout. The chic restaurant serves creative international cuisine and there is a fabulous bar serving drinks and light snacks which is also a great spot for a nightcap. For relaxation there is a Lifestyle Studio featuring a gym, Finnish sauna, bio sauna & ice fountain.
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Piet Heinkade 11
Trip ID#:
AVALON-WADQ
We respect your privacy and take great care to protect your information. By clicking «Send my questions» you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. An account will be created for you to track your submission and a temporary password will be emailed to you.
×You can access members-only savings of up to $700 on over 6,000 Travelstride Select trips.
Sign in to see trip eligibility
With your FREE membership you get to:
- Save up to $700 per person!*
- Access private deals and offers
- See personalized trip recommendations
- Save favorite trips
We respect your privacy and take great care to protect your information. By joining you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
You could save $ 600 per person on this trip!
