Compare Bountiful Holland: Tulips & Gardens by Riverboat by Road Scholar vs Country Roads of Belgium, Luxembourg & the Netherlands - Classic Group by Insight Vacations

Day 1 In Transit to Program In Flight

Day 2 Arrive Amsterdam, Embarkation, Orientation, Welcome Dinner Amsterdam

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 12 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Embarkation scheduled for 3:45 p.m.

We will have a hospitality room at the Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam hotel. You are welcome to relax or do some independent exploring nearby. The Group Leaders will be happy to offer suggestions.

At 3:30 p.m. we will walk several blocks from the hotel to the cruise terminal, and embark the M/S Victor Hugo. After getting your cabin, take some time to relax and get familiar with the ship before our Orientation session. Orientation: 5:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. This is a Road Scholar Adventures Afloat program. Port stops and field trips are subject to change as weather and river conditions could affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and possibly miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The cruise itinerary should therefore be regarded as provisional. The time available in each port is set by the cruise line, which may mean free time in port is limited. The cruise line reserves the right change the itinerary without prior notice. When possible, the Road Scholar daily schedule indicates port arrival and departure times. Road Scholar delivers a robust educational program regardless of limitations. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. The ship will remain in port overnight.

At the Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam hotel.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Aboard the riverboat.

Day 3 Amsterdam Canal Study Cruise, Netherlands History Amsterdam

Getting on/off riverboat and smaller canal vessel; riding about 1 hour depending on canal traffic.

We will step off the riverboat and board a smaller vessel for a canal study cruise through Amsterdam. We’ll learn about this fascinating city from a local expert on subjects such as aspects of history, water management practices, Amsterdam’s iconic architecture, and daily life. We’ll re-board the ship as it head towards Gouda.

We will gather with our Group Leader for a lecture on Dutch history. Then enjoy the passing scene as we glide through Dutch canals and waterways.

At leisure.

Aboard the riverboat.

Aboard the riverboat.

Aboard the riverboat.

Day 4 Keukenhof Gardens, Gouda Gouda

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles throughout the day; approximately 1 hour total riding time. Walking about 3 miles, approximately 1.5 hours total, periods of standing; generally flat terrain, pavement and cobblestone sections.

We’ll step off the riverboat, board a motorcoach and ride to the renowned Keukenhof Gardens. We will set out on a self-directed walking field trip to admire the wide variety of tulips, narcissi, and daffodils. As one of the world’s largest flower gardens, it is also one of the main destinations for “tulip travelers.”

Next, we will ride to Gouda for an expert-led walking field trip through this charming town, made famous for its cheese. Returning to the riverboat, we’ll enjoy a wine and cheese tasting.

At leisure.

Aboard the riverboat.

On your own to enjoy what you like in Keukenhof. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Aboard the riverboat.

Day 5 Rotterdam, Free Time Rotterdam

Walking about 2 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours; cobblestones and pavement. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Upon arrival at the dock in Rotterdam, we will set out on a field trip by bus and on foot to see and learn about the city’s architecture. During our exploration, we will see the Cube House, the Erasmus Bridge, and the Market Hall, among other iconic sites.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Rotterdam. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. We’ll return to the ship in the late afternoon and begin our return to Amsterdam. Along the way, the ship will pass the iconic, UNESCO-protected, traditional Dutch windmills of Kinderdijk.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out, disembarkation, and transfer in the morning.

Aboard the riverboat.

Aboard the riverboat.

Aboard the riverboat.

Day 6 Disembarkation, Amsterdam, Free Time Amsterdam

Disembarkation by 9:00 a.m. Luggage will be transferred to the hotel separately from the group; hotel check-in from 2:00 p.m. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day; cobblestones, pavement, occasional crowds. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

After check-out and disembarkation, we’ll set out with our Group Leader for walk through Amsterdam as we learn more about the city and its unique architecture. We’ll conclude at approximately 11:00 a.m. in the center of Amsterdam. The remainder of the day will be free for independent exploration until dinner. If you are interested in visiting the Anne Frank House, this would be a good opportunity to do so, but you must book your tickets online for a specific time slot in advance.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Amsterdam. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

At leisure.

Aboard the riverboat.

On your own to explore more of the local fare.

At the hotel.

