Welcome
to The Netherlands and Belgium
for a Riverboat Cruise aboard the deluxe ms Amadagio followed by a private visit to the Brinkman Equestrian Farm and a two-night country stay
April 26 – May 6, 2008
Day 1, Saturday April 26,
2008 Toronto –
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Overnight flight to Amsterdam.
Day 2, Sunday April
27
Amsterdam
Welcome to Amsterdam! Upon arrival we transfer to our floating hotel, the
new Riverboat the ms Amadagio, moored in the heart of the city,
close to many attractions. After we have dropped off our luggage at the
ship, we will go for a stroll along the canals admiring the ambience of
this delightful 800-year-old European city with its elegant and classic
architecture, cafes and restaurants, lively marketplace and exciting
nightlife. If you wish, we could get on a tram and visit one of the city's
renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum to view
the works of famous Dutch masters or the Anne Frank House. The city is
also noted for its diamond cutting trade, and tours are available to
diamond cutting workshops. Tonight we meet our fellow passengers at our
gala welcome dinner.
Day 3, Monday April
28
Amsterdam –
Volendam –
Edam
After breakfast, we will enjoy a morning cruise through the historic
canals of Amsterdam and then have some free time to shop. At lunchtime our
ship sails out of Amsterdam Harbor. A short cruise on the IJsselmeer takes
us to the Zuider Zee village of Volendam. This is a day to savor the
historic Dutch ports and lifestyle of the old Zuider Zee. The afternoon
tour takes us to Volendam and to the enchanting village of Edam, famous
for its wonderful cheese.
Day 4, Tuesday April
29
Arnhem
Early this morning we arrive in Arnhem and board a bus for a tour to the
Airborne Museum Hartenstein, which shows the course of events during the
Battle of Arnhem, one of the major battles during World War II. General
Montgomery had hoped to capture the Rhine Bridge in Arnhem to reach Berlin
and to finish the war by Christmas 1944. After this exciting museum tour,
we return through the charming Dutch countryside to our luxurious ship in
time for lunch and to spend a leisurely afternoon and evening cruising
through Holland and on to Belgium.
Day 5, Wednesday April
30 Antwerp, Belgium
This morning, come along for a guided sightseeing tour of Antwerp, the
second largest Belgian city and one of the world's most important ancient
seaports. Visit the Grote Markt with its beautiful city hall and Church of
Our Lady and admire the city's superb architecture. The afternoon is free
to explore Antwerp on your own or take an optional excursion to nearby
Brussels. After dinner the Amadagio departs for Ghent.
Day 6 Thursday May
1
Ghent
We disembark after breakfast for a guided sightseeing tour of Ghent, the
fourth largest city of Belgium. This city is the real diamond of Flanders.
In a unique way, Ghent has managed to preserve its medieval charm and
power while keeping up with the times. The city center alone is a showcase
of medieval Flemish wealth and commercial success. The afternoon is free
to further explore Ghent or to take an optional excursion to fascinating
Bruges, one of Europe's most perfectly preserved medieval cities.
Day 7, Friday May
2
Willemstad –
Dordrecht, Holland
This morning, the Adagio sails through the Dutch region of Zeeland, where
we'll find one of the world's most complex engineering projects, the Delta
Works, which took over 30 years to complete. After the flood of 1953 the
Delta Plan was born to prevent another disaster of similar magnitude and
the four great sea arms in the southwest of The Netherlands were closed
off from the open sea by dams. We stop in charming Willemstad for a
walking tour and spend some free time to shop or explore on our own.
During lunch, we continue cruising to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns
in Holland. Near Dordrecht we visit the famous 18th century windmills of
Kinderdijk, the largest group of original windmills in Holland. Tonight,
enjoy a special music performance on board.
