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Active & Discovery in Holland & Belgium 2027

Amsterdam, Netherlands Round-trip
Length: 8 Days - Departs: Sat, May 08, 2027
Operator
Ship
Departure
May 08, 2027
Arrival
May 15, 2027

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River Cruise Itinerary

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 unleash your inner artist with a graffiti workshop. On an Active & Discovery cruise, our varied selection of Classic, Discovery and Active excursions from Amsterdam to Brussels and back lets you experience Holland and Belgium in the ways that move you most. 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:•Become a real Belgian chocolate-maker on a fun, interactive workshop.•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. Plus, Classic sightseeing is always available in every port along the way.Activate your senses and discover a world of wonder in all-new, entirely “you” ways on your personal, passion-packed cruise along the waterways of Holland and Belgium.

  1. Day 1
    AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
    Sat, May 08, 2027
    How Suite It Is! Welcome Aboard Your Avalon Suite Ship®.

    Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm.

    Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

    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

    (D)

  2. Day 2
    MIDDELBURG
    Sun, May 09, 2027
    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:

    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

    (B,L,D)

  3. Day 3
    GHENT, BELGIUM
    Mon, May 10, 2027
    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. You’ll see its crisscrossed canals, the 13th-century belfry of Market Square, and charming patrician houses.

    EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRUSSELS

    (B,L,D)

  4. Day 4
    BRUSSELS
    Tue, May 11, 2027
    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.

    Later enjoy live entertainment onboard.

    OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ANTWERP

    (B,L,D)

  5. Day 5
    ANTWERP
    Wed, May 12, 2027
    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 on the unique atmosphere of small neighborhoods and squares, OR:

    CLASSIC 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.

    EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTTERDAM

    (B,L,D)

  6. Day 6
    ROTTERDAM, HOLLAND
    Thu, May 13, 2027
    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 center, 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

    (B,L,D)

  7. Day 7
    AMSTERDAM
    Fri, May 14, 2027
    Colorful Canals of Amsterdam

    ACTIVE Join a Guided Kayak Tour which provides a unique perspective of Amsterdam from the waters of its magnificent canals, OR:

    DISCOVERY Take a Tour to the Street Art Museum, see nearly 200 large-scale artworks featuring artists from around the world. Afterwards, attend a hands-on workshop with an instructor who will guide you in creating your own group mural to 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 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

    (B,L,D)

  8. Day 8
    AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
    Sat, May 15, 2027
    Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

    (B)

Countries Visited

Belgium, Netherlands

Rivers Visited

Rhine

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Inclusions

  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

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Ship Information

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Cabins

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Life on Board

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Questions & Answers
  Ask A Question

Question: Will the day-by-day itinerary change?

Yes, the river cruise itineraries may change due to reasons such as inclement weather or unforeseen events. Your safety is the number one concern aboard and all precautions necessary will be taken in order to ensure passenger safety, including changing itineraries. Please note that when itineraries do change, the ship staff will do their best to substitute any missed port with an alternative destination.

Question: In what language is the river cruise conducted?

The river cruise will be conducted in English only.

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
4.4
Accommodations
4.5
Itinerary
4.4
Professional Staff
4.6
Repeat with Operator
4.3
Value for Money
4.1

Ratings based off 94 reviews - currently showing 32 reviews with comments only

Avalon services were above expectations. Cruise director was very engaged with passengers.

We had a great trip on our Rhine River Cruise with Avalon Waterways. Everything went according to plan and the ship, accommodations, dining, staff, and itinerary were great! We loved Avalon and would certainly book with them again.

Our stateroom was well appointed and comfortable and clean. Furnishings are starting to show their age. Service staff was fine but not quite at the level we experienced on previous cruises with Avalon. Food and beverage was very good.

Our trip exceeded my expectations. The staff were very friendly and I could tell they had a great team commitment to their mission.

The ship and staff were caring, well organized, and knowledgeable. All aspects of the tour went as planned. The Rhine cruise has some very pleasant and interesting excursions, most were included. Adding two extra days in Amsterdam rounded out a good vacation.

Avalon was excellent in every way.

Avalon did a good job on most fronts. Staff, food and accommodations were all fine. Although they appeared to have some coordination issues with the hotel regarding baggage handling and definitely needed to improve traveler communication aboard the ship. Their reliance on the AvalonGo application for communication was misplaced since the wifi aboard ship worked only intermittently, leaving passengers to wonder about event times and procedures. The ship broke down near the end of the voyage, which suggested that the downtime during covid might have been used more effectively to maintain the propulsion system. Nightly briefings were helpful, but long-winded and repetitious.

This was our first river cruise. The ship was nice and the staff exceptional. We were told that river cruises are more about the included tours than the ship. That was clearly true. There isn't much to do on the ship other than eat and sleep. I thought the tours were just okay. The guides were great, knowledgeable and enthusiastic, but they were mostly walking to take pictures. We paid for several optional tours and based on feedback from other cruisers our tours were more interesting than theirs. Overall I think ocean cruising may be a better fit for us.

I'm very glad I chose Avalon. They will be my first choice in the future. Great crew and staff, nice tours, great food, wonderful ship.