Day 7 Aalsmeer, Flower Auction, Bulb Farm Amsterdam

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 total riding time hour. Walking and standing, approximately 3 hours, during field trip.

Early this morning, we’ll board a motorcoach and ride to Aalsmeer for a field trip to enjoy the Royal Flora Holland flower auction. While here, we’ll learn from a local expert about the history of flower production in the Netherlands. We’ll then take a short drive to visit a Dutch greenhouse where we’ll learn from a local expert about the growing of plants and flowers in the Netherlands.

Next, we’ll take a field trip to a local farm and meet a bulb-farmer who will teach us about tulip-specific farming and what it takes to grow healthy flowers. We’ll return to the hotel after our field trip

At leisure.

Early at the hotel.

At a local restaurant.

On your own to enjoy what you like.

Day 8 Dutch Art Lecture, Rijksmuseum, Free Time Amsterdam

Getting on/off a motorcoach; city driving. Walking in the Rijksmuseum, approximately 2 hours, and standing. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

We will gather in the hotel for a lecture by our Group Leader focused on the Golden Age of Dutch art. We’ll then board a motorcoach and ride to the Rijksmuseum for an expert-led field trip to see masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer. Our group activity will conclude in the late morning, but tickets will be valid for the entire day with multiple entries permitted.

Free time. Take advantage of your all-day ticket to the Rijksmuseum and continue exploring on your own. There are more than 8,000 works on display at any given time. Or, you might like to visit the nearby Van Gogh Museum.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

On your own to enjoy the regional cuisine. There are many choices near the museum if you wish to take a lunch break and then re-enter.

On your own to enjoy what you like.

Day 9 Leiden History, Puritan Separatists, Free Time Amsterdam

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles throughout the day, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Walking about 2 miles; cobblestones and pavement. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

We will drive to Leiden, hometown of Rembrandt and home to the oldest university in the Netherlands, Leiden University, founded in 1575. This was also where the Puritan Separatists — better known to us as the Pilgrims — lived for 11 years to escape persecution at home before setting out for North America to establish the Plymouth Colony. We will take a walking field trip with a local expert to learn about the history of the city, the Pilgrim Fathers, and more.

Free time before riding back to the hotel in Amsterdam.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

At the hotel.

On your own to explore the local fare in Leiden.

At the hotel. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Day 10 Program Concludes, In Transit from Program In Flight

Hotel check-out 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Day 1: Welcome to Brussels

Airport transfers depart Brussels airport for your centrally-located hotel at 09:00, 11:00 and 14:30. After checking in, the afternoon is yours to relax. At 17:00, join your Travel Director for a visit to the cheeky Manneken Pis statue and stroll leisurely around the Grand Place, voted the most beautiful square in Europe. Your delightful first evening also includes a Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant in the heart of the Old Town, with an opportunity to mingle with your fellow travellers.

NH Collection Brussels Centre.

Dinner with Wine

Day 2: The Battlefield of Waterloo Relaxed Start

Leaving the city limits behind, visit the Battlefield of Waterloo to learn about Napoleon’s final defeat in 1815. Immerse yourself in the action at the Panorama, where a huge 360-degree mural depicts a key moment in the raging battle. If you're feeling energetic, you can climb the 226 steps to the top of the Lion's Mound for panoramic views over the battlefield and countryside. Return to Brussels, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. In the afternoon perhaps join an Optional Experience to the lively city of Antwerp?In the evening, choose from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening. Why not choose We Exist, a Syrian initiative supporting immigrants as they build a new life.

NH Collection Brussels Centre.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 3: Ghent and on to Bruges

In the morning, admire the contrast of the Chinese and Japanese Pavilions and the impressive, metallic spheres of the Atomium.Your journey then crosses the pasture lands of Belgian Flanders to reach Ghent, the City of Flowers, offering a fascinating cultural mix of medieval heritage and modern urban life.With a Local Expert, take a stroll through the historical streets and be mesmerised by the outstanding beauty of its quays, churches and squares. Visit St. Bavo's Cathedral, former home of the Eyck masterpiece, and see the Castle of the Counts.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Bruges.

