11/10/2022 Dover

Dover

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Depart 1800.

12/10/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

13/10/2022 Ijmuiden (for Amsterdam), Netherlands

Ijmuiden (for Amsterdam), Netherlands

Arrive 0800. Depart 2000.

The harbour town of IJmuiden was reshaped by the German Navy during World War two and then redesigned by architect Willem Marinus Dudock from 1945. The town’s most impressive building, the Stadhuis van Velsen, also designed by Dudock houses local government offices. From here you an included sightseeing excursion takes you to cosmopolitan Amsterdam to explore at your leisure. Perhaps visit the house of Rembrandt, or Anne Frank, take in a museum or two, or browse the fleamarket.

Included sightseeing excursion

Head to the capital of Amsterdam on an included sightseeing excursion.

14/10/2022 Rotterdam, Netherlands

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Arrive 0830. Depart 1800.

Rotterdam is called the ‘Manhattan on the Meuse’ thanks to its modern skyline. Razed to the ground during World War Two, the city has since been rebuilt and features an array of architectural gems. Among these are the Erasmus suspension bridge, the Euromast observation tower, the Market Hall made out of curving glass and metal and the quirky Cube Houses designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom in 1977. Contrast this with the Delfhaven area of the city which avoided the bombings and features traditional gabled houses lining the banks of the Nieuwe Maas.

Optional excursions

Discover the oldest city in the Netherlands, riverside Dordrecht.

15/10/2022 Zeebrugge, Belgium

Zeebrugge, Belgium

Arrive 0800. Depart 2000.

A gateway to the Flanders region of Belgium and one of Europe’s busiest ports, Zeebrugge was developed during the late 19th century after Bruges’ marine channel silted up. Zeebrugge played a crucial role during the First World War when Allied forces successfully blocked its waterways with concrete-laden ships to limit German access to British trade routes. The port’s fishing and wartime heritage can be seen at the interactive Seafront museum, the walkable seawall and the 100-metre-long Russian submarine, the Foxtrot.

Optional excursions

Enjoy a visit to the second-largest city in Flanders, Ghent which is blessed with an array of splendid architecture, including the 10th-century Gravensteen moated castle and Gothic St Bavo’s Cathedral. Alternatively, visit UNESCO-listed Bruges, which flourished during the Dutch ‘Golden Age’ as it evolved into a nexus of continental trade.

16/10/2022 Dover

Dover

Arrive 0700.

Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.

Please note: Some of the highlights detailed may only be seen on optional excursions or by exploring independently.