Lewis Travel & Cruises
Tulip Time Cruise - April 1, 2011

Tulip Time Cruise - April 1, 2011

and Avalon Waterways
present

TULIP TIME CRUISE

April 1 - 9, 2011

Hosted by

Mary Jo Lewis

For Information Contact
LEWIS TRAVEL & CRUISES:

Fresno
(559)431-1800

Visalia
(559)625-1333

e-mail: info@lewistravel.com

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Amsterdam - Arnhem Airborn Museum

- Rotterdam - Keukenhof Garden - Kinderdijk - Antwerp - Grote Markt - Ghent - The Delta Works - Volendam - Edam Cheese Factory

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

APRIL 1: Board your overnight transatlantic flight to Amsterdam.

APRIL 2: Welcome to Amsterdam! Holland's capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. This delightful 700 year old city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafes, restaurants, and lively marketplace has a distinct ambiance. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. This afternoon board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception.
breakfast, lunch and dinner included

APRIL 3: Cruise Arnhem to Dordrecht. One of the major tragedies of World War II was the Battle of Arnhem, featured vividly in the Airborn Museum Hartenstein and the inspiration for the movie "A Bridge Too Far". Sitting between two branches of the Rhine River, charming Dordrecht inspired many painters in the 17th and 18th centuries. Visit nearby Kinderdijk with its picturesque row of windmills. After dinner tonight enjoy a special Diamond Party.
breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Antwerp APRIL 4: Cruise to Antwerp, Belgium. Antwerp is Belgium's second largest city and one of the world's most important ancient seaports. Included sightseeing shows you its superb architecture and the Grote Markt with its beautiful city hall and the Church of Our Lady make this city well worth a visit. An optional excursion will be available to nearby Brussels, Belgium's capital and home of the European Union.
breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Ghent APRIL 5: Cruise to Ghent. In a unique way, Ghent, the "diamond" of Flanders, has managed to preserve its medieval charm and power while keeping up with the times. A local guide will proudly point out that the city center alone is a showcase of medieval Flemish wealth and commercial success, and will take you into St. Baff's Cathedral. From here, an optional excursion to fascinating Bruges, with its criss-crossed canals and charming old patrician houses, is available.
breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Middelbeurg APRIL 6: Cruise to Middelburg, Holland. Middelburg was originally built as a stronghold to protect the population of Zeeland from the water and from enemies. Later it became a prosperous merchant city that spent great wealth on the construction of important buildings such as the town hall. The eye-catching high tower of the town hall dominates the charming town of Veere, which was once an importand wool trading center. Take your photos before continuing to one of the world's most complex engineering projects, the Delta Works. After the flood of 1953, during which more than 1,800 people drowned in one night, the Delta Plan was born to prevent another disaster of such magnitude. The final defense in the battle against the water is the storm flood barrier, almost six miles long and considered a technical wonder. The project took 30 years to complete.
breakfast, lunch and dinner included

APRIL 7: Cruise to Rotterdam. Rotterdam is a bustling port city that was leveled by German bombs in World War II. Now it has a modern, high-tech look and boasts the world's busiest port. The highlight on a cruise full of highlights is today's excursion to Keukenhof Gardens near Lisse. Keukenhof encompasses over 70 acres of parkland with lakes, sculpture, gardens, greenhouses and a windmill to explore. Millions of flower bulbs are grown here and present a spectacular display of blooms at just this time of year.
breakfast, lunch and dinner included

APRIL 8: Cruise to Amsterdam. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by canal boat. Cruising through the elegant grachten, lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's "Golden Age". An excursion takes you north of the city to Volendam on the Ijsselmeer, a maze of fishermen's houses built on poles and a unique open harbor. The small, timbered church dates back to 1658. Continue to Edam, whose cheese of the same name has become famous worldwide and where cheese markets are still held in the summer months. The old town center, especially the Kwakelsteeg, still has lovely characteristic Waterland houses.
breakfast, lunch & dinner included

APRIL 9: Bid farewell to your amazing transportation, entertainment center, and hotel for the week, the beautiful Avalon Luminary. After breakfast on board this morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flights home filled with wonderful memories of Europe and the opportunity to experience Holland and Belgium in a very unique way and at that special time of the tulips in full bloom.
breakfast included