We're excited to share a fantastic travel trip from our friends at Expedia Cruises in Midtown Toronto. Picture this: a spring river cruise through Amsterdam during the iconic Tulip Festival in 2024. It's a travel opportunity you won't want to miss. So, if you're a fan of exploring new places and soaking in the beauty of blooming tulips, mark your calendars. Get ready for a unique journey that combines the magic of spring with the joy of travel.
Amsterdam and Cruise Full Package ITINERARY
April 15, 2024 – Board River Cruise by 3pm for 5pm Departure
April 15, 2024 – All excursions, all on-board meals, and drinks (soda, beer and wine) for lunch and dinner are included
April 15-22, 2024 – 8 day, 7-night River Cruise aboard Riviera’s MS Geoffrey Chaucer
April 22, 2024 – Breakfast on board, and disembark in Amsterdam – transfer to airport (included for package only guests)
** itinerary may be subject to last-minute changes, due to weather or other conditions beyond our control
CRUISE ITINERARY:
Monday, April 15 - EMBARK IN AMSTERDAM
Embark the ship in Amsterdam and familiarize yourself with your first-class floating hotel. The dedicated crew welcomes you aboard, ensuring you settle in to your extremely comfortable and well-appointed cabin. There’s time to familiarize
yourself with your first-class floating hotel before experiencing the chef’s specially chosen menu for your first dinner on board.
Tuesday April 16 - AMSTERDAM & HOORN
Breakfast is an on-board institution and you’re always assured of an enticing range of choices. We’re moored in the heart of delightful Amsterdam, and there’s no better way to explore than taking a classic glass-topped boat tour through
the network of canals that infuse every aspect of life here. The tour brings a real insight into the history and everyday life of Amsterdam, a maritime, financial and cultural powerhouse uniquely located facing both the sea and the heartlands of Europe. As we glide over the calm canal waters, you’ll see a fascinating variety of typically Dutch narrow gabled buildings, bustling streets and historic bridges immortalized by the great artists, and learn about its famous canal side residents, from the tragic Anne Frank, who wrote her diaries hidden in a merchant’s house, to Rembrandt, the Dutch Old Master.
A splendid buffet lunch awaits our return as we slip away from the quayside towards the IJsselmeer, the enormous inland lake created when the Zuiderzee was cut off from the North Sea by a series of dykes and dams. Our port of call is Hoorn, once a prosperous port of the Dutch East India Company. Reminiscent of another age, it’s a charming mix of imposing buildings dating from the 15th century onwards, brick-built warehouses, cobbled squares, and twisting alleys. Hoorn’s ships traded the world over, with one sailor even naming the southern tip of South America after his hometown – Cape Horn. There’s time to explore this intriguing spot and its boat-filled harbour, dominated by the distinctive 16th-century Head Tower, before returning to our cruise ship to enjoy dinner and maybe a nightcap in the lounge.
Wednesday April 17 - ARNHEM
One of the delights of river cruising is the enchanting experience of waking up somewhere new, the water gently lapping as the ship glides almost imperceptibly along. We’re now deep in the heart of Holland, passing flower-bedecked houseboats, flocks of wildfowl and, of course, windmills! We soon arrive in Arnhem, synonymous with the ill-fated 1944 aerial assault depicted in the film A Bridge Too Far. Here we have an exclusive tour as we visit the lost gardens of Het Loo Palace at the royal residence in Apeldoorn. Join an expert guide on our visit to the exquisite Het Loo gardens. Nestled in several hundred hectares of parkland, the beautifully symmetrical manicured gardens designed by Claude Desgotz are a spectacular sight to behold.
Amsterdam and Cruise Full Package ITINERARY
April 15, 2024 – Board River Cruise by 3pm for 5pm Departure
April 15, 2024 – All excursions, all on-board meals, and drinks (soda, beer and wine) for lunch and dinner are included
April 15-22, 2024 – 8 day, 7-night River Cruise aboard Riviera’s MS Geoffrey Chaucer
April 22, 2024 – Breakfast on board, and disembark in Amsterdam – transfer to airport (included for package only guests)
** itinerary may be subject to last-minute changes, due to weather or other conditions beyond our control
CRUISE ITINERARY:
Monday, April 15 - EMBARK IN AMSTERDAM
Embark the ship in Amsterdam and familiarize yourself with your first-class floating hotel. The dedicated crew welcomes you aboard, ensuring you settle in to your extremely comfortable and well-appointed cabin. There’s time to familiarize
yourself with your first-class floating hotel before experiencing the chef’s specially chosen menu for your first dinner on board.
