Country Roads & Jewels of Europe

This 11-day guided tour whisks you through scenic Belgium, Luxembourg and The Netherlands. In Luxembourg, indulge in a farm-to-table feast at the horse-stables-turned-restaurant L'Écurie du Parc, then stroll past the 12th-Century Clervaux Castle after dinner. Climb to the top of the star-shaped Mardasson Monument for a birds-eye view of the fields where the World War II’s Battle of the Bulge was fought. Cruise through Amsterdam’s canal district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sailing past 16th-Century merchant houses and the iconic Magere Brug — the skinny, white-painted wood bridge over the Amstel River. Later, join a Local Expert at the Rijksmuseum, where you can view Rembrandt's ‘Night Watch’, and see a shoemaker whittle wood into traditional clogs.

Start your enthralling river journey, exploring the essence of The Netherlands and enjoying a fascinating tour of Alkmaar, renowned for its Dutch cheese-making traditions. Then set sail through scenic countryside and witness the quintessential sight of Dutch windmills. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Düsseldorf and soak up the sights of Cologne, one of Germany’s oldest cities, resplendent with its magnificent Gothic cathedral. Then discover ancient Koblenz, a charming city dating back to Roman times. Cruise along the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge, passing fairytale-like castles, before continuing upstream to Heidelberg, an esteemed UNESCO City of Literature. Marvel at Strasbourg’s striking medieval architecture and then explore Freiburg, an enchanting Black Forest destination, where you can sample delicacies of the region.

Your Fly, Tour & Cruise Package Includes:

• $2,000 flight credit per person
• 10 night Country Roads of Belgium, Luxembourg & the Netherlands guided tour with Insight Vacations, Brussels to Amsterdam
• 3 nights 4-star accommodation in Amsterdam with breakfast
• Henri Willig Cheese Tasting Experience
• 7 night Jewels of the Rhine river cruise onboard Emerald Sky, Amsterdam to Basel
• Includes meals, select beverages, guided tours, airport transfers, tipping and gratuities plus more
• 1 night 4-star accommodation in Basel with breakfast

Tour includes:

• Stylish hand-picked accommodation
• Authentic dining – 10 breakfasts, 5 dinners
• Top-rated highlights & unique experiences
• See the Brussels Atomium
• Ghent St Bavo's Cathedral Visit
• Amsterdam Canal Cruise
• Amsterdam Rijksmuseum Visit with an Art Historian
• Select transfers

Pricing is per person twin share and based on travel 23 May – 13 June 2026

Single traveller pricing available. Please speak to one of our travel consultants for more details

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Welcome to Brussels

Airport transfers depart Brussels airport for your centrally-located hotel. After checking in, the afternoon is yours to relax. Join your Travel Director for a visit to the cheeky Manneken Pis statue and a leisurely stroll around the Grand Place, voted the most beautiful square in Europe. Your delightful first evening also includes dinner at a local restaurant in the heart of the Old Town, with an opportunity to mingle with your fellow travellers.

Day 2: The Battlefield of Waterloo or Chocolate Truffle Making Lesson

Explore Brussels with Insight Choice. Learn about Napoleon’s final defeat at Waterloo, or join a private chocolate truffle making lesson and tasting with a master chocolatier, and further explore Brussels with a Local Expert. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to the lively city of Antwerp.

Day 3: Ghent and on to Bruges

In the morning, admire the contrast of the Chinese and Japanese Pavilions and the impressive, metallic spheres of the Atomium. Your journey then crosses the pasture lands of Flanders to reach Ghent, the City of Flowers, offering a fascinating cultural mix of medieval heritage and modern urban life. With a Local Expert, take a stroll through the historical streets and be mesmerised by the outstanding beauty of its quays, churches and squares. Visit St. Bavo's Cathedral, former home of the Eyck masterpiece, and see the Castle of the Counts. Continue to Bruges, where you'll stay for the next two nights. Meet your Local Expert in Bruges for a stroll along cobbled streets, lined with high-gabled houses from the 16th century. Visit the Market Square dominated by the 83 m (272 ft) medieval bell tower, the Belfry of Bruges. Explore Burg Square with its ornate Gothic town hall and glorious frescoes on the walls of the Holy Blood Chapel.

