The Experience
Once you’ve cleared customs at the Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport(AMS), you will be greeted by a Transcend Cruises representative, and transferred the short distance to Rotterdam. Upon arrival, embark upon your floating hotel for the week, The Gentleman and enjoy lunch onboard. Spend the afternoon to rest and recharge, or enjoy the beautiful mild summertime weather in Holland by taking a walk as we’re docked in the heart of the city. Later this evening, join your fellow travelers for a memorable sailaway Welcome Reception on deck, followed by an incredible culinary experience onboard hosted by our LGBTQ+ Guest Chef, Todd Erickson.
The Experience
This morning, upon arrival in Kampen, we’ll set out for the whimsical, car-free village of Giethoorn which seems to have materialized out of a fairy tale. Board a local boat and glide through four miles of picturesque canals, taking in the quaint scenery. Later, immerse yourself in the pleasures of small-town Dutch life while exploring on foot, viewing 18th-century farmhouses set against the Weerribben Wieden nature preserve.
Lunch is served aboard ship. Later this afternoon we venture back out on foot to explore Kampen and view the town’s historic highlights. Poised at the mouth of the Ijssel River, the medieval city of Kampen was once an important port in the Hanseatic League. With well-preserved town gates and grand towers, Kampen is packed with historic buildings, including merchant houses and churches. Elegant tall ships dock along the river’s edge, and a traditional shipyard recreates the town’s Hanseatic heyday. End your guided walk with a visit to a local brewery and learn about the evolution of Dutch beer during a tour and tasting.
The Experience
This morning enjoy your time aboard The Gentleman attend a talk by a local expert on the history of Belgium cuisine moderated by Guest Chef Todd Erickson. Upon arrival to Antwerp after lunch onboard, we take a guided walking tour of the city’s fashionable second city, which became a thriving center of commerce and publishing in the 1500s. Admire its grand architecture—ranging from baroque to Art Nouveau—and hear about its vibrant history as you stroll through café-lined squares and winding alleys. Antwerp is well-known as a capital of the diamond industry, and more than 80% of the world’s rough diamonds pass through the Diamantkwartier, the largest diamond district in the world. Antwerp is also known for incredible food! As part of our tour, sip Belgian beer, taste the waffles, pralines, fries, and chocolates that make Antwerp, Antwerp. This walking discovery tour takes you through the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the city.
The Experience
Your second day in Belgium offers you the chance to visit one of two national gems: beautiful Bruges, the capital of West Flanders and one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, or fascinating Ghent, the capital of East Flanders, whose long history does not weigh on its vibrant present.
Belgium’s second-largest city, Ghent, abounds in medieval architecture, but nothing museum-like about the city. It’s lively and brims with cutting-edge boutiques and galleries. Since cars are entirely banned in Ghent’s historic center, it’s a particularly pedestrian-friendly area. Stroll with your guide from the Church of Saint James, with its two Romanesque towers, to the Friday Market square, which, as its name suggests, was the site of a huge market every Friday in the Middle Ages. You’ll pass the magnificent 15th-century Great Butchers’ Hall and the elegant medieval trading houses that line Graslei and Korenlei streets. Your last stop is the Belfort, the great bell tower that rises above the Old Town. Afterward, you’ll have time to explore and savor Belgian treats on our included foodie tour. Enjoy the remainder of your afternoon exploring Ghent independently with a complimentary return shuttle to the ship.
Alternatively, you may choose a scenic drive to Bruges, which gives Amsterdam a run for its money as the “Venice of the North” as you cruise through the UNESCO-designated city center. The town grew up around a fort built by the first Count of Flanders to defend against Viking invaders. By the 14th century, Bruges had become the center of the international cloth trade. Merchants and traders worldwide came to Bruges for Flemish cloth, and the town’s bounty of beautiful churches and mansions testify to its prosperity. Your local guide will take you past the Begijnhof and the Church of Our Lady to the canal cruise terminal, where you’ll board boats for a cruise through Bruges’s picturesque canals. Following lunch on your own, end your tour at the Brewery de Halve Maan, where six generations of the Maes family have brewed fine beers since 1856. On a tour, learn how beer brewing has changed over the decades, and sip a sample in the brasserie.
This afternoon, return to Ghent to enjoy some independent exploration before heading back to the ship later this afternoon.
The Experience
On our way into the city center, we’ll take you on a panoramic tour of the major sightseeing spots in Brussels, such as the Royal Residence, Chinese Pavilion, and Japanese Pagoda. From there, we’ll set out on foot to see the city up close—and taste an iconic local sweet along the way: Belgian waffles! Walking around, it may feel like you see them on practically every street, but we’ll make sure you try one of the best examples around for a real taste of what makes Belgian waffles so delicious.
The Experience
Today we return to Holland and a city with more than 1,670 national heritage sites, some of which can be seen on your Old Town walking tour. Not only that, it’s also known as one of the most beautiful and romantic cities of Holland and beloved for its convivial lifestyle and historic center, which has long played a strategic role in European politics.
Meander through the historic city center of Maastricht with your local guide and take in all of the city’s prettiest sites. During your walk, you’ll discover the picturesque streets of the Stokstraat Quarter and various charming promenades across the old and new city centers. You’ll take a peek into City Hall to see the wall tapestries, stucco, ceiling paintings, and mantelpieces inside. As you go, you’ll hear the fascinating stories and amusing anecdotes of Maastricht history, its progression from Roman settlement to early industrial powerhouse, and the Mestreechter Geis (or “the Spirit of Maastricht”, which is what they call their local way of life).
The Experience
Immerse yourself in the history of the Dutch Royal family today as you visit the palace known as “Het Loo.” Built at the behest of William of Orange in the 17th century, it was a summer residence for his family. Now, in the 21st century, the palace serves as a museum, so travelers and locals can marvel at the stunning decorations and gardens that were once reserved for Dutch royalty. The heritage of this building and the House of Orange-Nassau are excellently preserved, all of which you can learn about at your leisure as you admire the beautiful property.
Following lunch onboard, for those that would like to continue the adventure, we hop on our e-bikes for a picture-perfect outing that offers you the chance to pedal past everything from the oldest Dutch city and a tiny polder village to quaint tea gardens and the Bay of Bison. Apart from the many natural wonders you are sure to encounter, you’ll enjoy a glimpse into the technological advances in water management of the Nijmegen area. Cycle along the beautiful terrain of the Dutch countryside, starting next to the Waal Bridge, where U.S. forces famously got stuck for nine months amid World War II. You’ll bike past the Valkhof, a Roman fortress featuring ruins, a historic chapel, and a new art museum.
As you ride along the hills of Ubbergen and Beek, you’ll marvel at the many handsome homes and views of the polders below. Leave the Dutch “mountains” behind as you descend into the charming polders, with their verdant landscapes, farms, and some of the smallest towns and churches in the country.
The Experience
Following breakfast, we bid you farewell and provide airport transportation to Amsterdam and your Amsterdam Pride Celebration Weekend or the Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport with memories of a remarkable cruise.
