Overview
In Middelburg, explore its grand history in the Dutch East India Company. Visit the fascinating Flood Museum to hear and see the stories of the flood of 1953. Continue your cruise through Kinderdijk—where windmills built in 1740 for water management helped the iconic structures become a symbol of Holland. See the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam, and the quintessential Dutch towns of Zaandam and Haarlem with their signature flower farms, windmills, waterways, and North Sea trading. Your cruise through Holland and Belgium returns to Amsterdam for a guided canal cruise through the iconic city.
Itinerary
Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure. 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 NIJMEGEN (D)
Wildlife, WWII Valour, and Famous Mills
- Active: Explore the beautiful landscape of lush fields and blue water on a bike ride through The Ooijpolder Nature Reserve, OR:
- Discovery: 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.
You may join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Windmill of Thorn or an Optional Cooking Workshop.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAASTRICHT (B/L/D)
Dutch History, School Spirit and an Architectural Feast
Enjoy an early morning sailing to Maastricht.
- Active: Maastricht's charm awaits, 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 centre.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NAMUR (B/L/D)
Ancient Architecture and Charming Cafes
- Active: Explore Namur's countryside by bike with your Adventure Host, 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 cafes and bookshops.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN HUY (B/L/D)
Historic Wonders and Wonderful Waffles
- Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the "Fiery City" of Liege with its beautiful ancient quarters, peculiar alleys, and romantic streets. Don't miss sampling authentically sweet Liege Waffles.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ANTWERP (B/L/D)
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.
Enjoy cocktail or coffee aboard your ship as you sail to Brussels this afternoon. Later, enjoy dinner and live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BRUSSELS (B/L/D)
Ancient Landmarks and New Haunts
- Active: See Brussel's Aquaculture farm on bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Discovery: See the major highlights of Brussels and 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, cafes and shops of the Lower Town Streets.
The afternoon is free to explore Brussels at your pace.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BRUSSELS (B/L/D)
Filling Fare and Fabled Beer
Spend a day at leisure to sample Brussels hearty cuisine and famous beer. Enjoy dinner on board as you sail for Ghent this evening.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GHENT (B/L/D)
Medieval Masterpieces and Flemish Finery
Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
- Active: Explore a different side of Ghent by bike with your Adventure Host, 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.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BOSSUIT (B/L/D)
Battlefield Remembrances in Flanders
- Discovery: Visit the In Flanders' Field Museum in Ypres - learn about the story of the invasion of Belgium, the first months of the mobilization, the four years trench war in the Westhoek, the end of the war, and the permanent remembrance ever since. After your visit, enjoy lunch at the museum's cafe.
- Discovery: Following the museum, visit, battlefields, cemeteries, memorials and private collections.
- Discovery: Experience the Last Post Ceremony, taking place nightly under the arches of the Menin Gate. Enjoy some free time for dinner before the Ceremony starts.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MIDDELBURG (B/L/D)
A Spicy History in Middelburg's Dutch Harbour Town
- Active: Explore Vlissingen by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Walking Tour through the winding cobblestones and canals of Middelburg. See the15th century Gothic Town Hall and learn about its important role in the spice trade and Dutch East India trading.
Enjoy lunch on board while cruising to Veere.
VEERE: The Delta Works Stand Strong as a Technical Marvel
- Active: Bike your way to the beach from Veere with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Discovery: Visit the fascinating Flood Museum to hear and see the stories of the flood of 1953, reconstruction, the Delta Works, and flood risk management - told by the people who have experienced it. Later, explore the town of Veere.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT SAILING IN KINDERDIJK (B/L/D):
Harnessing the Wind 300 Years
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
- Active: See the windmills of Kinderdijk by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Kinderdijk where 19 windmills were built in 1740 as flood prevention and water management. You'll hear about the windmill's vital role in the Netherland's history and why it became a national symbol of Holland.
Enjoy a cruise through Rotterdam harbour.
