Welcome to Amsterdam. The Netherlands’ capital city is a treasure trove of architectural beauty, masterpiece-filled galleries, tranquil scenes of boats putting along 16th-century canals, narrow cobbled laneways filled with boutiques and cafes, and streets busy with cyclists crisscrossing their way about town. Often referred to as the Venice of the North, much of the UNESCO-listed canal system exists today as it did hundreds of years ago, lined with well-preserved canal houses and intersected by charming bridges. A warm welcome awaits you from the crew of your Scenic Space-Ship. Raise your glass to the marvelous cruise ahead of you at this evening’s welcome reception.

Please book your flight to arrive into Amsterdam prior to 6:00 PM.

You’ll arrive in Dordrecht, one of The Netherlands’ oldest cities, this morning. Once an important trade city for wood, grain and wine, it’s made up of an historical city center with buildings dating to the Middle Ages, as well as merchant houses and warehouses along the harbor. From here, you will explore surrounding cities and villages.

Freechoice: Explore your way with one of todays’ Scenic Freechoice activities.

Excursion to Delft: Take an excursion to Delft, a pretty town whose center is a maze of narrow canal-lined streets. It has an historic association with the Dutch Royal Family and is the origin of the globally regarded Delft Blue Pottery, created here from the 16th century. Enjoy a guided tour of the charming city of Delft before a visit to a pottery factory and museum.

Excursion to Kinderdijk: Picturesque Kinderdijk is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its 19 historic windmills that are recognized as a Dutch icon throughout the world. See these authentic windmills on today’s tour while learning about how their hydraulic works have been used to drain the land for agriculture and settlement for centuries.

Gouda Cheese Markets: A local guide will show you around the beautiful historic city of Gouda, known for its namesake cheese. Explore the city including the small alleyways, tree-lined canals and the main square where a traditional cheese market that was first initiated in 1395 is still operating. (Note: the cheese market is open every Thursday morning; tours that fall on a different day will still visit Gouda but not the market.)

Walking tour of Dordrecht: Discover the city of Dordrecht during a walking tour with your local guide. The city of Dordrecht is located next to the Netherlands most picturesque Nature Reserve, the De Biesbosch National Park. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes, including the river and wetlands, Dordrecht started out as an important merchant city, trading in wood, grain & wine and the subsequent history, wealth and culture remains today and will be evident during this walking tour. Among the highlights will be Groothoofd quay, the Grote Kerk (Great Church) and the Old Water Tower as well as the many merchant houses and warehouses that line the harbor.

Your Scenic Space-Ship will depart Dordrecht after dinner so you have ample time to explore the lovely town of Dordrecht at leisure this afternoon.

Dock this morning in Bruinisse, a mussel fishing village set on an ocean estuary. Known simply as ‘Bru’ it’s a popular holiday destination for its beaches, rich heritage and sumptuous seafood. It’s also the gateway to the 13th-century town of Veere, considered one of the prettiest in the Netherlands. On board today, you can savour locally grown oysters in the ultimate ‘farm-to-table’ experience, with the shellfish brought directly from the icy waters of the North Sea. 

Scenic Freechoice: Choose from the following for your morning excursion:

Guided tour of Veere: Travel to the nearby town of Veere for a guided tour of its many charms, including the port area, Scottish merchant houses, impressive church and 15th-century town hall. Enjoy some free time before returning to the ship.

Delta Works visit: Visit the engineering marvel that is the Delta Works, a system of dams, locks and levees that protects the towns on the delta plain against flooding.

Back on board this afternoon, you may wish to join in the oyster tasting. The cold conditions of the North Sea make it a perfect location for top quality, fresh oysters. Your cruise director will have some of these mouthwatering gastronomic treats for you to sample.

Crossing the border this morning, you’ll dock in Antwerp, Belgium’s second city and one of the world’s most important seaports. Despite being bombed extensively during World War II, it retains its medieval heart, cobbled lanes, riverside fortress and impressive cathedral. Today, Antwerp is famed for its vibrant fashion, entertainment and culinary scenes. 

Scenic Freechoice: These interesting Freechoice excursions are available today:

Walking tour of Antwerp: Join your local guide on a walking tour of Antwerp, known as the diamond capital of the world. Explore sights such as the impressive Cathedral of Our Lady, Steen Castle, the Medieval fortress, and main square lined with extravagant buildings.

