Compare Tulips & windmills by Viking River Cruises vs Cycling from Amsterdam to Brussels by Exodus Travels
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 2,199 | $ 2,525 |
| Price Per Day | $ 220 | $ 316 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Standard |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included |
9 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches and 9 Dinners |
All breakfasts are included. There are plenty of treats to be tried during your trip from the Netherlands to Belgium with local specialities including stroopwafels, cheese, moules & frites, luxury praline chocolates, gaufres and beer. |
| Description |
Discover Holland & Belgium Admire the genius of the Dutch Masters at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum. Explore Hoorn’s seafaring heritage, Arnhem’s World War II history and Antwerp’s Renaissance splendor. Step into the Middle Ages in Bruges. Sample Belgian beers and chocolates. See colorful ribbons of farmland as Dutch tulips come into bloom. Roam Keukenhof Gardens, the world’s largest floral park. The best time to see the Low Countries is spring, and the best way to see them is on our 10-day cruise. |
Starting in Amsterdam and finishing in Belgium's capital city of Brussels, we recommend adding a few extra nights on to do city breaks in both cities to discover the variety of architecture, historic sites and monuments as well as shopping arcades, parks, gardens, art galleries and museums. Discover why millions visit these two key European cities every year with Amsterdam's famous network of canals (a UNESCO World Heritage site), its infamous red light district and its fabulous squares - Dam, Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein. Brussels is famous for its food, comic strips, the world-famous Manneken Pis statue as well as the Atomium and the amazing Grand Place. As well as the start and finish cities, this linear route is mostly flat cycling and allows you to discover even more Dutch and Belgian treats - for the eyes as well as the tastebuds. Archetypal images of Holland include its windmills and bridges with plenty of windmills in Kinderdijk and bridges in Papendrecht to feast your eyes on as you cycle across Holland's Green Heart. Famous local snacks from Gouda include syrup waffles (or stroopwafels) and cheese. Continuing southwards you'll get to see the Biesbosch National Park, one of Erurope's last remaining freshwater tidal areas, before heading over the border into Belgium where you'll discover the historical cities of Antwerp and Leuven with awe-inspiring architecture and delicious beer and mussels (moules) with Belgian triple-fried chips (frites). For those with a sweet tooth, Belgium's sweet and sugary gaufres (with various toppings) and the luxury pralines and chocolates are well worth trying an assortment.This linear cycling trip takes in the capitals of Holland and Belgium as well as historic cities en route. |
Day 1:Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Meals: Dinner
Arrive in Amsterdam, then transfer to your ship.* After boarding, the afternoon is yours to relax or explore the city on your own. If your arrival schedule permits, you may wish to visit the Rijksmuseum, or the van Gogh Museum next door.
Day 2:Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, embark on a canal tour by glass-topped boat to see architecture from the city’s Golden Age. Return aboard for lunch, then take free time to visit the van Gogh Museum, the renovated Rijksmuseum with its marvelous collection of Dutch Master paintings, or just explore the city’s charming neighborhoods. As always, your Viking Concierge can help you plan your afternoon. Dine aboard your ship; we depart this evening.
Day 3: Hoorn, The Netherlands
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Early this morning, sail across the IJsselmeer (once known as the Zuiderzee) to the ancient shipping village of Hoorn. After breakfast, enjoy a guided walk through Hoorn’s cobbled streets; see age-old cheese warehouses on the town’s main square, which dates back to Holland’s Golden Age. Lunch is served aboard; you have a free afternoon to explore Hoorn, visit a local bakery and shop for souvenirs. Or, take an optional excursion showcasing the small towns and bucolic landscapes of the northern Holland area. Depart during dinner and cruise through the night.
Day 4: Arnhem, The Netherlands
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After early arrival in Arnhem, visit the 17th-century Paleis Het Loo,† the Dutch royal family’s summer residence for the past 300 years. Take a guided tour through its sumptuously furnished rooms and beautifully landscaped gardens. After an onboard lunch, enjoy free time, or join the optional battlefield tour that also visits the Airborne Museum. Dine aboard as we set sail for Kinderdijk this evening.
Closed Mondays; battlefield visit or museum tour will be substituted.
Day 5: Kinderdijk, The Netherlands
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Arrive this morning in Kinderdijk and disembark for a tour of this ingenious 18th-century community. Learn why the windmills were built and see how they work to help control flooding, then tour a working windmill to see its pumping mechanism and living quarters at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy an onboard lunch as we sail toward Antwerp. After dining aboard, relax on your ship or spend some time exploring the cafés and brew pubs of this extraordinary Flemish capital.
Day 6: Antwerp, Belgium
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning, enjoy a half-day tour of Antwerp featuring the Cathedral of Our Lady with its three monumental altarpieces painted by Peter Paul Rubens; the Grote Markt (Grand Square) surrounded by the Golden Age Town Hall and guild halls; and Het Steen (Steen Castle), Antwerp’s oldest building. You have afternoon free time before dining aboard your ship tonight as we sail for Ghent.
Day 7: Ghent, Belgium
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
From Ghent, travel to Bruges, one of the oldest towns in Flanders. Your city walk visits the Church of Our Lady, with its famous Madonna and Child, sculpted by Michelangelo. Also see the Beguinage, a hidden courtyard inhabited by nuns, and the town’s scenic network of canals. Stay in Bruges for lunch on your own, or return to Ghent for lunch aboard and an afternoon exploring this exceptionally charming, canal-filled capital of East Flanders. Enjoy a beautifully lit evening departure from Ghent as we cruise through the night.
