Spring is the perfect time of year to immerse yourself in the cultural and horticultural splendours of Belgium and the Netherlands and our itinerary is a well balanced mix of horticulture, history, art and culture. For art lovers we have included the fine establishments of The Hague and Nuenen, home of the Van Gogh Village Museum, whilst we will also visit the horticultural splendours of Keukenhof. Not forgetting the beautiful Flemish cities, we spend time in Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges where we will explore the historic canals, cobbled streets and Medieval buildings. We also visit Southern Zeeland’s charming and lesser known ports of Middleburg and Veere. From the comfort of the elegant, 100-passenger MS River Crown, we will criss-cross the intricate network of rivers and waterways that make the Low Countries such a unique region and will witness the gentle landscape and picturesque cities and towns which so inspired the Old Masters.
River Crown
We are delighted to have chartered the elegant 100-passenger MS River Crown, a spacious and well-designed vessel which was built in 2008 and is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade in 2025. The atmosphere on board is friendly and informal and within days you will have made new friends in the open-seating restaurant, on the shore excursions or whilst relaxing in the comfortable public areas. You will find yourself amongst like-minded people in an English-speaking environment and for those who seek peace and quiet, there will always be the opportunity to find a secluded spot on the Sun Deck, in one of the relaxing public areas or to simply rest in your well-appointed cabin. Guest Speakers will provide a series of interesting talks and our Cruise Director will host informative port briefings. After a day exploring ashore, you will return to the comfort and peace of a well-run and exceedingly comfortable vessel.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Brussels, Belgium.
Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the MS River Crown for embarkation. Moor overnight.
Day 2 Brussels.
After breakfast we take a panoramic drive around Belgium’s capital city where we will see the most important landmarks before exploring the city centre on foot. See the stunning Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its Town Hall and Guild Houses. Our tour will end with a tasting of the well-known Belgian beer. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon sailing and this evening meet your fellow travellers for welcome drinks and dinner.
Day 3 Antwerp.
Spend the day in the charming city of Antwerp. In the mid-16th century it was one of Europe’s most important cities and home to Baroque painter Pieter Paul Rubens. Today, Antwerp retains an intriguing Medieval heart alongside a vibrant café culture, a riverside fortress and a truly impressive Gothic cathedral. Our morning tour here will include a visit to the delightfully restored Rubens House and St Jacobskerk. Return to the ship for lunch and this afternoon is free to explore ashore further or join a tour to the Museum Plantin-Moretus which has acquired UNESCO World Heritage status; an astonishing place that is home to the world’s oldest printing press and priceless manuscripts. Sail this evening towards Ghent.
Day 4 Bruges.
This morning we drive to Bruges which was one of the largest and finest cities in Europe. The 15th century Belfry still dominates the centre and the Town Hall, St John Hospital and the Begijnhof border the narrow canals. We will see some of the most important places and buildings which survive from the Middle Ages including the Basilica of the Holy Blood, City Hall, the Begijnhof, Minnewater and the Belfry and Church of Our Lady. Return to the MS River Crown and moor overnight.
Day 5 Ghent.
After breakfast today we will explore the highlights of this Flemish gem including St Bavo’s Cathedral, home to the unique altarpiece ‘The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’, painted by the Van Eyck brothers in 1432. We also visit the ancient port at Graslei with its unique row of historic buildings, St Nicholas’ Church and those feeling active can explore the grandiose Castle of the Counts (Gravensteen). Return to the ship for lunch and sail.
Day 6 Nuenen, the Netherlands.
Arriving into the Netherlands we drive this morning to Nuenen where Van Gogh lived between 1883 and 1885 and where he painted his first major work ‘The Potato Eaters’. We will visit the Van Gogh Village Museum which depicts his time in the city and its influence on his painting styles. We will also see some of the locations in Nuenen painted or sketched by the artist. Return to the ship for lunch and the afternoon is free for relaxation or independent exploration.
Day 7 Dordrecht & Kinderdijk.
Dordrecht will be our base to see the nearby marvellous Windmills of Kinderdijk, of which there are 19 in total, dating from 1740. Return to the ship for lunch and the remainder of the day is free to explore Dordrecht with its old world atmosphere and quaint shops, cottages and canals.
Day 8 Rotterdam, The Hague & Delft.
From Rotterdam we depart for a full day tour. Our first stop will be The Hague for a visit to the beautiful Mauritshuis Museum with its marvellous collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings. Afterwards continue on to Delft, birthplace of Vermeer. We will have lunch in a local restaurant followed by a walking tour of this pretty town and a visit to see the Delft Blue Pottery.
Day 9 Keukenhof Gardens.
After breakfast drive to Keukenhof Gardens for a morning in this extraordinary horticultural heaven. With 32 hectares of flowers, more than seven million bulbs in bloom and 800 varieties of tulips, this is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Return to the ship for a late lunch and the remainder of the afternoon is free for independent sightseeing in Rotterdam. Sail in the late afternoon.
Day 10 Middelburg & Veere.
Today we explore Southern Zeeland, starting with the lovingly restored Medieval town of Middelburg whose 12th century abbey is one of the oldest in the Netherlands. Join a guided walking tour this morning before returning to the ship for lunch after which we sail on to the 13th century town of Veere. Formerly a seaport but now within a lake due to the Delta works carried out in the 1960s, it is a charming place with well preserved houses and a marina. Enjoy free time here to explore at your own pace. This evening join farewell drinks and dinner on board as we sail back to Brussels.
Day 11 Brussels to London.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Dates and Prices
17 to 27 April 2026 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
Premium with French Balcony Middle Deck | £4995 | £4495 |
Premium with French Balcony Upper Deck | £5295 | £4795 |
Deluxe with French Balcony Middle Deck | £5795 | £5295 |
Deluxe with French Balcony Upper Deck | £5995 | £5495 |
Queen Suite with Balcony Upper Deck | £6795 | £6295 |
Standard Single with porthole | £4995 | £4495 |
Premium with French Balcony Middle Deck for sole use | £6295 | £5795 |
Tour Reference Code: RCRC170426
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • 10 nights aboard the MS River Crown on a full board basis • House wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner • Shore excursions • Noble Caledonia onboard team including Guest Speaker • Gratuities • Transfers • Port & airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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Deck Plan
River Crown
We are delighted to have chartered the elegant 100-passenger MS River Crown, a spacious and well-designed vessel which was built in 2008 and is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade in 2025. The atmosphere on board is friendly and informal and within days you will have made new friends in the open-seating restaurant, on the shore excursions or whilst relaxing in the comfortable public areas. You will find yourself amongst like-minded people in an English-speaking environment and for those who seek peace and quiet, there will always be the opportunity to find a secluded spot on the Sun Deck, in one of the relaxing public areas or to simply rest in your well-appointed cabin. Guest Speakers will provide a series of interesting talks and our Cruise Director will host informative port briefings. After a day exploring ashore, you will return to the comfort and peace of a well-run and exceedingly comfortable vessel.
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Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000