Ship: Sound Of Music
Departure date: 3rd April 2017
Duration: 8 Days
Float along lowland waterways, past windmills and fields filled with early-season flowers, and discover the enchanting port of Hoorn and historic Rhine-side Arnhem. Visit three great Belgian cities - Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent - and see the vibrant floral displays of the spring gardens at Keukenhof on this wonderful springtime cruise.
Holiday Itinerary:
Day 1 - Fly to Amsterdam today, board Sound of Music and settle in to your cabin. Enjoy your first dinner on board, and perhaps step ashore to explore the Dutch capital this evening.
Day 2 - This morning's unforgettable excursion takes us to Keukenhof. Wander through the gardens of this lovely park where the flower-filled beds create an ever-changing tapestry of colour, or perhaps take a boat ride (payable locally) along the parks landscaped waterways before we return to Amsterdam.
Spend a few hours exploring in the city or relax before dinner. You'll also have the chance to see the city from another angle on an optional cheese and wine canal cruise, before Sound of Music leaves Amsterdam behind her and makes her way into the Markermeer.
Day 3 - Hoorn was one of the most prosperous Dutch ports of the nations Golden Age in the 17th Century. Wander the harbour, browse the shops and visit the city's seven museums before Sound of Music begins her journey into the upper reaches of the Rhine this afternoon.
Day 4 - The Rhineland town of Arnhem welcomes Sound of Music today. Here memories of World War Two and Operation Market Garden are everywhere - the "bridge too far" (now renamed the John Frostbrug after John Dutton Frost who commanded the Allied forces there), the largely reconstructed town itself and the Airborne Museum and cemetery at Oosterbeek (which you'll have the chance to visit on an optional excursion).
Day 5 - Today Sound of Music arrives in Antwerp - Diamond Capital of the world and once home to Rubens. See the artist's studio at the Rubenshuis, and see the Gothic churches that line the great square of the Grote Markt, or join our optional excursion to the De Koninck brewery, where you'll learn the secrets of the Belgian brewing processes and enjoy a taste of their famous beer.
Day 6 - The Belgian capital, Brussels, is one of Europe's finest medieval cities. Explore the maze of cobbled streets that radiate out from the Grand Place on a walking tour, see the city's mascot - the Mannekin Pis - and perhaps give in to the temptation of our optional chocolate-making demonstration.
Day 7 - Sound of Music's final port is Ghent. Once Europe's second-largest city (after Paris) Ghent is a wonderful maze of cobbled streets and ancient canals, which you'll have time explore this morning before Sound of Music begins her gentle cruise back to Amsterdam.
Day 8 - Bid farewell to Sound of Music and her crew, this morning, as you disembark in Amsterdam and transfer to the airport to board your flight home.
Whats Included:
- Return flights from your local airport to Amsterdam
- Return airport-to-Sound of Music transfers
- 7 nights' accommodation in a Moselle Deck double cabin (upgrade cabins available)
- Time to explore Amsterdam, the delightful Dutch capital
- A half-day excursion to the Keukenhof Gardens
- Calls in Hoorn, Arnhem, Antwerp and Ghent
- Brussels, the lovely Belgian capital
- Full-board arrangements while on board, including afternoon tea and snacks
- Free on-board Wi-Fi
- On-board English commentary
- Luggage porterage
- On-board entertainment
- A Welcome Cocktail Party
- The Captain's Farewell Dinner
- The services of a friendly, professional crew
- The services of a Newmarket Cruise Director and Cruise Manager
Prices start from only £1,104 per person - call our friendly cruise consultants today for further details!