Book by September 1 to Receive Reduced Airfare of $495 Per Person
Boston, MA & Vancouver, BC (June, 2017) – Emerald Waterways, winner of Cruise Critics’ 2015 and 2016 Editor’s Pick for “Best River Line for Value,” announces a brand new sailing itinerary for 2018: The Charms of Holland & Belgium. Differing from the Highlights of the Netherlands & the Beauty of Belgium “tulip cruise,” which sails in the spring and focuses on ports that show off their tulip blooms, The Charms of Holland & Belgium explores the history and culture of these captivating countries in summer and fall. With one departure each in July and September 2018, fares start from US$2,995 and CAN$3,485 per person, based on double occupancy. Guests booking by September 1, 2017 will enjoy round trip airfare of just US/CAN$495 per person. Paying in full by October 31, 2017 reduces the cost of the sailing by up to US/CAN$400 per couple.
The voyage, which includes seven nights aboard one of Emerald Waterways’ “Star-Ships,” begins and ends in the popular port city of Amsterdam. Here, guests can get oriented with a walking tour, see the sights from the city’s famous canals during a glass top boat tour, or act like a local and join a guided bike tour. The first stop is in the historic city of Dordrecht—Holland’s oldest, dating back to the 12th century—before guests head on to the charming Kinderdijk Windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage site of 18th-century windmills that is considered a Dutch icon throughout the world. From there it’s onto Antwerp, Belgium’s second largest city and biggest port, positioned on the River Sheltz. A guided walking tour of the city takes guests through the café-filled cobbled lanes past the Renaissance Town Hall and the unique Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady, the symbol of Antwerp, before passing through the charming 16th-century inner yard, the ‘Vlaeykensgang.’ A Discover More excursion to the medieval town of Bruges is also offered.
Back in Holland, a walking tour of Maastricht, Holland’s oldest fortified city, provides the opportunity to view the architectural styles of numerous museums, churches and historical buildings, from Roman excavations to the modern design of the Bonnefantenmuseum. Many charming hidden alleys and squares
offer endless photo opportunities. The city of Arnhem is most famous for its great battle during World War II, especially its iconic bride, where the British forces were captured in 1944. A tour of the Airborne Museum Hartenstein, which houses exhibits of military uniforms and weapons, delves deeper into the town’s fascinating history. The final stop before returning to Amsterdam is in Hoorn, which was once a base for the Dutch East India Company. Today, this 13th-century town is home to many historic buildings and the former Oostereiland prison. Guests can choose to do a guided biking tour or take a coach trip to Edam, a town known all over the world for its cheese, for an orientation walking tour. Afterwards, a visit to the fishing village of Volendam offers guests a look back in time as some residents still wear traditional Dutch costume in its old center.
For those wishing to extend their stay in Amsterdam, Emerald Waterways offers the opportunity to spend one or two nights before or after the sailing exploring this vibrant city. Pre and post-cruise packages include breakfast daily, transfers between airport, hotel and ship and accommodations at a Radisson Blu or similar hotel.
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has grown over its 30-year history to include award-winning, all-inclusive escorted tours that take participants to many of the world’s most fascinating destinations; two award-winning river cruise lines – Scenic and Emerald Waterways; and, in 2018, the World’s First Discovery Yacht – Scenic Eclipse. Emerald Waterways’ seven Star-Ships offer deluxe cruises in Europe, the Mekong, and Russia, while Scenic’s 15 Space-Ships offer the only truly all-inclusive, five-star river cruises in the same destinations as well as the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar.
Additional information can be found by contacting your local travel agent; on Emerald Waterways’ website, www.emeraldwaterways.com in the U.S. and www.emeraldwaterways.ca in Canada; or by calling the US consumer/travel agent reservations line (855-222-3214) or Canadian consumer/travel agent reservations line (855-444-0161). Brochure orders may be placed on the website, or a digital downloadable version is available.