Canals and Capitals
Dutch and Belgian Waterways
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Return UK travel service
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No fly
See the highlights of Holland and Belgium
Contrast the historic cities of Belgium and the Netherlands on this seven night, all-inclusive river cruise aboard Spirit of the Rhine.
Look forward to included tours of Antwerp and Ghent, where the cobbled streets and squares are overlooked by the bell tower of the medieval Cloth Hall.
Return to Holland to uncover the modern architecture of Rotterdam and historic buildings of Schoonhoven en route to Amsterdam. See the city’s highlights, such as the Skinny Bridge and Montelbaanstoren tower, on an included cruise along the canals...
Itinerary
Spirit of the Rhine

Depart 2000.
Travel to Brussels and embark Spirit of the Rhine.

Arrive Antwerp, 0800. Depart 1300.
Arrive Ghent, 2000.
See some of the city’s many highlights, such as the 16th-century Grote Markt which is home to the famous Brabo fountain and a large Gothic cathedral, on an included excursion this morning.
The city was a great centre for the arts in the Renaissance period, with Rubens and Van Dyck both living and working here. Antwerp is also one of the leading centres in the world diamond industry.

Depart 2000.
The quaint timber-framed buildings and stone fortifications of this typically Flemish city sit side by side among a network of canals.
An included excursion this morning features a canal cruise through the heart of Ghent. Explore the cobbled streets and attractive squares overlooked by the 91-metre-high bell tower of the medieval Cloth Hall.
This afternoon, an optional excursion visits medieval Bruges, where the Gothic Grand Place sits at the foot of the Belfry Tower. Alternatively, you can return to Ghent using our complimentary shuttle service to explore independently.

Arrive 1300.
The city of Rotterdam was heavily restored following heavy bombing during World War Two and is now home to an array of modern architecture including the Markthal, a combined indoor food market and apartment block, Erasmus Bridge – the philosopher Desiderius Erasmus was born here in Rotterdam – and the Cube Houses, built at an angle across a pedestrian bridge. There are also a number of sculptures in the city including works by Picasso, De Koning and Gabo.

Depart Rotterdam, 0900.
Arrive Schoonhoven, Arrive 1300.
Schoonhoven has been famous for its silver since the 17th century and is known as Silver City as it’s home to traditional silversmiths, the International Silver School and Dutch Silver Museum.
Historic buildings here include the 15th-century town hall, the old Weigh House and the Veerpoort, an early 17th-century gate that stands by the River Lek. Schoonhoven is also known for its production of clocks and the Van den Gheyn Beiaard in the tower of the medieval town hall is a fine example of Schoonhoven’s clockwork.

Depart Schoonhoven, 0900.
Arrive Utrecht, Arrive 1200. Depart 1900.
Arrive Amsterdam, 0000.
Take our complimentary shuttle service into Utrecht, where the medieval heart of the city is overlooked by the 14th-century Domtoren bell tower. Opposite the tower on Domplein square is the Gothic Cathedral of St Martin. Each corner of the city hides a quirky museum, art gallery, little church or a view of the city’s network of canals.

This morning you can join an included cruise along Amsterdam’s iconic canals to the city centre with its historic bridges and gabled houses.
See the famous Skinny Bridge, the Montelbaanstoren tower and the Jewish Quarter before heading to a traditional dairy farm on the outskirts of the city to sample locally produced cheese.
Disembark Spirit of the Rhine and begin your return journey.
Including...
All Inclusive†
Cruise Director
Plus…
- Drinks reception and Captain's dinner
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- Entertainment and activities on board
- All gratuities on board
- Return travel by Eurostar
Included excursions
- Tour of Antwerp
- Canal cruise in Ghent
- Amsterdam canal cruise and visit to a cheese farm
Interactive maps and audio headsets for independent exploration.
†The included drinks are available from 9am to midnight and include non-branded alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.