Breakfast

Day 4: Sightseeing Bruges Relaxed Start

Meet your Local Expert from Bruges for a stroll along cobbled streets, lined with high-gabled houses from the 16th century. Visit the Market Square dominated by the 83-meter medieval bell tower, The Belfry of Bruges. Explore Burg Square with its ornate Gothic town hall and glorious frescoes on the walls of the Holy Blood Chapel. With your free afternoon, perhaps join an Optional Experience to visit the historic town of Ypres? Explore the market square and attend the famous Last Post Ceremony, commemorating the fallen Allied Forces on the surrounding Flanders Fields.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Bruges.

Breakfast

Day 5: Luxembourg

Travel into the French-speaking Walloon region, where picturesque country roads lead you to the late 19th century Scourmont Abbey. The surrounding plateau on which it is built was once considered wild and barren land, but the Trappist monks have toiled for over 100 years to create a successful farm, brewery and cheese plant. Visit the Chimay Experience to learn about the production secrets of Chimay Trappist beers. Your visit concludes with a sample of freshly brewed beer and a taste of golden-crusted cheese.  Continue on to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to arrive at your 18th century château home for two nights. In the evening, you will be served a fresh and delicious Farm-to-Table Dinner at restaurant L'Écurie du Parc. See the 12th century Clervaux Castle illuminated on your stroll after dinner.

Château d'Urspelt (Castle Rooms), Clervaux.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 6: Luxembourg City and Countryside

Your travels continue to Luxembourg City for sightseeing with your Local Expert. Visit the grave of U.S. General George S. Patton, laid to rest alongside the men who fought and died in his great Third Army. Admire the view over the Petrusse Ravine from the Pont Adolphe and stroll through the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see the cathedral and the Palace of the Grand Duke. With the afternoon free for you to explore at your leisure, perhaps join an Optional Experience to the ancient Roman city of Trier, home town of Karl Marx, to explore with a Local Expert?

Château d'Urspelt (Castle Rooms), Clervaux.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 7: Explore Bastogne then on to Rotterdam

Head for Bastogne to visit the Mardasson Monument, a star-shaped memorial dedicated to the U.S. troops who died during Battle of the Bulge in World War II. You may choose to climb to the top for a perspective of what it might have been like during the winter of 1944. Visit the Bastogne War Museum, a fascinating modern and interactive memorial centre highlighting the causes, events and consequences of WWII. Travel through the centre of Belgium as your journey continues to Rotterdam, the world's largest port rebuilt after wartime devastation. During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the impressive market hall and its radical modern design and the Erasmus Bridge.

Inntel Hotels Rotterdam Centre.

Breakfast

Day 8: Delft and The Hague

Visit one of the manufacturers of original Delft blue pottery before moving on to the Hague, the elegant governmental centre of the Netherlands. See the Binnenhof courtyards where the Parliament is situated and the impressive Peace Palace. Select departures visit Keukenhof Gardens one of the world's largest flower gardens, an unforgettable experience not to be missed. Pass through picturesque villages and windmills of the Dutch countryside to Amsterdam for three fabulous nights.

Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam.

Breakfast

Day 9: Amsterdam Sightseeing Relaxed Start

Today you explore Amsterdam, a living museum of the 17th century, yet still a vibrant metropolis and port. The best way to see this remarkable city is from the water as you cruise through the canal district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the elegant merchant houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, their facades are a reflection of when trade flourished during Amsterdam's Golden Age. Relax as you pass stunning gables, beautiful churches and the iconic Magere Brug, better known as the Skinny Bridge. Disembark your cruise to wander the city and see the floating flower market, Dam Square and the Royal Palace. The rest of the day is at your leisure. With your free time, perhaps venture out to the Dutch Countryside to the village of Marken?

Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam.

Breakfast

Day 10: Horticulture or Museums of Amsterdam

Explore Amsterdam with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the horticultural expo Floriade, a colourful garden festival dedicated to sustainable technologies to make our cities greener. Alternatively, join a Local Expert and visit the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, two world-class exhibitions abundant in masterpieces. Journey to the picturesque village of Monnickendam and discover Dutch traditions. Learn the secrets of the cheese maker's craft, from milk to the finished product and witness a shoemaker turn a block of wood into clogs. Tonight, join your newfound friends and Travel Director at a beautiful restaurant to enjoy your Celebration Dinner.

Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 11: Depart Amsterdam

Transfers to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport arrive at 08:00 and 10:00.

Breakfast