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Yuletide Spirit: Amsterdam to Brussels

Southbound



Tour Description:

Festive fixes… glühwein, waffles, Belgian beers, stroopwafels, chocolate lace and cheese… heartwarming carols joyfully orchestrated… villages dressed in the season's best… Dutch canals, cathedrals and candles aglow with yuletide spirit… Belgian squares and medieval markets making merry…  aboard a riverboat cruise all decked out with holiday cheer.

The ribboned waterscapes of Holland and Belgium take on a special glow in December when storybook villages and fairy tale towns celebrate the joys of the season with holiday traditions centuries old. Experience yuletide spirit onboard and ashore on a river cruise that delights day and night… during a visit to a town steeped in 17th-century Holland life and historic windmills... and an illuminating Amsterdam canal cruise… in Delft or Rotterdam, as you choose… on sightseeing excursions in Ghent & Bruges dressed in their holiday best… in market squares where merry making entices with hot mulled wines, waffles hot off the press, beers locally produced and chocolates laced with care… and at special receptions, dinners and cultural presentations aboard a riverboat decked out with cruising delights that make you feel right at home wherever we roam.

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Dates & Pricing

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Saturday 20 Dec 25 — Saturday 27 Dec 25Starting at $4,190Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Tuesday 01 Dec 26 — Tuesday 08 Dec 26Starting at $3,790Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Tuesday 15 Dec 26 — Tuesday 22 Dec 26Starting at $3,590Check 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 Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice.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

Festive fixes… glühwein, waffles, Belgian beers, stroopwafels, chocolate lace and cheese… heartwarming carols joyfully orchestrated… villages dressed in the season's best… Dutch canals, cathedrals and candles aglow with yuletide spirit… Belgian squares and medieval markets making merry…  aboard a riverboat cruise all decked out with holiday cheer.

The ribboned waterscapes of Holland and Belgium take on a special glow in December when storybook villages and fairy tale towns celebrate the joys of the season with holiday traditions centuries old. Experience yuletide spirit onboard and ashore on a river cruise that delights day and night… during a visit to a town steeped in 17th-century Holland life and historic windmills... and an illuminating Amsterdam canal cruise… in Delft or Rotterdam, as you choose… on sightseeing excursions in Ghent & Bruges dressed in their holiday best… in market squares where merry making entices with hot mulled wines, waffles hot off the press, beers locally produced and chocolates laced with care… and at special receptions, dinners and cultural presentations aboard a riverboat decked out with cruising delights that make you feel right at home wherever we roam.



Highlights
An evening canal cruise to view the Amsterdam Light Festival 
A walking tour of Rotterdam or a visit to Royal Delft to see pottery making
Gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director 
Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $1,789
Holiday market fun in annual markets along the waterways with shopping, music, traditional fare and often ice skating and ferris wheel rides

ITINERARY

Welcome to Amsterdam / Embark Riverboat
Tour begins: 4:00 PM, Amsterdam. A transfer is included from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport or Centraal Train Station to Tauck's riverboat where embarkation begins at 4:00 PM. Settle into your cabin and join us tonight for a welcome reception followed by dinner.

Amsterdam, historic windmills & a Light Festival
Today, you have a choice of excursions. One offers you the opportunity to visit the famed, Rijksmuseum. Housing over one million objects of different arts, crafts and artifacts created the years of 1200 – 2000 A.D. (8,000 of which are displayed publicly), the Rijksmuseum is home to some of the greatest historical and artistic masterpieces in the world, including a collection of paintings from the likes of Dutch Masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Hals; your other option offers a visit to the Zaanse Schans neighborhood to get an idea of what life was like in 17th- and 18th-century Holland; see the historic windmills and green wooden houses from the period. Nicknamed the "Venice of the North" for the sheer number of canals (165 to be exact) found throughout the city proper, they'll be on full display this afternoon during some free time to explore Amsterdam as you please. Illuminated artwork and sculptures lining the canals add a special glow to the city's winter landscapes at night, and are a highlight of this evening's festive canal cruise.

