Active & Discovery in Holland & Belgium 2025 - 8 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Amsterdam

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Active & Discovery in Holland & Belgium 2025

8 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Amsterdam



Tour Description:

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 capture it all in a painting class a la the Dutch Masters. 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:

•Visit a century-old, oyster farm in Middleburg and savor the catch of the day.
•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.

Map for Active & Discovery in Holland & Belgium 2025 - 8 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Amsterdam
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Dates & Pricing

Saturday 26 Apr 25 — Sunday 04 May 25Starting at $3,799Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Friday 02 May 25 — Saturday 10 May 25Starting at $3,999Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Thursday 05 Jun 25 — Friday 13 Jun 25Starting at $4,099Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Check Mark Icon Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.


Destination & Sightseeing

Day 1 Amsterdam (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Middelburg: Choice of nature walk, or Middelburg walking tour, or visit to an Oyster Farm
Day 3 Ghent: Choice of biking tour, or guided sightseeing, or Graffiti tour
Day 4 Brussels: Choice of chocolate workshop, or biking tour, or Brussels guided tour
Day 5 Antwerp: Choice of biking tour, or visit the Red Star Line museum, or Antwerp guided tour
Day 6 Rotterdam: Choice of architectural biking tour, or ceramic painting workshop, or Rotterdam guided tour; Rotterdam harbor cruise
Day 7 Amsterdam: Choice of painting class, or guided kayak tour, or canal cruise or off-the-beaten path walking tour
Day 8 Amsterdam (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning
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.

ITINERARY

Day 1
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION) 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 AMSTERDAM-CANAL.jpg

Day 2
MIDDELBURG 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: DISCOVERY Enjoy a Guided Visit to a family owned Oyster Farm, active in the cultivation of crustaceans and shellfish in the Netherlands since 1906. A taste of oysters and lobster, accompanied with a glass of wine is the perfect ending of this beautiful experience, 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 MIDDELBURG-OYSTERS.jpg
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Day 3
GHENT, BELGIUM 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. You won’t miss the opportunity to explore Ghent since this Optional Excursion ends with an orientation walk of the "Diamond of Flanders." EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRUSSELS GHENT.jpg
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Day 4
BRUSSELS 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. Alternatively, enjoy one of the Optional Excursions on offer. Later enjoy live entertainment onboard. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ANTWERP BRUSSELS-CHOCOLATE.jpg
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Day 5
ANTWERP 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 the unique atmosphere of small neighborhoods and squares, OR: DISCOVERY 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. You might consider partaking one of the Optional Excursion available. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTTERDAM ANTWERP-GROTE-MARKT-BIKE.jpg
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Day 6
ROTTERDAM, HOLLAND 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 centre, 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 ROTTERDAM.jpg
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Day 7
AMSTERDAM 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 Attend a Painting Class and be inspired by the masters’ techniques. Paint your own canvas and discover your inner artist, OR: DISCOVERY Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Canal Cruise to explore the iconic waterways and sites of Amsterdam. This afternoon, choose among the many 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 AMSTERDAM-KAYAKING.jpg
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Day 8
AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. AMSTERDAM-SUNRISE.jpg

Accommodations

Amsterdam
Westcord Jakarta
Superior First-Class

Hotel as shown or similar

Javakade 766 Amsterdam Netherlands

A unique sustainable hotel in Amsterdam, where two worlds connect. At the former location where ships left for Jakarta, lies a green oasis in the centre of the city. Hotel offers 200 luxurious rooms with a Indonesian influenced style. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at Café Jakarta or get a drink at the Malabar. Be pampered in luxury and relax in our wellness and swimming pool with views towards the river IJ.
Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

FAQ Avalon Cruises Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Pavlus Travel tells you there's a wide World out there just waiting to be explored on river cruises by you, and Avalon Waterways like Pavlus Travel knows there is more than a river cruise for you and your family to see it all. Why not experience local cities, villages, and countrysides your way with a wide selection of active excursions and activities brought to you by Avalon River Cruises that put you right in the middle of it all. Borrow a bike to ride through the streets of Amsterdam, grab a Nordic walking stick to capture the castle with a hike up the vineyard off the Rhine River, or paddle a canoe along Austria’s river shores. Pavlus makes it easy to turn sightseeing into doing your adventure in real time. You’ll find all the guidance and gear you from Avalon Waterways staff to embark on an expedition of your own. From a complimentary yoga class aboard your Avalon River Cruise to a jogging tour of Vienna or an optional kayaking excursion. Know that Pavlus Travel discounts Avalon River Cruises be they in Europe or the Far East. You'll enjoy every Avalon River Cruises Ship.