B | L | D denotes included breakfasts, lunches, receptions and dinners.
This itinerary is subject to change due to operational conditions.
A special note about air: If you have purchased only the Cruise Program, please book flights that arrive on Day 2, the first day of the Cruise Program. The date is listed at the top of your Reservation Confirmation.
Activity Level ratings indicate each excursion’s physical expectations. To make the best personal choice, please evaluate each excursion’s rating and your ability to meet the tour’s physical demands. Please note, excursions on this program require: walking on cobblestones, unpaved paths or uneven surfaces; and getting on/off motor coaches and boats.
Mild: Walk under 1 mile on mainly flat terrain; navigate under 50 stairs; stand under 1 hour
Moderate: Walk 1-3 miles on flat/uneven terrain; navigate 50-100 stairs; stand 1-2 hours
Active: Walk 2+ miles on flat/uneven terrain, including up and down inclines; navigate 100+ stairs; stand 3+ hours
Depending on the excursion, more leisurely alternatives may be available.
Day 1 | Depart gateway city
AHI FlexAir passengers depart for Brussels, Belgium. Please check your luggage from your gateway city to your arrival city. Your claim checks should have the following airport code: BRU.
Day 2 | Brussels, Belgium | Antwerp
MS Amadeus Aurea
D
Arrive at Brussels Airport. Proceed through immigration to the baggage claim area and retrieve your luggage. After completing customs, AHI FlexAir passengers traveling on flights that qualify for the group arrival transfer and Cruise Program passengers who have purchased seats on the group transfer should exit the baggage claim area and proceed to the Arrivals Hall, where an AHI Travel representative will meet you. The meeting location will be provided with your final documents.
Transfer to Antwerp and embark the ship. Please note, if you arrive before check-in time, your cabin may not be immediately available. The docking location of the ship will be provided in your final documents.
Antwerp Walking Tour. Located on the Scheldt River just 55 miles from the North Sea, Antwerp boasts a rich legacy as a prominent seaport and center of trade. Known as the capital of the world’s diamond business, it has more recently become a fashion design hub. On a guided walk, view its wealth of medieval architecture. Among its notable landmarks, see the Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady, which was under construction for 169 years and completed in 1521; the 16th-century town hall festooned with colorful flags; and the Grote Markt, or Great Market Square, with its row of narrow guild halls. (Moderate)
Enrichment: Contemporary Belgium. Belgium has three official languages (Dutch, French and German), and deep cultural, geographic and linguistic divisions exist between the Dutch speakers of Flanders and the French speakers of Wallonia. Gain interesting insights during a presentation by a local expert.
Enjoy your first delicious dinner on board. The ship remains docked in Antwerp overnight.
Day 3 | Bruges | Middelburg, Netherlands | Veere
MS Amadeus Aurea
B | R | D
This morning, disembark for a scenic drive to Bruges by motor coach.
Medieval Bruges exudes a magical ambience that has earned it the nickname, “Venice of the North.” Small canals, serving as the city’s arteries, are connected by winding, cobblestone lanes and sturdy stone bridges. The historic center with its splendidly preserved Gothic architecture has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site.
PYJ | Personalize Your Journey | Choose ONE of the following excursions and return the included PYJ Reservation Form with your selection by the deadline noted on the form.
All excursions include a guided walking tour of Bruges. Stroll through the grand Market Square and see the medieval guild hall buildings, the exquisite 12th-century Basilica of the Holy Blood and the stately Belfry Tower. After the walk, continue with your selected tour.
Cultural Bruges. Admire the outstanding artwork at the Groeninge Museum, known for its Flemish Primitive paintings and Flemish expressionist masterpieces. After your museum visit, spend time exploring Bruges on your own. (Active)
Bruges & Beer. Visit the De Halve Maan Brewery. With a strong tradition of brewing dating to the 12th century, Belgium embraces beer as its beloved national drink, and hundreds of varieties are produced annually. At the brewery, learn about this family business and the history of Belgian brewing. Take in the excellent view of Bruges from the roof of the building, then enjoy a glass of freshly brewed beer. Please note: The brewery has three floors and many stairs. (Active)
Bruges & Belgian Chocolate. Explorers returning from South America introduced cocoa beans to Belgium in the 17th century, and today Belgium is recognized worldwide for its creamy chocolates. Visit one of Belgium’s more than 2,000 chocolatiers, where you’ll learn about the art and history of Belgian chocolate-making, talk with the chocolate experts and enjoy some samples. (Active)
Enjoy time for lunch on your own in Bruges before returning by motor coach to meet the ship docked in Middelburg.
While the ship cruises to Veere this evening, gather for a Welcome Reception and Dinner.
Day 4 | Veere | Willemstad
MS Amadeus Aurea
B | L | D
Free Time: Join the half-day Elective Activity this morning or explore on your own for the day in Veere, a wonderful seaside town. From the 16th to 18th centuries, this tiny port town was the staple port for Scotland, meaning it was the entry port into Europe for Scottish wool and other items being brought to the European mainland. De Schotse aan de Kaai is a museum devoted to the town’s unique relationship with Scotland. Take a leisurely walk by the 15th-century town hall and browse in the shops.
Elective Activity: Neeltje Jans & Delta Expo. Travel along the Zeeland coast to the artificial island of Neeltje Jans and its Delta Expo. Learn about the Delta Works, a series of massive dams and storm surge barriers conceived after the devastating 1953 North Sea flood. Built over a period of 30 years, these 65 enormous gates can be slammed shut on the North Sea when powerful storms strike. They are an engineering masterpiece that now protects the third of the landmass of the Netherlands that sits below sea level. A moving, panoramic 4-D animation allows you to experience how the North Sea waves wiped out part of the country in 1953. (Moderate) Available at an additional cost.
