AVALON 2025: Active & Discovery in Holland & Belgium (WAD)
8 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Amsterdam
There's no better way to spring into action and catapult into culture than on an Avalon Active & Discovery cruise to the Netherlands and Belgium. Belgian chocolate workshop, classic paintings, and even graffiti walls glow brighter when you experience them in the most interactive ways.
Let the wind guide your sails and the windmills spin your tales! On an Active & Discovery cruise, you can float past windmills, bicycle by them and even paint them in a hands-on art class. Our varied selection of Classic, Discovery and Active excursions from Amsterdam to Brussels and back lets you experience Holland and Belgium in the ways that move you most.
Move.
Enjoy a little get-up-and-go on your cruising vacation when you:
-Soak in castle and farmland views on a walk through the woods and dunes of Domburg.
-Pedal past polders, dykes and quaint centuries-old villages through the Dutch countryside.
-Take an architectural bike tour through Rotterdam to see the design highlights of Europe's largest seaport.
And be moved.
Get off the beaten path and relish the world when you:
-Visit a century-old, oyster farm in Middleburg and savor the catch of the day.
-Paint the town red, green or whatever color you choose on an interactive tour of Ghent's Graffiti Street.
-Discover your inner artist at a Delft tile pottery workshop in Rotterdam or a painting class in Amsterdam.
Plus, Classic sightseeing is always available in every port along the way.
Activate your senses and discover a world of wonder in all-new, entirely 'you' ways on your personal, passion-packed cruise along the waterways of Holland and Belgium.
Let the wind guide your sails and the windmills spin your tales! On an Active & Discovery cruise, you can float past windmills, bicycle by them and even paint them in a hands-on art class. Our varied selection of Classic, Discovery and Active excursions from Amsterdam to Brussels and back lets you experience Holland and Belgium in the ways that move you most.
Move.
Enjoy a little get-up-and-go on your cruising vacation when you:
-Soak in castle and farmland views on a walk through the woods and dunes of Domburg.
-Pedal past polders, dykes and quaint centuries-old villages through the Dutch countryside.
-Take an architectural bike tour through Rotterdam to see the design highlights of Europe's largest seaport.
And be moved.
Get off the beaten path and relish the world when you:
-Visit a century-old, oyster farm in Middleburg and savor the catch of the day.
-Paint the town red, green or whatever color you choose on an interactive tour of Ghent's Graffiti Street.
-Discover your inner artist at a Delft tile pottery workshop in Rotterdam or a painting class in Amsterdam.
Plus, Classic sightseeing is always available in every port along the way.
Activate your senses and discover a world of wonder in all-new, entirely 'you' ways on your personal, passion-packed cruise along the waterways of Holland and Belgium.
Call 718 442 8000 for more information or to book today! Mention code 17492842
- Tour Operator
- Globus
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Amsterdam | How Suite It Is! Welcome Aboard Your Avalon Suite Ship. Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. 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 MIDDELBURG (D) |
| Day 2 | Middelburg | A Castle Moat, an Oyster Farm and Dutch Sea Trade Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities. ACTIVE Take a Guided Walk through woods and dunes; see Castle Westhove and farmlands of the beautiful North-Sea area, OR: DISCOVERY Enjoy a Guided Visit to a family owned Oyster Farm, active in the cultivation of crustaceans and shellfish in the Netherlands since 1906. A taste of oysters and lobster, accompanied with a glass of wine is the perfect ending of this beautiful experience, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour through the winding cobblestones and canals of Middelburg. See the 15th-century Gothic Town Hall and learn about its important role in the spice trade and Dutch East India trading. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GHENT (B,L,D) |
| Day 3 | Ghent | Flemish Artwork and Street Artists ACTIVE Explore the outskirts of the city and the lesser known sights on a Guided Bike Tour, OR: DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour of Graffiti Street, where artists create striking spray-can art to their heart's content. And do not miss the chance to become an artist yourself, creating your street art, 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. You won't miss the opportunity to explore Ghent since this Optional Excursion ends with an orientation walk of the "Diamond of Flanders." EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRUSSELS (B,L,D) |
| Day 4 | Brussels | Ancient Streets, and Chocolate Sweet ACTIVE Take a bike tour to explore the beauty near Brussels, including the Belgian town of Laken, home to the Royal family estates, exotic pavilions from the world expo, and beautiful parks and lanes, OR: DISCOVERY Join a Belgian chocolate-making Workshop to learn how to create your own delicious candies. Enjoy a cup of the finest hot chocolate, while crafting traditional confections of pralines and mendiant from scratch, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Brussels, see the Town Hall with its landmark buildings, discover the many local bars, cafes, and shops of the Lower Town Streets, and visit the Atomium. The afternoon is free to explore Brussels -considered home to the European Union, and admire its magnificent palaces and cathedrals. Alternatively, enjoy one of the Optional Excursions on offer. Later enjoy live entertainment onboard. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ANTWERP (B,L,D) |
| Day 5 | Antwerp | Bike Riding, Brave New Worlds, and Rubens' Art Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities. ACTIVE Enjoy a Bike Tour and discover centuries of history and a story around every corner. Don't miss out the unique atmosphere of small neighborhoods and squares, OR: DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour of the Red Star Line Museum. Follow the footsteps of the emigrants, become acquainted with the Red Star Line passengers and accompany them on their trip from their native village via Antwerp to the new world, 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. This afternoon take time on your own to indulge in Antwerp's signature Belgian waffles and crepes-or explore this bike-friendly city from its old wharfs to its legendary diamond district. You might consider partaking one of the Optional Excursion available. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTTERDAM (B,L,D) |
