A CRUISE THROUGH EUROPE S LOW COUNTRIES

Transcription

1 A CRUISE THROUGH EUROPE S LOW COUNTRIES ENJOY A 7-NIGHT CRUISE FEATURING KEUKENHOF, THE GROOT-BIJGAARDEN SPRING SHOW AND THE 35TH GHENT FLORALIES, ABOARD THE AMAWATERWAYS AMAVIOLA APRIL 27 - MAY 05, 2016 Dear Friends, Some of the world s most enchanting regions in the springtime are Europe s Low Countries, of Belgium and the Netherlands. Tulip fields near Amsterdam burst with color, and golden daffodils grace the tranquil Begijnhof of canal-laced Bruges. But the Low Countries aren t only about pretty flowers. Belgium and the Netherlands offer something for everyone: from the riches of Brussels and Amsterdam to unspoiled medieval towns alive with local culture. Each day you will be treated to outstanding lectures, guides and tours. We will visit Amsterdam, Volendam, Edam, Arnhem, Nijmegen, Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Willemstad and Kinderdjik. This area is home to dozens of Europe s finest gardens including the spectacular garden of Keukenhof, and Holland s famed bulb fields. As an added treat, we will enjoy the Spring Show in Groot Bijgaarden, Belgium s rival to Keukenhof. Plus we ll enjoy seeing the city of Ghent burst into bloom with the Gentse Floralien, the Floralies of Ghent, earning the city the nickname the City of Flowers! This is very special experience, as it is the 35th Anniversary of the event that is held just once every 5 years. This is also the first time the show is being held outdoors all across the city. Join John Jeffers and fellow Connoisseurs Travelers for a relaxing and beautiful journey next April on the AMAWaterways AmaViola. The AmaWaterways ships are literally the best River Cruises available. Each ship is like a small European boutique hotel, with outstanding cuisine (wine included with dinner!), lovely staterooms, (each shower has three shower heads, pillow top mattresses) and a gracious and accommodating staff who cater to your every need. Prices begin at $ per person. Don t delay- call our office at for availability and reservations. Happy Traveling! Kathryn

2 Day 1 - DEPART USA/CANADA: APRIL 27, 2016 Board your international flight to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Day 2- ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND EMBARKATION: APRIL 28 Welcome to Amsterdam, a modern city with a rich and fascinating 700-year old history. Explore its unique and elegant architecture, lively cafés and markets, and vibrant nightlife. This evening, meet your fellow passengers on board at the Welcome Dinner. (D) Day 3 - AMSTERDAM VOLENDAM EDAM: APRIL 29 After breakfast, enjoy a scenic morning cruise through the historic harbor and canals of Amsterdam. See the beautiful homes that line the water, the fabled Skinny Bridge, and the famous house where Anne Frank spent years in hiding during World War II. Later, enjoy a panoramic city tour that includes a windmill and other iconic landmarks. Return to the ship for lunch while you cruise the Ijsselmeer towards Volendam. Enjoy a late afternoon tour of Volendam Harbor and see the fishing fleet and fish auction building. Continue by motor coach to Edam, a picturesque town with a rich historic past. You will have a walking tour of the Old Quarter s beautiful houses, canals, bridges and churches, including one of the largest in Holland, the Grote Kerk (Great Church). (B,L,D) Day 4 - ARNHEM NIJMEGEN: APRIL 30 Arrive in beautiful Arnhem early this morning and choose from two tours today. Your first option is to see the monument commemorating the Battle of Arnhem Bridge made famous by the classic film A Bridge Too Far. You ll also visit the Airborne Museum and learn more about the Battle of Arnhem, one of the major campaigns of World War II. Your second choice is a tour of the most stunning royal residence in Holland, Het Loo Palace, with lavishly furnished rooms and meticulously sculpted gardens. After your tour, return to the ship for lunch and cruise to Nijmegen for some free time. Enjoy scenic cruising this evening as you sail through the Netherlands en route to Belgium. (B,L,D) Day 5- ANTWERP, BELGIUM: MAY 1 This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Antwerp and see Antwerp Castle, Grote Market, Brabo Fountain and the city s superb architecture. Alternatively, visit the Rubens House, former home and studio of Peter Paul Rubens, the famous 17th century Flemish Baroque painter. You will also visit the Antwerp Cathedral, which houses two of Rubens most important works, The Elevation of the Cross and The Descent from the Cross. The afternoon is free to explore Antwerp on your own. Alternatively, take an optional excursion to nearby Brussels, the capital of Belgium and site of NATO headquarters. After dinner, your ship departs for Ghent. (B,L,D)