Tuesday April 16 - AMSTERDAM & HOORN
Breakfast is an on-board institution and you’re always assured of an enticing range of choices. We’re moored in the heart of delightful Amsterdam, and there’s no better way to explore than taking a classic glass-topped boat tour through
the network of canals that infuse every aspect of life here. The tour brings a real insight into the history and everyday life of Amsterdam, a maritime, financial and cultural powerhouse uniquely located facing both the sea and the heartlands of Europe. As we glide over the calm canal waters, you’ll see a fascinating variety of typically Dutch narrow gabled buildings, bustling streets and historic bridges immortalized by the great artists, and learn about its famous canal side residents, from the tragic Anne Frank, who wrote her diaries hidden in a merchant’s house, to Rembrandt, the Dutch Old Master.
A splendid buffet lunch awaits our return as we slip away from the quayside towards the IJsselmeer, the enormous inland lake created when the Zuiderzee was cut off from the North Sea by a series of dykes and dams. Our port of call is Hoorn, once a prosperous port of the Dutch East India Company. Reminiscent of another age, it’s a charming mix of imposing buildings dating from the 15th century onwards, brick-built warehouses, cobbled squares, and twisting alleys. Hoorn’s ships traded the world over, with one sailor even naming the southern tip of South America after his hometown – Cape Horn. There’s time to explore this intriguing spot and its boat-filled harbour, dominated by the distinctive 16th-century Head Tower, before returning to our cruise ship to enjoy dinner and maybe a nightcap in the lounge.
Wednesday April 17 - ARNHEM
One of the delights of river cruising is the enchanting experience of waking up somewhere new, the water gently lapping as the ship glides almost imperceptibly along. We’re now deep in the heart of Holland, passing flower-bedecked houseboats, flocks of wildfowl and, of course, windmills! We soon arrive in Arnhem, synonymous with the ill-fated 1944 aerial assault depicted in the film A Bridge Too Far. Here we have an exclusive tour as we visit the lost gardens of Het Loo Palace at the royal residence in Apeldoorn. Join an expert guide on our visit to the exquisite Het Loo gardens. Nestled in several hundred hectares of parkland, the beautifully symmetrical manicured gardens designed by Claude Desgotz are a spectacular sight to behold.
We re-join our ship for an afternoon of picturesque sailing so sink into a comfy chair in the lounge and recharge over a cup of afternoon tea before thoughts turn to tonight’s mouth-watering meal prepared by our on-board chefs.
Thursday April 18 - ANTWERP
This morning there’s a chance to marvel at the Captain’s skill as he calmly navigates the busy River Scheldt and moors in Antwerp, birthplace of the Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens. This morning we enjoy a tour led by a local guide taking
in its numerous highlights and lesser-known features. Once part of the Spanish Empire, Antwerp grew wealthy during its 16th-century Golden Age, when it was Europe’s largest port north of the Alps, with profits invested in the city’s Flemish
art and architectural heritage, and later it became the world’s diamond trading centre. At its heart is the captivating main square – the Grote Markt – dominated by ornately gabled guild houses, the Renaissance town hall, and opulent
Brabo Fountain.
This afternoon is free to explore as you wish, perhaps visiting Rubens’ extravagant former home and studio, the magnificent Gothic cathedral or even the painstakingly restored train station, of such architectural splendor it is often called the ‘Railway Cathedral’.
Friday April 19 - GHENT & YPRES
Today we awake in picturesque Ghent, once Western Europe’s second-largest city after Paris. Fortunate to escape the ravages of the 20th century and often overlooked by tourists, Ghent is a medieval gem we explore in the company of an
experienced guide. Highlights include a gorgeously unspoiled waterfront, the 13th-century skyline punctured by soaring belfries, the 12th-century Gravenstein fortress towering above the river, and one of the world’s foremost art treasures –
the van Eyck brothers’ Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, the altarpiece adorning Saint Bavo’s Cathedral.