| Day 6 | Rotterdam | Avant-garde Architecture and Art Lessons ACTIVE Take a unique Architecture Bike Tour to see the architectural highlights of Rotterdam. Do not miss the interesting Cube Houses, the popular Market Hall, the spectacular Erasmus Bridge, the vertical city 'De Rotterdam', and the iconic Central Station. In the city centre, admire how historic buildings lash cheerfully with hypermodern skyscrapers.OR: DISCOVERY Attend a Pottery Workshop. In a characteristic painter's room, a professional painter will guide you through the process of painting a Delft tile,OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rotterdam featuring unusual collection of cube houses innovative architecture, including the marvelous Erasmus Bridge, and plenty of other fascinating sites. Before dinner, enjoy a cruise through Rotterdam harbor. In the evening, enjoy live entertainment on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM (B,L,D) |
| Day 7 | Amsterdam | Colorful Canals of Amsterdam ACTIVE Join a Guided Kayak Tour which provides a unique perspective of Amsterdam from the waters of its magnificent canals, OR: DISCOVERY Attend a Painting Class and be inspired by the masters' techniques. Paint your own canvas and discover your inner artist, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Canal Cruise to explore the iconic waterways and sites of Amsterdam. This afternoon, choose among the many Guided Optional Excursions available or take some free time to explore Amsterdam's colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B,L,D) |
| Day 8 | Amsterdam | Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- US$ Price Details
Port Charges:
$210
Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).
Please call for single accommodation details and prices. Triples not available.
Travel Terms & Conditions
The purchase of any travel services offered by Avalon Waterways, constitutes a contractual arrangement between you (the Traveler) and Avalon Waterways, and represents your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand the Terms & Conditions prior to booking. These Terms & Conditions cover Deposit & Final Payment information, Air-Inclusive Deposits & Final Payment, Revisions & Revision Fees, Air Arrangements, Participation, Travelers Who Need Special Assistance, Young Travelers, Smoking, Price Policy, Visas and Passports, Hotels & Accommodations, Baggage Allowance, Travel Documents, Not Included in the Land Price, Refunds, Service Inquires After the Vacation, Holidays, Safety, Photos & Pictures, Optional Excursions, and Responsibility.
Important Notes- Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required for Avalon Waterways to reserve space for you. View Terms & Conditions for limited exceptions.
- The following charges are not included in the land/cruise vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; intra-vacation air, unless specified in the itinerary; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee up to $11.20 per person, passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $4.10 per segment, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Avalon menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature.
- Additional airline-imposed fees for seat assignments may apply and are not included in your total package cost. Please refer to carrier websites for seat assignment policies and applicable pricing.
Booking your Vacation with Air
Our volume buying power saves you money. We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city. Avalon Waterways offers 2 air options: Flex Air and Instant Purchase Air. Early Airfare Price Guarantee locks in a price that is guaranteed not to increase. Air pricing and schedules are available approximately 330 days prior to last travel date in the itinerary. At that time the best air price will be utilized and a new invoice with the air cost and confirmed schedule will be sent. The identity of the carrier, which may include the carrier's codeshare partner, will be assigned and disclosed at this time. If the guaranteed price is the lowest, the schedule with the lowest fare per contracted classes of service will be booked. Any voluntary change to the confirmed flights negates the guaranteed price and is subject to air pricing at the time of the change.
Guaranteed air-inclusive prices - air is only available to passengers traveling from the United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a land vacation. An additional non-refundable air deposit of $300 per person is required for Flex Air booked in conjunction with any land vacation (i.e. air-inclusive vacation). Air can only be booked by Avalon in conjunction with a vacation package. Instant Purchase Air requires air payment in full at time of booking (i.e. air-inclusive vacation) plus a non-refundable per person service fee of $30 (North/Central America), $50 (Europe/Middle East) or $80 (all other international destinations). Once booked, Instant Purchase Air is non-refundable, and non-changeable. Some vacations may only offer one Air type option. However, once your airfare is confirmed and Avalon has received your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed.
Air-Inclusive Vacations - Applicable Taxes & Fees
Air-inclusive vacations include government-imposed taxes and fees applicable at the time of booking and will be shown as a Total Amount. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply. At the time of booking your air-inclusive vacation online, carrier Websites will be provided to check baggage fees, or you can visit www.iflybags.com for up-to-date baggage pricing/restrictions. For return travel from some countries, international travelers are required to pay entry and/or exit fees at the airport. These fees will be collected by the local government and are payable by the traveler at time of travel. Your confirmation booking information will contain information about these fees.
'Starting at' Disclaimer
The 'Starting at' or 'From' listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on double occupancy and any applicable non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes limited-time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.
