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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise

Springtime Tulips & Keukenhof Gardens

Eight-day river cruise from London through tulip season in Netherlands and Belgium

Illustration of Springtime Tulips & Keukenhof Gardens

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted river cruise, beginning in London and ending in Brussels. Travellers depart London St Pancras by Eurostar, joining the five-star MS Amadeus Amara in Amsterdam on Day 1. Over the following week, the ship sails through the Netherlands and Belgium, with guided excursions to the fairytale streets of Bruges, the wartime battlefields of Ypres, and the historic harbour town of Hoorn. Day 6 includes a nostalgic heritage steam train journey through the Dutch countryside. Day 7 features a full visit to Keukenhof Gardens, the world-famous floral showcase with over seven million spring bulbs. The itinerary blends leisure with purpose: expert talks on the Battle of Arnhem and Operation Market Garden ground the tour in twentieth-century history, while onboard performances from a traditional Dutch sea shanty choir and appearances by horticulturist Charlie Dimmock enhance the experience. All meals, drinks, guided tours, and rail transfers are included. This cruise suits couples seeking luxury travel, history enthusiasts interested in European battlefields, and travellers who prefer fully guided itineraries with no independent logistics to arrange.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is currently listed: April 2027; confirm availability before committing
  • Single supplement is GBP 1200, raising the single-traveller price to GBP 3399; couples or sharing saves significantly
  • Keukenhof Gardens is open end of March to beginning of May only; this trip is timed for April tulip season

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (Amsterdam)

    To Amsterdam to board our luxurious ship

    Your holiday begins at London St Pancras, meeting the Tour Manager and rest of the group before boarding the Eurostar, travelling by rail to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. On arrival in the Dutch capital, we head to our luxurious cruise ship and are welcomed by our crew. Once on board, there is free time to settle into your cabin and soak up the new surroundings. This evening, we enjoy a welcome drink in the lounge before dinner in the panoramic restaurant. A Fly & Cruise option is also available.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (en route to Ghent)

    Exploring the sights of Amsterdam

    After breakfast onboard, we get to know the Dutch capital on a scenic canal cruise, soaking up views of the city's picturesque waterways and architecture. We enjoy lunch back onboard before a free afternoon to explore Amsterdam at your own pace, wander charming side streets, enjoy a canalside café or visit world-class museums such as the Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum. We set sail towards Ghent later this afternoon and enjoy dinner onboard. Note: on the 6th May departure, Days 2 and 7 will be swapped and Keukenhof Gardens will be visited today.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (Ghent)

    Excursions to beautiful Belgian cities

    This morning, we enjoy breakfast onboard before our ship arrives in Ghent. An expert delivers a fascinating talk about the nearby battlefields. Following a relaxed lunch onboard, you can choose between two excursions: an afternoon coach tour to Bruges or a guided sightseeing tour of Ghent. Bruges offers cobbled lanes, noble townhouses and tranquil canals. Ghent's guided tour showcases medieval architecture from the Castle of the Counts to St Bavo's Cathedral, with a local chocolate tasting. We return to the ship this evening for dinner and drinks.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (en route to Netherlands)

    The battlefields of Ypres or at leisure in Ghent

    Your day starts with an optional excursion to the Ypres battlefield, including entrance to Sanctuary Wood Museum, with powerful exhibits and an original trench layout dug by British troops. Alternatively, explore Ghent at your own pace, wander cobbled streets, stroll along the Graslei and Korenlei canalside quays, explore Werregarenstraat street art or visit the Great Butchers' Hall. We return to the ship for lunch and set sail towards the Netherlands, with a relaxed afternoon on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (Arnhem)

    Heritage and history in the Netherlands

    Continuing our journey to the Netherlands, we enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard as we sail towards Arnhem. A battlefield expert delivers a talk on the Battle of Arnhem (September 1944). On arrival in Arnhem, choose between a guided tour of the Hartenstein Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek (former Allied headquarters) or a visit to the Netherlands' Open-Air Museum with authentic buildings, farmhouses and mills and traditional craft demonstrations. We return to the ship for dinner and a relaxed evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (Amsterdam)

    Hoorn & the Medemblik Steam Railway

    Scenic harbour-town views greet us as we reach Hoorn, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands and once a major trading port during the Dutch Golden Age. We enjoy a guided walking tour through its historic centre, discovering the 15th-century Hoofdtoren and the elegant main square. We pause for traditional Dutch apple pie before embarking on a nostalgic journey aboard the Medemblik steam train through scenic Dutch countryside with views of windmills, tulip fields and charming villages. We rejoin the ship later this afternoon and enjoy dinner and drinks as we begin sailing towards Amsterdam, where we dock for the night.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (Amsterdam)

    Charlie Dimmock talk and the Keukenhof Gardens

    Renowned horticulturist Charlie Dimmock joins us onboard this morning, delivering an insightful presentation with stories from her time at the BBC and expert gardening tips, followed by a Q&A session. Later, we visit the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens, the 'Garden of Europe', bursting with over seven million tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs. Open only from end of March to beginning of May, the gardens offer a fleeting but unforgettable showcase of colour and creativity. This evening, we celebrate our final night onboard with a special gala dinner accompanied by live music from a traditional Dutch sea shanty choir.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    After a leisurely breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to the ship's crew. From Amsterdam railway station, we head towards Brussels and catch the Eurostar to London St Pancras, where your holiday comes to an end.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Scenic canal cruise through Amsterdam, passing gabled townhouses and charming bridges
  • Day 3Choice between a coach tour of Bruges with cobbled lanes and tranquil canals, or a guided walking tour of medieval Ghent
  • Day 6Nostalgic journey aboard the Medemblik Steam Train through Dutch countryside from Hoorn, after exploring the 15th-century Hoofdtoren and the historic main square
  • Day 7Full day at Keukenhof Gardens, the Garden of Europe, with over seven million tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and spring-flowering bulbs

Included

  • Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Amara
  • Five-star service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • First & Standard Class rail options available
  • Eurostar Plus on First Class departures
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • Complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
  • A superb choice of excursions
  • Three exclusive onboard talks
  • Onboard Dutch Sea Shanty Choir performance
  • Live music each evening

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Tips/gratuities (at guest's discretion)

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is all rail travel included?
Yes. Eurostar to and from London St Pancras (Standard or First Class options) and the Medemblik Steam Train are included in the package price.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the eight days.
What ship do we cruise on?
MS Amadeus Amara, a five-star river cruise ship with complimentary Wi-Fi, all-inclusive meals and drinks with dinner, and live music each evening.
Are meals and drinks included?
Yes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day are included, plus a drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise and a gala dinner with Dutch sea shanty choir performance.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance, and gratuities or tips (at the guest's discretion).
When does this trip run?
Currently, one departure is confirmed in April 2027.

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