3 Day 7 - WILLEMSTAD, THE NETHERLANDS KINDERDIJK SCHOONHOVEN: MAY 3 This morning we will stop in the charming 400-year old town of Willemstad for a walking tour and special organ recital at the oldest Protestant church in the Netherlands. In the afternoon, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk, a lovely village renowned for having the country s greatest concentration of windmills, all dating from the 18th century. Tonight the ship cruises to Schoonhoven, where we will moor overnight. (B,L,D) Day 6- GHENT: MAY 2 After breakfast, take a guided walking tour of Ghent, which includes such highlights as the Belfry Hall, the Koornlei, the Graslei and the Castle of the Counts. This afternoon you may take an optional excursion to Bruges, one of Europe s most perfectly preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Early this evening, cruise through the Dutch region of Zeeland, home to one of the world s most complex engineering projects, the Delta Works, which took more than 30 years to complete. (B,L,D) Day 8 - AMSTERDAM KEUKENHOF AMSTERDAM: MAY 4 We arrive in Amsterdam today. Admire the spectacular display of millions of flowering tulips during your morning excursion to the famous 70-acre Keukenhof Gardens. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to delightful Zaanse Schans, a small historic village just outside of Amsterdam. The ship moors overnight in Amsterdam. (B,L,D) Day 9 - DISEMBARKATION DEPART AMSTERDAM: MAY 5 Disembark the ship and prepare for your homeward flight. (B) THE SPRING SHOW IN GROOT-BIJGAARDEN The spring flower exhibition in the park and the greenhouses at the castle of Groot-Bijgaarden will celebrate its 13th anniversary, which will be an unforgettable flower experience. The 14-hectare park incorporates nearly all spring bulb varieties. Under the direction of specialists from The Netherlands, the castles gardeners have planted more than 1 million bulbs by hand. During the four weeks in which the exhibition takes place, flower lovers will have the opportunity to discover 500 varieties including 400 tulip varieties. The tulips are divided into three categories: early-flowering, mid-season and late-flowering. THE FLORALIES OF GHENT For the Floralies of Ghent, 2016, the Arts Quarter - the Citadel Park, Saint Peter s Square, the Leopold Barracks and the Bijloke site - will form the setting for a 10-day bustling flower and plant festival with floral art, inspirational gardens, nature-inspired projects and exhibitions. Admire the work of top florists and grandmasters who confront floral art with fine art and historical locations, as well as experience interactive workshops. Japan will be an honourable guest of the 2016 festival. Ghent and Kanazawa have been sister cities since 1971, having artistic, economic and administrative relations for 150 years. In the framework of this successful agreement, Kanazawa will play a major role as floral artists enter into a dialogue with an Eastern theme.

4 FARES & INFORMATION: 7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside state room - most staterooms offer French Balconies or revolutionary Twin Balconies Life enriching tours and excursions daily with personal head set included Limited Edition Tours Entertainment on demand in all staterooms featuring free high-speed Internet access, hit Hollywood movies, extensive music library & English language TV stations Complimentary Wi-Fi access on board Terry bathrobes and white-on-white plush bedding in all staterooms Fine dining with all meals included during your cruise Multiple dining venues What s Included in this Cruise: Cruise Pricing:* Unlimited red & white wines from Europe s great wine regions, beer & soft drinks with every lunch and dinner on board Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain s Gala Dinner Special highlights including lectures, cooking demonstration, onboard music performances and piano music Bicycles to explore on your own & guided bicycle tours Services of professional Cruise Manager All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck) Transfers between hotel and ship are included with the purchase of cruise & land package; airport transfers are included with the purchase of airfare from AmaWaterways All local taxes Category Deck Stateroom Cruise Only Cruise & Land Plan E Piano Fixed Windows $3,199 $2,949 n/a D Piano Fixed Windows $3,498 $3,248 n/a C Violin & Cello French Balcony $4,098 $3,848 n/a BB Cello French Balcony & Outside Balcony $4,598 $4,348 n/a BA Violin French Balcony & Outside Balcony $4,798 $4,548 n/a AB Cello French Balcony & Outside Balcony $4,998 $4,748 n/a AA Violin French Balcony & Outside Balcony $5,198 $4,948 n/a SUITE Violin French Balcony & Outside Balcony $6,398 $6,148 n/a *Fares are per person, based on double occupancy and reflect all savings. **Port charges add $ per person ROOM DIAGRAMS Category E/D (160 sq. ft.) Category C (170 sq. ft.) Category BB/BA (210 sq. ft.) Category AB/AA (235 sq. ft.) SUITE (350 sq. ft.)

