River Cruise – Blooms in Holland and Belgium

In flight.

Arrival in Amsterdam and transfer from the airport to your hotel.

Free day.

Welcome to Amsterdam, where you will board your contemporary Emerald ship.

This morning, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the main attractions in the Netherlands by venturing to Zaanse Schans. Historic windmills, distinctive wooden houses, and artisan workshops make up this quintessentially Dutch town, where the smell of freshly baked goods and the sight of rotating windmills offer a truly memorable experience.

With EmeraldACTIVE, you can also enjoy a guided bike tour in Waterland, passing by picturesque landscapes and iconic tulip fields.

As part of our EmeraldPLUS program, relax on board the ship this afternoon as we welcome a local clog painter for a demonstration. You will have the chance to try your hand at this unique craft.

Rotterdam is a unique example of a Dutch city. After the aerial raids of World War II, reconstruction efforts used a mosaic of architectural styles, forever changing the skyline.

Today, you will have the opportunity to explore this contemporary city, which is currently home to the tallest commercial and residential buildings in the Netherlands. The city’s reputation as a city of skyscrapers has historical roots, beginning with the construction of the 45-meter-high office building, the Witte Huis, which was for a long time the tallest office building in Europe.

• With EmeraldPLUS: architectural tour of Rotterdam.
• With EmeraldACTIVE: bike tour and tasting in Rotterdam.
• With DiscoverPLUS: visit to the Delft pottery factory ($).

Today, you will visit the royal and administrative capital of the Netherlands, The Hague. Located on the coast of the North Sea, the city boasts a thriving cultural and culinary scene, a long coastline, and several historical monuments. It is also home to the Peace Palace, where the International Court of Justice of the United Nations, sometimes referred to as the World Court, is seated. During your guided tour, you will discover the magnificent Mauritshuis museum, which houses the best of Dutch painting from the era of Rembrandt and Vermeer.

With EmeraldACTIVE, those who feel more active will be able to enjoy a guided bicycle tour through the Dutch countryside.

This morning, you will arrive in Antwerp, the largest port in Belgium. Located on the Scheldt, the city’s port provides a connection to the sea. Antwerp, the home of the renowned Baroque artist Pieter Paul Rubens, attracts art lovers from around the world. Enjoy a guided tour of the city center, with its cobblestone streets lined with cafés. Admire the Renaissance city hall and the Steen, a medieval fortress built at the beginning of the Middle Ages and one of the oldest buildings in Belgium. Afterwards, enjoy your free time to explore Antwerp at your leisure.

Relax in the comfortable setting of the ship this morning as you sail along the Dutch waterways, passing by picturesque and centuries-old villages. Visit Het Loo Palace, which once served as a summer residence for the Dutch royal family. Today, the palace is a magnificent museum. The palace’s decorations and gardens are sure to amaze you.

You can also embark on a guided bike tour of Arnhem with the EmeraldACTIVE excursion. The city is famous for its postcard-worthy streets, charming parks, and beautiful museums.

Discover traditional Holland today with a visit to the famous Keukenhof Gardens. Nestled in the heart of the region’s tulip fields, where rows of brightly colored flowers stretch as far as the eye can see, the gardens offer incredible displays of millions of bulbs of different varieties, all carefully assembled by an expert landscaper.

DiscoverMORE: tour of the flower auction at Royal FloraHolland in Aalsmeer ($)

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye and disembark from your ship, taking with you memories of windmills and blooming flowers. Transfer from the ship to the airport for your return flight to Montreal.