Craft Beer & Chocolate pairing: Take your taste buds on a journey of flavour with two of Belgium’s most iconic culinary delicacies – chocolate and beer. (very limited)

Excursion to Ghent: Visit one of Belgium’s most historic cities and join a local guide to explore its wealth of medieval buildings, charming canals and factories, relics of its industrial past that have been reborn as cultural hotspots.

Arrive in Arnhem after lunch. Located at the edge of the Veluwe Nature Reserve, the city offers a beautiful landscape surrounded by dense forest, lush green parklands and riverside promenades. Arnhem also played an important role in World War II and the campaign ultimately helped bring about the end of the conflict. This evening, learn about The Netherlands’ famed tulips and how they are grown at an engaging on board lecture. 

Freechoice: A range of Scenic Freechoice activities are on offer to choose from this morning.

Arnhem Airborne Museum: Visit the Arnhem Airborne Museum with your local guide to learn about the Battle of Arnhem. The Airborne Experience allows you to follow in the footsteps of British parachutists as they made their way to Arnhem in September 1944. The museum is housed in the beautiful Villa Hartenstein, the former headquarters for the
British troops.

Netherlands Open Air Museum: Discover the stories and immerse yourself in life in The Netherlands from years gone by. Your local guide will take you on an exploration of this fascinating 109-acres (44-hectare) outdoor museum, to see replicas of historic houses, mills and farmhouses, and to learn about Dutch work, customs and traditions.

Het Loo Royal Palace: Het Loo Palace dates to 1685 and served as the royal family’s summer home for
centuries. Since 1984 it has been turned into an incredible museum showcasing the rich history of the Dutch royal
family. Guests can admire the elaborately decorated rooms, an impressive collection of coach stables and the
magnificent gardens..

The wonderful town of Hoorn was a prosperous trading center from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. Its main harbor, Binnenhaven, houses beautiful traditional warehouses, while there are many historical buildings and monuments throughout town including a defence tower used in the 16th and 17th centuries, and a well preserved city gate first
built in 1578.

Freechoice: Explore your way with this morning’s selection of Scenic Freechoice activities:

Guided tour of Hoorn with tasting: Join a local guide for a walking tour of Hoorn, including a visit to its charming inner harbor area. You will also have the opportunity to sample some of Hoorn’s delicious specialities such as local fish and cheese.

Cheese farm: Discover the tradition of cheese making in the Netherland. Meet a local producer and learn the art of
cheese making while you tour the farm and learn about longstanding techniques.

Ancestry of the Kitchen: Traditional Dutch apple pie making class: Traditional recipes have long been passed down through generations. Today you’ll be let in on the secrets of a family recipe as you learn how to make traditional
Dutch apple pie with a local.

Cycling tour of Hoorn: Join your local guide on an active cycling tour of the harbor city of Hoorn. See some of the key
sights of the city such as the Oosterkerk (the Old Church) as you cycle towards Ijssel Lake dyke, the biggest lake in
The Netherlands.

This afternoon, enjoy some time at leisure as you cruise towards Amsterdam. You may wish to spend time in the wellness center, relaxing with a massage, or head to the exclusive Salt Therapy Lounge, which has natural anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Enrich Tonight’s Scenic Enrich -Fabrique des Lumierès:
During after-hours access be welcomed with a glass of champagne as you visit Fabrique des Lumierès. Located in a former 19th century gas works, you will see the works of the worlds most renowned artists projected onto the 56-feet (17-meter) high walls, accompanied and complemented by a musical soundtrack.

Wake this morning in Amsterdam and enjoy an excursion with your fellow guests to Keukenhof Gardens to see the most magnificent display of tulips. Transfer via coach to Keukenhof Gardens, where you’ll witness a display of more than seven million tulips in bloom. There are around 800 varieties of tulips carefully arranged here in beautiful patterns and colors, making it one of the most magical public gardens in the world.

Return to Amsterdam this afternoon for free time to explore this city steeped in history, art and quirky culture. You could fill an afternoon wandering the labyrinth of narrow laneways and canals that are lined with beautifully preserved 17th century buildings. Or visit the Rijksmuseum to see masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh; take a poignant walk-through Anne Frank’s House; or hop aboard a scenic cruise along some of the 62 miles (100 kilometers) of canals, passing elegant merchant’s residences, churches and warehouses that date from the Golden Age.

After breakfast, transfer to Amsterdam airport or train station for your onward journey.