Days 1 & 2 — Depart the U.S./Arrive in Amsterdam

Depart on an overnight flight to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Upon arrival, transfer to central Amsterdam and embark the Amadeus Queen (April 6-14) or the Amadeus Riva (April 10-18). Enjoy time to relax and settle in, or head out to explore the city on your own. Your Smithsonian Journeys Travel Director will be on board to help with suggestions for independent activities. In the late afternoon, gather for a presentation on contemporary Netherlands by a local expert. Then board a glass-topped boat for an evening canal cruise. With narration by a local guide, learn how and why the canals were created; and see the city's unique bridges, gabled houses, and important landmarks. After returning to the ship, dinner will be served on board. (D)

Day 3 — Amsterdam

Set out for Keukenhof Gardens after an early breakfast—arriving at this renowned, 80-acre garden just after opening to avoid the larger crowds. Open for just two months every year, the gardens are planted annually with some seven million bulbs. Take a short walk with a local guide to get oriented amid the brilliant beds of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, narcissus, and other blooms. Then enjoy time on your own to stroll through the gardens and their pavilions, where rare hybrids in incredible colors and shapes are on display. Return to the ship for lunch on board and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon to explore Amsterdam as you wish. Consider a visit to the excellent Van Gogh Museum or the Rijksmuseum, home to the works of Dutch Masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer. This evening, gather for a festive welcome reception and dinner aboard the ship. (B,L,R,D)

Day 4 — Kampen or Giethoorn

Poised at the mouth of the Ijssel River, the medieval city of Kampen was once an important port in the Hanseatic League. With well-preserved town gates and grand towers, Kampen is packed with historic buildings, including merchant houses and churches. Elegant tall ships dock along the river’s edge, and a traditional shipyard recreates the town’s Hanseatic heyday. This morning, set out your choice of excursion.

Join a local expert for a walking tour of the town, admiring architecture that spans the centuries, including the Church of St Nicholas; the Gothic House; the impressive town gates; and the Old Town Hall, where the fish market has been held since the Hanseatic era. Then head to the waterfront to visit a seaworthy replica of a 14th-century Hanseatic kogge ship, a wooden vessel used to transport salt, fish, and other goods; and stop in at a ship-building workshop and a typical fisherman’s cottage. Alternatively, end your guided walk through Kampen with a visit to a local brewery for a tour and tasting.

Or head north from Kampen to the fairytale village of Giethoorn, carved by canals and off limits to cars. Navigate the canals by local boat, passing thatched farmhouses and quaint bridges. You’ll have time to stroll through the village and the Weerribben Wieden nature preserve and soak up the ambiance of small-town Dutch life.

Return to the ship in time for lunch, and enjoy free time to explore Kampen. Late this afternoon, attend a lecture on the Hanseatic League presented by a local expert. (B,L,D)

Day 5 — The Hague, Delft, or Gouda

The ship makes its way south to Utrecht overnight. After breakfast, delve deeper into Dutch culture on the excursion of your choice.

The Hague: Examine Dutch art and politics on a tour of The Hague, the seat of the government. Take a panoramic tour of the city by coach, stopping to see the Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice, and the Binnenhof, where parliament meets. Continue to the Mauritshuis, home to a world-renowned collection of 17th-century masterpieces, including works by Van Dyck and Rembrandt, as well as Johannes Vermeer’s famous “Girl with a Pearl Earring.”

Delft: Travel to picturesque Delft, the birthplace of Vermeer and the porcelain capital of the Netherlands. With a local guide, stroll along tranquil canals and cobblestone squares, admiring the Gothic and Renaissance architecture of Old Delft. After time to experience the town on your own, tour the Royal Delft Porcelain Factory, established in the 17th century. Learn about the history, evolution, and artistry of Delft Blue and Royal Delft, and see master craftspeople at work.

Gouda: Journey to Gouda, known for its namesake cheese. In the heart of the old town, admire the remarkable 15th-century Town Hall and the 17th-century house where cheeses were weighed. Visit Sint Jan Church, known as the longest church in the Netherlands, and admire its stained-glass windows, which display scenes from Dutch history as well as the Bible. Your guided visit concludes with a sampling of different varieties of Gouda cheese. (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Zeeland Coast , Neeltje Jans, and Veere

Follow the coast of Zeeland to the artificial island of Neeltje Jans and the Delta Works, where the Netherlands’ ongoing battle with the sea is on full display. Trace the events of the devastating 1953 North Sea flood during an immersive audiovisual experience, and learn how the Dutch responded with a remarkable feat of engineering: a series of massive dams and storm surge barriers that are triggered when the seas rise. This afternoon, meander through the quiet village of Veere, once a center of the Scottish wool trade. Late in the day, gather with fellow travelers for an informal discussion with your expert during the Smithsonian Journeys Travelers Corner. (B,L,D)

Day 7 — Bruges and Antwerp

Your first stop in Belgium is the fabled city of Bruges, one of northern Europe’s leading hubs of trade and the arts from the 14th to the 16th century. Walk along canals and winding lanes, discovering the historic and cultural highlights of this World Heritage site on your choice of three specialized tours.

