Avalon Optional Excursions - Cruise Day 6 Brussels

ONLY FOR EDWARDS & SCOTTS consideration: 

Since most of the group will be spending extra time in Brussels, this tour would be redundant.

This is available while in port at Antwerp as an Optional Tour.

THURSDAY, 6 April       1:00 -

Grand Place

6:00pm        $50pp

Brussels - Europe's Secret Capital

Duration:

5 hr

Total Travel Time:

2 hr

Activity:

3 hr

Brussels is the capital of Flanders, Belgium and Europe, a francophone enclave in the Flemish northern part of Belgium. The Lower Town is centered around the magnificent Grand' Place and still follows a vaguely medieval form, with its narrow, atmospheric streets. The Grand' Place itself, a wide-open cobble- stoned medieval square of elegant guild houses, is one of Brussels' few set-piece attractions with the Town Hall as its landmark building; its spire will be your point of reference as you weave through the Lower Town streets. The daily business of Brussels takes place here, in the many local bars and cafés whose character and quality are the stuff of legends. South, amid the tourist shops in rue de l'Etuve, is the little statue of a naked little boy, a perfect representative of the irreverent Belgian humor. The unique Brussels icon has been amusing visitors since 1619. Brussels, the capital of 500 million Europeans, is waiting to share its treasures with you.

Style Categories: Sightseeing

• Pace: Steady

• Mobility: Mildly Challenging

Inclusions

Gratuities: All gratuities have been included in the price of the excursion.

Guide: A guide, instructor or leader is included with this excursion.

Headset: On this excursion a headset will be provided to ensure you hear all the information clearly.

Pick Up & Drop Off: Drop off is included in the price of the excursion.

 

Avalon Optional Excursions - Cruise Day 2 Muiderslot Castle

OR, on the same day:

SATURDAY, 1 April      1:00-5:00pm       $64pp The optional Muiderslot Castle tour.
                                                                   I plan to sign us up for this tour.  Love my castles! 

Muiderslot Castle

Visit the imposing Amsterdam Castle, the Muiderslot, which gives you a real taste of Dutch history. It is part of the Defense Line of Amsterdam and included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Amsterdam Castle: Muiderslot, a Genuine Castle, for a Real Taste of History

Duration:

4 hr

Total Travel Time:

1 hr

Activity:

3 hr

Visit the imposing Amsterdam Castle, the Muiderslot, which gives you a real taste of Dutch history. It is part of the Defense Line of Amsterdam and included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. During the guided tour through rooms full of authentic furniture and paintings from the Dutch Golden Age, you will imagine yourself in a painting by Rembrandt or Frans Hals. The guided tour through the museum's rooms, all refurbished in 17th-century style, evokes the period, when Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft, also known as the 'Dutch Shakespeare', occupied the castle. In the beautiful herb and vegetable gardens, which still retain the atmosphere of the Dutch Renaissance, you will find many, often forgotten, flowers, herbs and vegetables from times gone by. A walk along the ramparts offers fantastic views of the water-rich environments and the Pampus island fortress. You should not miss the visit to the most beautiful and best kept medieval castle in the Netherlands.

Style Categories: Sightseeing

• Pace: Steady

• Mobility: Mildly Challenging

Inclusions

Gratuities: All gratuities have been included in the price of the excursion.

Guide: A guide, instructor or leader is included with this excursion.

Headset: On this excursion a headset will be provided to ensure you hear all the information clearly.

Hotel Drop Off: Drop off is included in the price of the excursion. 

Avalon Optional Excursions - Cruise Day 2 Volendam & Edam

Hello River Cruisers: Should you wish to pack in more fun, more to see, these OPTIONAL tours are available for your purchase until 27 March 2017.  I've included the prices here.

Reminder:
Arrival to Amsterdam is on Thursday, 30 March, and may be a recovery day for jet lag. But you'll have at least part of the day for being out and about; then Friday before or after you drop off your luggage at our ship IMPRESSION, you'll have time to explore.

Review the early post "Oh the Places We'll See" for the included itinerary before deciding on any optional tours.

SATURDAY, 1 April     1:30pm-5:15pm   $42pp    The optional Volendam & Edam tour will follow the included morning tour (the canal cruise), then lunch on the ship, before departing for Volendam & Edam.
 

• You may prefer to go on your own to the Heineken Tour after the canal cruise.  It is one of the most visited sites in Amsterdam.  Grant and I thought it was interesting, but most of my group from our 2012 trip thought this was the best tour ever!  Free tastings included. We walked to the location.
• Click Here for Heineken Experience info
• If not, check out the info below.

Volendam & Edam

Anyone who wants to see the real beauty of Holland, should visit Edam and its neighbor, Volendam. Famous for its cheese, Edam is the perfect picture of a Dutch city, which has maintained it`s old-world atmosphere.

Fishermen's Villages on the Former Zuiderzee.

Duration:

3 hr

45 min

• Pace: On the Go  

• Mobility: Mildly Challenging

Total Travel Time:

30 min

Activity:

3 hr

15

Anyone who wants to see the real beauty of Holland, should visit Edam and its neighbor, Volendam. Famous for its cheese, Edam is the perfect picture of a Dutch city, which has maintained its old-world atmosphere. Full of charm it is a unique example of a Zuiderzee harbor city with its gabled, red brick houses. Together with your local expert you are going to explore this town on a walking tour.

"The pearl of the Zuiderzee" Volendam is your typical Zuiderzee fishing village; as a result of its completely isolated location, this village preserved its character for six centuries, also because of the tough vitality of the fishermen. The characteristic small houses, which together with the canals and the drawbridges form the most picturesque spots, present the visitor with an atmosphere of geniality and romance. Nowadays it is a shopping paradise for any tourist, and you will have free time to indulge.