Travel Society

River Life Along the Dutch Waterways

Dutch Waterways 23 — Click to Download the Dutch Waterways 2023 PDF Brochure

Travel with alumni and friends from April 26 – May 4, 2023, and discover the true essence of River Life® in the Low Countries. Cruise aboard the deluxe Amadeus Imperial, one of the finest vessels to ply the waterways of Europe and the canals of this delightful land of polder and celebrate the beauty of Holland and Flanders in blissful springtime—the ideal season for visiting, when the tulip fields are in full bloom.

Expert-guided tours take you to explore seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Amsterdam’s 16th- and 17th‑century house‑lined canals, the medieval Flemish jewel of Bruges, and four of the historical belfries included in the Belfries of Belgium serial property. Experience this region’s pastoral idyll and fascinating history with visits to the world‑famous Keukenhof Gardens, the mercantile town of Antwerp, and medieval Ghent. Visit the legendary 18th-century windmills of Kinderdijk, watch traditional craftspeople create the iconic “Delft Blue” porcelain, and discover the world‑class Kröller‑Müller Museum. Learn more about the modern life and cultural heritage of the Netherlands during an exclusive River Life® Forum with local residents and encounter the rich history of the Flemish‑speaking county of Flanders in its main cultural centers.

Unpack just once and delight in specially arranged cultural enrichments, including a privately chartered canal cruise. Enjoy an included, guided excursion in every port, deluxe accommodations, and all meals—an excellent value. Shared with participants from cosponsoring associations, space is sure to fill quickly. Please contact the Georgetown Travel Society at 866-525-8664 or GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu for more details and to confirm your place today.

Highlights:

Comprehensive, multifaceted and luxurious seven-night cruise aboard the specially chartered, deluxe small river boat, Amadeus Imperial.
Visit to world-famous Keukenhof, the “Garden of Europe,” at the peak of tulip season to see the world’s largest and most colorful display of spring flowers.
Guided tour of the wonderful Kröller-Müller Museum, with its amazing Van Gogh collection and stunning sculpture garden.
Viewing of three of Peter Paul Rubens’ masterpieces in Antwerp’s Cathedral of Our Lady.
Tour of Ghent’s St. Bavo’s Cathedral, whose chapel houses the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. Explore the medieval Flemish jewel of Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Golden Age trading town of Hoorn.
Exclusive River Life® forum with local residents.
Complimentary wine and beer served with lunch and dinner aboard the river boat.
Complimentary Wi-Fi aboard the boat (conditions permitting).
An exceptional value for an all-inclusive, deluxe program.
Amsterdam Pre-Program and/or The Hague Post-Program Options.

Itinerary:

Days 1 and 2 U.S. or Canada / Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Depart for Amsterdam on independently arranged flights. Upon arrival, transfer to the center city and enjoy a private canal cruise through the charming and picturesque canals of Amsterdam—built during the Golden Age of the Middle Ages to show off the wealth of the city. Embark the river boat this evening and attend a Welcome Toast and Dinner.

Day 3 Nijmegen for Kröller-Müller Museum

Visit the world‑class Kröller‑Müller Museum, lauded for its collection of 90 Vincent van Gogh paintings and 180 of his drawings. See works by Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Édouard Manet. Enjoy a walking tour of Nijmegen, a university town layered with more than 2,000 years of history—originally settled by the Romans in the first century B.C. Explore a cornucopia of pristinely preserved buildings, including the turreted 15th-century town hall and the 17th-century, Renaissance-style De Waagh.

Day 4, Morning Kinderdijk / Delta Works

In Kinderdijk, take in the romantic vision of 19 authentic windmills built between 1722 and 1761, the largest assembly of windmills in the Netherlands. Discover the Delta Works, an impressive feat of hydraulic engineering that has been hailed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

Day 5, Morning Ghent, Belgium / Bruges

Discover Ghent, replete with medieval and classical architecture. Admire the windows and Gothic steeples of St. Bavo’s Cathedral and see Hubert and Jan van Eyck’s magnificent altarpiece Adoration of the Mystic Lamb—the most frequently stolen artwork of all time. A scenic drive through Flemish countryside takes you to Bruges, where you’ll enjoy a walking tour to the Gothic Town Hall, the famous octagonal belfry and tower and the Church of our Lady, with a visit to see Michelangelo’s Virgin and Child housed at the church.

Day 6 Antwerp

Explore the alluring Old Town of Antwerp, which preserves its distinct Flemish culture. Visit the UNESCO-inscribed belfry at Cathedral of Our Lady and see 17th-century Baroque masterpieces by the city’s native son, Peter Paul Rubens.

Day 7, Morning Rotterdam for Delft and Keukenhof Gardens

Walk through historical Delft, where Johannes Vermeer painted his famous View of Delft from 1660 to 1661. Visit the original Delft factory of Royal Porceleyne Fles and watch craftspeople create iconic “Delft Blue” porcelain. Stroll through the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens, a tableau of blooming tulips meticulously landscaped with tranquil ponds, placid streams and tree-shaded paths.

Day 8 Hoorn / Amsterdam

Discover Hoorn, which rapidly grew to become a major harbor town during Holland’s “Golden Age” and was an important home base for the Dutch East India Company. Attend the Captain’s Farewell Reception and dinner on board the ship this evening.

Day 9 Amsterdam / Return to U.S. or Canada

Continue on to The Hague Post-Program Option or transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S. or Canada.

The Golden Age of Amsterdam Pre-Program Option

Immerse yourself in historical Amsterdam on a two-night itinerary that includes opportunities to view the Rijksmuseum’s Dutch Master collection and a visit to the exquisite 17th century Our Lord in the Attic museum. Enjoy accommodations in the five-star Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel.

The Hague Post-Program Option

Conclude your journey with a two-night tour of The Hague showcasing stately municipal buildings. Visit the Mauritshuis, a 17th-century Neoclassical mansion featuring a world‑renowned Dutch and Flemish art collection, including Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. Enjoy accommodations in the deluxe Hotel Des Indes.

The Pre-Program and Post-Program Options are available at additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.