There is no better way to experience the beauty, history and culture of Holland and Belgium than by cruising their legendary waterways and canals. This exciting program takes you into the heart of one of Europe's most colorful and fascinating regions with a unique educational program that creatively combines learning, recreation, relaxation, and remarkable fellowship aboard an elegant and modern vessel, the MS Switzerland II. Enjoy Amsterdam, a beguiling city of canals and contrasts. Step into The Hague and feel the reverberations of political history. Glimpse the scenes Vermeer immortalized in the picture-perfect vistas of Delft. Explore the renowned Zeeland coast. In Belgium, admire the amazing architecture and art of Bruges and the unrivaled charm of the important port city of Antwerp. Join us on the Magnificent Waterways and Canals of Holland and Belgium—and enrich your life with an educational adventure you will never forget! Exclusive Highlights
- Explore the waterways of Holland and Belgium aboard the exclusively chartered MS Switzerland II.
- Enjoy a specially arranged presentation on the Dutch and Belgian Masters, then visit the renowned Mauritshuis in The Hague.
- Stroll through the famous Keukenhof Gardens, the world's most expansive and stunning floral display, where 70 acres of tulips and hyacinths bloom each spring.
- Visit the fascinating Delta Project, a tribute to Holland's 2,000-year battle against the sea.
- Experience the medieval architecture and unique ambiance of Belgium with visits to beautiful Bruges and Antwerp
- See the art of Rembrandt and the scenes that inspired him.
Itinerary Day 1: Depart your gateway city for Amsterdam, Holland. Day 2: Upon arrival in Amsterdam, transfer by motorcoach to the pier to embark on the MS Switzerland II. Review the current state of affairs in the Netherlands and its future as a member of the European Union. This evening enjoy a cruise through Amsterdam's scenic ring of canals. Day 3: This morning journey through the Dutch flower fields to the renowned Keukenhof Gardens, a 70-acre paradise of tulips and other flowers, complete with Europe's largest fountain and an amazing 700-tree labyrinth. Enjoy some time at leisure this afternoon before the ship sails on to Kampen, where it will dock overnight. Gather with fellow travelers for a welcome reception and dinner. Day 4: This morning enjoy some time at leisure before sailing toward Deventer. Discuss the importance of the Hanseatic League, the mercantile league of medieval German towns expanded in the Middle Ages to include towns from Holland and Belgium. Explore the ways this unique legal and commercial alliance helped shaped the history of northern Europe. In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of the historic town of Deventer that features the cathedral, church towers, and many other quaint stone buildings. Then set sail for Arnhern, where you will overnight. Day 5: In the 17th Century Holland enjoyed a period of excellence in politics, economics, and the arts. Painters such as Honthorst, Hals, Rembrandt, and Vermeer flourished during the Golden Age; their achievements remain a delight even today. Enjoy a fascinating lecture on the splendid painters of Holland's Golden Age. Later, discover two historic cities: The Hague, site of the royal residence and world-class museums, and Delft, the home of Vermeer, ceramics, and lovely canal houses. Enjoy a tour of the renowned Mauritshuis, which houses a number of Rembrandt's and Vemeer's finest works. Visit Delft, and delight in a tour of a famous Delftware porcelain factory. Rejoin the ship in Schoonhoven and sail past the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk. You'll overnight in Willemstad. Day 6: Enjoy the morning sailing toward Veere. After lunch, travel along the Zeeland coast to the Delta Expo on Neeltje Jans Island. Learn about the Delta Works, the massive dam and flood barriers, called storm surge barriers, which took 20 years to build—an engineering masterpiece that now protects the quarter of Holland's land mass below sea level. Rejoin the ship in the charming, historic city of Middelburg. Day 7: This morning relax aboard the ship as you cruise to Belgium. Visit Bruges, a picturesque labyrinth of ivy-clad canals and cobbled streets. See the colorful shops and cafes of the Markt and Burg Central Square in this city nicknamed "The Venice of the North." Day 8: Stroll through Antwerp, one of Europe's leading art centers, at a leisurely pace. Home of painter Peter Paul Rubens, this diamond capital of the world dates back to the 13th century and features a wealth of medieval architecture. Tonight, gather for your graduation ceremony and farewell reception and dinner. Day 9: Disembark the ship, and transfer by motorcoach to Brussels for the return flight to your gateway city.
A Bates College professor will accompany the trip.  Request a Brochure
Land-only price starts at $2,095 if booked before October 16, 2007, $2,245 if booked after October 16, 2007. An airfare program that provides special airfares in conjunction with the land-only option also is available.
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