Day 4: Bruges

Enjoy a relaxed start and leisurely morning to explore the city of Bruges at your own pace. With your free afternoon, perhaps join an Optional Experience to visit the historic town of Ypres. Explore the market square and attend the famous Last Post Ceremony, commemorating the fallen Allied Forces on the surrounding Flanders Fields.

Day 5: Luxembourg

Travel into the French-speaking region of Wallonia, where picturesque country roads lead you to the late 19th-century Maredsous Abbey. Surrounded by the lush greenery of the Molignée valley, the Benedictine monks have toiled for over 100 years to create a cultural household for arts and crafts and a successful school, brewery and cheese plant. Your visit concludes with a sample of freshly brewed beer and a taste of creamy, golden-crusted cheese. Continue on to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to arrive at your 18th-century château home for two nights. In the evening, you will be served a fresh and delicious Farm-to-Table dinner at restaurant Les Écuries du Parc. See the 12th-century Clervaux Castle illuminated on your stroll after dinner.

Day 6: Luxembourg City and Countryside

Your travels continue to Luxembourg City for sightseeing with your Local Expert this morning. Visit the grave of U.S. General George S. Patton, laid to rest alongside the men who fought and died in his great Third Army. Admire the view over the Petrusse Ravine from the Pont Adolphe and stroll through the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see the cathedral and the Palace of the Grand Duke. The afternoon is free for you to explore Luxembourg City at your leisure, or perhaps join an Optional Experience to the ancient Roman city of Trier, birthplace of Karl Marx, to explore with a Local Expert. Later, return to your hotel in the stunning scenery of the Luxembourg Ardennes hills.

Day 7: Explore Bastogne then on to Rotterdam

Head for Bastogne to visit the Mardasson Monument, a star-shaped memorial dedicated to the U.S. troops who died during Battle of the Bulge in World War II. You may choose to climb to the top for a perspective of what it might have been like during the winter of 1944. Visit the Bastogne War Museum, a fascinating modern and interactive memorial center highlighting the causes, events and consequences of WWII. Travel through all three Benelux countries today as your journey continues to Rotterdam, the world's largest port rebuilt after wartime devastation. During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the impressive market hall and its radical modern design and the Erasmus Bridge.

Day 8: Delft and The Hague

Visit one of the manufacturers of original Delft blue pottery before moving on to the Hague, the elegant governmental centre of the Netherlands. See where the Parliament is situated, and the impressive Peace Palace. Select departures visit Keukenhof Gardens, one of the world's largest flower gardens, an unforgettable experience not to be missed. Pass through picturesque villages and windmills of the Dutch countryside to Amsterdam for three fabulous nights. In the evening, join a dinner cruise through Amsterdam’s canals, where the menu reflects the city's longstanding Indonesian influence, a legacy of its colonial history.

Day 9: Amsterdam Sightseeing

Explore Amsterdam at your own pace, where Golden Age architecture and centuries-old canals sit alongside contemporary city life. Stroll past 17th-century merchants’ houses, whose gabled facades tell the story of Amsterdam’s historic trading wealth. Alternatively, choose to venture into the Dutch countryside on an Optional Experience to IJsselmeer. Cruise across the lake to Marken and Volendam—two traditional communities known for their wooden houses, fishing heritage and regional dress. While there, you’ll have the chance to sample Dutch pancakes, a popular local speciality. In the evening, perhaps visit a canal-side cafe, browse an independent gallery or join an Optional Experience dinner.

