Springtime Tulips and Keukenhof Gardens (Fly & Cruise)

Fly* from your closest airport to Amsterdam, where you'll be met
by a Great Rail Journeys representative who will escort you to the
ship. 

Once on board, take some time to settle into your comfortable
cabin and relax in your new surroundings. We enjoy a welcome drink
in the lounge before a sumptuous 5-course dinner in the panoramic
restaurant, followed by live music.

*If you would like to travel by rail, view our Rail &
Cruise option title="Springtime Tulips and Keukenhof Gardens (Rail & Cruise)">
here.

After waking up to our first morning and breakfast on board, you
have a choice between 2 fascinating excursions. Your first option
is a guided sightseeing tour of Amsterdam, taking in all the sights
which make this enigmatic port city one of the most loved in
Europe. Discover the Royal Palace, Dam Square and the pretty canals
for which Amsterdam is famous. Your second option is a visit to the
town of Hoorn where you embark on a nostalgic steam train trip
aboard the wonderful Medemblik Steam Railway.

Our vessel arrives in Ghent, in Flemish Belgium. This morning,
Colonel Piers Storie-Pugh will come aboard to deliver a fascinating
talk about the battlefields in the region, using his expertise in
the field to take us back in time. In the afternoon, our excursion
takes us to the infamous Ypres Battlefields, a key battlefront in
the First World War. We are accompanied by experts who take us
through some of the most poignant sites, including Tyne Cot
Cemetery where many of the combatants were buried. We return to the
ship later for dinner.

Discover the attractive town of Ghent this morning, as we
venture into the narrow streets and pretty boulevards for a guided
tour. Built in an instantly identifiable style, the architecture
lends an elegant grandeur to the buildings here, and we discover
some of the finest examples on our tour, which includes the ever
impressive St Bavo's Cathedral and the Belfry.

After lunch, your time is your own to explore more of Ghent.

Today we pay a visit to the fairytale city of Bruges. An
exceptional example of a medieval town which takes great pride in
its history, Bruges is a truly an enchanting city. With winding
streets opening up to large squares, often filled with locals
enjoying the cafés that serve up plenty of Belgian delicacies. Here
we discover the canals, churches and noble old townhouses famous
across Europe. Later, after our day in Bruges, we enjoy another
delicious dinner on board.

We arrive into Arnhem this morning. After some free time, you
have another choice of 2 excursions. Your first option is to visit
the excellent Hartenstein Airborne Museum, in nearby Oosterbeek,
for a guided tour. This institution focuses on the fierce Battle of
Arnhem in WWII, and was the setting of the war film 'A Bridge too
Far'. The museum features a collection of various artefacts from
the battle itself.

Alternatively, you may wish to visit the interactive
Netherlands' Open Air Museum, recounting the storied history of
this proud European country. Tonight, we sit down to an elegant
gala dinner with our captain.

This morning we arrive back in Amsterdam. We are joined on board
by the wonderful Charlie Dimmock, star of BBC's Ground Force.

We enjoy a presentation as well as a question and answer session
with her, learning about her time at the BBC and her tips on
horticulture and garden care.

Afterwards, we experience a true highlight of our cruise,
visiting the colourful and enjoyable Keukenhof Gardens. Filled with
all manner of glorious tulip displays, this is one of the best
floral displays in Europe. Following dinner this evening, we're
serenaded by a traditional Dutch sea shanty choir.

Please Note: For
departure NEZ2102 the guest speaker will
be Joe Swift

After a buffet breakfast, your cruise comes to an end and you
are transferred to the airport for your flight home.