Bryn Mawr College

Depart New York on an overnight flight to Amsterdam.

Upon arrival this morning, transfer to The Hague and check in at the new and centrally located Hilton Hotel. A short introduction to this historic city, seat of the Dutch government and residence of the Queen, includes the Parliament and royal structures. Gather at the hotel for a festive welcome reception and dinner.
Meals: (D)

Begin today at the Mauritshuis, a 17th-century mansion containing a superb collection of Rembrandts, Vermeers and many other Dutch Masters. Lunch is at leisure before driving to Keukenhof Gardens, where over a million flowering bulbs provide a vast carpet of color. Enjoy a stroll through the gardens before returning to The Hague for an elegant rijstafel supper.
Meals: (B,D)

Discover the Panorama Mesdag, a huge circular canvas depicting Scheveningen, The Hague’s fashionable seaside resort as it looked in the 1880s. Then continue to the charming town of Haarlem for lunch. Visit the Frans Hals Museum, housing a collection of masterpieces by Hals. At teatime board the Amacello for our seven-night cruise. This evening the captain invites us for a welcome reception followed by dinner.
Meals: (B,L,D)

Dock in Rotterdam, largely rebuilt after World War II and justly famous for its cutting-edge architecture. A morning city tour takes us past buildings by Renzo Piano, Piet Blom and Rem Koolhaas. Alternatively, you may wish to discover the Windmills of Kinderdijk, nineteen perfectly aligned windmills that comprise Holland’s largest grouping. After lunch travel to Delft, birthplace of Vermeer. Admire the vibrant market square, tree-lined canals and gabled homes, and visit the last remaining Delftware pottery factory, dating from the 17th century. Rejoin the ship in time for dinner.
Meals: (B,L,D)

Arrive this morning in Zeeland, a region of dikes and neatly kept farms that is mostly below sea level. In Middelburg, with its charming houses and 15th-century town hall, a visit to the Zeeuws Museum highlights its unique collection of 16th-century tapestries. In the afternoon cruise to Ghent. We will be welcomed at the magnificent Cathedral of St. Bavo for a viewing of its greatest treasure, the 15th-century Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (Ghent Altarpiece) by the Van Eyck brothers.
Meals: (B,L,D)

Bruges, which is our focus today, is a medieval gem laced with canals and gardens. Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady with its celebrated Madonna by Michelangelo and view the collections at the Hans Memling Museum, housed in the Hospice of St. John. After lunch at Duc de Bourgogne which overlooks the waterways, visit the Groeninge Museum and stroll in this enchanting town. This evening attend a special onboard concert of chamber music performed by one of Europe’s exciting new quartets.
Meals: (B,L,D)

Step ashore in the morning to visit the 17th-century Rubens House and the cathedral, where the painter’s justly famous Descent from the Cross is on display. You may wish to see the Plantin-Moretus House. This former residence and workshop of a leading family of printers has an enchanting Renaissance garden. After lunch on board, enjoy a cruise through the lovely countryside of central Holland.
Meals: (B,L,D)

From Arnhem, remembered for its World War II battles, drive to the Dutch Baroque Het Loo Palace, beautifully restored to its original 17th- century glory. Explore the lovely gardens, with a wealth of fountains, urns and statues. Enjoy lunch on our way to the Hoge Veluwe National Park, whose moors, forests and open fields are often depicted in Van Gogh’s drawings and paintings. Then experience the Kröller-Müller Museum, a treasure house of modern art with a sculpture park that art critic John Russell called “still the best of its kind in the world.” Celebrate a memorable voyage this evening a farewell dinner hosted by the captain.
Meals: (B, L, D)

Be on deck this morning as we cruise into Amsterdam, past gabled houses and mansions. Board a canal boat for an architectural tour of the city. Then discover the Rijksmuseum, the State Treasury of Dutch paintings. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure, perhaps to visit the van Gogh Museum and the Rembrandt House or stroll to the Singel, site of a colorful floating flower market.
Meals: (B, L, D)

Disembark the Amacello this morning and transfer to the airport for the flight to New York, arriving in the afternoon.
Meals: (B)

Depart New York on an overnight flight to Brussels.

Upon arrival in Brussels continue to the five-star Hotel Amigo, well-located just off the Grand Place, one of Europe’s most beautiful public squares. Following an afternoon walking tour, dinner is at the hotel.
Meals: (D)

At the Museum of Fine Arts, view one of the world’s finest collections of Flemish paintings. Lunch is at leisure before we walk to the nearby Coudenberg Archeological site. A fascinating visit underneath the Place Royale allows us to discover the remains of this former Palace of Brussels. The balance of the day is unscheduled for individual pursuits.
Meals: (B)

We are invited this morning for a private tour of the landmark Hotel Sôlvay, a restored Art Nouveau residence of the late Mme. Wittamer-de-Camps. Designed by Victor Horta, it is among the key masterpieces of this style. Following lunch at leisure, discover the David and Alice van Buren House, where we have been invited to see the wonderful Art Deco interior, the impressive collection of 15th- to 20th-century paintings and lovely gardens designed by René Péchère. Dine this evening at one of Brussels’ finest restaurants.
Meals: (B,D)

The morning is at leisure before we depart for The Hague. En route we will stop for lunch at a lovely manor house. After our gourmet meal, depart through the Dutch countryside, past dams and dykes to the Hilton Hotel, where we will join the main group.

Enjoy three nights at the five-star Hotel Amigo, well located just off the Grand Place. At the Museum of Fine Arts, view one of the world’s finest collections of Flemish paintings. We are invited for special visits at the landmark Hotel Sôlvay, a restored Art Nouveau residence of the late Mme. Wittamer-de-Camps, and the David and Alice van Buren House, with wonderful Art Deco interiors, an impressive collection of 15th- to 20th- century paintings and lovely gardens designed by René Péchère. A fascinating visit underneath the Place Royale allows us to discover the remains of this former Palace of Brussels.
Meals: (B, L, D)