Tulip Time with AmaWaterways
7 night river cruise through Belgium & the Netherlands: colorful Amsterdam; medieval Zierikzee & Ghent; historic Kampen; Rotterdam, the "Gateway to Europe"; whimsical Kinderdijk & more
Overview
Style | Independent PackageThese un-escorted packages have no set schedule or guides, so you have the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own from your centrally-located hotel. More of these packages
Freedom to explore at your own pace; unescorted |
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Departures | March 2026 – May 2027 | ||
Themes | Grand Tours, Bucket List, River Cruises | ||
Activity Level | Easy | ||
What to Expect | This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. |
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Experience the beauty of spring in the Netherlands and Belgium on this 7-night cruise through Dutch and Belgian waterways, when the Keukenhof Gardens and Floralia burst into bloom. Sail from Amsterdam’s colorful canals to the whimsical windmills of Kinderdijk, explore the canal-laced village of Giethoorn, and discover the engineering marvels of the Delta Works before pedaling through charming Bruinisse.
Step into storybook towns like medieval Ghent, where you can admire treasures like the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb or join a chocolate workshop, and UNESCO-listed Bruges, brimming with cobblestone streets and soaring spires. In Antwerp, tour the majestic Cathedral of Our Lady or savor Belgian classics. Conclude your voyage with visits to Dordrecht and vibrant Rotterdam.
Throughout your journey, indulge your tastebuds and your sense of wonder while savoring the enchanting, fairytale atmosphere of this unforgettable region.
Package includes
- Flights
- Cruise
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip flights from New York (JFK) or Newark (EWR) on scheduled carriers, including taxes & fees
- Airport transfers
- 7 nights aboard 5-star AmaWaterways in an outside stateroom
- 20 Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
- Wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner; sparkling wine and juices at breakfast
- Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail and Gala Dinner
- Sandwiches, snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
- Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour
- Choice of daily shore excursions with personal headsets
- Entertainment on board
- Port taxes
Optional add-ons
- Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation
- 2 nights Amsterdam pre-cruise – please call for details
Why you'll love it
- Spend 7 nights aboard your 5-star AmaWaterways cruise ship.
- Enjoy scenic cruising through the Delta.
- Have the opportunity to explore Bruinisse via bike, or learn visit Neeltje Jans and learn about the Delta Works.
- Discover the highlights of medieval Ghent and the harbor town of Zierikzee during guided tours.
- Join a master chocolatier and learn about the art of Belgian chocolate-making.
- Explore Antwerp, including the UNESCO-designated Cathedral of Our Lady.
- For foodies, join a culinary tour and indulge in waffles, chocolate, and beer; or, roam through the Floral, an annual spring flower show.
- Taste your way through Rotterdam, the "Gateway to Europe".
- Admire the 18th-century windmills in Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Explore Keukenhof, one of the most impressive public gardens in the world displaying millions of tulips.
Itinerary at a Glance
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Depart USA
- Your journey begins this evening as you depart from the USA
Day 2 Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Arrive in Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Embark on your river cruise and set sail
AmaStella, AmaLucia, AmaCerto, AmaMora, AmaSerena, AmaSiena, AmaViola or similar Dinner
Full Day ItineraryDay 3 Amsterdam & Kampen
- Enjoy a scenic cruise through the IJsselmeer
- Tour Giethoorn, known as the "Dutch Venice"
- Or, ride bikes through the Dutch countryside
- Or, admire the tulips in Flevoland
AmaStella, AmaLucia, AmaCerto, AmaViola, AmaMora, AmaSerena, AmaSiena or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryEnjoy a scenic cruise through the IJsselmeer to Kampen. Venture to the charming, canal-laden village of Giethoorn, nicknamed the “Dutch Venice.” Capture wonderful photos of the picturesque thatched-roof farmhouses, which are seemingly lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. In the afternoon, have the opportunity to go for a guided bike ride through the Dutch countryside or visit Flevoland’s vibrant tulip fields.Day 4 Delta & Bruinisse
- Admire the scenery as you cruise through the delta
- Enjoy a guided tour of the medieval harbor town of Zierikzee
- Or, visit Neeltje Jans and learn about the Delta Works
- Or, opt for a guided bike tour through Bruinisse
AmaStella, AmaLucia, AmaCerto, AmaMora, AmaSerena, AmaSiena, AmaViola or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter a scenic cruise through the delta, step ashore for a guided visit to the medieval harbor town of Zierikzee. Wander cobblestone streets lined with 16th-century landmarks like the stone Gravesteen, and pop into the cozy cafés and boutiques along the harbor. Along the way, pause for a photo at the Oosterschelde Kering, the largest storm surge barrier of the Delta Works. Or, dive deeper into Dutch innovation with a visit to Neeltje Jans, where you’ll learn the fascinating story of the Delta Works, an engineering marvel built to protect the Netherlands after the devastating 1953 flood. Looking for something more active? Hop on a bike and follow your guide through Bruinisse, pedaling past quaint streets and scenic views for an invigorating adventure on two wheels.Day 5 Ghent, Belgium