Day 8: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast travel to the region of Walcheren, formerly an island of the southwest Netherlands. Stop in Veere and enjoy a walking tour of this engaging, time-honored town. From here, travel to the Delta Works, the ingenious system of enormous doors that can be lowered during spring tides to protect the area from floods while allowing the tides to ebb and flow. Rejoin your ship, which has sailed on to Bruinisse, for lunch and afternoon sailing. Arrive this evening in Rotterdam, the world’s second largest port. After an onboard dinner, you have free time to explore the city. It has been significantly rebuilt after much World War II destruction, and some of its architecture is quite innovative.
Day 9: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, visit the picturesque Keukenhof Gardens, the world’s largest floral park. Admire the stunning beauty at both indoor and outdoor exhibits of millions of vibrant blooms including tulips, hyacinths, croci and daffodils. Return aboard for lunch.
The rest of the day is yours to discover Amsterdam’s hidden treasures. You may choose to explore Museum Square, take a bike ride or shop for colorful clogs and tulip bulbs. Enjoy dinner aboard your ship, followed by free time to enjoy Amsterdam’s nightlife. Your ship remains docked overnight.
Day 10: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport for your return flight.*
Day 1 Arrive in Amsterdam
Marvel at the townhouses along the 17th century canal district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You could also opt to saunter down the infamous red-light district which attracts millions of curious tourists every year; or enjoy the street performers on friendly Rembrandtplein. Overnight Westcord Fashion Hotel 4*, Amsterdam.
Day 2 Amsterdam to Gouda
Today's route takes you through the Green Heart of Holland, a true cycling paradise, with characteristic peat and polder landscapes, small farming communities and picturesque historical towns such as Oudewater. It was to this place that women who had been accused of witchcraft fled from all over Europe to try to have their innocence proven by weighing. Finish your ride in medieval Gouda, discover this beautifully preserved town centre, visit the Gothic town hall and St. John's church. Stop off at a bakery to buy fresh syrup waffles (Gouda is the hometown of the famous stroopwafels) and pick up some Gouda cheese. Overnight Best Western Plus City 4*, Gouda.
Day 3 Gouda to Papendrecht
From Gouda you'll continue through the Green Heart of Holland to the village of Kinderdijk. Explore the site on which 19 windmills have stood majestically since 1740 and used to drain excess water out of the low-lying polder up into the River Lek. You can even pay one of the mills a visit. Your destination, Papendrecht, is just a ferry crossing away from of one of Holland's oldest towns; Dordrecht, which is completely surrounded by rivers. Beautiful bridges take you across the water into the heart of town with its many monumental buildings around the harbour Overnight Leonardo Hotel 4*, Papendrecht.
Day 4 Papendrecht to Bergen op Zoom
Follow today's route past one of the few remaining freshwater tidal areas in Europe: the Biesbosch National Park. Crossing a one-kilometre-long bridge high above Holland's Diep river, you arrive in the south of the Netherlands. Continue through village after village, with Brabant hospitality enticing you in to stop for a cup of coffee and a big slice of fruit tart. Bergen op Zoom, today's destination, is 800 years old and the town's narrow streets, old squares and hundreds of monuments testify to a rich and dramatic past. Be sure to feast your eyes on Markiezenhof, a late-gothic mansion built by the local noble family in 1485, that now serves as a museum and archive, before you settle down at one of the many pavement cafes. Please note you will only be able to cycle through the Biesbosch park on days when the ferry is running, which is not daily. An alternative route will be provided for days when there is no ferry service. Overnight Grand Hotel De Draak 4*, Bergen op Zoom.
Day 5 Bergen op Zoom to Antwerp
The landscape along today's cycling route is predominantly wooded. On the border between the Netherlands and Belgium, catch your breath in De Zoom - Kalmthoutse Heide, a lovely cross-border nature reserve. The route takes you along the Scheldekaaien (quays on the River Scheldt) right into the historical heart of Antwerp, Belgium's most important port city and the largest town in Flanders. After seeing the historical centre you might like to venture to the hip and trendy parts of the city: 't Zuid and Het Eilandje. If you've worked up a thirst on your journey, consider a visit to the De Koninck beer brewery. It has been going strong since 1833 and has a new visitors centre welcoming guests wishing to look around and do some tasting. This brewery is best known for its 'bollekes', a type of rounded beer glass. Overnight Park Inn Hotel by Radisson 3*, Antwerp.
Day 6 Antwerp to Leuven
After a short stretch on the banks of the River Scheldt, change course to follow the River Rupel, the shortest river in the country (nearly 10km long). Along the way you'll see abandoned brick works and chimneys as silent witnesses of a tough industrial past. A good place to stop for lunch is the old town of Mechelen, within sight of the church tower of 13th century St. Rombold's cathedral or the Grand Place with its fabulous architecture. Continue along the River Dijle to end your day in the delightful university town of Leuven, where the oldest houses date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Also visit the early-Gothic church of St. John the Baptist (1304) and the Old Market Square (Oude Markt), nicknamed 'the longest bar counter in the world' due to the enormous number of bars and cafes on the square. Overnight Park Inn Hotel by Radisson 3*, Leuven.
Day 7 Leuven to Brussels
The hills of Belgian Brabant and the expansive Sonian Forest set the scene for today's cycle. There are also train options if you don't feel like cycling into the big city of Brussels. The city's main attraction is the fantastic Grand Place and the nearby little statue of Manneken Pis still draws the crowds although there's plenty more to see. Your visit to Brussels should involve culinary treats such as delicious hot waffles, chocolate, triple-fried frites and beer. You should also enjoy the shopping and culture; you'll be hard-pushed not to want to stay longer. Overnight Courtyard by Marriott 4*, Brussels.
Day 8 Depart Brussels
Depart from Brussels after a hearty breakfast.
