Cologne, Amsterdam, Kinderdijk & Medieval Flanders

Arrive in Düsseldorf and board your ship in the late afternoon. If you're here before then, enjoy free time in Düsseldorf. Once on board, settle into your cabin before your first dinner. The ship remains moored here overnight, giving you the evening to explore the city, or simply relax with a digestif in the lounge and watch the world go by.  

After breakfast we travel to historic Cologne, spotting the magnificent dual-spired Gothic cathedral for which the city is so famous. It’s a truly monumental building, taking over 600 years to build and featuring myriad religious and art treasures and perhaps the most intricate stained-glass windows in Europe. We join a local guide for an informative tour of the old town, with time to explore its tree-lined squares and perhaps visit one of its traditional bars, many of which still brew their own Kölsch beer, a hoppy, bright lager only found in this area.  

After lunch back on board, explore Düsseldorf’s Old Town, known as the longest bar in the world with over 300 pubs and restaurants serving the local Altbier, a dark beer following a similar brewing process as Kölsch, or see the striking architecture in the modern Media Harbour.  

After a delicious dinner onboard, we start our journey downstream, sailing overnight towards Amsterdam.

Waking up this morning, you'll enjoy one of the delights of river cruising: discovering a destination from an entirely new perspective as the water gently laps against the ship and the landscape drifts by. After breakfast, relax as we sail through the Dutch waterways that have shaped life in the Netherlands for centuries. With much of the country lying at or below sea level, an intricate network of rivers, canals and dykes has long connected its towns, cities and countryside. 

There’s no better way to explore Amsterdam than taking a classic glass-topped boat tour through the network of canals that infuse every aspect of life here.

The tour brings a real insight into the history and everyday life of Amsterdam, a maritime, financial and cultural powerhouse uniquely located facing both the sea and the heartlands of Europe. As we glide over the calm canal waters, you’ll see a fascinating variety of typically Dutch narrow gabled buildings, bustling streets and historic bridges immortalised by the great artists, and learn about its famous canalside residents, from the tragic Anne Frank, who wrote her diaries hidden in a merchant’s house, to Rembrandt, the Dutch Old Master.

Afterwards, you’re free to explore as you wish. Maybe relax in a pavement café and watch the crowds of Amsterdammers crisscrossing through the city on bikes. Looking for something a little stronger? Perhaps a tall, frothy beer from a local brewery. The city has a vibrant craft and speciality beer scene with many bars, tasting houses and breweries to choose from.

Return to the ship for dinner, afterwards gather in the lounge for a delightful performance of traditional Dutch music, brought to life by talented local musicians.  

A significant part of the Netherlands lies up to 22 feet below sea level, but an intricate network of dykes and polders, the Netherland’s unique drainage systems, has kept the seawater at bay and allowed land reclamation.

At the very heart of this fascinating reclaimed region is Kinderdijk, our destination this morning. Here, you can witness a truly iconic polder scene – a series of 19 authentic windmills lining the canal banks, set against a starkly beautiful backdrop of pancake-flat marshland.

Windmills are symbolic of Dutch history and the never-ending battle with the sea, and visiting these beautifully preserved structures is like stepping back in time. So impressive in fact, that the windmills have held UNESCO World Heritage status for over 220 years. 

After lunch back on board, settle in for an afternoon of scenic sailing towards Ghent. First we continue through the flat, reclaimed polder land, and as we journey into the waterways of Flanders, watch the landscape gradually shift between bustling working waterways, industrial heritage and stretches of peaceful countryside. This contrast of old and new, urban and rural, offers a fascinating glimpse into a region shaped by centuries of trade and innovation.  

Mooring in Ghent, today you have the choice of exploring two historic towns: Ghent or Bruges. 

This Belgian treasure is bisected by a network of historic canals. Join a local guide for a guided walking tour of the city, wandering through its many cobbled towpaths. Soak up the atmosphere as we admire the tall merchants’ houses and elegant bridges along the waterfront, and see the Saint Bavo Cathedral as we stroll along.

After our tour, you may wish to return to the ship for lunch, or stay in Ghent to enjoy some free time and sample a few local specialities, from traditional Flemish stews to sweet treats such as cuberdons and freshly baked waffles. The afternoon is then yours to spend as you please. Art lovers may wish to pre-book admission to see the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece in Saint Bavo's Cathedral, while others might explore the medieval Gravensteen Castle or climb the Belfry for panoramic views across the city. There's also a wealth of museums to discover, including STAM, which tells the story of Ghent's past, the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK), and the contemporary collections of SMAK. Alternatively, take to the water on a canal boat trip for a different perspective on this captivating city.  

Alternatively, after breakfast we’ll drive to Bruges for a guided walking tour to discover the highlights of this alluring city. We’ll begin in its medieval heart, the Markt, which has served as the main market square since the 10th century. Towering 272 feet over the colourful gabled buildings framing the square is the Belfry and its 47-bell carillon.

