Invites you to join Tiffanion a Tulip Time River Cruise
8 DayAvalon Tulip Time River Cruise
fromAmsterdam to Amsterdam
April 20-27, 2018
This scenic river cruise gets underway from Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam. This 700-year-old city offers an abundance of classic architecture, cafés, and restaurants to explore before you embark on your river cruise through Holland and Belgium.
Sail through Rotterdam’s harbor, said to be the world’s busiest port. Garden enthusiasts will delight in a visit to see the breathtaking colors of Keukenhof, also known as the “Garden of Europe.” With 70 acres of parkland and lakes, it’s one of the world’s largest flower gardens. Alternatively, an excursion to the city of Gouda, famous for its cheese, is available. Next, sail to Antwerp, Belgium’s second-largest city, combining ancient buildings and monuments with modern architecture. A medieval port city, it offers many chic shops, museums and galleries, and classic cafés. The Grote Markt is located in the heart of the old city quarter and includes the splendid City Hall and beautiful homes from the 16th century. In Ghent, Belgium, join a local expert for a guided tour of the city, including a visit to St. Baaf’s Cathedral, housing important works of Flemish art. Back in Holland, Middelburg was formerly an important trading city and you still get a sense of its wealth today with its impressive structures like the gothic Town Hall, Abbey Tower, and bustling Market Square. No trip to Holland is complete without a visit to the technical miracle that is the Delta Works, a storm flood barrier almost six miles long, constructed after the floods of 1953 during which more than 1,800 people drowned in one night.
This beautiful and historic springtime river cruise vacation concludes with more time to explore the wonderful city of Amsterdam offering historical 17th-century buildings, sculptures, and museums—combined with a an exciting and modern feel. See the most fascinating areas of the city on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.”
Day by Day Itinerary:
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Amsterdam! Holland’s sophisticated, modern capital has a rich and fascinating history. This delightful 700-year-old city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafés, and restaurants has a distinct ambiance. The streets, squares, and canals—not to mention the bike paths throughout the city—make for a vibrant atmosphere, and with over 60 museums, Amsterdam has the highest museum density in the world. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at an evening welcome reception. Before dinner, your ship glides out of Amsterdam harbor and heads for Rotterdam.(Dinner)
DAY 2: ROTTERDAM/EXCURSION TO GOUDA OR KEUKENHOF GARDENS
This morning, cruise through Rotterdam harbor and enjoy a leisurely morning on board before you have the choice this afternoon: take a guided excursion to GOUDA, famous for its gouda cheese, syrup waffles, clay pipes, and elaborate city hall. Alternatively, you may opt to visit the gardens of EUKENHOF near Lisse, which encompass over 70 acres of parkland with lakes, sculpture gardens, greenhouses, and a windmill to explore. Every year, 7 million flower bulbs are planted, and you have the chance to see the spectacular display of colors not only from the tulips, but also from hyacinths, daffodils, and more. If you’re a garden enthusiast, you may opt for an extended visit to Keukenhof, with lunch on your own in the gardens. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 3: ANTWERP, BELGIUM
Antwerp is Belgium’s second-largest city and one of the world’s most important ancient seaports. It merges the new with the old and offers the attractions and atmosphere you’d expect from a European city—friendly people, fabulous architecture, chic shops, interesting museums, vibrant cafés, charming galleries, and historic monuments. INCLUDED SIGHTSEEING with a Local Guide shows you its superb architecture; the central GROTE MARKT, lined with 16th-century houses; the beautiful city hall, completed in 1566; and the Church of Our Lady, started in 1352 and featuring paintings by Rubens. An optional excursion is available to nearby Brussels, Belgium’s capital and home of the European Union. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 4: GHENT
In a unique way, Ghent, the “diamond” of Flanders, has managed to preserve its medieval charm and power while keeping up with the times. A LOCAL GUIDE will proudly point out that the city center alone is a showcase of medieval Flemish wealth and commercial success. Visit ST. BAAF’S CATHEDRAL, which houses remarkable art treasures, including the most important work in Flemish art, The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, created by the Van Eyck brothers around 1432. On your own, explore the traffic-free streets in the city center; see Gravensteen, the “Castle of the Counts,” an imposing castle in the city that was built in 1180; or join an optional excursion to fascinating Bruges with its criss-crossed canals and charming old patrician houses. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 5: MIDDELBURG, HOLLAND–VEERE. EXCURSION TO THE DELTA WORKS
This morning, a WALKING TOUR of Middelburg will acquaint you with this Dutch East India Company trading city, which was originally built as a Zeeland stronghold against the water and from enemies. Later, it became a prosperous merchant city that spent great wealth on the construction of important buildings, such as the 15th-century gothic Town Hall. Rejoin your ship for lunch and the short cruise to Veere, where you will visit the nearby DELTA WORKS. After the flood of 1953, during which more than 1,800 people drowned in one night, the Delta Plan was born to prevent a disaster of this magnitude from ever happening again. Taking 30 years to complete, the storm flood barrier stands as the final defense in the battle against the water—almost six miles long and considered a technical miracle. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 6: WILLEMSTAD
This morning, dock in Willemstad and explore this small historical town with well-preserved fortifications at your own pace. One of the oldest buildings in town is the old gatehouse at the entrance of Willemstad, and as you walk around you will notice a wide variety of building styles. The town even has its own windmill towering high above the marina and in the very center of the seven pointed, star-shaped town, stands the Koepelkerk (Rounded Church). Depart Willemstad at lunchtime and enjoy a leisurely afternoon cruising. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 7: AMSTERDAM
After breakfast, set out to discover the treasures of this city by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” This afternoon is free for your personal exploration or you may choose from a number of optional excursions. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 8AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
Stateroom Pricing:
Avalon Deluxe Stateroom (Cat. D, E) - 172 sq. ft.:
Category E $2867per person
Category D $3066 per person
Panorama Suite (Cat. A, B, P) - 200 sq. ft.:
Category B $4016 per person
Category A $4066 per person
Category P $4166 per person
All prices are per person based on double occupancy. Solo and Royal Suite pricing is available. Contact Tiffani for pricing.
Please feel free to call or e-mail Tiffani with your questions. A registration form is attached. If you have friends or family who may be interested, please share this to them.
Tiffani Thomas
256-566-3447
8 Day Avalon Tulip Time River Cruise
Registration Form
Legal Name: ______
Date of Birth ______(Name must match passport)
Legal Name: ______
Date of Birth ______(Name must match passport)
Address ______
City ______State ______Zip ______
E-mail ______
Home______Cell______
Stateroom Pricing:
Avalon Deluxe Stateroom (Cat. D, E) - 172 sq. ft.:
Category E $2867per person
Category D $3066 per person
Panorama Suite (Cat. A, B, P) - 200 sq. ft.:
Category B $4016 per person
Category A $4066 per person
Category P $4166 per person
All prices are per person based on double occupancy. Solo and Royal Suite pricing is available. Contact Tiffani for pricing.
$250.00 Non-Refundable Deposit Required
Group Travel Insurance will be available through Travel Insured. Contact Tiffani for pricing.
Tiffani Thomas
256-566-3447