The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express & The Tulips Of Amsterdam

This holiday allows you to travel between the two famous canal cities of Europe in ultimate luxury with a journey on the world’s most famous train, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Starting in Venice and finishing in Amsterdam, including a river cruise with a visit to the Tulips of Keukenhof Park.

After a city break in Amsterdam, spend a week on board MS Amadeus Imperial to enjoy the best of the low countries, with a selection of optional excursions to enjoy and wonderful surroundings to relax in as you sail. Join this incredible Rail & Sail holidays, packed with culture, and make once-in-a-lifetime memories.

Itinerary

Day 1 - UK to Venice

Fly to Venice where you will be transferred to the city centre close to your hotel to spend the night. You can choose to extend your stay in the Venice, just talk to our team who can arrange this for you.

Day 2 - Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

It is time to travel on the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for your sensational overnight journey. As soon as you step on board, the sense of a time gone by is unmistakable. Dinner is served in one of the three gorgeous restaurant carriages while your steward transforms your cabin into cosy sleeping quarters with crisp linen sheets for your overnight journey. You can retire after dinner or join your fellow travellers in the Bar Car until the small hours.

Day 3 - Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Following a continental breakfast served in your cabin, the train will continue onwards and you’ll enjoy your lunch in one of the restaurant cars. You can relax in your cabin or in the communal areas as you enjoy the views from the windows. If you are still feeling peckish, also included is a selection of pastries before you alight in Amsterdam in the evening and transfer to your Amsterdam hotel, where you will stay for three nights.

Days 4-5 - Amsterdam

To get the most of your time in Amsterdam, we have included a full-day excursion to experience three quintessential icons of the Dutch countryside — windmills, cheese and wooden clogs, as well as a visit to Anne Frank’s house. It is entirely up to you on what you would like to do with the rest of your time in the city. You can hire a bike, visit the museum quarter and take in a Van Gogh or two, hop on a canal cruise and enjoy the city’s famous nightlife.

Day 6 - Start Cruising

Today is the day where your river cruise begins! You will be transferred to Amsterdam’s cruise port to board MS Amadeus Imperial for your 7-night full-board river cruise. There is a wide selection of optional excursions to choose from, including the region’s highlight at this time of year; the iconic Keukenhof Park to visit the famous colourful floral displays or the once every 10 years Floriade Expo.

As well as having plenty of optional excursions for you to enjoy, there is lots more on the ship that you will love too. With free-flowing wines from Europe’s famous wine regions, beer and soft drinks with every lunch and dinner onboard, gourmet dining, in-stateroom infotainment centre, Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner and Captain’s Gala Dinner, services of an English-speaking Cruise Director, on-board entertainment, complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hr tea and coffee station and much more!

Day 7 - Arnhem

Arnhem one of Europe’s most unique cities and is a thriving fashion town with fine museums and beautiful parks. In the morning, you can choose to join the city tour of Arnhem. On this excursion, you will get to appreciate its beautiful sights and delve deeper into the history of World War II at the War Museum.

In the afternoon, you can choose between a trip to the Open Air Museum or the Kröller-Müller Museum. The Open Air Museum is all about the charming Dutch buildings, industries and crafts of bygone times, while the Kröller-Müller Museum houses the second-largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world.

Day 8 - Middleburg

Watch the world go by in the morning before arriving at Middleburg just before lunchtime. Middleburg was one of the places where the Dutch East India Company flourished in the seventeenth century, this lovely city features historic merchant houses and storefronts lining its canals.

For your afternoon excursion, you can visit the Netherland’s “modern wonder of the world,” the Delta Works, which protect the southwest of the Netherlands from the sea. This excursion also includes a visit to the historic village of Veere. Alternatively, you can take part in a walking tour of Middelburg to see and learn more about its significant history and rich culture.

Day 9 - Ghent

During the night, you will dock in beautiful Ghent, which you can explore in the morning. As an important medieval city-state in the late middle ages, Ghent boasts a wealth of well-preserved medieval architecture. The city tour will include a visit to the Gravensteen, which was the residence of the Counts of Flanders until 1353.

In the afternoon, you can join the Bruges excursion. Bruges is home to one of the most charming city centres in Belgium and is also known as the “Venice of the North” thanks to its many canals. If you prefer to remain in Ghent, you can sample some local delicacies as part of an afternoon beer and chocolate tasting.

Day 10 - Antwerp

After breakfast, you can join the excursion to the politically and culturally significant city of Brussels, which is situated nearby. Amongst other things, you will visit the iconic Atomium, which was created for the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair. You will also pay a visit to the Cinquantenaire Park with its triumphal arch, built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Belgium’s independence.

In the afternoon, you can explore Antwerp in a comfortable coach. Famous for its diamond trade, the city also boasts many cultural highlights such as the Cathedral of Our Lady with paintings by the famous Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens.

Day 11 - Kinderdijk to Rotterdam

In the morning, pay a visit to Kinderdijk, which houses the most unique windmill complex in the world. At midday, your ship will arrive in Rotterdam, the second largest city in the Netherlands.

After lunch, you can marvel at the Rotterdam port, Europe’s largest seaport, during a harbour cruise and discover local food in a visit to the iconic Market Hall. Alternatively, you can explore the world-famous Keukenhof gardens or take a tour to the lovely canal town of Delft, renowned for its Delft Blue ceramics which have been manufactured and hand painted there since the seventeenth century. This evening is the Captain’s Gala Dinner, providing the perfect finish to the day.

Day 12 - Amsterdam

Amsterdam welcomes you back today. In the morning, cruise through the lovely, verdant canals of Amsterdam while learning more about the city’s history and significance. You will also have the chance to visit the flower market.

After lunch, you can go to Waterland in North Holland, where you will stop in the fishing village of Volendam and the equally picturesque town of Edam. Renowned for its cheeses, this is the perfect spot for a cheese tasting. Alternatively, you can visit Haarlem in the afternoon, where you will learn more about its art, history and the Dutch lifestyle. If you’d like to see the amazing Floriade flower and horticultural exhibition, which is held in the Netherlands every 10 years, you can, instead, join the full-day excursion for a visit to this unmissable event.

Day 13 - Homeward Bound

It is the last day of the holiday. You will return to the London by direct Eurostar service from Amsterdam.