Rotterdam, The Netherlands - British Isles & North West Europe Cruises

Take in the sights of The Hague and then visit the museum which houses the world famous collection of Dutch masterpieces.

Your brief scenic drive takes you through lowland countryside dotted with farms, canals and flower fields before reaching The Hague, the official seat of the Dutch Government. Pass by several royal palaces, as well as the Houses of Parliament and the Peace Palace which houses the International Court of Justice.

Originally, the Mauritshuis was a palace of Prince Johan Maurits and in the 19th century the palace was turned into a museum. The collection consists of masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age, including paintings by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Steen and Frans Hals. The works on permanent display provide a magnificent panorama of Dutch and Flemish art from the 15th to 17th century; from Flemish primitives to sunlit landscapes, biblical characters to meticulous still lifes, and from calm interiors to humorous genre scenes.

Enjoy some free time in The Hague to browse and explore the shops and cafés, before returning to the ship in Rotterdam.

Note: There is approximately 1½ hours of walking on this tour with steep staircases inside the Mauritshuis Museum.

Windmills and wooden shoes symbolise the Netherlands; visit Kinderdijk, and see the original windmills.

Your scenic drive will take you through Rotterdam’s outskirts to travel through Dutch Polderland, laced with canals and dotted with farms, to nearby Kinderdijk.

Windmills are vanishing from the Dutch landscape as the years pass by and times move on. Visit Kinderdijk, home to 19 original windmills - many in working order. You will have the opportunity to explore the mills and a mill owner will conduct a tour of the interior of a working windmill.

Pass by Delfhaven, one of Rotterdam’s oldest and best-preserved districts. Officially Delfshaven has only been part of Rotterdam for a little over 100 years. Dating back to the 14th century, it was from here that the pilgrim fathers set out on their epic journey to America in 1620.

Note: There is approximately 1½ hours of walking on this tour over some cobblestoned streets. There are steep steps inside the windmill.

Visit a selection of the best sights emulating the Rotterdam of old, including the 14th century Delfshaven.

Your scenic drive takes you past the former Van Nelle factory and the Weena building, a brilliant white block of offices and apartments in Hofplein, the city’s commercial centre. View the Cube Houses and Mevlana Mosque, Rotterdam's largest mosque. Drive down Coolsingel, the city’s major commercial thoroughfare, passing the town hall and local landmarks.

This picturesque port of Delfshaven is a borough of Rotterdam located on the right bank of the river Nieuwe Maas. It has a carefully preserved historic centre that dates from the 14th century and is treasured for its famous windmills, museums and fine merchant warehouses. Discover a town that is full of character, where you can really get a feel for the way life was in the past. Delfshaven is the birthplace of Erasmus and the port of departure for America’s ‘Pilgrim Fathers’.

Note: There is approximately half an hour’s walking on this tour over some cobblestoned streets.

Journey to the capital of Holland, see the highlights and cruise the wonderful waterways.

A panoramic drive of Amsterdam will show you Dam Square, the Royal Palace, Nieuwe Kerk, and the Central Railway Station. Of particular interest is the lovely 15th century Weeper’s Tower, one of the most famous of the city's collection of stunning towers and steeples.

No visit to Amsterdam would be complete without a canal cruise. Containing more than 60 miles of waterways, the city has more canals and bridges than Venice; this is one of the best ways to become acquainted with its waterside scenery. From your glass-topped motor-launch, see the fine old houses of the city's rich Dutch traders, picturesque houseboats, Anne Frank's House, and many other attractions to capture on camera.

Enjoy a three course meal at a local restaurant before free time to explore on your own taking in the atmosphere of this cosmopolitan city.

Note: Estimated journey time from Rotterdam to Amsterdam is 1½ hours, depending on traffic. Limited restroom facilities are available on the canal boat. There are steep steps to access the canal boat. The free time in the city is approximately one hour depending upon local traffic conditions on the day.

The city of Delft is famed for its blue porcelain; this tour gives you the opportunity to visit the fantastic Royal Delft factory.