Day 10: A True Dutch Delight

Start the morning with a visit to the newly refurbished Rijksmuseum with a Local Expert, Amsterdam's famed treasure trove of Dutch art, housing Rembrandt's ‘Night Watch.' If you choose, continue your cultural exploration with a visit to the Van Loon Museum, an elegant 17th-century canalside house. Later, journey to the village of Monnikendam, learn the secrets of the Cheese Maker's craft, from milk to the finished product. Then witness a traditional Shoemaker turn a block of wood into clogs. In the evening, join your newfound friends and Travel Director for dinner at a beautiful restaurant in Monnikendam.

Day 11: Depart Amsterdam

Bid farewell to the Dutch capital and your fellow travellers as you transfer to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.

Cruise Itinerary:

Day 1: Amsterdam

Upon arrival in Amsterdam, you'll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your innovative Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will welcome your arrival.

Day 2: Amsterdam

This morning, discover the charm of Alkmaar, a picturesque Dutch town just a short distance from Amsterdam. Explore its historic center, lined with charming canals and medieval buildings. Alkmaar is famous for its centuries-old cheese market where traditional cheesemakers showcase their craft and engage in lively auctions. Immerse yourself in the local culture in this typical charming town. Alternatively, embark on a bike tour through the Dutch countryside. In the afternoon enjoy sailing on the Rhine River, perhaps grab a drink on the Sun Deck and watching the passing scenery before joining the welcome dinner.

Day 3: Dusseldorf - Cologne

Join a walking tour of Düsseldorf, a vibrant city renowned for its stylish boutiques and charming Old Town. Stroll along the picturesque Rhine River, admire the stunning architecture, and discover hidden gems off the beaten path. Later this day we will arrive in Cologne, famous for its Gothic Cathedral. This afternoon you can immerse yourself in the city's lively atmosphere, indulge in delicious local cuisine, and experience the unique charm of the city.

Day 4: Koblenz

Immerse yourself in fairy tale-like surroundings today as we cruise to Koblenz, a town with a postcard-worthy backdrop of vineyards and mountain ranges. Your included walking tour of this Roman town will unveil the twin-towered façade of the Church of Our Lady, the point at which two of Europe’s great rivers meet at the German Corner. Enjoy sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge this afternoon. Here, romantic castles sit atop tree-covered canyons and half-timbered medieval villages appear suspended in time.

Day 5: Mannheim (Heidelberg)

This morning, you will discover Heidelberg. The idyllic UNESCO City of Literature has inspired the likes of Mark Twain and famed British artist William Turner. A guided tour of the town will unveil its rich history, starting at the Renaissance ruins of Heidelberg Castle, where the carefully curated gardens host serene water features, sculptures and colourful flowerbeds.  If you are feeling more active, you can also join a hike that will give you fantastic views over Heidelberg. And tonight, our EmeraldPLUS invites you to join a magical private concert in a historical venue.

Day 6: Kehl - Strasbourg

This morning, you'll dock in Kehl to be transferred by coach to the picturesque town of Strasbourg, where a medieval past is yours to discover among cobbled squares surrounded by half-timbered houses. During your included excursion, you will have the opportunity to discover the heart of Alsace in Strasbourg and embark on a journey through the typical flavours of this region.

Day 7: Breisach - Freiburg

Today, as part of your incredible EmeraldPLUS programme, you will visit the city of Freiburg. Considered the 'Capital of the Black Forest', Freiburg has lovely sights that will amaze you. As part of your visit, you will also have the opportunity to sample authentic Black Forest delicacies. If you're feeling more active, you can choose to pedal your way through Breisach on a guided bike tour.

Day 8: Basel

After breakfast, it's time to say farewell to your Star-Ship and fellow guests and disembark for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of the Black Forest with you.

Prices listed are per person in NZD, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking and shown on the lowest category available at the time.  Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 19-01-2026 and can be withdrawn without notice.   Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated.  Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Visas are not included.  Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.