Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
Board your cruise ship in Amsterdam and get settled into your stateroom. Spend some time getting familiar with the ship's layout and amenities, then decide whether to catch the evening entertainment or just relax after traveling. You'll have the chance to meet other passengers and start getting comfortable with your floating hotel for the week.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Board Avalon Waterways cruise ship in Amsterdam
Landmarks Amsterdam 
- Day 2
Amsterdam to Utrecht
Start the morning with a scenic canal cruise through Amsterdam's 165 canals before heading out on the water toward Utrecht. The ship cruises through the IJsselmeer and you'll arrive in this historic religious center known for its medieval old town. You can choose between a walking tour that includes Museum Speelklok or take a separate excursion to De Haar castle, which has turrets, moats and suspension bridges that feel like something from a fairy tale.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Canal cruise through Amsterdam
- Scenic cruise through IJsselmeer to Utrecht
- Walking tour of Utrecht (guided option)
- Visit to Museum Speelklok (with walking tour option)
- Walking or biking tour of De Haar castle (alternative option)
- Bike tours available
Optional Activities
- Full day guided walking tour of Utrecht
- Walking tour of Utrecht with Museum Speelklok visit
- Walking or biking tour of De Haar castle
Landmarks Amsterdam canals IJsselmeer Utrecht Cathedral Museum Speelklok De Haar Castle 
- Day 3
Rotterdam - Kinderdijk
Visit Dordrecht, Holland's oldest city, and learn how a 15th-century flood shaped its history, or check out Rotterdam's contemporary buildings instead. Another option is heading to Delfshaven where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail in 1620. After that, the ship takes you to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its 18th-century windmills where you can walk, bike through them, or visit the smaller town of Gorinchem nearby.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Dordrecht (guided option)
- Visit to UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk
- Windmill viewing in Kinderdijk
- Bike tours available
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Dordrecht
- Visit to Rotterdam
- Visit to Delfshaven
- Architectural bike tour through Rotterdam
- Visit to smaller town of Gorinchem
- Bike tour past windmills in Kinderdijk
Landmarks Dordrecht Rotterdam Delfshaven Kinderdijk Gorinchem 
- Day 4
Ghent and Bruges
Spend the day in Ghent, the Capital of East Flanders, with options for walking tours or guided bike tours through its charming streets. Alternatively, take a full-day excursion to Bruges, one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities, and see the Church of Our Lady where Michelangelo's Madonna and Child sculpture is housed. Another choice is exploring Ghent's Castle of the Counts with its medieval collection and then heading to Bruges later in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Ghent (guided option)
- Bike tours available
- Full-day excursion to Bruges (alternative option)
- Visit to Church of Our Lady in Bruges (with full-day option)
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Ghent
- Guided bike tour of Ghent
- Full-day excursion to Bruges
- Visit to Church of Our Lady in Bruges
- Visit to Castle of the Counts in Ghent
- Later day visit to Bruges
Landmarks Ghent Bruges Church of Our Lady Castle of the Counts - Day 5
Brussels
Explore Belgium's capital with several options available. Join a guided walking tour or bike ride through Laeken Park to see the Far East Museums and the iconic Atomium. You could also do a Belgian chocolate tasting earlier in the day. In the afternoon, visit Gaasbeek Castle, one of Flanders' oldest moated castles that's particularly well-preserved.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Brussels (option)
- Guided bike ride through Brussels and Laeken Park (option)
- Bike tours available
- Afternoon visit to Gaasbeek Castle
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Brussels
- Guided bike ride through Brussels
- Belgian chocolate tasting
- Visit to Far East Museums
- Viewing of the Atomium
- Visit to Gaasbeek Castle
Landmarks Laeken Park Far East Museums Atomium Gaasbeek Castle 
- Day 6
Antwerp
Spend the day in Antwerp, Belgium's City of Diamonds. Morning options include a walking tour hitting Steen Castle, Grote Market, Brabo Fountain, and the UNESCO-designated Cathedral of Our Lady, or a bike tour through the city if you prefer. In the afternoon, choose between a local beer tasting, Belgian culinary treats like fresh waffles, or another bike tour that takes in the Red Star Line Museum, which covers the historic immigration shipping line.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Antwerp (guided option)
- Bike tours of Antwerp available
- Visit to UNESCO-designated Cathedral of Our Lady (with walking tour)
- Afternoon bike tour option
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Antwerp
- Bike tour of Antwerp
- Visit to Steen Castle
- Visit to Grote Market
- Visit to Brabo Fountain
- Visit to Cathedral of Our Lady
- Local beer tasting
- Belgian culinary excursion
- Afternoon bike tour with Red Star Line Museum visit
Landmarks Steen Castle Grote Market Brabo Fountain Cathedral of Our Lady Red Star Line Museum 
- Day 7
Hellevoetsluis
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise through the delta as the ship heads to Hellevoetsluis, a medieval harbor town with charming wharf houses and a working De Hoop windmill. The Flood Museum tells the story of the devastating 1953 flood and the Delta Works storm surge barrier built in response. If you prefer more activity, there's a bike tour option across the Haringvlietdam for a different perspective on the landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic morning cruise through delta
- Tour of Hellevoetsluis (guided option)
- Visit to Flood Museum (option)
- Bike tours available
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Hellevoetsluis
- Visit to De Hoop windmill
- Visit to Flood Museum
- Bike tour from Hellevoetsluis across Haringvlietdam
Landmarks Hellevoetsluis De Hoop windmill Flood Museum Haringvlietdam - Day 8
Amsterdam
Disembark from your cruise ship in Amsterdam and prepare for your return flight home. It's time to say goodbye to the ship and head to the airport with memories from your journey through the Netherlands, Belgium and the surrounding waterways.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Disembark cruise ship in Amsterdam
Landmarks Amsterdam
