9 Night Cruise sailing from Amsterdam to Antwerp aboard River Duchess.

Immerse yourself in fields of flowers, which flutter in the breeze that gently turns the famed Dutch windmills

All the things that come to mind when you think of the Netherlands and Belgium-colorful canals; whimsical windmills; vibrant tulips; rich maritime history; the art of Rubens, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh-are yours to experience in all their real-life glory.

This perfectly paced springtime cruise takes you to the historic windmills of Kinderdijk, the Belgian treasures of Bruges or Ghent, the 70-acre Keukenhof Gardens with more than seven million flowers, and museums rich in art by the famed Dutch Masters. While visiting Enkhuizen and Hoorn, you'll discover the impressive maritime history of days gone by. Stroll through cosmopolitan Amsterdam and trendy Antwerp, and learn about Dutch art, WWII history, and the Netherlands' long struggle against the sea on three guided museum visits.

Along the way, you'll indulge in the famous treats of the region. Sample handmade Belgian chocolates. Feast on warm waffles. Taste delicious cheeses along with hearty beer-all while savoring the storybook atmosphere of some of Europe's most charming towns.
Who will enjoy this cruise: Flower lovers and ecoconscious travelers will get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to enjoy the exquisite Keukenhof Gardens. Artists can discover treasures in the Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum. Historians can get a first-hand account of WWII during a visit to the Liberation Museum, or step back in time at the living museum village of Zaanse Schans.

Day 1: Amsterdam (embark) (D)

Day 2: Amsterdam

Featured Excursions: Amsterdam city tour, including canal cruise, and Choice of Rijksmuseum OR Van Gogh Museum

Spend your first full day in the Netherlands' largest city, Amsterdam, which boasts history, art, architecture, bridges, canals, cobblestone streets, museums, bicycles, and narrow alleys. See Amsterdam's unique appeal from a different perspective while touring aboard a canal boat. Then, choose to visit one of the most prestigious museums in the world-the Rijksmuseum-which offers
the world's largest collection of Dutch and Flemish art and artifacts, including Rembrandt's The Night Watch and Vermeer's The Kitchen Maid. Or visit the Van Gogh Museum-home to the largest collection of his paintings in the world, along with the works of other 19th-century painters. (BB, L, Captain's Welcome Gala)

Day 3: Zaandam

Featured Excursions: Choice of Keukenhof Gardens OR Zaanse Schans and Keukenhof Gardens

Spend all day at the Keukenhof Gardens, one of the most impressive public gardens in the world, with more than seven million bulbs planted on a 70-acre site. Or split your day between the Keukenhof and Zaanse Schans, an exquisitely crafted open-air museum where you can observe life as it used to be lived. Authentic windmills, houses, and shops, were relocated to this picturesque area, creating a typical 17th- to 18th- century village where you can watch the cobbler carve out a wooden shoe or the cheesemaker press a round of Gouda. (BB, L, D)

Day 4: Hoorn, Enkhuizen

Featured Excursions: Hoorn walking tour and Zuiderzee Outdoor Museum visit

Enjoy a walking tour through Hoorn, where you'll uncover a rich seafaring history, evident in the town's old harbor and admiralty buildings. Your guide will point out and explain the markings on Medieval buildings noting the former inhabitants' trades. Your next port of call is Enkhuizen, a lively trading center since the 17th century, where you will visit the fascinating Zuiderzee outdoor museum, a reconstructed village from before the Ljsselmeer Dam was built in 1932 that gives you a vivid idea of life in a Dutch fishing village. (BB, L, D)

Day 5: Nijmegen (Groesbeek or Nijmegen)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Liberation Museum OR Vincent Van Gogh Village Nuenen

Awaken in Nijmegen, considered the oldest city in the Netherlands. From here, you can choose to head to the Liberation Museum situated in nearby Groesbeek. During your guided visit, get a firsthand account of WWII by experiencing the occupation, celebrating the liberation, and witnessing the rebuilding of the Netherlands and Europe after the war.

Day 6: Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, Dordrecht

Featured Excursion: Kinderdijk windmills

Awaken in Rotterdam and cruise through its harbor, the world's third largest. Enjoy leisure time while in Rotterdam. Then sail to Kinderdijk, where you'll discover 19 astonishingly well-preserved, UNESCO World Heritage-designated windmills dating back to the 1500s. Your guide will provide a detailed explanation of why windmills are so important to this region. They are also an iconic emblem of the Netherlands; at one point, there were more than 10,000 in the country. Were it not for the mighty windmill, this region would have surrendered to water a long time ago. In the evening, sail to Dordrecht. (BB, L, D)

Note: If docking in Kinderdijk is not possible, the excursion will be arranged by motorcoach from Rotterdam.

Day 7: Veere

Featured Excursion: Delta Works

Enjoy a morning visit to the engineering marvel known as the Delta Works, where you'll learn about the Netherlands' 2,000-year history of fighting back the sea. Learn how technology has evolved in that time. Then spend the early afternoon in charming Veere, today a popular artists' retreat, before cruising the picturesque Zeeland area. (BB, L, D)

Day 8: Ghent (Bruges or Ghent)

Featured Excursions: Choice of full-day Bruges with canal cruise and walking tour OR three quarter-day Ghent with canal cruise

Visit Bruges, one of the best-preserved Medieval cities in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy its intimate cobblestone streets and bucolic public gardens. The Belfry Tower (Belfort) located in Market Square features a stunning octagonal tower and the lovely music of a carillon. Then see the town from aboard a canal boat and discover why Bruges is often called the "Venice of the North." Or visit Ghent, one of the oldest cities in Belgium, with a history dating back to the Stone Age. The beautifully restored Medieval city center is made for strolling or biking. Its museums house works by artists from Hieronymus Bosch to Joseph Beuys. The Saint Bavo Cathedral holds the Ghent Altarpiece, one of the world's historical art treasures, painted by the brothers Hubert and Jan van Eyck in the 1400s. A canal cruise gives you close-up view of the impressive 14th- and 15th-century textile warehouses that line the canals. (BB, D)

Day 9: Antwerp

Featured Excursions: Antwerp walking tour and Cathedral of Our Lady visit

Spend a full day in the diamond capital of the world, Antwerp. You'll be guided to the Cathedral of Our Lady, which houses four masterpieces by Peter Paul Rubens, who was born in Antwerp. You'll visit Market Square, where you'll see the Brabo Fountain. Those who believe that all that glitters is not gold can take an afternoon shuttle to Diamondland, Antwerp's largest diamond shop. (BB, L, Captain's Farewell Dinner)

Day 10: Antwerp (disembark) (CB/BB)