The ship departs Veere this afternoon for Willemstad, where it overnights.
Day 5 | Schoonhoven | The Hague • Delft • Gouda
MS Amadeus Aurea
B | L | D
The ship leaves Willemstad early this morning for Schoonhoven.
Enrichment: The Dutch Masters. In the 17th century, artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, Frans Hals and Jans Steen endeavored for detailed realism in their portraits, landscapes and still lifes. A local expert examines the lasting impact of their celebrated masterpieces.
Disembark and travel by motor coach to your selected excursion.
PYJ | Personalize Your Journey | Choose ONE of the following excursions and return the included PYJ Reservation Form with your selection by the deadline noted on the form.
The Hague & the Mauritshuis. See The Hague’s landmark buildings, including the Binnenhof, home of the Dutch parliament, and the Peace Palace, seat of the United Nations’ International Court of Justice, on a scenic tour. Then, visit the storied Mauritshuis, which houses works by Dutch and Flemish masters, most notably Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring.” (Moderate)
Old Delft & the Porcelain Factory. Explore historic Delft and its Market Square on a walking tour before visiting the Royal Delft porcelain factory founded in 1653. In the early 1600s, Chinese porcelain became a favorite of the Dutch after it was introduced by tradesmen from the Dutch East India Company. Dutch potters responded by developing their own version, the iconic blue and white delftware so associated with the Netherlands. See the fascinating production process firsthand, watch a master artisan painting pieces by hand, and view Royal Delft’s splendid porcelain collection in their showroom. (Moderate)
Gouda — City of Cheese. Travel to Gouda, famous for its namesake cheese. See the bustling market square dominated by the splendid, 15th-century town hall. Visit Sint Janskerk, where you can take in its fine, 16th-century painted-glass windows. Afterward, nibble on varieties of fresh Gouda cheese and learn how they are created. (Moderate)
Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon of sailing toward Enkhuizen.
Day 6 | Enkhuizen • Hoorn
MS Amadeus Aurea
B | L | D
The ship arrives in Enkhuizen this morning. Set on the banks of the IJssel, Enkhuizen is filled with impressive Dutch Renaissance architecture from the 16th and 17th centuries.
PYJ | Personalize Your Journey | Choose ONE of the following excursions and return the included PYJ Reservation Form with your selection by the deadline noted on the form.
Enkhuizen Walking Tour & Zuiderzee Museum. Granted a city charter in 1355, Enkhuizen prospered during the Dutch Golden Age as a major trading and shipping center for herring. On a guided walk, appreciate its beautiful landmarks built from this wealth. Then, head to the Zuiderzee Museum for a fascinating look at seaside traditions. Explore a recreated village of more than 140 historic buildings, featuring workshops, a fish smokehouse, net making and local crafts, along with a large collection of wooden ships. (Moderate)
Historic Hoorn Walking Tour. Take in picturesque Hoorn, a 17th-century harbor town that was once a key Dutch East India Company port. In its heyday, trading ships returned to Hoorn from around the world with valuable cargo such as pepper, nutmeg and cloves that commanded high prices. See the De Waag, a weigh house built in 1608; the captivating Westfries Museum topped by regal lions; and Grote Oost, an elegant street lined with former merchants’ houses. Afterward, enjoy time on your own for stadswandeling, the Dutch term for strolling around a city! (Moderate)
West Frisian Bicycle Tour. Delight in a guided bike tour through the tranquil West Frisian countryside around Enkhuizen. Pedal past the pastoral dikes and shores of the Netherlands’ largest manmade lake, IJsselmeer, admiring scenic villages, churches and landmarks on your route. Refuel with a tasty snack along the way. (Active)
Relax afterward over lunch on the ship.
Free Time: Enjoy some time at leisure to explore more of lovely Enkhuizen on your own.
The ship departs Enkhuizen and cruises this evening toward Amsterdam.
Day 7 | Amsterdam
MS Amadeus Aurea
B | L | D
Enrichment: Contemporary Netherlands. Delve into current affairs in the Netherlands, a constitutional monarchy and one of the original six countries that founded what is now the 27-member European Union.
Canals of Amsterdam. Board a cruiser for a delightful perspective of this romantic city, renowned for its more than 60 miles of tree-lined canals and waterways. Amsterdam’s 17th-century canal ring area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. During your guided cruise, take in the charming, gabled canal houses, locals of all ages pedaling by, and the architectural gems of the bustling city harbor. (Mild)
Savor a refreshing lunch on board the ship.
Free Time: Explore Amsterdam on your own this afternoon. Art lovers can head to the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum to view their acclaimed collections. For a look at wartime Amsterdam, visit the Anne Frank House or the Dutch Resistance Museum. Stroll through interesting neighborhoods like Jordaan, one of Amsterdam’s trendiest districts, or visit the Royal Palace Amsterdam, the former Amsterdam city hall in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The ship remains docked in Amsterdam overnight.
Day 8 | Amsterdam
MS Amadeus Aurea
B | L | R | D
Keukenhof Gardens. Journey to this 80-acre paradise of brightly colored tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other gorgeous blooms. More than nine miles of footpaths crisscross the grounds, allowing you to immerse yourself in this enchanting setting. Explore this magnificent garden with your guide and learn more about its origins. (Moderate)
Return to the ship for lunch.
Free Time: Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure in Amsterdam.
Tonight, gather for a Farewell Reception and Dinner to commemorate your journey.
Day 9 | Depart for gateway city
B
After breakfast, disembark the ship in Amsterdam.
AHI FlexAir passengers traveling on flights that qualify for a group transfer and Cruise Program passengers who have purchased seats on the group transfer depart for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for your return flights home. Passengers departing independently to the airport must disembark the ship by 9 a.m. Your Travel Director will provide the details.
