Dutch and Belgian Explorer

Travel to Amsterdam and embark Spirit of the Rhine.

Depart Amsterdam, 0800.
Arrive Hoorn, 1200. Depart 2200.

The harbour town of Hoorn, once home to the founders of the Dutch East India Company, boasts many historic buildings as a result of its early seafaring wealth. Notably the State Council building, which houses the Westfries Museum and its collection of ceramic tiles, silver, china and model ships.

Arrive Enkhuizen, 0800. Depart 1800.
Arrive Medemblik, Netherlands 2000.

Once known as Herring Town, Enkhuizen was one of the Dutch East India Company's main operational ports in the 17th century and rivalled Amsterdam in status.

The Zuiderzee Museum exhibits over 140 historic buildings from villages around the former Zuiderzee. There is also a quirky bottle ship museum – home to the world's largest collection of ships in bottles! Explore the town further during an included walking tour.

Depart Medemblik, 1700.
Arrive Lelystad, 2100.

Medemblik is located on the IJsselmeer lake, in the province of North Holland. The city is built across numerous little islands, randomly dissected by canals. Its medieval origins can be seen in the huge fortified Radboud Castle, build on the orders of Count Floris V.

Depart Lelystad, 2100.
Arrive Zaandam, 0000.

Lelystad, located beside the Markermeer lake, is built on reclaimed land. Founded in 1967, it was named after Cornelis Lely, who engineered the Afsluitdijk dam, making the reclamation possible.

An included excursion this morning visits the car-free village of Giethoorn, known as the ‘Venice of the Netherlands’, where distinctive thatched houses line the network of canals.

Depart Zaandam, 1300.
Arrive Amsterdam, 1500.

Set on the banks of the Zaan river, the town of Zaandam features distinctly Dutch architecture. The contemporary downtown area was completely redesigned in the 2000’s by postmodern Dutch architect Sjoerd Soeters.

Depart 2300.

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.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1800.

Dordrecht, the oldest city in the region of South Holland, sits at the confluence of three waterways, the Rhine, the Meuse and the Merwede. In the early 11th century Count Dirk III built a castle here to gain control of the shipping routes, and the city grew up around it.

There is a selection of fine churches, due to early links with the Protestant reformation. Other attractions include the old city hall, which spans the canal, the 13th-century Augustijnenkerk and 17th-century city gate.

Arrive Brussels, 0900. Depart 1700.
Arrive Antwerp, Arrive 0000.

An included walking tour this morning explores the historic centre of Belgium’s capital city where the UNESCO-listed central square, Grand Place, is overlooked by Gothic architecture enclosing museums, cafes and guildhalls.

In contrast, the wide cosmopolitan avenues that surround the old town are lined with huge buildings, including the Palais de Justice and the headquarters of the European Parliament. Our complimentary shuttle service is available this afternoon should you wish to head back into Brussels to explore independently.

Depart Antwerp, 1900.

Among the city’s many highlights is the 16th-century Grote Markt, which is home to the famous Brabo fountain, and a large Gothic cathedral. The city was a 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.

Arrive 0800. Depart 0000.

The quaint timber-framed buildings and stone fortifications of this typically Flemish city sit side by side among a network of canals. Take our complimentary shuttle service into Ghent to explore the cobbled streets and attractive squares overlooked by the 91-metre-high bell tower of the medieval Cloth Hall.

Arrive Middelburg, 0800. Depart 1200.
Arrive Rotterdam, 2100.

The market town of Middelburg is the capital of the province of Zeeland. The elegant architecture reflects the town’s prosperity under the influence of the Dutch East India Company. Discover the 12th-century abbey and the wonderfully ornamented Gothic facade of the 15th-century town hall.

Depart Rotterdam, 1800.
Arrive Utrecht, 0000.

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. See some of the city’s attractions during an included excursion this morning.

Take our complimentary shuttle service into Utrecht to explore the medieval centre of the city, which 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.

Disembark Spirit of the Rhine and begin your return journey.