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Amsterdam tulips and windmills

Hidden Waterways of Flanders & Holland

8-day luxury river cruise from £4,290 pp incl. flights

Summary

Short description

Explore the storied cities and glorious vistas of northern Europe in all-inclusive luxury with Tauck

Highlights

  • Enjoy a truly all-inclusive luxury river cruise, with all meals, drinks, excursions, and more
  • Be treated to a Tauck exclusive evening at Slot Loevestein, a 14th-century castle on a private island
  • Visit the quintessentially Dutch, picturesque town of Gorinchem
  • Experience the newly reopened and renovated Royal Fine Arts Museum in Antwerp
  • Explore the Netherlands and Belgium in-depth with local guides along the way

In Brief

  • 2 Nights Amsterdam
  • 1 Night Rotterdam
  • 1 Night Gorinchem
  • 1 Night Bruges
  • 1 Night Antwerp
  • 1 Night Brussels

About

Recommended for:
History & culture | River cruise

This fully inclusive Tauck river cruise will see you pair the historic towns and windmill-dotted landscapes of the Netherlands with a trio of Belgium cities – Antwerp, Bruges and Brussels. Along the way, your Tauck Directors and hand-picked local guides will introduce you to a host of unforgettable experiences, including the chance to visit the 650-year history of Slot Loevestein, a castle set on an island reserve that’s yours to explore during an exclusive dinner. You’ll also visit the quintessentially Dutch town of Gorinchem on a locally guided tour, and take in the recently reopened Royal Fine Arts Museum in Antwerp, marvelling at famous works by the Dutch Old Masters.

Day by day itinerary

Day 1
UK to Amsterdam

Begin your journey today by flying or boarding the Eurostar from London to Amsterdam. On arrival, you will be privately transferred to your Tauck river cruise ship for check-in in the late afternoon. The first of your included dinners is served onboard this evening.

Stay: Tauck River Cruise ship

Meals: D

Day 2
Amsterdam

Holland’s capital is known for its network of canals framed by pretty houses as well as important historical sites such as the Anne Frank House, and its rich artistic heritage. The city’s acclaimed museums include the Van Gogh Museum, chock-full of this iconic painter’s finest works, and the Rijksmuseum, where you can view masterpieces such as The Milkmaid by Vermeer, Self-Portrait by Van Gogh, The Merry Family by Jan Steen, and Night Watch by Rembrandt. Bicycles and canal boats are key to the city’s character, and colourful gardens bloom to bursting with Dutch bulbs.

After a tour, enjoy time to explore on your own. This evening, return to your riverboat for a musical performance and dinner.

Stay: Tauck River Cruise ship

Meals: B L D

Day 3
Leiden or Rotterdam

Choose from shore excursions as you dock in Rotterdam. Stay in town to explore with a local guide, including time at leisure. Rotterdam was founded in the 13th century and was a living monument to Holland’s Golden Age until it was razed during World War II. Today, the city features world-class urban architecture, though traces of Old Rotterdam still exist in Delfshaven (Delft Harbour) and Oude Haven (Old Harbour).

Alternatively, visit Leiden, a haven of charming architecture and canals famous for being Rembrandt’s birthplace and home to the country’s oldest university. Enjoy a fabulous Tauck exclusive – a dinner at Slot Loevestein. This 14th-century castle is set in a nature reserve on a private island. Tonight, its doors open for Tauck guests only.

Stay: Tauck River Cruise ship

Meals: B L D

Day 4
Gorinchem

Join your local guide for a walking tour of Gorinchem, voted ‘the most beautiful fortified town in the Netherlands.’ It dates to 1,000 AD and was fortified in the 13th and 14th centuries. It was originally part of the Dutch Waterline of defence, and the city centre is still a well-preserved walled fortress, featuring the largest fully intact fort in the Netherlands. During your tour, take in the history along with the quintessential Dutch feel, flowers and windmills dotting the green landscape where cows graze. You’re sure to be charmed by its historic heart, charming canals, medieval architecture, and lovely green spaces.

Stay: Tauck River Cruise ship

Meals: B L D

Day 5
Bruges, Belgium

Dock in Ghent, Belgium, this morning and ride a luxury coach to Bruges. Your local guide takes you on a walking tour of this storybook town, known as one of Europe’s best-preserved cities. You’ll learn of Bruges’s storied past as you stroll cobblestone lanes and market squares, spotting medieval towers, churches, and whitewashed almshouses as you go. The Old Market Square in the centre of town is particularly enchanting, its 13th-century belfry soaring over the rooftops.

Enjoy lunch wherever tickles your fancy and explore Bruges further on your own this afternoon. For something active, join your local guide for a bicycle ride into the Belgian countryside. Back onboard, enjoy cocktails and dinner as your riverboat glides toward Antwerp.

Stay: Tauck River Cruise ship

Meals: B L D

Day 6
Antwerp

Antwerp was once one of Europe’s most important cities when merchants traded sugar and diamonds here. Home to famous Golden Age artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony Van Dyck, and Frans Snyders, its architecture is just as impressive, with Renaissance monuments and a still-unfinished 13th-century cathedral on display.

Today, choose a shore excursion to fit your interests. Join a local guide on a sightseeing tour to explore Antwerp’s historic gems, from Grote Market to medieval guild houses, Baroque churches, lively squares, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alternatively, visit the recently re-opened and renovated Royal Museum of Fine Arts to view its impressive collection, spanning from the 14th to the 20th century. Or, visit a brewery for a tour and tasting of those famous Belgian beers. 

Stay: Tauck River Cruise ship

Meals: B L D

Day 7
Brussels

Your local guide welcomes you to Brussels with anecdotes of life here, past and present, and a choice of shore excursions. An overview tour takes you to landmark sites that speak volumes of Brussels’ history and its blend of Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture, along with the Guild Houses lining Grand-Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Alternatively, engage your inner foodie with a culinary tour including tempting tastes of chocolate, waffles, and beer, perfected in Brussels throughout the ages. You’ll have free time to explore on your own after either excursion. For your final night onboard, enjoy a farewell reception and dinner.

Stay: Tauck River Cruise ship

Meals: B L D

Day 8
Return to the UK

Enjoy breakfast onboard this morning before disembarking your riverboat. Afterwards, you will be privately transferred to the airport or train station for your onward travel arrangements back home to the UK.

Meals: B

Map

Pricing

Any element of this cruise can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.

Prices

Accommodation rating: Deluxe

8-day luxury river cruise
from £4,290 pp incl. flights

Departure:

Includes:

  • Scheduled flights from the UK (or Eurostar from London St Pancras)
  • Transfers to and from the ship
  • 8-day fully-inclusive Tauck river cruise aboard MS Treasures, MS Grace, MS Inspire or MS Esprit depending on date
  • 20 meals (7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches & 7 Dinners)
  • Complimentary beverages – from specialty coffee, tea, soft drinks and bottled water to house wine, beer and premium spirits
  • All shore excursions
  • Concierge-style services Tauck Directors and services of local guides
  • All gratuities to Tauck Directors & Cruise Director, ship staff, local guides and luggage handling included

Departures on selected dates from June to October.  Some departure dates operate the itinerary in reverse. Price varies by departure date and stateroom availability, please call for details.

Terms & Conditions: Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; all offers are subject to availability & may be limited; normal booking conditions apply. 

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At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0615 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

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