GROUP ESCORTED TOURS

Holland & Belgium Cruise

The Golden Age to Van Gogh
GROUP ESCORTED TOUR

ABOUT THE TOUR

Take a delightful spring cruise with Guest Lecturer Douglas Skeggs and Tour Leader Joanna Worsley along the intricate net of waterways that wind through Holland and Belgium aboard the elegantly luxurious MS Amadeus Riva. The tour encompasses not only the art, history, culture, food, and wine of the region but also iconic views of lazily spinning windmills, blossoming foliage and sleepy riverside towns. Shore excursions will be organised exclusively for our group, guided by Douglas Skeggs, who will also give a series of captivating onboard lectures on the Dutch and Flemish masterpieces.

After embarking in Amsterdam, our first stop is Arnhem, site of the famed 1944 battle immortalized in the film A Bridge Too Far, and the nearby Kröller-Müller-Museum which houses the second-largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world. We continue to the picturesque city of Middleburg and on to Ghent, before driving to Bruges, ‘Venice of the North’ and one of Europe’s most beautiful cities with its historic marketplace, maze of winding, cobbled alleys and romantic canals.

Our next stop is Antwerp to visit Rubens’ 17th century town house, where many of his paintings hang, and the city’s beautiful Cathedral. Following an excursion from Rotterdam to the delightful historic town of Brielle, we end back in Amsterdam and the magnificent Rijksmuseum with its art collection from the ‘Golden Age’ when Dutch painting was at its most prolific. For those that have been to the Rijksmuseum with Douglas before, there is the alternative option of a walking tour to explore Amsterdam’s network of canals and beautiful 17th century architecture.

LED BY

TOUR LEADERS

Joanna Worsley | Tour Leader | Ultimate Travel Company
Douglas Skegg | Tour Leader | Ultimate Travel Company
THE PRICE BREAKDOWN

8 days from £3,495 per person

TOUR DATE: 13 – 20 April 2026

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £280

Price Includes

  • Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary
  • Full board including daily breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight snack
  • Coffee, tea and ice water with all meals on board
  • Free flowing regional red and white wines, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board
  • All entrance fees, visits, excursions and transportation as per the itinerary
  • Local English-speaking guide/s
  • Gratuities to staff onboard
  • Gratuities to guide/s
  • Gratuities to bus driver/s
  • Porterage
  • Services of a professional cruise director
  • The services of your tour leader and guest lecturer throughout

Price Excludes

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls / laundry etc.)
  • Government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 19/03/25
Holland & Belgium Cruise

Day-by-Day Overview

7 nights on board the MS Amadeus Riva

Monday 13 April: London / Amsterdam

Depart London on a flight to Amsterdam (flights not included). Group transfer to the dock to board MS Amadeus Riva for a 7-night cruise.

Welcome Cocktail accompanied by a Shanty Choir performance followed by Welcome Dinner.

Tuesday 14 April: Arnhem

On arrival in Arnhem, depart by private coach for a visit to the Kröller Müller Museum guided by Douglas Skeggs, followed by a coach tour of Arnhem including the WWII sights and bridge.

Return to the ship for lunch. Afternoon at leisure with tea on board as the ship travels on. Dinner on board.

Wednesday 15 April: Middleburg

Arrive in Middleburg and private morning walking tour of the city with a local guide.

Return to the ship for lunch. Afternoon at leisure with tea on board as the ship travels on. Dinner on board.

Thursday 16 April: Ghent & Bruges

Arrive in Ghent and depart by private coach for a walking tour of Bruges with Douglas Skeggs. Visit the Alms Houses, St. John’s Hospital and Pharmacy and the Cathedral followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Ghent and option to visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral to see the Ghent Altar or reboard for afternoon tea. Dinner on board.

Friday 17 April: Antwerp

Arrive in Antwerp and depart on foot for a walking tour of the Old Town and Cathedral of Our Lady with a local guide.

Return to the ship for lunch. Afternoon at leisure with tea on board as the ship travels on. Dinner on board.

Saturday 18 April: Rotterdam & Brielle

Arrive in Rotterdam and depart by private coach for a morning walking tour of Brielle with a local guide.

Return to the ship for lunch. Afternoon at leisure with tea on board as the ship travels on. Dinner on board.

Sunday 19 April: Amsterdam

Arrive in Amsterdam and depart by private coach for a guided tour of the Rijksmuseum with Douglas Skeggs. Alternatively depart on foot for private tour of Amsterdam with a local guide.

Return to the ship for lunch. Option to visit the Rembranthuis or afternoon at leisure with tea on board. Captain’s Gala Dinner.

Monday 20 April: Amsterdam / London

Disembark and group transfer to Amsterdam Airport for a flight to London (flights not included).

Testimonal 12
“EVERY TRIP EXCELLENT – AND MORE TO COME”
I’ve been on several small group holidays with The Ultimate Travel Company and every one has been outstanding. My most recent trip in February was no exception – expertly organised, responsive to questions, and full of memorable experiences. The itineraries are well thought out, the hotels top-notch, and the group sizes just right. Their tour leaders are knowledgeable, supportive and great company. I haven’t looked elsewhere since discovering Ultimate – and I’m already planning my next.
Testimonial 4
“FLAWLESS, AGAIN”
This is the third time I’ve used TUTC. The service, as before, was flawless. Aside from putting in place all the major details of a complex trip to Japan, Dan at TUTC nailed every detail: train tickets were for seats with large luggage space (very important in Japan, as we discovered); a mobile internet wifi was included; together with a pre-charged use-pretty-much-anywhere travel card (again, important – Japan has multiple transport companies). For any kind of complex trip I won’t go anywhere else.
Testimonal 10
“WONDERFUL TREK IN NEPAL AND VISIT TO TIGER RESERVE”
From our very first phone call, The Ultimate Travel Company provided excellent service. We shared our ideas and they came back with a proposal that included everything we wanted – then improved it with thoughtful suggestions. We were especially impressed that our tailor-made holiday was competitively priced. Once on the ground, everything ran smoothly. We were met at each airport, stayed in fantastic hotels, and had a brilliant guide for our trek. A truly enjoyable and well-managed trip from start to finish.

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