Day 8, Saturday May
3
Utrecht –
Keukenhof –
Amsterdam
Cruise along the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal to Utrecht, where you disembark for
a morning excursion to the famous Keukenhof Gardens to admire the
spectacular display of bulb flowers in bloom. Keukenhof also offers
several ponds, sculpture gardens, greenhouses, a windmill which can be
toured and several terraces to relax on. We return to our ship in
Amsterdam for lunch.
Day 9, Sunday May
4
Amsterdam –
Twello
This morning we disembark and transfer to the country side in the eastern
part of The Netherlands. In the afternoon we will visit the Brinkman
Equestrian Center and meet with the family. Tonight at 8:00 p.m. the
entire country will observe Dodenherdenking and have a few moments of
silence to remember those who have fallen in war. Dinner will be in a
local restaurant.
Day 10, Monday May
5
Twello and Surrounding Area
After breakfast we will tour the area your hostess Ineke grew up in and
she will be proud to show you the points of interest. We may even partake
in the festivities surrounding Liberation Day, a Holiday for Everyone, as
the Dutch commemorate the 63rd anniversary of when the Canadians fought
for the Freedom of the Dutch. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner.
Day 11, Tuesday May
6
Twello –
Amsterdam –
Toronto
All good times come to an end. A coach will be waiting to transfer us to
the Amsterdam/Schiphol airport and we will check in for our transAtlantic
flight to arrive in Toronto the same day.
Price
Cruise tour cost for your April 26 –
May 6, 2008 vacation:
$ 4750 per person in Canadian dollars, based on double occupancy
Included in Your Brinkman Travel Cruise Tour
- Roundtrip airfare Toronto – Amsterdam (other gateways on request)
- Seven nights deluxe river cruise accommodation in a beautiful category A stateroom on the Violin Deck with a large French Balcony (a few other categories may be available at a lower cost) (April 27 – May 4)
- Infotainment System in all staterooms with internet, movie and music library, and English language TV stations
- Terry bathrobes and white on white plush bedding in all staterooms
- Superb dining with all meals included during your cruise.
- Unlimited quality red and white wines from Europe's great wine regions with every dinner on board ship
- Cocktail reception, welcome dinner and captain's gala dinner
- Daily sightseeing programs as outlined in the itinerary
- Special highlights including folklore dances, lectures, theme dinners, on board music performances and afternoon & evening piano music
- Use of ms Amadagio's bicycles to explore
- Services of a professional Cruise Director
- On board amenities including fitness center, physician, beauty salon, massage, souvenir shop and club lounge
- All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking only on the Sun Deck)
- Two nights first class country style accommodation with breakfast and dinner (May 4 – 6)
- All sightseeing, including entrance fees where applicable
- All transportation as per itinerary
- Cruise port taxes
Bonuses
- Free roundtrip airport services from your home to and from the Toronto airport for residents living in the Niagara Peninsula
- Services of your hostess and Holland Travel Professional Ineke Brinkman
- Experience the priceless warm hospitality of the Dutch people!
Not Included
- Airport Taxes; estimated taxes from Toronto is approx. $ 250 per person
- Gratuities to cruise staff
- Cancellation/interruption and/or medical insurance. Premium pending upon needs and age
- All personal expenses
Important to Know
- Extended stays in Europe are possible. If interested, please let us know well in advance.
- Itineraries are subject to change due to canal/river/land conditions and are at the sole discretion of the captain and tour director.
- This group is limited to an exclusive small Brinkman Travel Group.
- May 5, 2008 is Liberation Day, a National Holiday and Grand Celebration throughout the Country, commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the Liberation and honouring the Canadians, who freed the Dutch.
- Riverboat Cruise Ship during Tulip Time season fills up very quickly, therefore please don't delay but call Brinkman Travel today.
- Upon registration, Brinkman Travel will provide you with General Information and Terms and Condition!
Brinkman Travel Inc, 3 Mountainview Drive, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
L2T 3H3
Phone: 905.988.9100 Fax: 905.988.9400 Email: mail@brinkmantravel.com
Website: brinkmantravel.com
© 2008 Brinkman Travel Inc.
All rights reserved.