Best of Holland & Belgium: A Celebration of Beer

Savor the soul of the Netherlands and Belgium on a journey steeped in golden ales, timeless brewing traditions, and the rich flavors that flow through castles, canals, and cobblestone streets.

Immerse yourself in a feast for the senses as you travel through the Netherlands and Belgium. Savor rich Belgian beer during a variety of tasting tours as you visit a diverse array of breweries throughout your journey. Listen to the distinctive clanks and charms of mechanical instruments at Utrecht’s Museum Speelklok. Admire the beautiful architecture and artistry of castles that include Utrecht’s de Haar, Brussels’ Gasbeek Castle and Ghent’s Castle of the Counts of Flanders. Inhale the aroma of freshly pressed Belgian waffles and street fries. And feel the hairs on your arms rise as you cruise through the iconic Amsterdam canals. As a diverse array of knowledgeable and gracious local guides share each destination’s unique history with you, you’ll return from this cruise having experienced the best of Holland and Belgium!

March 12-19, 2027

Day 1, AMSTERDAM – EMBARKATION. Board the ship in Amsterdam for your Best of Holland & Belgium cruise. (D)

Day 2, AMSTERDAM – KAMPEN, NETHERLANDS. There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, enjoy a scenic cruise through the IJsselmeer to Kampen. From this port, you may venture to the charming, canal-laden village of Giethoorn, nicknamed the “Dutch Venice.” Capture wonderful photos of the picturesque thatched-roof farmhouses, which are seemingly lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Alternatively, go for a guided bike ride through the Dutch countryside. (B,L,D)

Included Optional Activities:   Amsterdam canal cruise OR  Scenic cruising  OR  Giethoorn excursion OR  Kampen bike tour

Day 3, UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS. Enjoy a scenic morning cruise through the delta before arriving in Utrecht. This city has served as the religious center of the Netherlands since the 8th century and a far-reaching city boasting a medieval old town, canals and a beautiful Gothic cathedral, some of which you may see on your walking tour, which includes a visit to the whimsical collection of automatically playing musical instruments at Museum Speelklok. You can also enjoy a special tasting tour at a local brewery. Alternatively, marvel at the largest castle in Holland, De Haar. Straight out of your fairytale dreams, this castle inspires awe with its turrets, moats and suspension bridges as well as its luxurious interior. For more active exploration, cycle with your bike guide and make your way through the city along canals and historic streets.

Included Optional Activities:  Beer Tasting Tour visiting Stadskasteel Oudaen  OR Walking tour with Museum Speelklok (organ museum) visit  OR Castle de Haar visit  OR  City bike tour

Day 4, GHENT, BELGIUM. There are several choices of excursions in Ghent, depending on your interests. Stroll through the Capital of East Flanders, learning about its unique history on your walking tour, or pedal through the spellbinding town on a guided bike tour. Alternatively, visit Bruges, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, on a full-day excursion that includes the renowned Church of Our Lady, home to the beautiful Carrara marble Madonna and Child sculpture by Michelangelo, and a special beer tasting experience.. If you prefer a shorter excursion in Bruges, visit the town later in the day or spend your afternoon at Ghent’s moated Castle of the Counts, which boasts an eye-catching design as well as a ghoulishly interesting collection of medieval torture devices and afterwards, enjoy a special beer tasting at a local brewery. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

Included Optional Activities:  Ghent “Capital of East Flanders” walking tour OR Full-day Bruges “Capital of West Flanders” walking tour with Cathedral of Our Lady visit and beer tasting* OR Bike tour OR Highlights of Bruges tour OR Castle of the Counts of Flanders and beer tasting

Day 5, BRUSSELS, BELGIUM. Explore Belgium’s captivating capital on your guided walking tour or pedal through Brussels on a guided bike ride that takes you into Laeken Park, where you will see the unique architecture of the Far East Museums as well as the jaw-dropping iron molecule sculpture known as the Atomium. Alternatively, delight your palate with a Belgian chocolate tasting. In the afternoon, visit Gaasbeek Castle, a 13th-century fortified castle built to defend the Duchy of Brabant against the County of Flanders or enjoy a beer tasting at a local brewery. (B,L,D)

Included Optional Activities:  “Capital of Belgium” tour OR Belgian chocolate tasting OR Laeken Bike tour OR Beer tasting tour OR Gaasbeek Castle visit

Day 6, ANTWERP, BELGIUM. Explore Belgium’s trendy “City of Diamonds” on a walking tour where you’ll see Antwerp’s Steen Castle, Grote Market and Brabo Fountain, along with the UNESCO-designated Cathedral of Our Lady. Active travelers may prefer instead to bike through Antwerp. Later in the day, beer enthusiasts will appreciate a tasting of the local brew while foodies may prefer our excursion to sample some of Belgium’s culinary delights such as its fresh and fluffy waffles. An afternoon bike tour is also available for those who prefer to get their heart beating later in the day, and it includes an opportunity to visit the Red Star Line Museum, highlighting the historic shipping line responsible for transporting three million immigrants to America. (B,L,D)

Included Optional Activities: “City of Diamonds” walking tour and cathedral visit OR Bike tour OR Belgian beer tour OR Flavors of Belgium OR Bike tour with Red Star Line Museum

Day 7, DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS. Established in 1220, Holland’s oldest city was virtually destroyed by a devastating flood in the 15th century that essentially created the city’s wetlands. Learn more about Dordrecht’s fascinating history on your walking tour, or visit Rotterdam, the “Gateway to Europe,” as well as Delfshaven, where, on August 1, 1620, the Pilgrim fathers departed on their epic journey aboard the Speedwell. Stopping in Southampton, many then boarded the Mayflower and concluded their journey at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts. If you prefer to venture off the beaten path, go on an architectural bike tour through Rotterdam. In the afternoon, venture to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk, a lovely village renowned for having the country’s greatest concentration of windmills, all dating from the 18th century. You may also pedal past the windmills from the seat of a bike. (B,L,D)

Included Optional Activiites: “Holland’s Oldest City” walking tour OR Rotterdam tour and Delfshaven OR Bike tour OR Kinderdijk UNESCO Windmills OR Kinderdijk bike tour

Day 8, AMSTERDAM. Disembark your ship and bid farewell to Amsterdam as you prepare for your return flight home. (B)

Prosit!  It's about time you tasted your way through Belgium and the Netherlands!  Call your Uniglobe Travel Agent today!