Tulips & Traditions Dutch River Cruise
About the Trip
March 24 – April 4, 2025 | 12 Days
Soak in the charm and history of the Netherlands and Belgium on this unforgettable 12-day journey. Explore The Hague’s royal landmarks, paint your own Delft Blue tile and wander the medieval streets of Bruges. Cruise through scenic waterways to Enkhuizen, Rotterdam and the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk. Experience the breathtaking tulip displays at Keukenhof Gardens and learn about Dutch cheese-making. Along the way, you’ll savour traditional cuisine, witness moving WWI memorials and enjoy the relaxed evenings that river cruises are known for. With expert guides, unique excursions and a mix of history, culture and scenic beauty, this tour offers an enriching glimpse into life in Amsterdam and the low countries.
Member Exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours.
- Plaza Premium Lounge pass†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Royal Delft Tile Painting Workshop
Step into the world of Royal Delft and try your hand at a centuries-old art form in this 45-minute painting workshop. With all the necessary materials provided, you’ll learn to create your own unique Royal Delft tile with expert guidance. Using a special blue paint that doesn’t need firing, your design will be ready to take home right away. Your finished tile comes framed and protected—an authentic, one-of-a-kind keepsake from your visit to the Netherlands.
Package Includes:
- Return airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Amsterdam
- Pre-cruise tour:
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in The Hague
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Bruges
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Amsterdam
- 5 breakfasts, 5 dinners and 1 tasting
- Local English-speaking tour manager
- 4-night Netherlands River cruise on-board the MS Emily Brontë
- Onboard meals and entertainment as per cruise itinerary
- Superior Drinks package
- Post-cruise tour:
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Amsterdam
- 1 breakfast, 1 dinner and tasting
- Local English-speaking tour manager
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach
- All bridge, ferry and road tolls
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Prepaid gratuities
- Destination transfers
- CAA Host
Tulips & Traditions Dutch River Cruise
Activity Level: Moderate. Discover the Netherlands and Belgium on a 12-day journey including scenic cruising, historic sites, tulip gardens and immersive cultural experiences.
Day 1
Depart Toronto or Winnipeg for your overnight flight to Amsterdam.
Day 2
The Hague – Upon arrival in Amsterdam, meet your tour manager and transfer along the coast to The Hague. Take time to relax before meeting for a welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3
The Hague – Discover The Hague, home to the Royal Residence and Dutch government. Explore tree-lined lanes, the Knights' Hall, Parliament and the Peace Palace. In the afternoon, visit Gouda to see its stunning stained glass, historic town hall and enjoy a tasting of its famous cheese. (B/T/D)
Day 4
Bruges – Visit Delft to tour the Royal Delft workshop and paint your own Delft Blue tile—a unique keepsake. Later, continue to Bruges, known for its canals and medieval charm. (B/D)
Day 5
Bruges – Join a walking tour through the city’s scenic streets and canals. Later, visit Ypres to learn about its WWI history and attend the moving Last Post Ceremony. (B/D)
Day 6
Amsterdam – Travel to Utrecht to visit De Haar Castle, a storybook fortress. Continue to Amsterdam for a canal cruise through its historic waterways. (B/D)
Day 7
Amsterdam – Enjoy a free morning before boarding the MS Emily Brontë. Settle into your cabin and enjoy dinner on board. (B)
Day 8
Enkhuizen – Wake to the sight of Enkhuizen’s picturesque harbour, then tour the Zuiderzee Museum. Take lunch on board then cruise along the Markermeer. Tonight, enjoy dinner with live piano music.
Day 9
Rotterdam & Kinderdijk – Explore Rotterdam's modern architecture on a guided walk, then visit Kinderdijk to see its iconic windmills. Return to the ship for a signature dinner.
Day 10
Keukenhof & Amsterdam – Visit Keukenhof Gardens to see vibrant tulip displays. Return to Amsterdam for an afternoon of leisure before dinner and live music on board.
Day 11
Amsterdam – Discover the Tulip Experience, visit Volendam's harbour and tour a cheese farm. Stop in Marken, then enjoy a farewell dinner back in Amsterdam. (T/D)
Day 12
Transfer to the Amsterdam airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg.(B)
B - Breakfast | D - Dinner | T - Tasting
Terms & Conditions
*$11,199 is a Suite cabin based on Cat. Emerald Deck, $12,529 is a Suite cabin based on category Ruby Deck. **$11,919 is a Suite cabin based on Cat. Emerald Deck, $13,249 is a Suite cabin based on category Ruby Deck. Ship’s Registry: Switzerland. All CAA Member prices are per person, based on double occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Plaza Premium Lounge is based on one voucher per person and applies to departures from Canadian airports where applicable. Subject to availability.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2026. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance.
Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart Toronto or Winnipeg for your overnight flight to Amsterdam.
Day 2
The Hague
Upon arrival to Amsterdam, meet your tour manager and transfer along the seaside towards The Hague. After some time to relax and refresh, meet the group for your welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3
The Hague
Enjoy a city tour this morning to discover The Hague, the regal city that serves as the heart of Dutch politics and international diplomacy. Wander tree-lined lanes past the Royal Residence and historic Parliament buildings. Step inside the Knights' Hall and admire the grandeur of the Peace Palace, home to the International Court of Justice. This afternoon, visit Gouda to see its stunning stained glass, historic town hall and enjoy a tasting of its famous cheese. (B/T/D)
Day 4
Bruges
Start your day with a visit to charming Delft today, where you’ll tour the workshop where the famous Blue Delft porcelain is made. Your Extraordinary Experience will be a tile painting session at Royal Delft where you can create your own unique Delft tile as a one-of-a-kind souvenir. Afterwards, you’ll continue west to Bruges, Belgium, famous for its canals and picturesque streets. (B/D)
Day 5
Bruges
Step back in time on a walking tour of Bruges this morning. Admire the beautiful canals, medieval buildings, bustling market square and the iconic Belfry. Continue to Ypres, in West Flanders, also known as Leper, where Canadian forces made a significant contribution during WWI. After dinner, witness the moving Last Post Ceremony that takes place under the Menin Gate. (B/D)
Day 6
Amsterdam
Depart Bruges for Utrecht and visit De Haar Castle, a medieval fortress with towers, moats and stunning gardens. Next stop is Amsterdam where you’ll enjoy a canal cruise through the old city to admire Amsterdam’s 100 canals and 1,000 bridges from the water. (B/D)
Day 7
Amsterdam
Spend the morning at leisure before transferring mid-afternoon to the MS Emily Brontë, where the welcoming crew will help you settle into your cabin for the next 4 nights. Enjoy dinner onboard this evening. (B)
Day 8
Enkhuizen
Wake to the sight of Enkhuizen’s picturesque harbour. This morning, enjoy a guided tour of the Zuiderzee Museum, where the open-air exhibits recreate 19th-century Dutch village life. Watch artisans demonstrate traditional crafts like sailmaking and fish curing. Return to the ship for lunch as you cruise across the Markermeer. Enjoy an à la carte dinner on board, accompanied by live piano music.
Day 9
Rotterdam & Kinderdijk
Arrive in historic Rotterdam, a city known for its bold architecture and bustling port. On a guided walk, see the innovative Cube Houses, vibrant Markthal and historic Maritime Museum. After lunch on board, visit Kinderdijk, home to 19 UNESCO World Heritage-designated windmills that have protected these low-lying lands for centuries. Return to the cruise ship for a sumptuous dinner featuring signature Dutch dishes.
Day 10
Keukenhof & Amsterdam
This morning, drive to Keukenhof, the world’s largest flower garden, to see millions of tulips, hyacinths and daffodils in stunning displays. Stroll through nearly 80 acres of lakes, trees, pavilions and water features. In the afternoon, return to Amsterdam to explore its lively streets, browse the Waterlooplein flea market or enjoy a Dutch coffee at a canal-side café. Art lovers can visit iconic museums like the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum, while history enthusiasts can walk through Anne Frank’s House. End the day with a delicious dinner on board and live guitar music.
Day 11
Amsterdam
After breakfast, disembark in downtown Amsterdam where to visit the Tulip Experience in Bollenstreek. Learn about the history and cultivation of the tulip from the grower's perspective. Next, visit the fishing village of Volendam, where locals still wear traditional costumes. Walk along the old harbourfront with its green wooden houses, eel smokers and souvenir shops. After some free time, stop at a local cheese farm for a tour and tasting and end the day in Marken, a former island with narrow streets and a quaint harbour. Celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner. (T/D)
Day 12
Transfer to the Amsterdam airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | D - Dinner | T - Tasting