Cultural Bruges:  Your walking tour includes visits to the town’s artistic hotspots, including the Groeninge Museum, known for its remarkable collection of Flemish Primitives and other noteworthy artists.

Bruges and Beer: End your walking tour at the Brewery de Halve Maan, where six generations of the Maes family have brewed fine beers since 1856. On a tour, learn how beer brewing has changed over the decades, and sip a sample in the brasserie.

Bruges and Belgian Chocolate: After your walking tour, visit one of the city’s premier chocolateries. Step into the workshop to witness how fine chocolates are made and learn about the history of Belgian chocolate. You’ll have a chance to taste some of the treats.

Take advantage of free time to get lunch at one of the town’s many restaurants or traditional friteries, and explore Bruges on your own. Late this afternoon, travel to Antwerp to rejoin the ship. (B,D)

Day 8 — Antwerp

This morning, attend a talk by a local speaker on contemporary Belgium. Then take a guided walking tour of Antwerp, Belgium’s fashionable second city, which became a thriving center of commerce and publishing in the 1500s. Admire its grand architecture—ranging from baroque to Art Nouveau—and hear its vibrant folklore as you stroll through café-lined squares and winding alleys. Antwerp is well-known as a capital of the diamond industry, and more than 80% of the world's rough diamonds pass through the Diamantkwartier, the largest diamond district in the world.

The remainder of the day is yours to discover Antwerp as you wish. Tonight, join fellow travelers for a farewell reception and dinner on board. (B,L,R,D)

Day 9 — Return home

After an early breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to Brussels Airport for your onward flight. (B)

Please note that there may be changes to the itinerary necessitated by operational considerations. 

Days 1 & 2 — Depart the U.S./Brussels, Belgium/Antwerp

Depart on an overnight flight to Brussels. Upon arrival, transfer to Antwerp and embark the Amadeus Queen (April 13-21) or Amadeus Riva (April 17-25).

In the late afternoon, take a guided walking tour of Antwerp, Belgium’s fashionable second city, which became a thriving center of commerce and publishing in the 1500s. Admire its grand architecture—ranging from baroque to Art Nouveau—and hear its vibrant folklore as you stroll through café-lined squares and winding alleys. Antwerp is well-known as a capital of the diamond industry, and more than 80% of the world's rough diamonds pass through the Diamantkwartier, the largest diamond district in the world. This evening, gather for a presentation on contemporary Belgium by a local speaker before dinner on board. (D)

Day 3 — Bruges/Zeeland and Veere, the Netherlands

Your first stop in Belgium is the fabled city of Bruges, one of northern Europe’s leading hubs of trade and the arts from the 14th to the 16th century. Walk along canals and winding lanes with a guide, discovering the historic and cultural highlights of this World Heritage site on your choice of three specialized tours.

Cultural Bruges:  Your walking tour includes visits to the town’s artistic hotspots, including the Groeninge Museum, known for its remarkable collection of Flemish Primitives and other noteworthy artists.

Bruges and Beer: End your walking tour at the Brewery de Halve Maan, where six generations of the Maes family have brewed fine beers since 1856. On a tour, learn how beer brewing has changed over the decades, then sip a sample in the brasserie.

Bruges and Belgian Chocolate: After your walking tour, visit one of the city’s premier chocolateries. Step into the workshop to witness how fine chocolates are made and learn about the history of Belgian chocolate. You’ll have a chance to taste some of the treats.