We’ll also see two other notable buildings in the Burg, the city’s second main square – the elegant Gothic Stadhuis (Town Hall) and the 18th-century law courts – plus the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Another must-see is the Church of Our Lady, which houses Michelangelo’s beautiful white marble sculpture, Madonna and Child.

After lunch at leisure, the remainder of the day is free for you to explore. You could climb the 366 steps to the top of the Belfry, the reward being a breathtaking view of Bruges and the Flanders countryside extending beyond. Alternatively, the Groeningemuseum and Sint-Janshospitaal are home to sublime works of art, and you can find museums dedicated to Belgium’s holy trinity of beer, chocolate and frites. You can take a boat tour of the canals so you can see the city from a waterside perspective or find a café and enjoy watching the world go by. (Please note, lunch is not provided today)

Back on board for dinner, retire to the lounge afterwards to enjoy some well-known melodies during a guitar performance.  We slip our moorings in Ghent, sailing towards Antwerp overnight. 

This morning, we’ll begin with a tour led by a local guide taking in its numerous highlights and lesser-known features of Antwerp.

The birthplace of the Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens was once part of the Spanish Empire. Antwerp grew wealthy during its 16th-century Golden Age, when it was Europe’s largest port north of the Alps, with profits invested in the city’s Flemish art and architectural heritage, and later it became the world’s diamond trading centre. At its heart is the captivating main square – the Grote Markt – dominated by ornately gabled guildhouses, the Renaissance town hall and opulent Brabo Fountain.  

The afternoon is yours to savour as we sail towards Nijmegen – whether you’re curled up with a book, sharing stories over coffee, or simply watching the Dutch landscape drift by. It’s a peaceful passage, with time to reflect and enjoy the easy camaraderie of life on board. Sailing overnight.   

This morning, discover Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands, where Roman roots meet vibrant Dutch culture. A guided tour reveals the city’s rich history, charming streets and scenic riverside setting.  

After lunch back on board, we visit the wartime headquarters of the British 1st Airborne Division at Oosterbeek, now an excellent and immersive museum that brings the story of Operation Market Garden vividly to life. Followed by the nearby Commonwealth War Cemetery, that offers a deeply moving experience, where beautifully kept grounds and long, quiet rows of headstones honour the courage and sacrifice of those who lost their lives here.

As we sail from the waterways of the Netherlands back into Germany, gather for a dinner crafted by our chef, each dish a nod to the region’s flavours and traditions. It’s a meal that celebrates the day’s adventures – colourful, inventive, and served with a generous helping of Dutch hospitality.  We arrive in Düsseldorf in the early hours. 

Arrive in Düsseldorf and board your ship in the late afternoon. If you're here before then, enjoy free time in Düsseldorf. Once on board, settle into your cabin before your first dinner. The ship remains moored here until after dinner, giving you the evening to explore the city, or simply relax with a digestif in the lounge and watch the world go by.
After dinner, we start our journey downstream, sailing overnight towards Amsterdam.

Waking up this morning, you'll enjoy one of the delights of river cruising: discovering a destination from an entirely new perspective as the water gently laps against the ship and the landscape drifts by. After breakfast, relax as we sail through the Dutch waterways that have shaped life in the Netherlands for centuries. With much of the country lying at or below sea level, an intricate network of rivers, canals and dykes has long connected its towns, cities and countryside.  

There’s no better way to explore Amsterdam than taking a classic glass-topped boat tour through the network of canals that infuse every aspect of life here.

The tour brings a real insight into the history and everyday life of Amsterdam, a maritime, financial and cultural powerhouse uniquely located facing both the sea and the heartlands of Europe. As we glide over the calm canal waters, you’ll see a fascinating variety of typically Dutch narrow gabled buildings, bustling streets and historic bridges immortalised by the great artists, and learn about its famous canalside residents, from the tragic Anne Frank, who wrote her diaries hidden in a merchant’s house, to Rembrandt, the Dutch Old Master.

Afterwards, you’re free to explore as you wish. Maybe relax in a pavement café and watch the crowds of Amsterdammers crisscrossing through the city on bikes. Looking for something a little stronger? Perhaps a tall, frothy beer from a local brewery. The city has a vibrant craft and speciality beer scene with many bars, tasting houses and breweries to choose from.

Return to the ship for dinner, afterwards gather in the lounge for a delightful performance of traditional Dutch music, brought to life by talented local musicians.  

A significant part of the Netherlands lies up to 22 feet below sea level, but an intricate network of dykes and polders, the Netherland’s unique drainage systems, has kept the seawater at bay and allowed land reclamation.

At the very heart of this fascinating reclaimed region is Kinderdijk, our destination this morning. Here, you can witness a truly iconic polder scene – a series of 19 authentic windmills lining the canal banks, set against a starkly beautiful backdrop of pancake-flat marshland.

Windmills are symbolic of Dutch history and the never-ending battle with the sea, and visiting these beautifully preserved structures is like stepping back in time. So impressive in fact, that the windmills have held UNESCO World Heritage status for over 220 years. 