After lunch on board, there’s the option to spend the afternoon in Ghent, maybe taking a horse-drawn carriage ride or finding a cozy spot in a quintessential Flemish café.
Alternatively, you can join our tour to Ypres, a name synonymous with the horrors of the Great War. Almost totally destroyed during a series of battles, Ypres is now a place of peace, reverence and reflection. You may wish to visit the award-winning In Flanders Fields Museum that tells the haunting story of the conflict, providing a thought-provoking insight into the extraordinary lives of the soldiers and civilians; it’s located in the Cloth Hall in the heart of Ypres’
beautifully restored town centre.
Saturday April 20 - BRUGES
After breakfast we take the short drive to Bruges and have a guided walk of this beautiful town, which really does carry its remarkable medieval legacy with charm and to perfection. The atmosphere here is pure romance and its streets are crammed with fascination. Exquisitely compact, its entire historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of serene canals, narrow cobbled streets, romantic gabled houses, exquisite churches and myriad shops selling artisan goods – including its legendary chocolate! Its main square is dominated by the soaring Belfry, whose 47 bells chime to create an idyllic atmosphere. It’s a 366-step climb to the top, but the breathtaking views are well worth it. You’ll also see the City Hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, home to a venerated relic – a phial of Jesus’s blood reputedly brought back from the Crusades. Another must is the Church of Our Lady, where you can see Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child, a work of incomparable beauty carved in white Carrara marble. You’ll be reluctant to leave this enchanting place, although the promise of more first-class dining in the ship’s restaurant will lure you back. (Note: The ship will provide a packed lunch for today and full day trip to Bruges.)
Sunday April 21 - KEUKENHOF & AMSTERDAM
Early risers discover the ship making effortless progress along the delightful waterways and you experience the somewhat surreal effect of cruising above the surrounding reclaimed polders – it’s almost like flying! Today we visit Keukenhof, the heart of the glorious Dutch bulb fields, with a guided tour. On arrival, nothing prepares you for the dazzling spectrum of colours stretched out before you in the world’s largest flower garden, covering nearly 80 acres. The art of flower planting reaches breathtaking heights at Keukenhof, a gardener’s heaven created by more than seven million tulips, daffodils and other blooms set among a beautiful landscape of shimmering lakes, ancient trees, flowering shrubs, and water gardens.
We then have options for lunch in the gardens at one of its many restaurants (not included) and free time to explore at. your own pace. Or if you’d rather, find one of the many benches and just sit and enjoy the sights. Our bus leaves the
gardens at 3pm to return to the ship in time to prepare for tonight’s culinary highlight – the Captain’s Dinner. Here the chef prepares his superb ‘signature’ dishes for you to enjoy in the splendid surroundings of the ship’s restaurant, with a
chance to reflect on the fascinating places you have discovered, poignant stories you have heard and the new friends you have made.
What’s Not Included
•Flights
•Any upgrades, single supplements, personal expenditures, gratuities on/off ship
•On Board: additional drinks beyond drinks with meals, additional onboard services, or purchases
• Insurance
Price for Cruise
Prices are per person based on double occupancy – no air or hotel included. Single supplement additional
•USD $2799 per person, based on lower-level cabin/double occupancy – Emerald Deck (4 left)
•USD $3649 per person, based on standard cabin mid-level /double occupancy – Ruby Deck Standard (10 left)
•USD $3859 per person, based on superior cabin mid-level /double occupancy – Ruby Deck Superior SOLD OUT
•USD $3949 per person, based on superior cabin upper-level/double occupancy – Diamond Deck Standard (16 left)
•USD $4799 per person, based on superior cabin upper-level/double occupancy – Diamond Deck Deluxe Balcony
Suite SOLD OUT
How to Book
Contact: Davisville Tulip Tours c/o Expedia Cruises, in Midtown Toronto,
1958 Yonge Street, Toronto, M4S 1Z4
Phone: 647 946 5303
gfripp@expediacruises.com or nleaper@expediacruises.com
$600 USD per person non-refundable deposit due upon booking