Active & Discovery in Holland & Belgium

There’s no better way to spring into action and catapult into culture than on an Avalon Active & Discovery cruise to the Netherlands and Belgium. Belgian chocolate workshop, classic paintings, and even graffiti walls glow brighter when you experience them in the most interactive ways.

Discover the graceful ways of Holland on an Active & Discovery cruise. The way the wind moves the grasses beneath the stalwart windmills of the “Low Countries;” how the city cobblestones buzz with the ubiquitous bicycles and lively cafes and canals in Amsterdam; or the narrow houses evoking a time gone by. The visions of Holland come to life as you float past unforgettable scenes, pedal past incomparable views, and unleash your inner artist with a graffiti workshop. On an Active & Discovery cruise, our varied selection of Classic, Discovery and Active excursions from Amsterdam to Brussels and back lets you experience Holland and Belgium in the ways that move you most.

May 07 – 14, 2026 
From $5,983CAD per person (Deluxe Stateroom)
From $8,082CAD per person (Panorama Suite)

Itinerary

Day 1: Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation)

How Suite It Is! Welcome Aboard Your Avalon Suite Ship.
During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MIDDELBURG

Meals: Dinner

While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time. Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your cruise.

Optional Activity:

Zaanse Schans & the Symbols of Holland ($)
Tour a working windmill, watch wooden clogs being made, and visit a cheese farm on this exciting half-day guided excursion to Zaanse Schans!

Day 2: Middelburg 

A Castle Moat, an Oyster Farm and Dutch Sea Trade. Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

Active Excursion
Take a Guided Walk through woods and dunes; see Castle Westhove and farmlands of the beautiful North-Sea area, OR:

Discovery Excursion
Enjoy a Guided Visit to a family-owned Oyster Farm, active in the cultivation of crustaceans and shellfish in the Netherlands since 1906. A taste of oysters and lobster, accompanied by a glass of wine is the perfect ending to this beautiful experience, OR:

Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Walking Tour through the winding cobblestones and canals of Middelburg. See the 15th-century Gothic Town Hall and learn about its important role in the spice trade and Dutch East India trading.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GHENT

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 3: Ghent, Belgium 

Flemish Artwork and Street Artists

Active Excursion
Explore the outskirts of the city and the lesser-known sights on a Guided Bike Tour, OR:

Discovery Excursion
Join a Guided Tour of Graffiti Street, where artists create striking spray-can art to their heart’s content. And do not miss the chance to become an artist yourself, creating your street art, OR:

Classic Excursion
Explore Ghent—“The Diamond of Flanders”— with a Guided Sightseeing Tour of this showcase of medieval Flemish wealth. You’ll visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral—with its remarkable Flemish artwork.

Alternatively, you may choose to join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion of Bruges to explore its canals, cobbled streets, and medieval buildings. You’ll see its crisscrossed canals, the 13th-century belfry of Market Square, and charming patrician houses. You won’t miss the opportunity to explore Ghent since this Optional Excursion ends with an orientation walk of the "Diamond of Flanders."

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRUSSELS

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Optional Activity:

Bruges, Venice of the North with Ghent orientation walk ($)
Discover medieval Bruges, one of Belgium's true crown jewels, on this captivating full-day guided walking tour and canal cruise. Conclude the experience with an orientation walk of Ghent, the "Diamond of Flanders".

Day 4: Brussels

Ancient Streets, and Chocolate Sweet

Active Excursion
Take a Bike Tour to explore the beauty near Brussels, including the Belgian town of Laken, home to the Royal family estates, exotic pavilions from the world expo, and beautiful parks and lanes, OR:

Discovery Excursion
Join a Belgian chocolate-making Workshop to learn how to create your own delicious candies. Enjoy a cup of the finest hot chocolate, while crafting traditional confections of pralines and mendiant from scratch, OR:

Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Tour of Brussels, see the Town Hall with its landmark buildings, discover the many local bars, cafés, and shops of the Lower Town Streets, and visit the Atomium.

The afternoon is free to explore Brussels —considered home to the European Union--and admire its magnificent palaces and cathedrals.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ANTWERP

Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Optional Activity:

Charms of Mechelen with Canal Cruise ($)
Experience the impressive highlights of Mechelen, named a top European City of the Future by the Financial Times, on this half-day guided walk featuring a cruise along the scenic canals!

Day 5: Antwerp

Bike Riding, Brave New Worlds, and Rubens’ Art

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

Active Excursion
Enjoy a Bike Tour and discover centuries of history and a story around every corner. Don’t miss out the unique atmosphere of small neighborhoods and squares, OR:

Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Tour of the Red Star Line Museum. Follow the footsteps of the emigrants, become acquainted with the Red Star Line passengers and accompany them on their trip from their native village via Antwerp to the new world*, OR:

Classic Excursion
Take a Guided Tour of this sophisticated city to visit the central Grote Markt, lined with 16th-century guildhall houses. You’ll also see the beautiful city hall, the Cathedral of Our Lady with its stunning altarpiece paintings by Rubens.

This afternoon take time on your own to indulge in Antwerp’s signature Belgian waffles and crêpes—or explore this bike-friendly city from its old wharfs to its legendary diamond district.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTTERDAM

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch / Dinner

Optional Activity:

Cultures of Antwerp ($)
Discover the many surprises of Antwerp with a guided walking tour by exploring its ethnic and cultural neighborhoods.

Day 6:Rottendam, Holland

Avant-garde Architecture and Art Lessons

Active Excursion
Take a unique Architecture Bike Tour to see the architectural highlights of Rotterdam. Do not miss the interesting Cube Houses, the popular Market Hall, the spectacular Erasmus Bridge, the vertical city ‘De Rotterdam,’ and the iconic Central Station. In the city center, admire how historic buildings lash cheerfully with hypermodern skyscrapers. OR:

Discovery Excursion
Attend a Pottery Workshop. In a characteristic painter’s room, a professional painter will guide you through the process of painting a Delft tile, OR:

Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rotterdam featuring unusual collection of cube houses innovative architecture, including the marvelous Erasmus Bridge, and plenty of other fascinating sites.

Before dinner, enjoy a cruise through Rotterdam harbor.
In the evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch / Dinner

Day 7: Amsterdam

Colorful Canals of Amsterdam

Active Excursion
Join a Guided Kayak Tour which provides a unique perspective of Amsterdam from the waters of its magnificent canals, OR:

Discovery Excursion
Take a Tour to the Street Art Museum, see nearly 200 large-scale artworks featuring artists from around the world. Afterwards, attend a hands-on workshop with an instructor who will guide you in creating your own group mural to discover your inner artist, OR:

Classic Excursion
Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:

Classic Excursion
Enjoy a Guided Canal Cruise to explore the iconic waterways and sites of Amsterdam.

This afternoon, choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available or take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Optional Activities:

Medieval Muiderslot Castle ($)
From Golden Age paintings to 13th-century arms and armor, discover the wonders of Muiderslot Castle, one of Holland's most beautiful medieval castle fortresses, on this captivating half-day guided tour.

Bites & Highlights of Amsterdam ($)
Discover Amsterdam's charming Jordaan district, and taste the authentic foods the locals know and love on this enjoyable guided foodie walking tour.

Day 8: Amsterdam (Disemarkation)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Meals: Breakfast

Ready to set sail? Call today and secure your cabin!