Your brief scenic drive will take you into the delightful city of Delft. Here, you will join your guide for a short walk through the narrow streets of this charming 17th century city of canals, cobbled alleys and gabled houses. Although most famous for its porcelain, Delft is also the birthplace of the painter, Vermeer, and the site of William of Orange's assassination.

Your guide will lead you to a pleasant café at Market Square where you can relax with refreshments of coffee or tea, before some free time for shopping in Delft to search for the perfect souvenir.

The Delft Factory painstakingly creates its famed earthenware using the same methods employed since the factory’s founding in 1653. Tour the factory and watch artists demonstrate the hand painting that makes each piece a unique work of art.

No trip to Delft would be complete without the chance to shop at the Delft Factory store.

Note: There is approximately 45 minutes of walking on this tour over some cobblestoned streets.

Journey to the capital of Holland, check out the wooden clogs and cruise the famous waterways.

A panoramic drive of Amsterdam will show you Dam Square, the Royal Palace, Nieuwe Kerk, and the Central Railway Station. Of particular interest is the lovely 15th century Weeper’s Tower, one of the most famous of the city's collection of stunning towers and steeples.

No visit to Amsterdam would be complete without a canal cruise. Containing more than 60 miles of waterways, the city has more canals and bridges than Venice, so this is one of the best ways to become acquainted with its waterside scenery. From your glass-topped motor-launch, you willl see the fine old houses of the city's rich Dutch traders, picturesque houseboats, Anne Frank's House, and many other attractions to capture on camera.

Enjoy some free time to explore on your own or sit outside one of the many delightful cafés and bars relaxing and taking in the atmosphere of this cosmopolitan city.

Note: Estimated journey time from Rotterdam to Amsterdam is 1½ hours depending on traffic. Limited restroom facilities are available on the canal boat. There are steep steps to access the canal boat. This excursion does not include meals to allow for maximum flexibility.

Amsterdam is well worth a visit, famous for its gabled houses, canals with picturesque arched bridges and celebrated museums.

This transfer will take you to visit Holland’s main tourist centre and you will have approximately four hours to explore independently.

Amsterdam is often referred to as one of the most colourful cities in the world, and rightly so. Where else could you find so many places of interest, famous museums, cosy pubs, unusual shops and flower markets.

Amsterdam is noted for many outstanding museums, including the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum and Rembrandt House Museum. The Van Gogh Museum houses the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh's paintings and drawings. A likely tourist treat is the moving story of Anne Frank at the Anne Frank House. There is plenty to do in this fascinating city.

An escort will accompany you during the transfer, provide city maps, local information and confirm the specified time and place for the return drive to Rotterdam.

Note: Estimated journey time from Rotterdam to Amsterdam is 1½ hours, depending on traffic conditions. Please be advised that the excursion is non-guided and exclusive of luncheon and entrance fees.

Visit The Hague, seat of the Dutch Government and Royal Delft, where ceramics have been produced for over three centuries.

Drive through the often-unseen, quieter side of Holland’s villages to the 17th century city of Delft, famous for the Delft Blue Pottery and the birthplace of the famous Dutch painter, Vermeer. Join your guide for a short walk through the narrow streets of this charming, 17th-century city of canals, cobbled alleys and gabled houses.

Others may turn to mass production, but the Delft Factory painstakingly creates its famed earthenware using the same methods employed since the factory’s founding in 1653. Take a guided tour of the factory and watch artists demonstrate the hand painting that makes each piece of Delft a work of art. No trip to Delft would be complete without an opportunity to shop at the Delft Factory store.

During your scenic drive pass by The Hague, seat of the Dutch Government, and see the main sights including the spectacular Peace Palace, where the International Court of Justice is situated. Experience this aristocratic city with large squares, broad streets, imposing buildings, fine mansions and palatial embassies.

Note: There is approximately half an hour of walking on this tour and the streets in Delft are uneven and cobblestoned.