Take advantage of free time to get lunch at one of the town’s many restaurants or traditional friteries, and explore Bruges on your own. Rejoin the ship in the Dutch town of Middelburg and sail through Zeeland to Veere. This evening, join fellow travelers for a welcome reception and dinner on board. (B,R,D)

Day 4 — Neeltje Jans and Veere

Travel to the artificial island of Neeltje Jans and the Delta Works, where the Netherlands’ ongoing battle with the sea is on full display. Trace the events of the devastating 1953 North Sea flood during an immersive audiovisual experience, and learn how the Dutch responded with a remarkable feat of engineering: a series of massive dams and storm surge barriers that are triggered when the seas rise. This afternoon, meander through the quiet village of Veere, once a center of the Scottish wool trade. In the late afternoon, attend a lecture by your Smithsonian Journeys Expert. (B,L,D)

Day 5 — The Hague, Delft, or Gouda

After a leisurely morning of cruising, delve deeper into Dutch culture on the excursion of your choice.

The Hague: Examine Dutch art and politics on a tour of The Hague, the seat of the government. Take a panoramic tour of the city by coach, stopping to see the Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice, and the Binnenhof, where parliament meets. Continue to the Mauritshuis, home to a world-renowned collection of 17th-century masterpieces, including works by Van Dyck and Rembrandt, as well as Johannes Vermeer’s famous “Girl with a Pearl Earring.”

Delft: Travel to picturesque Delft, the birthplace of Vermeer and the porcelain capital of the Netherlands. With a local guide, stroll along tranquil canals and cobblestone squares, admiring the Gothic and Renaissance architecture of Old Delft. After time to experience the town on your own, tour the Royal Delft Porcelain Factory, established in the 17th century. Learn about the history, evolution, and artistry of Delft Blue and Royal Delft, and see master craftspeople at work.

Gouda: Journey to Gouda, known for its namesake cheese. In the heart of the old town, admire the remarkable 15th-century Town Hall and the 17th-century house where cheeses were weighed. Visit Sint Jan Church, known as the longest church in the Netherlands, and admire its stained-glass windows, which display scenes from Dutch history as well as the Bible. Your guided visit concludes with a sampling of different varieties of Gouda cheese. (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Kampen or Giethoorn

Begin the day with a lecture by a local expert on the history and legacy of the Hanseatic League. Then step ashore in the medieval city of Kampen, once an important Hanseatic port. With well-preserved town gates and grand towers, Kampen is packed with historic buildings, including merchant houses and churches. Elegant tall ships dock along the river’s edge, and a traditional shipyard recreates the town’s Hanseatic heyday. Set out your choice of excursion.

Join a local expert for a walking tour of the town, admiring architecture that spans the centuries, including the Church of St Nicholas; the Gothic House; the impressive town gates; and the Old Town Hall, where the fish market has been held since the Hanseatic era. Then head to the waterfront to visit a seaworthy replica of a 14th-century Hanseatic “kogge,”a wooden vessel used to transport salt, fish, and other goods; and stop in at a ship-building workshop and a typical fisherman’s cottage. Alternatively, end your guided walk through Kampen with a visit to a local brewery for a tour and tasting.

Or head north from Kampen to the fairytale village of Giethoorn, carved by canals and off limits to cars. Navigate the canals by local boat, passing thatched farmhouses and quaint bridges. You’ll have time to stroll through the village and the Weerribben Wieden nature preserve and soak up the ambiance of small-town Dutch life.

Return to the ship in time for lunch, and enjoy free time this afternoon to explore Kampen. Late in the day, gather with fellow travelers for lecture, followed by an informal discussion with your expert during the Smithsonian Journeys Travelers Corner. (B,L,D)

Day 7 — Amsterdam

This morning, gather for a presentation by a local speaker on contemporary Netherlands. Then travel into the historic center of Amsterdam and board a glass-topped boat for a canal cruise. With narration by a guide, learn how and why the canals were created; and see the city's unique bridges, gabled houses, and important landmarks. Following lunch in town, enjoy the remainder of the afternoon to explore Amsterdam as you wish. Consider a visit to the excellent Van Gogh Museum or the Rijksmuseum, home to the works of Dutch Masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer. (B,L,D)

Day 8 — Amsterdam

Set out for Keukenhof Gardens after an early breakfast—arriving at this renowned, 80-acre garden just after opening to avoid the larger crowds. Open for just two months every year, the gardens are planted annually with some seven million bulbs. Take a short walk with a local guide to get oriented amid the brilliant beds of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, narcissus, and other blooms. Then enjoy time on your own to stroll through the gardens and their pavilions, where rare hybrids in incredible colors and shapes are on display. Return to the ship for lunch on board followed by free time. This evening, join fellow travelers for a farewell reception and dinner on board. (B,L,R,D)

Day 9 — Return home

After an early breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

Please note that there may be changes to the itinerary necessitated by operational considerations.