Avalon Waterways Tulip Time in Holland & Belgium with 1 Night in Amsterdam (WAXQ)

9 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Brussels

Begin your vacation in Holland and Belgium your way with a one-night stay in Amsterdam! Join us for a guided canal cruise through the iconic waterways of this city of the Golden Age. Take free time to explore the colorful streets, galleries, and restaurants here.

If you’ve dreamed of a view filled with windmills and blooming fields of color in Holland and Belgium, it all comes true on your European river cruise from Amsterdam to Brussels! Cruise on the Rhine River with a visit to Arnhem’s WWII Airborne Museum, and free time in Nijmegen. In Maastricht, tour the old cobblestoned university town.

On to Belgium for a sightseeing tour of medieval Namur, then Liège to see the ancient quarters of the “Fiery City.” Explore the city of Antwerp—birthplace of the master painter Peter Paul Rubens. Stroll its cobbled lanes amid 16th-century guildhall houses and the cathedral’s stunning altarpiece paintings by the famous artist on your guided tour of the diamond capital. In Brussels, explore landmark buildings of Town Hall with a collection of cafes and shops on the Lower Town streets. Memories of Holland and Belgium will bloom in your memory for seasons to come!

Ships: Tranquility II - Imagery II

Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing

Day 1 Amsterdam: Welcome to Amsterdam

Day 2 Amsterdam (Embarkation): Canal cruise; onboard welcome reception

Day 3 Nijmegen. Excursion to Arnhem: Choice of biking tour, or guided sightseeing of Arnhem, or guided tour of Airborne Museum in Arnhem; free time in Nijmegen

Day 4 Maastricht: Choice of guided tour or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 5 Namur: Choice of guided tour or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 6 Liège: Guided tour

Day 7 Antwerp-Brussels: Choice of guided tour in Antwerp, visit the central Grote Markt or bike with your Adventure Host; free time in the evening in Brussels

Day 8 Brussels: Choice of guided tour, see the town hall, or attend a chocolate workshop or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 9 Brussels (Disembarkation): Your vacation ends this morning

Special Interest Departures

04/12/2025 - Tulip Time in Holland & Belgium for Garden and Nature Lovers with 1 Night in Amsterdam

Related Avalon Tours

WAX - Tulip Time in Holland & Belgium
WAXQ - With 1 Night in Amsterdam
WXA - Tulip Time Highlights

Itinerary (2024)

Day 1	AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
	Welcome to Holland. Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure.
Day 2	AMSTERDAM (EMBARKATION)
	Canals of Colorful Amsterdam CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” 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. Later, on board your Avalon Suite Ship®. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NIJMEGEN (B,D)
Day 3	NIJMEGEN. EXCURSION TO ARNHEM
	Wildlife, WWII Valor, and Famous Mills ACTIVE Explore the new face of old Nijmegen on a bike tour through its recently renovated River Waal side channel, city island, road bridge, and railway bridge that invites adventurers to explore on two wheels! OR: DISCOVERY Join a Guided Sightseeing to discover Arnhem–a key WWII operations site and home to impressive historical monuments and memorials–then visit a medieval castle for a regional herb and vegetable product tasting, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the Airborne Museum of Hartenstein commemorating the 1944 WWII Battle of Arnhem. You may join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Windmill of Thorn or an Optional Cooking Workshop. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAASTRICH (B,L,D)
Day 4	MAASTRICHT
	Dutch History, School Spirit and an Architectural Feast Enjoy an early morning sailing to Maastricht. ACTIVE Maastricht's charm awaits, get physical via nordic walking with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Discover this vibrant university town with its lovely cathedrals, old houses, historical buildings, and impressively cobblestoned town center. Later enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NAMUR (B,L,D)
Day 5	NAMUR, BELGIUM
	Ancient Architecture and Charming Cafés ACTIVE Explore Namur's countryside by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the picturesque old-town, fortress citadel, and medieval architecture. Take free time to stroll along Namur’s cobblestone lanes and visit its charming cafés and bookshops. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN HUY (B,L,D)
Day 6	LIÈGE
	Historic Wonders and Wonderful Waffles CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Fiery City” of Liège with its beautiful ancient quarters, peculiar alleys, and romantic streets. Don’t miss sampling authentically sweet Liège Waffles. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ANTWERP (B,L,D)
Day 7	ANTWERP
	A Rubenesque Cathedral in Artful Antwerp Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. ACTIVE Explore Antwerp by bike with your Adventure Host, 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. Enjoy cocktail or coffee aboard your ship as you sail to Brussels this afternoon. Later, enjoy dinner and live entertainment. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BRUSSELS (B,L,D)
Day 8	BRUSSELS
	Ancient Landmarks and New Haunts ACTIVE See Brussel's Aquaculture farm on bike with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY See the major highlights of Brussels and join a do-it-yourself chocolate workshop for a fun and interactive experience, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Brussels, see the Town Hall with its landmark buildings and discover the many local bars, cafés and shops of the Lower Town Streets. The afternoon is free to explore Brussels at your pace. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BRUSSELS (B,L,D)
Day 9	BRUSSELS (DISEMBARKATION)
	Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Avalon Pricing Details

Port charges:
$210

Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included on Avalon portion only.

Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).

Please call for single accommodation details and prices. Triples not available.

Avalon Notes

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.