Basically a great trip but a few exceptions. Some of the excursions (Black Forest Cuckoo Clock and Heideberg Castle) had very long bus rides for a somewhat short visit to the site,. The Cuckoo Clock stop was just a tourist trap store with many clocks. Most of the Local Guides were great except one at Heidelberg Castle named Charlotte, who had the Gentle Walker Group. SHe stood in one place in the hot sun and talked talked talked, then ran to the next spot leaving her group in the dust. The "First Class High Speed Train" was neither first class or high speed. Tight seating, no food and long stops at stations. Our guide in LucerneUrsula was a delight! Lake Como for 3 nights was great to have free time to do what you pleased. Don't miss the boat tour and stop in Belagio!

The Avalon staff were very professional and courteous. The trip was full of adventure and a packed itinerary. The ship was nice but if I were to book another river cruise I would pick the top floor and closer to the front to avoid the noise from the engines. The rooms were spacious and I loved the balcony doors that opened up. And the food was delicious!

Tulip Time lead one to believe there would be more experiences with gardens than Keukenhof. That garden was spectacular, but was the only time we saw tulips or other spring blooms. Could have used more time in Amsterdam to tour the old section by foot as well as the cruise through the canal. That cruise was very good by the way. The tour guides were great. They had a vast knowledge of the area we were touring and very pleasant. Berthe, Lupii and Willem in particular were very good guides.

WE were happy with our river cruise and the staff was very attentive.

Wonderful crew, good food and wine, nice boat size (164 passengers), good tours with informative, pleasant guides. Staterooms a little small but necessary for the narrow river boats, but nicely appointed, comfortable beds and very clean.

Avalon Vista is a nice ship. The cabins are well designed with storage and stowaway conveniences to feel it bigger than the square footage. The food variety could be better (as compared to AMA WATERWAYS and Viking River cruises for the dinners (food was somewhat bland and needs more international flavors!). The staff was wonderful and extra tour guides knowledgeable with excellent communication skills.

I would highly recommend this River Cruise to everyone. Everything from the ship staff, the accommodations, entertainment, shore tours and meals were high class and top notch. The variety of food offered was very good and plentiful. All the shore tours were wonderful and informative by the expert and friendly tour guides. A wonderful experience.

More entertainment needed in the evening on board ship.

Everything went very smoothly. As changes became a possibility, due to low water levels, we were kept informed. They did everything g they could to ensure our trip was pleasant and met our expectations.

Food and staff were excellent. Bed was very comfortable and room was sufficiently spacious. On the last day, we were forced o spend our last night in a hotel due to water levels, which is understandable. However, there were no food choices at the hotel dinner.

WiFi issues Lack of water in Danube above Passau- Avalon did compensate us for this problem. Vlad was great as the cruise director. Tour guides very informative. Hotels wonderful.

Trip was fantastic. Exceeded our expectations!!

The Intercontinental in Budapest was wonderful - location and comfort. The river cruise was wonderful with high quality entertainment, food and staff. I especially enjoyed hearing about the locks. My only complaint is the hotel Andel in Prague. This location was not acceptable even though a shuttle was provided. We understood that some other Avalon travelers were staying at the Intercontinental in Prague and that was a much better location. The Andel was clean, but after arrival in the AM and being on a walking tour for a few hours, our luggage had not arrived in our room. We did not feel comfortable with it sitting (not secured) in the lobby next to the door. There was no orientation to the room. This hotel seemed to be more for business travelers. We traveled with friends who highly recommended Affordable Tours and they, as we, were very disappointed with our stay in Prague. This made for a less than desirable end to an otherwise great trip. I can't imagine that you have used this Hotel in the past.

The cruise was superb. Avalon Waterways cruise director was the perfect host and the staff was most attentive to the passengers. The Danube river experience was breathtakingly beautiful. The before and after trips to Budapest and Prague, also hosted by our cruise director, were memorable.

Great trip. I have to give it a 10 plus. Service, food and accommodations on the ship was a 10.

Our travel consultant at Affordale Tours was an excellent travel consultant, answered all of our questions, e-mails, and telephone calls. She was very detail-oriented. The accommodations on board the ship were amazing, and the excursions were informative, historical and fun. We had excellent local tour guides. Our cruise director was amazing. I have never seen a woman work so hard to accommodate so many different personalities and she did it with a smile on her face.

Avalon was terrific and the cruise was fabulous. I want to particularly note that the wait staff, the cabin steward and, the Cruise Director were outstanding in their service.

This Danube River Cruise was absolutely fabulous in every respect. The stateroom accommodations on board the Vista were premier. The entire boat was immaculate and the crew were the friendliest and most helpful I have ever experienced while at a vacation facility. My wife and I took almost every included as well as optional tour and we felt at the end of the vacation, each tour we took was better than the previous one and considering the first one was perfect. One can understand the level of appreciation my wife and I felt at the end of the 12 days. The guides were well informed and very entertaining and I felt the experience was worth every penny spent. Avalon River Cruises and Affordable Tours (specifically my travel consultant) are simply outstanding and have earned my travel loyalty!

Avalon exceeded our expectations! Clean, well maintained and well appointed ship. The staff was outstanding! I was afflicted with laryngitis for the duration of this cruise and the staff was so kind!

this is our fourth river cruise with avalon waterways and they always exceed our expectations

Great river cruise experience. Absolutely fantastic experience.

The trip was wonderful! I would certainly go on another river cruise.

The ship was very nice, with plenty of room in our cabin and in the bath. The staff members were extremely courteous and efficient. Excellent food and very good guides at the various places we visited. 

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