AMADEUS Advisor FAM – Holland & Belgium River Cruise

Middelburg, the capital of the province of Zeeland, is full of monuments. There are about 1,100 large and small monuments which testify to its rich past. The powerful abbey, the impressive town hall and the splendid old warehouses let you relive this past. During the walk, you will be taken past the stately warehouses and impressive monuments of Middelburg, such as the town hall, the abbey and many more.

Discover Ghent, one of the most attractive cities in Belgium with a rich heritage of medieval buildings. Stroll through the picturesque center, pass by the Unesco World Heritage Ghent Belfry, where 54 bells ring out. Continue with a visit of St. Bavo Cathedral, where you can admire one of the most important works of art of the Middle Ages - the Ghent Altarpiece by Hubert and Jan van Eyck.

Afterwards, visit the impressive Gravenstein Fortress, built in the 12th century by the Count of Flanders after his return from the Crusades. It is the only preserved medieval moated castle with an almost completely intact defense system in Flanders. Enjoy free time to explore the city on your own before returning to the ship.

After a coach ride, you will reach Bruges. Due to the canal system the city is also known as the “Venice of the North” and is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The historic marketplace – the center of old Bruges – is cradled by the river Reie and was recognized as cultural world heritage site by UNESCO.
As you walk along the maze of winding, cobbled alleys and romantic canals, you will be transported to medieval times. Besides various other sights, the market, the ‘Burg’ (the site of the former Bruges castle and the Basilica of the Holy Blood are especially worth seeing.

Holland is famous for its traditional windmills, of which more than 1,000 still exist today. The largest collection of windmills can be found near Kinderdijk. This is a group of 19 well-preserved windmills, built around 1740. During your stop at Kinderdijk, visit one of the old mills and learn more about the work of the mills in the past and the changes due to modern technology.

A harbor cruise in Rotterdam, the largest seaport in Europe, is simply a must. Embark on one of the excursion boats and discover this modern innovative port, with its cranes, docks, shipyards and towering container stacks, as well as many sights and the spectacular Rotterdam skyline.

Continue your tour to the unique Rotterdam market hall. It is the first of its kind building a hybrid between market hall and housing, formed in an arch shape. The market hall offers a diverse range of products from coffee to cheese, flowers, fresh breads and pastries as well as a supermarket and restaurants.