Europe's Heartland over 10 Days Guided Tour

Arrival in Paris – The City of Lights

Bienvenue – Welcome! After your flight, a representative will greet you at Charles de Gaulle Airport and accompany you to your deluxe, centrally-located hotel in Paris. Upon arrival, your tour leader will warmly welcome you and assist with check-in. Throughout your stay, your tour leader will be your dedicated concierge — available for recommendations, questions, or personal arrangements. In the afternoon, meet your tour leaders and fellow guests during a relaxed welcome reception. Take time to settle in, explore your surroundings, and savor the anticipation of the journey ahead

Journey northwards – from Paris to Bruges

Today begins with a scenic coach transfer from Paris to the medieval heart of Flanders: Bruges! Here you’ll board the deluxe floating boutique hotel for the coming week. Settle into your suite, get acquainted with your bike, and take a short stroll or ride to absorb Bruges’ enchanting atmosphere. This is where your active yet relaxed adventure truly begins. Get to know your fellow passengers over a delicious dinner on board the ship, and wind down with an after-dinner drink or a soak in the hot tub on deck.

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Storybook scenery – Bruges to Ghent (34 or 45 km / 21 or 27 mi)

This morning is yours to savor Bruges, a city that feels as though it has stepped straight out of a fairy tale. Cobblestone lanes, medieval façades, and quiet canals invite unhurried exploration, perhaps with a final stroll or coffee before departing.

After lunch onboard, set out by bike through rolling countryside and peaceful fields, following quiet paths toward Ghent. As you approach this lively university city, its historic towers and vibrant energy come gradually into view. The ship awaits just outside the city, ready to welcome you back after a day rich in contrasts, from storybook charm to urban vitality.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

River serenity – Ghent to St. Amands (38 or 50 km / 24 or 31 mi)

Begin the day by cycling into Ghent, allowing time to explore its historic heart at your own pace. Gothic spires, elegant squares, and lively cafés reveal a city that balances deep history with youthful spirit.

From here, the route follows the gentle curves of the Schelde River, one of the most tranquil stretches of the journey. Pedal through open countryside and past small villages where life moves at an easy rhythm. A relaxed countryside picnic adds to the sense of simplicity and calm. By late afternoon, you arrive in the quiet riverside town of St. Amands, where the ship is waiting and the evening unfolds at a blissfully unhurried pace.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Countryside to city – St. Amands to Antwerp (30 or 41 km / 19 or 34 mi)

Continue along the Schelde toward the vibrant port city of Antwerp. The scenery slowly shifts from green landscapes to elegant urban architecture. Admire the soaring Cathedral of Our Lady, home to masterpieces by Peter Paul Rubens, and soak in the lively atmosphere of the Grote Markt, with its ornate guild houses and café-lined square. A special included visit takes you to the Red Star Line Museum — a moving tribute to the millions of emigrants who once departed Europe for a new life in America. The evening is yours to enjoy at your own pace — whether that means a relaxed dinner in one of the city’s many bistros, a quiet walk through illuminated streets, or sipping a local Belgian beer as the sun sets over the Schelde.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Crossing borders – Antwerp to Dordrecht (22 or 34 km / 14 or 21 mi)

After a morning cruise out of Antwerp, disembark near the Kreekrak Locks and cross into the Netherlands by bike. Cross the border into the Netherlands by bike, following forested paths through the lush Wouwse Plantage toward Bergen op Zoom. Here, enjoy lunch before joining a guided walk through the historic city center. A short final ride brings you to the charming town of, where you’ll rejoin the ship. While cruising toward Dordrecht, enjoy an onboard talk that brings Dutch culture and landscapes into focus.

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Windmills and silversmiths – Dordrecht to Schoonhoven (32 or 45 km / 19 or 27 mi)

Begin your day with a scenic Waterbus ride to Kinderdijk, a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic landscapes in the Netherlands. Here, 19 majestic windmills — some dating back to the 18th century — stand proudly against the sky. Built to manage the region’s ever-challenging relationship with water, these historic windmills are a testament to Dutch ingenuity and resilience.

From Kinderdijk, cycle through the Alblasserwaard, a serene region of reclaimed land where canals, lush fields, and vast skies create a quintessentially Dutch panorama. A traditional Taste of Holland lunch offers a delicious pause before continuing to Schoonhoven, known as the “Silver City” for its long silversmithing tradition. Dinner is on your own this evening. Your tour leader is happy to recommend a restaurant to suit your mood.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch

The Green Heart of Holland – Schoonhoven to Utrecht (44km / 27mi.)

Today’s ride leads you through the pastoral beauty of the Dutch Green Heart, a tranquil region of small villages, quiet roads, and timeless landscapes nestled between the country’s major cities. Along the way, visit a traditional cheese farm to sample local flavors, and stop in Oudewater to see the historic Witches’ Weigh House, a fascinating reminder of the Netherlands’ past.

By late afternoon, arrive in Utrecht, one of the country’s most elegant and lively cities. As evening approaches, the ship departs Utrecht and continues sailing toward Haar, offering time to relax onboard and reflect on the journey’s final days.

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Easy morning ride – Breukelen to Amsterdam

In the morning, enjoy breakfast and prepare for disembarkation while the ship navigates to Breukelen. There, it’s time to say goodbye to the crew who’ve been watching over you for the last week. While your luggage is transferred to your hotel in Amsterdam, you’ll set off on a final relaxed bike ride along peaceful canal paths and through green parkways, with time to pause for lunch on your own in a charming village or local café.

Upon arrival in Amsterdam, check in to your centrally-located hotel, The Hoxton Lloyd Amsterdam. Then spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. To bring your journey to a memorable close, gather in the late afternoon for a private farewell reception aboard a classic canal boat — a final chance to toast new friendships, reflect on the week’s highlights, and soak in the beauty of Amsterdam from the water one more time.

Your tour leader will remain on hand throughout the day, ready to offer recommendations, help with dinner plans, or even join you for one last stroll through the city’s enchanting streets.

Meals included: breakfast

Farewell — or Amsterdam extension

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell, as your unforgettable journey comes to a close. Your tour leader will ensure a smooth and comfortable transfer to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, assisting with departures and offering a warm goodbye after a week of shared discoveries.

But for those not ready to part ways just yet, extend your stay with two additional nights in Amsterdam, one of Europe’s most captivating and effortlessly stylish cities! With its elegant canals, world-class museums, and laid-back charm, Amsterdam invites you to slow down and savor every moment.

You’ll stay at The Hoxton Lloyd Amsterdam, a deluxe 4-star hotel set in a beautifully restored historic building in the city’s revitalized harbor district. Once a transit point for immigrants bound for the Americas, the hotel blends rich history with contemporary style and maritime character. Located near the water and surrounded by a lively promenade of shops and cafés, it offers a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere. Excellent public transport connections make it easy to reach the city center — and perfectly position you for this final, unhurried chapter of your European adventure.

Whether you’re admiring masterpieces in the Van Gogh Museum, exploring hidden courtyards in the cozy Jordaan neighborhood, shopping along the famous “Nine Streets,” or enjoying a quiet moment in the Vondel Park, this extension offers the freedom to experience the city at your own pace. Throughout your extended stay, your tour leader remains on hand as your personal concierge — ready to assist with sightseeing tips, dinner reservations, or simply to share a final toast in one of the city’s cozy cafés. It’s the perfect way to wind down your European escape — with a touch more culture, comfort, and Dutch hospitality.

Meals included: breakfast