The Hague
Today, arrive in Den Haag, "The Hague," a city of regal elegance and artistic treasures. Begin with a city tour, driving through its historic center, passing the King's Palace and other notable landmarks. Your city tour finishes at the acclaimed Mauritshuis, where you'll enjoy a private lunch - for Tauck guests only. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy free time to explore independently – choose from visiting the Royal Christmas Fair (seasonal), admiring the art masterpieces at the Mauritshuis, or discovering M.C. Escher's acclaimed works at the Escher in the Palace exhibit. Later in the afternoon, reunite with your ship in Rotterdam, returning with lasting memories of The Hague's rich cultural charm—its stately palaces, world-class art, and the unique atmosphere of a city where history and modernity blend seamlessly. Dinner tonight is back aboard your riverboat.

A Taste of Rotterdam or a Day in Delft
A choice of shore excursions today includes a locally guided walking tour of Rotterdam or a visit to Delft and its porcelain factory. In Rotterdam, view world-class architecture and urban design, along with outdoor sculptures randomly placed, and as you make your way to the city's covered Markthal; topped with sought-after glass-walled apartments, the market is lined with some 96 stalls enticing with a taste of Dutch culinary specialties under an arched fruit-and-vegetable muralled ceiling. Little changed since Golden Age artist Johannes Vermeer lived here in the 17th century, the historic center of Delft is a veritable time capsule of medieval treasures and Golden Age glories. Tour the city's Royal Delft factory to learn more about the distinctive blue and white Delftware pottery first introduced by local artisans in the 17th century, before returning to your ship in Rotterdam. Enjoy dinner tonight as your riverboat cruises to Antwerp.

City Sightseeing in Bruges or Ghent
While your riverboat arrives in Antwerp this morning, today your day consists of one simple choice: Bruges or Ghent? For those that choose Bruges, you'll be whisked away for a full day excursion to the fortified medieval city, nicknamed "The Venice of the North" for its countless canals, on foot, meandering past its canals, magnificent squares, and narrow cobblestone lanes. Alternatively, those that choose Ghent, will be off on a full day excursion to the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province. Return to your riverboat for dinner in the Compass Rose this evening. Rest up, a full day of exploration in Antwerp awaits you tomorrow.

Gems of Antwerp
Sugar and diamond trading put Antwerp on the map in the mid-16th century when it was one of Europe's most important cities. Today it is also famous for being the home of Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens, inviting you to walk in the artist's footsteps and see his masterpieces where he painted them. Traditionally held every December, the Antwerp Christmas Market is spread over different squares of the city, within walking distance of the Grote Markt and other landmarks you'll see today. Guided sightseeing showcases the highlights of Antwerp this morning before returning to your riverboat for an afternoon of cruising and onboard delights.

Brussels in Winter
Wake up in Brussels this morning, disembarking after breakfast for a tour of the city that visits the enchanting cobblestoned square, Grand-Place, surrounded by ornately gilded 17th-century guildhouses, and the festive holiday markets of Winterfest, infused with the joys and spirit of the season. Time at leisure this afternoon lets you experience winter's wonders in Brussels as you wish. Join us aboard your riverboat this evening for a reception and farewell toast followed by dinner.

Journey Home
Tour ends: Brussels. Disembark your riverboat by 9:00 AM this morning and fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the riverboat to Brussels Airport, Centraal Train Station or Brussels Midi Station. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in at the airport.

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 Tauck Travel Frequently Asked Questions FAQ for Tauck tours. Includes Tauck Guest Protection Plan.

People have asked, What's the relationship between Pavlus and Tauck. It's simple, Pavlus Travel is the Worlds largest seller of Tauck tours. We enjoy a close working relationship. Another question, Are Tauck tours worth the money? They sure are. Yes, Tauck is a bit more expensive. Everything is taken care for you on your tours. Tauck tour directors are all employees of Tauck unlike virtually every other escorted European Tour Company. We highly recommend Tauck verses any other tour company. There are two other questions asked often of our staff, What is the Tauck guest protection plan and what is the Tauck cancellation policy? Our staff will be pleased to provide complete answers to you. We always welcome questions on any travel topic.