- Discover the highlights of Ghent on a walking tour
- OR, join a Belgian chocolate workshop
- OR, enjoy a full-day tour of Bruges, including the Church of Our Lady
AmaStella, AmaSiena, AmaLucia, AmaCerto, AmaMora, AmaSerena, AmaViola or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, enjoy your pick of several excursions. Set off on a tour of Ghent, admiring the canal-side architecture and some of its famous sights, including the Castle of the Counts and St. Bavo’s Cathedral and its Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’re in for a treat! Step inside a local chocolate maker’s shop, where you’ll be welcomed with a glass of champagne before a master chocolatier shares the rich history of chocolate. Sample an array of pralines, then roll up your sleeves and try crafting your very own sweet creation. Alternatively, spend the day exploring Bruges, one of Europe’s most beautifully preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through the bustling Grote Markt and elegant Burg Square, and step inside the centuries-old Church of Our Lady, crowned by its soaring spire. Along the way, treat yourself to some Belgian favorites, including crispy fries, warm waffles, or rich chocolate before returning to the ship.
Day 6 Antwerp
- Enjoy a walking tour of Antwerp, including a Cathedral visit
- Or, for more active exploration, explore Antwerp on a bike tour
- Indulge in a Belgian chocolate, beer, and waffle tasting
- Or, admire the Floralia, an annual spring flower show
AmaStella, AmaLucia, AmaCerto, AmaViola, AmaMora, AmaSerena, AmaSiena or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryExplore the trendy city of Antwerp on a walking tour and see Antwerp's Steen Castle, Grote Market, Brabo Fountain, and the UNESCO-designated Cathedral of Our Lady. Or, join a guided bike tour for a more active exploration of the area. Later in the afternoon, you have a choice of two excursions. If you are passionate about international cuisine, join a culinary tour and indulge in chocolate, waffles, and beer. Or, flower lovers and gardeners can roam through the Floralia, an annual spring flower show featuring approximately one million bulbs hand-planted by the castle staff each year.Day 7 Dordrecht & Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Visit Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Or, embark on a Kinderdijk bike tour
- Taste your way through Rotterdam on a walking tour
- Or, enjoy a Royal Deft tour
- Or, ride a bike through Rotterdam and admire the architecture
- Or, visit Delfshaven, where the Pilgrim fathers departed in 1620
AmaStella, AmaLucia, AmaCerto, AmaViola, AmaMora, AmaSerena, AmaSiena or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, set out for Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and postcard-perfect village home to the largest concentration of 18th-century windmills in the Netherlands. Glide by electric boat to visit a private windmill, or hop on a bike to pedal past these iconic Dutch treasures.
Then, cruise to Rotterdam, where you can go on a walking tour of this city, nicknamed the "Gateway to Europe,” and get a taste of a local specialty at the market hall. Alternatively, go on an excursion to Delft to visit the Royal Delft Porcelain Factory and Museum. For something more active, set out on a guided bike ride through Rotterdam, pedaling past striking landmarks and architectural gems. Or, step back in time in Delfshaven, where the Pilgrim Fathers began their 1620 voyage aboard the Speedwell. While there, visit the inspiring FENIX Museum of Migration, a former harbor warehouse now transformed into a dynamic space sharing the stories of global migration.Day 8 Amsterdam
- Cruise through Amsterdam's canals
- Or, marvel at Keukenhof, one of the world's most impressive public gardens
AmaStella, AmaLucia, AmaCerto, AmaMora, AmaSerena, AmaSiena, AmaViola or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryStart your day with a morning of scenic cruising, taking in the tranquil waterways before setting out in the afternoon on a smaller boat designed to slip beneath Amsterdam’s many charming bridges. Glide past historic canals and elegant homes, and don’t miss the city’s iconic Skinny Bridge. Or, immerse yourself in a riot of color at Keukenhof, one of the world’s most spectacular public gardens. Stroll among millions of blooming tulips spread across 70 acres in this legendary “Garden of Europe,”a truly unforgettable experience.Day 9 Depart Amsterdam/Arrive USA
- Today, transfer to the airport, and you board your flight back home
- Your exciting journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today
Breakfast
Cruise Ships
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Trip Details
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What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
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Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
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Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
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Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
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Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
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What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
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What should I know about Belgium? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
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What should I know about the Netherlands? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.