We have included a selection of ways to travel to Amsterdam - these are all included at no supplement: fly from your choice of 15 regional airports with KLM; travel with British Airways from London Heathrow or London Gatwick; or travel Standard Premier aboard Eurostar from St. Pancras International to Amsterdam via Brussels. Your Scenic Tours representative will personally greet you at the airport and arrange your transfer*. Tonight enjoy your first night on board as you meet your fellow guests at your Welcome Cocktail Reception and Captain’s Welcome Dinner in the Crystal Dining Room.
Next Seven Nights: Cruising
After sailing through the night we disembark our cruise in Arnhem. Our included tour today visits The Airborne Museum ‘Hartenstein’. The museum pays tribute to The Battle of Arnhem, a crucial part of Operation Market Garden, which took place in September 1944. After heavy fighting the Allied Forces eventually had to withdraw because of the heavy German counter attacks. Arnhem’s crucial role in the last days of WWII was recreated in the movie “A Bridge Too Far”. Relax on-board as we cruise south to Dordrecht.
We continue to cruise through Belgium to Antwerp, a compact city buzzing with world class shopping in fashion houses and galleries. The baroque master painter Rubens lived here, and today it’s the centre of the global diamond trade. Your included sightseeing takes you to heritage listed monuments, City Hall and the Cathedral of Our Lady. With free time this afternoon why not sample some of Belgium’s famous beer and the local favourite - a pot of mussels with fries and mayonnaise before reboarding your cruise.
This morning visit Bruges, known as ‘The Venice of the North’. On our included sightseeing tour, be amazed by this fascinating little city with its pretty canals and intimate cobbled stone streets. This afternoon explore Ghent, a flourishing port city famous for its flower exports. Enjoy an included walking tour of the city centre to admire well preserved Flemish architecture.
We continue to cruise on board your Scenic ‘Space- Ship’ to the city of Middleburg, first inhabited in the 9th century as a fortified town to guard against Viking raids. Despite heavy bombings during WWII, much of the city’s architecture has been saved and can be seen in the medieval abbey and merchant warehouses that line the canals. This afternoon you will see one of the most intriguing civil engineering constructions ever built. The Delta Works are an engineering feat consisting of a complex series of dams and storm barriers built to protect the population of the lowlands of the Delta plain from treacherous floods. On our included tour we learn about the Delta project as a whole followed by a guided tour through the Storm Surge Barrier. As most of Zeeland in the Netherlands is at or under sea level the storm surge barrier has reduced the risk of flooding to less than once in 4000 years. Tonight step back in time as our entertainment pays tribute to its Dutch Heritage, showcasing authentic costumes and jewellery of years gone by.
Sailing back through the Netherlands we dock in Europe’s largest port, Rotterdam. Completely rebuilt after the destruction of WWII, Rotterdam is now a centre for cutting-edge architecture and museums housing collections dating from the Middle Ages. Today’s highlight is a guided visit to Keukenhof Gardens which have been delighting and inspiring visitors for over 60 years with its millions of flowering tulips, intricate flower displays and expansive sculpture garden. From here we cruise by the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk with its delightful row of windmills. A great photo opportunity not to be missed!
Docking back in Amsterdam today choose from the one of the following included SCENIC FREE CHOICE options: (1) A guided tour of Anne Frank House, where you will visit the house where the family hid during World War II; or (2) A sightseeing canal cruise through the city’s 17th century architecture in a glass-top boat; or (3) An excursion to The Hague, government central of The Netherlands; or (4) Over lunch you’ll cruise to the fishing town of Volendam to see the unusual raised homes of the fishermen and the quaint wooden church. Then it’s on to Edam, famous for its round cheese of the same name, which is popular around the world. You’ll see the rich history of the city in its lovely squares, bridges and remaining cheese warehouses. Tonight we celebrate our last night on board with a Captain’s farewell dinner in the Crystal Dining room.
After breakfast, transfer* to the airport for your flight to the UK, with British Airways to London Heathrow or London Gatwick, or with KLM to one of 15 regional UK airports. Alternatively, travel Standard Premier aboard Eurostar to St. Pancras International from Amsterdam via Brussels.
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
Brochure: IS/ERC/GBP1213
Tour code: TUAA.1