Dutch Waterways
Amsterdam, Netherlands to Antwerp, Belgium
April 15–23, 2026
Optional Amsterdam Pre-Tour: April 13-16, 2026
Optional Antwerp Post Tour: April 23-25, 2026
Tour Operator: AHI Travel
Price per person begins at $3,495 for the main tour*
Optional Amsterdam pre-tour program begins at $1,095 per person
Optional Antwerp post-tour program begins at $995 per person
*No single supplement for solo travelers.
Embark on a seven-night cruise along the intimate waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium brimming with centuries of history and Old-World splendor. Delight in Amsterdam’s charming canals and stroll amid the glorious tulips at Keukenhof Gardens. Revel in Bruges’ wonderfully preserved Gothic gems and Antwerp’s impressive medieval old town. Other ports of call introduce you to Enkhuizen, a beautiful Dutch Golden Age city, and Veere, a laid-back harbor town. Enjoy enriching lectures from our Principia trip scholar and local guides as well as a choice of included excursions. Admire Enkhuizen’s stately landmarks on foot and see history come alive at the Zuiderzee Museum; tour the picturesque, 17th-century port town of Hoorn; or bike through the pastoral West Frisian countryside. See The Hague and the Mauritshuis’ celebrated masterpieces; watch artisans at the Royal Delft porcelain factory; or sample farm-fresh cheeses in Gouda. In Bruges, visit a chocolaterie, view the medieval architecture, or take in renowned Belgian art. Unpack once aboard your first-class ship and savor generous meals.
Highlights
- Board a canal cruiser for a tour through the tree-lined canals of Amsterdam that make this romantic city truly unforgettable.
- Enjoy enlightening lectures from Principia Trip Scholar Dr. Peter van Lidth de Jeude (C’04) and local experts.
- Admire some of Amsterdam’s 1,500 bridges, the elegant, gabled homes and the architectural gems of the bustling city harbor.
- Delve into current affairs in the Netherlands, a constitutional monarchy and one of the original six countries that founded what is now the 27 member European Union.
- Journey to Keukenhof Gardens, an 80-acre paradise of tulips, daffodils and other bright blooms, for a guided stroll through this enchanting setting.
- Experience Enkhuizen’s beautiful architecture and stately landmarks, the picturesque harbor town of Hoorn, or the scenic countryside of West Frisian.
- Learn about the legendary Dutch Golden Age artists from a local expert.
- Stroll through historic Old Delft and tour the Royal Delft porcelain factory or visit the Mauritshuis which houses works by Dutch and Flemish masters.
- Travel along the Zeeland coast to the artificial island of Neeltje Jans and its Delta Expo to learn about the Delta Works.
- Visit a chocolatier’s shop to discover the art of Belgian chocolate-making.
- Meander through Antwerp's’ cobblestone streets to view the medieval architecture including the cathedral and Grote Market square.
Activity Level: Mild-Moderate
The detailed itinerary provides activity levels for each on shore excursion. To make the best personal choice, please evaluate each excursion’s rating and your ability to meet the tour’s physical demands. Excursions on this program require: walking on cobblestones, unpaved paths or uneven surfaces; and getting on/off motor coaches and boats.
- Mild: Walk under 1 mile on mainly flat terrain; navigate under 50 stairs; stand under 1 hour
- Moderate: Walk 1-3 miles on flat/uneven terrain; navigate 50-100 stairs; stand 1-2 hours
- Active: Walk 2+ miles on flat/uneven terrain, including up and down inclines; navigate 100+ stairs; stand 3+ hours
Depending on the excursion, more leisurely alternatives may be available.
Trip Includes
Program Overview
- Unpack once and cruise for 7 nights aboard the first-class MS Amadeus Cara.
- AHI Sustainability Promise: We strive to make a positive, purposeful impact in the communities we visit.
- Complimentary travel mementos.
Meal Program
- 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 7 dinners.
- Welcome and Farewell Receptions and Dinners to mingle with fellow travelers.
On-site Features
- Engaging excursions showcase the local culture, heritage, and history.
- Enrichment by expert speakers enhances your insight into the region.
- Personalize Your Journey | PYJ: A choice of excursions in selected locales.
- Elective activity and free time to pursue your individual interests.
- Tipping of guides and drivers.
- A personal VOX headset to hear your English-speaking guide clearly.
Optional Amsterdam Pre-Tour
Delve into picturesque Amsterdam in greater depth during this two-night stay. From your centrally located hotel, explore the city’s lively neighborhood streets, scenic canals and world-class museums and attractions. Stroll through the Old Harbor and learn about Dutch nautical heritage at the National Maritime Museum, featuring a replica of a 17th-century, three-masted ship.
Optional Antwerp Post-Tour
Settle into the heart of vibrant Antwerp for extra days of exploration. This inviting, walkable city offers plenty of options from intriguing museums to the simple pleasures of treats like Belgian waffles and crispy frites. Marvel at the medieval splendor of Ghent on an engaging, guided excursion.
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Itinerary
April 15: Flight to Amsterdam, Netherlands
April 16: Amsterdam
April 17: Amsterdam
April 18: Enkhuizen / Hoorn
April 19: The Hague / Delft / Gouda
April 20: Veere
April 21: Middelburg / Bruges, Belgium /Antwerp
April 22: Antwerp
April 23: Depart
Meet Your Trip Scholar
Dr. Peter van Lidth de Jeude (C’04) is Assistant Dean of Academic Services and the former chair of the History Department at Principia College. His scholarship is focused on Modern European history with a special emphasis on Germany. Peter’s dissertation studies occupation bureaucrats during the First World War, with a special emphasis on occupied Belgium and Poland. His scholarly interests involve Wilhelmine German society, in particular its bureaucracy and the stresses placed upon it in times of extreme crisis. He is also interested in the impact of war upon society more generally, as well as transnational and global perspectives in history. Peter has previously served as the trip scholar on our Principia Lifelong Learning Danube River cruise and can’t wait to share his knowledge of history and his Dutch and Belgian heritage with his fellow travelers on this cruise.