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 Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands. Choose a visit to Arnhem’s WWII Airborne Museum or a bike ride. 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!
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.
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.”
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.
Later, on board your Avalon Suite Ship®.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NIJMEGEN
Day 3
NIJMEGEN. EXCURSION TO ARNHEM Wildlife, WWII Valor, and Famous Mills
ACTIVE Explore the beautiful landscape of lush fields and blue water on a bike ride through The Ooijpolder Nature Reserve, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Nijmegen— the oldest town in the Netherlands. Learn how this city was first built more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans and see the archaeological Roman-era ruins in the city that was also damaged in WWII, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the Airborne Museum of Hartenstein commemorating the 1944 WWII Battle of Arnhem.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAASTRICH BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 4
MAASTRICHT Dutch History, School Spirit and an Architectural Feast
Enjoy an early morning sailing to Maastricht.
ACTIVE Follow your Adventure Host for a walk in this lovely town, 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 BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 5
NAMUR, BELGIUM Ancient Architecture and Charming Cafés
ACTIVE Explore Namur's countryside by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Take a guided visit to Abbey of Maredsous, a Benedictine monastery where you can taste the fruits of the monks’ labor and learn about the history and daily life of the abbey. Enjoy a tasting of cheese, paired with some of the Abbey’s beer, 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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LIÈGE BreakfastLunchDinner
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.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ANTWERP BreakfastLunchDinner
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.
Later, enjoy dinner and live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRUSSELS BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 8
BRUSSELS Ancient Landmarks and New Haunts
ACTIVE See Brussel's Aquaculture farm on bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
DISCOVERY 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 BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 9
BRUSSELS (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning
Accommodations
Amsterdam
Brussels
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.
Cardo Brussels, Autograph Collection First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Avenue du Boulevard 14 Brussels Belgium
Located minutes away from the historic center of the city, Cardo Brussels Autograph Collection is a trendy landmark in the neighborhood. Playful artworks, wit and wellbeing are key features in all its 532 fully air-conditioned guest rooms with cracking cityscape views. Guestrooms are equipped with a coffee machine, a safety deposit box, and a flat screen TV with international channels. Fitness center, terrace, a restaurant serving international cuisine and a bar are also available. Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property.
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.