After lunch back on board, settle in for an afternoon of scenic sailing towards Ghent. First we continue through the flat, reclaimed polder land, and as we journey into the waterways of Flanders, watch the landscape gradually shift between bustling working waterways, industrial heritage and stretches of peaceful countryside. This contrast of old and new, urban and rural, offers a fascinating glimpse into a region shaped by centuries of trade and innovation.  

Mooring in Ghent, today you have the choice of exploring two historic towns: Ghent or Bruges. 

This Belgian treasure is bisected by a network of historic canals. Join a local guide for a guided walking tour of the city, wandering through its many cobbled towpaths. Soak up the atmosphere as we admire the tall merchants’ houses and elegant bridges along the waterfront, and see the Saint Bavo Cathedral as we stroll along.

After our tour, you may wish to return to the ship for lunch, or stay in Ghent to enjoy some free time and sample a few local specialities, from traditional Flemish stews to sweet treats such as cuberdons and freshly baked waffles. The afternoon is then yours to spend as you please. Art lovers may wish to pre-book admission to see the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece in Saint Bavo's Cathedral, while others might explore the medieval Gravensteen Castle or climb the Belfry for panoramic views across the city. There's also a wealth of museums to discover, including STAM, which tells the story of Ghent's past, the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK), and the contemporary collections of SMAK. Alternatively, take to the water on a canal boat trip for a different perspective on this captivating city.  

Alternatively, after breakfast we’ll drive to Bruges for a guided walking tour to discover the highlights of this alluring city. We’ll begin in its medieval heart, the Markt, which has served as the main market square since the 10th century. Towering 272 feet over the colourful gabled buildings framing the square is the Belfry and its 47-bell carillon.

We’ll also see two other notable buildings in the Burg, the city’s second main square – the elegant Gothic Stadhuis (Town Hall) and the 18th-century law courts – plus the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Another must-see is the Church of Our Lady, which houses Michelangelo’s beautiful white marble sculpture, Madonna and Child.

After lunch at leisure, the remainder of the day is free for you to explore. You could climb the 366 steps to the top of the Belfry, the reward being a breathtaking view of Bruges and the Flanders countryside extending beyond. Alternatively, the Groeningemuseum and Sint-Janshospitaal are home to sublime works of art, and you can find museums dedicated to Belgium’s holy trinity of beer, chocolate and frites. You can take a boat tour of the canals so you can see the city from a waterside perspective or find a café and enjoy watching the world go by. (Please note, lunch is not provided today)

Back on board for dinner, retire to the lounge afterwards to enjoy some well-known melodies during a guitar performance.  We slip our moorings in Ghent, sailing towards Antwerp overnight. 

This morning, we’ll begin with a tour led by a local guide taking in its numerous highlights and lesser-known features of Antwerp.

The birthplace of the Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens was once part of the Spanish Empire. Antwerp grew wealthy during its 16th-century Golden Age, when it was Europe’s largest port north of the Alps, with profits invested in the city’s Flemish art and architectural heritage, and later it became the world’s diamond trading centre. At its heart is the captivating main square – the Grote Markt – dominated by ornately gabled guildhouses, the Renaissance town hall and opulent Brabo Fountain.  

The afternoon is yours to savour as we sail towards Nijmegen – whether you’re curled up with a book, sharing stories over coffee, or simply watching the Dutch landscape drift by. It’s a peaceful passage, with time to reflect and enjoy the easy camaraderie of life on board. Sailing overnight.   

This morning, discover Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands, where Roman roots meet vibrant Dutch culture. A guided tour reveals the city’s rich history, charming streets and scenic riverside setting.  

After lunch back on board, we visit the wartime headquarters of the British 1st Airborne Division at Oosterbeek, now an excellent and immersive museum that brings the story of Operation Market Garden vividly to life. Followed by the nearby Commonwealth War Cemetery, that offers a deeply moving experience, where beautifully kept grounds and long, quiet rows of headstones honour the courage and sacrifice of those who lost their lives here.

As we sail from the waterways of the Netherlands back into Germany, gather for a dinner crafted by our chef, each dish a nod to the region’s flavours and traditions. It’s a meal that celebrates the day’s adventures – colourful, inventive, and served with a generous helping of Dutch hospitality. We arrive in Düsseldorf in the early hours. 

After breakfast we travel to historic Cologne, spotting the magnificent dual-spired Gothic cathedral for which the city is so famous. It’s a truly monumental building, taking over 600 years to build and featuring myriad religious and art treasures and perhaps the most intricate stained-glass windows in Europe. We join a local guide for an informative tour of the old town, with time to explore its tree-lined squares and perhaps visit one of its traditional bars, many of which still brew their own Kölsch beer, a hoppy, bright lager only found in this area.  

After lunch back on board, explore Düsseldorf’s Old Town, known as the longest bar in the world with over 300 pubs and restaurants serving the local Altbier, a dark beer following a similar brewing process as Kölsch, or see the striking architecture in the modern Media Harbour.  

We remain moored in Düsseldorf overnight.