Overview
Embark in Brussels and sail to Ghent—“The Diamond of Flanders”. Visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral with its stunning Flemish artwork. Sail to Bossuit for moving battlefield remembrances, including In Flanders Fields Museum and the Last Post Ceremony. On to Holland for a visit to the former Dutch East India Company trading port of Middelburg. Visit the fascinating Flood Museum to hear and see the stories of the flood of 1953. In Kinderdijk, see 19 windmills built in 1740 for water management, and in Rotterdam the Erasmus Bridge. You’ll see why windmills are a symbol of Holland!
Take in the tulips and other flowering bulbs in the flower farm regions of Zaandam and Haarlem, and conclude your river cruise through Belgium and Holland with a visit to Amsterdam. Take a guided canal cruise past bridges and homes of a golden age.
Itinerary
Filling Fare and Fabled Beer Spend a day at leisure to sample Brussels hearty cuisine and famous beer.
Ancient Landmarks and New Finds
- 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.
Your Suite Ship is now Ready for Boarding. Enjoy dinner on board as you sail for Ghent this evening.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GHENT (B/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 foot 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 - named for the soldier's famed poem. 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 lasting remembrance to follow. 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 Harbor Town
- Active: Explore Middelburg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Walking Tour through the winding cobblestones and canals of Middelburg. See the 15th-century Gothic Town Halland 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 CRUISE TO KINDERDIJK (B/L/D)
Harnessing the Wind for 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 harbor.
- Active: Experience Rotterdam by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rotterdam featuring innovative architecture, including the marvelous 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. During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
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 Colorful 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 $ 199 |
| Category B | $ 1,799 - $ 1,899 |
| Category A | $ 1,899 - $ 1,999 |
| Category P | $ 1,949 - $ 2,049 |
| Category S | $ 3,499 - $ 3,599 |
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.