- Active: Experience Rotterdam by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rotterdam featuring innovative architecture, including the marvellous Erasmus Bridge.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ZAANDAM (B/L/D)
Windmills, Waterways, and Waving Fields of Flowers
Arrive in Zaandam this morning with free time to explore this quintessential Dutch town. See windmills, waterways, and flower farms, while discovering Dutch history in its handicraft shops and museums. Cruise to Haarlem this afternoon while enjoying lunch on board.
HAARLEM: Tulips and North Sea Trading Ports
- Active: Enjoy an easy bike ride to the beach with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Visit Haarlem, a major flower bulbs growing district outside of Amsterdam. Explore the former North Sea trading port with its medieval features, gabled houses, and leafy courtyards.
Enjoy dinner on board your ship this evening as you sail to Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B/L/D)
Canals of colourful Amsterdam
- Active: Join a Biking Tour through the Dutch countryside past polders, dykes, and quaint centuries-old villages, OR:
- Classic: Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age."
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B/L/D)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Life Onboard
Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships.
With the only Open-Air Balconies in river cruising, experience Europe with a view like no other in a Panorama Suite. Read more
Avalon features all the right inclusions which compliment your luxurious river cruise experience. Read more
Personalise your cruise to make it your own with Avalon Choice. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more
Avalon's Active & Discovery river cruises offer activities for travellers with varying interests & for all energy and fitness levels. Read more
Savour regional cuisine and familiar favourites using the freshest local ingredients throughout your river cruise. Read more
Deck Plans
Category E
Category D
Category B
Category A
Category P
Cabins
Deluxe Stateroom (Cat. E & D)
- Deluxe Stateroom (172 sq ft)
- Twin Windows
- Comfort Collection Bed with Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, woolen blankets & European style duvets
- Private bathroom featuring full shower, hairdryer & premium L'Occitane bath amentities
- Spacious three-door closets and easy under-bed luggage storage
- Flatscreen satellite with movie channel
- In-room safe, writing Desk/Vanity & direct-dial telephone
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access
- Individual thermostat
- Bathrobes & slippers
Panorama Suite (Cat. B, A & P)
- Wall-to-wall Panoramic Window measuring 11'- 50% larger than industry standard (200 sq ft)
- Wall-to-wall Panoramic Window opens to transform the living space into a large Open-Air-Balcony
- Open-Air-Balcony with spacious sitting area
- Comfort Collection Bed with Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, woolen blankets & European style duvets
- Private bathroom featuring full shower, hairdryer & premium L'Occitane bath amentities
- Spacious three-door closets and easy under-bed luggage storage
- Flatscreen satellite with movie channel
- In-room safe, writing Desk/Vanity & direct-dial telephone
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access
- Individual thermostat
- Bathrobes & slippers
Royal Suite
- Wall-to-wall Panoramic Window measuring 11'- 50% larger than industry standard (300 sq ft)
- Wall-to-wall Panoramic Window opens to transform the living space into a large Open-Air-Balcony
- Open-Air-Balcony with spacious sitting area
- Comfort Collection Bed with Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, woolen blankets & European style duvets
- Private bathroom featuring full shower, hairdryer & premium L'Occitane bath amentities
- Spacious three-door closets and easy under-bed luggage storage
- Flatscreen satellite with movie channel
- In-room safe, writing Desk/Vanity & direct-dial telephone
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access
- Individual thermostat
- Bathrobes & slippers
Brochure
Avalon River Cruises (2023-24)
Availability
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Cabin Upgrades Optional cabin upgrades. Upgrades priced per person
| Category E (Prices Shown) | $ 0 |
| Category D | From $ 398 |
| Category B | $ 3,598 - $ 3,798 |
| Category A | $ 3,798 - $ 3,998 |
| Category P | $ 3,898 - $ 4,098 |
| Category S | $ 6,998 - $ 7,198 |
Upgrade prices shown are per person. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will confirm and include the upgrade price in your quote.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Avalon. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Avalon. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
