Best of Holland and Belgium

Note: This cruise is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as agent in booking your reservation with the ship operator. The itinerary, lecturers, and all other arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of the cruise line.

Day 1
Amsterdam / Embark

Arrive in Amsterdam and board your ship. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner on board with your fellow travelers.

Day 2
Amsterdam / Utrecht

Enjoy a scenic cruise throughout Amsterdam’s picturesque canals. Later in the day, enjoy a scenic cruise out of Amsterdam to Utrecht, the religious center of the nNetherlands since the 8th century and a far-reaching city boasting a medieval old town, canals and a beautiful Gothic cathedral. Later, join a walking tour of the city followed by a visit to either the Museum Speelklok (the organ museum), the Castle de Haar, the largest castle in Holland. 

For 2022 departures, you may opt for a rare experience with a journey into the Netherland's Floriade Expo (Apr 14 to Oct 9, 2022) in Amere which will feature stunning gardens, innovative sustainable gardening exhibits, live entertainment, souvenirs and food stalls.

Day 3
Veere, Belgium

Cruise the delta this morning before sailing to the historic village of Verere. In the afternoon, take a medieval harbor town walking tour and witness buildings dating back to the 1400s including the town hall with its 48-bell carillon. You also have the option, instead, to visit Middleburg with a Roosevelt House tour or, for the foodies, an oyster tasting.

Day 4
Ghent, Belgium

Cruise to Ghent where you have your choice of three different tours. You may take a walking or biking tour through the port town and cultural hub of Ghent, known for its spectacular medieval architecture. Or, you may choose to head out for an all-day tour of Bruges, the “capital of West Flanders,” to see sights such as the impressive Church of Our Lady and the Bonifacius Bridge (the Bridge of Love). For the history buffs, choose a tour of the Castle of the Counts of Flanders, built in 1180.

Day 5
Brussels, Belgium

Belgium’s capital city, Brussels, features a wide range of architectural styles from regal 19th century mansions to medieval plazas. Join a tour of this fascinating city today or opt, instead, to go on a Belgian chocolate tasting tour. You may also choose to take a full-day Battle of the Bulge tour with a Trapist beer tasting, a full-day castle tour, or a full-day guided bike ride.

Day 6
Antwerp, Belgium / Dordrecht, Netherlands

More than 70% of the world’s diamonds are traded in Antwerp, and you have several ways to explore this cultural mecca known these days for its fashion industry. Take a “City of Diamonds” and cathedral walking or biking tour, join a Belgian beer tour, or try a Belgian chocolate and waffle tasting tour. In the afternoon, enjoy the scenery as you sail to Dordrecht. Here, you have the option of taking a walking tour of the city, or touring Rotterdam and Delfshaven, or exploring nearby Gorinchem.

Day 7
Kinderdijk, Netherlands

Discover the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site where 19 windmills were built in the mid-1700s along the low-lying lands to prevent flooding. Choose to explore the picturesque region on a boat ride from Alblasserdam or on a bike tour.

Day 8
Amsterdam / Disembark / Depart