5 GENERAL INFORMATION, TERMS & CONDITIONS Please read the Terms & Conditions in their entirety prior to making any payment for this tour. Any payment made towards a tour booking shall constitute a confirmation by the Guest on behalf of themselves and all other persons named on their booking that he or she has read, understood, accepted and agreed to the Terms & Conditions of this tour, the terms of which will apply to the Guest and all other persons named on their booking. DEPOSIT & FINAL PAYMENT A Deposit of $ per person is due to reserve a place on this tour. Deposits and payments can be paid by check or any major credit card. Final payment is due January 28, PRICE OF CRUISE & TOUR Cruise prices begin at $2, per person double occupancy depending on the cabin selected. Single Supplement Rates are available, please contact us. Tour cost does not include items of a personal nature. The Travel Insured Group Deluxe travel insurance protection plan is strongly recommended. Please call us for more information, and for single supplement insurance prices. CONNOISSEURS TOURS PROTECTION PLAN PROVIDED BY TRAVEL INSURED Traveling is a big investment. It pays to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances that can result in trip cancellation and additional expenses such as costs related to medical emergencies. This Travel Insured Protection Plan is specifically designed to provide you with peace of mind knowing you are protected against the financial impact of unexpected events while on your trip. Additional insurance is available to include the cost of your airfare. Please contact Connoisseurs Tours if you would like to insure the cost of your airline tickets after your have purchased your airline tickets. See below for the Schedule of Coverage: Trip Cancellation* (not applicable if $0 trip cost) Trip Cost* Trip Interruption** ($500 return air only if $0 trip cost) 150% of Trip Cost* Cancel for Work Reasons Trip Cost* Trip Delay 6 hours $750 ($150/day) Baggage/Personal Effects $1,500 Baggage Delay 24 hours $400 Accident & Sickness Medical Expense $50,000 Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation $250,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment $25,000 Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services Included benefits are requested and the appropriate plan cost has been paid. Maximum limit of $10,000 **150% of Trip Cost paid up to a maximum of $10,000 for the unused portion of Your Trip and the transportation cost to re-join the Trip or return home. CANCELLATION CHARGES $ from the time of booking to 120 days prior to departure is non-refundable. $ per person from 120 days to 90 days prior to departure is non-refundable. 50% of the cruise & land price from 89 to 60 days prior to departure. 100% of the cruise & land price from 59 to 0 days prior to departure. All cancellations must be in writing. RESPONSIBILITY Connoisseurs Tours acts only as an agent for the traveler with respect to transportation, accommodations and other services offered on the tour. Connoisseurs Tours and their agents assume no responsibility or liability for any act, error or omission, or for any injury, loss, accident or delay or irregularity that may be caused by any defect in any aircraft, ship, train, bus or other carrier or through neglect or default of any sub- contractor or other third party. The passage contract in use by the carriers when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the traveler. Connoisseurs Tours and/or their agents will not be responsible for loss, injury, damages or expenses to person or property, due to illness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature or other such causes in connection with the tour for anything beyond their reasonable control. Connoisseurs Tours is not responsible for transportation or other delays or changes in the tour program beyond their control, nor any additional expenses or loss of time that may be incurred by the traveler. It may be necessary or advisable for the well-being of all travelers to alter the itinerary at any time, without notice to the travelers, and such alterations will be made without penalty to Connoisseurs Tours. Connoisseurs Tours reserves the right to decline or not to retain any person as a member of any tour or to change or withdraw a tour as circumstances demand. All rates quoted are based on tariffs in effect at the time the tour was planned and are subject to change in the event of adjustment therein. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk and baggage insurance is recommended. Connoisseurs Tours reserves the right to substitute hotels of equal or superior quality. The proposals of this section are governed by Georgia law, and final payment by the traveler to Connoisseurs Tours shall be deemed to be consent to the above provisions. VALIDITY July 16, 2015 through November 5, 2016 *Up to the lesser of the Trip Cost paid or the limit of Coverage for which