The Netherlands and Belgium in Bloom

Tuesday 13 April

Evening departure on Emirates for a direct flight to Dubai. Change planes and fly on to Brussels. 

Wednesday 14 April

Arrive Brussels early afternoon and transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. Welcome Dinner tonight.

Thursday 15 April

After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Central Brussels, the ‘Grote Markt, and the historic city centre with its cafés and colourful buildings. This afternoon visit the Floralia Spring Flower Exhibition.

The Floralia Spring Flower Exhibition is held in the private park of the Castle of Groot-Bijgaarden and is one of the most vibrant floral events in Europe. Featuring beautifully landscaped gardens filled with more than one million flower bulbs — including tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and more.

Friday 16 April

After a leisurely breakfast, travel on to Ghent, one of Belgium’s most charming and atmospheric cities — a place where medieval towers rise above peaceful canals and grand guild houses line cobbled streets. Explore the magnificent St Bavo’s Cathedral and the fairytale Gravensteen Castle, then continue on to Ypres for a two night stay.

Saturday 17 April

Today a day of remembrance with a visit to Passchendaele, where more than 2,500 New Zealand soldiers were killed during WW1. Visit Tyne Cot Cemetery, the resting place of many Commonwealth soldiers, the Memorial Museum and the poppy gardens. Return to Ypres for the Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate before dinner at a local restaurant.

Sunday 18 April

A relaxing morning travelling to Bruges, a perfectly preserved medieval town (UNESCO-listed) laced with canals - hence the nickname “Venice of the North”. Enjoy a canal cruise here, the best way to appreciate this Flemish city.

Monday 19 April

This morning depart Bruges and travel to The Hague. On arrival, enjoy a short city tour, including the Binnenhof, seat of the Dutch government, and the Peace Palace, home to the International Court of Justice. Continue on to Amsterdam late afternoon.

Tuesday 20 April

Today a free morning to explore before transferring to your river cruise boat Avalon Vista. This afternoon you may wish to enjoy an optional excursion to beautiful Zaanse Schans which is an open air museum showcasing classic Dutch windmills, wooden houses, and artisan workshops. 

Wednesday 21 April

Hoorn was once a major port of the Dutch East India Company which today still preserves its 17th-century architecture. Explore the compact town centre with canals, cobbled streets and gabled merchant houses. Cruise this afternoon on to Enkhuizen.

Thursday 22 April

Today join a guided tour of the local tulip fields and Dutch Flower Farms or relax and enjoy the cultural traditions and maritime history of this port town. 

Friday 23 April

After breakfast explore Nijmegen the oldest town in the Netherlands – first built by the Romans 2,000 years ago. Enjoy the medieval history and a free afternoon to relax at one of the many local cafes.

Saturday 24 April

Explore this vibrant University town with its lovely cathedrals, old houses, historic buildings and remarkable cobblestoned town centre. Cruise this evening on to Antwerp.

Sunday 25 April

This morning take a guided tour of this sophisticated city to visit the central Grote Markt, lined with 16th-century guildhall houses. During free time, you can indulge in Antwerp’s signature Belgian waffles and crêpes — or explore this bike-friendly city from its old wharfs to its legendary diamond district.

Monday 26 April

Willemstad is famous for its vibrant colonial architecture and UNESCO-listed historic centre. Enjoy a cheese tasting on board before arriving in Kinderdijk where 19 windmills were built in 1740 as flood prevention and water management. Learn about the windmill’s vital role in the Netherland’s history and why it became a national symbol of Holland.

Tuesday 27 April

Join a full- or half-day guided tour of breathtaking Keukenhof - known as the “Garden of Europe” - for its 70 acres of lush parkland, lakes, and the world’s largest flower gardens - with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths as well as other bulbs, planted each year.

Wednesday 28 April

Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a guided canal cruise with some free time this afternoon to enjoy the city’s vibrant streets, galleries and shops.

Thursday 29 April

A leisurely morning before we disembark Avalon Vista at lunch time and transfer to the airport. Evening departure on Emirates.

Friday 30 April

Change planes for flight to Auckland. 

Saturday 01 May

Arrive in Auckland mid morning. 

Ask about extending your stay in Europe.