Trip Summary
Unpack once and relish a carefree, seven-night cruise packed with fascinating history and springtime splendor in the Netherlands and Belgium! Delight in the charming canals of Amsterdam and the wonderland of vibrant tulips at Keukenhof Gardens. Appreciate the impressive medieval old town of Antwerp and the well-preserved Gothic gems of Bruges. Other ports of call introduce you to Enkhuizen, a stately Dutch Golden Age city, and Veere, a laid-back harbor town. Plus, enjoy a choice of included cultural and culinary experiences in several ports. Savor the ever-changing panoramas and relaxing comforts that make river cruising so appealing!
Event Itinerary
Day 1: In Transit
- Depart from your gateway city for Brussels, Belgium
Day 2: Brussels → Antwerp
- Transfer from Brussels to the ship in Antwerp
- Guided walking tour of medieval Antwerp including Cathedral of Our Lady
- Onboard enrichment: Contemporary Belgium
- Overnight in port in Antwerp
Day 3: Bruges → Veere
- Morning drive to Bruges for a guided walking tour of Old Town
- PYJ Excursion options:
- Cultural Bruges with art museum visit
- Bruges & Beer with brewery tour and tasting
- Bruges & Belgian Chocolate with sampling and demonstration
- Return to ship in Middelburg and cruise to Veere
- Welcome Reception and Dinner
Day 4: Veere
- Free day to explore Veere at your leisure
- Optional Elective: Visit Neeltje Jans & Delta Expo to learn about Dutch water engineering
- Ship moors overnight in Willemstad
Day 5: The Hague • Delft • Gouda
- Onboard enrichment: The Dutch Masters
- PYJ Excursion options:
- The Hague & the Mauritshuis, including Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring”
- Old Delft & Royal Delft Porcelain Factory
- Gouda walking tour and cheese tasting
- Afternoon cruise to Enkhuizen
Day 6: Enkhuizen • Hoorn
- PYJ Excursion options:
- Enkhuizen Walking Tour & Zuiderzee Museum
- Historic Hoorn Walking Tour
- West Frisian Bicycle Tour through countryside villages and dikes
- Afternoon at leisure in Enkhuizen
- Evening cruise to Amsterdam
Day 7: Amsterdam
- Onboard enrichment: Contemporary Netherlands
- Guided canal cruise through Amsterdam
- Free afternoon to explore the city independently
Day 8: Amsterdam
- Visit Keukenhof Gardens during peak tulip season
- Afternoon at leisure
- Farewell Reception and Dinner onboard
Day 9: In Transit
- After breakfast, transfer to the airport for return flights
Meet Your Faculty Expert
John Stomberg
Dr. John R. Stomberg retired from his position as the Virginia Rice Kelsey 1961s Director of the Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College in July 2026—a position he had held for over a decade. He earned a BA from Georgetown University and both an MA and Ph.D from Boston University—all in art history. The primary focus of his scholarship is global art and culture since 1900. Moving between photography, prints, paintings, sculpture, media art, and installation work, his exhibitions have been conceived to broaden our understanding of how art operates in, and often shapes, society.
He publishes on modern and contemporary art and issues directly related to museums, education, and academia. A veteran of over a dozen alumni trips, both domestic and abroad, Dr. Stomberg is known for both his lively presentation style and accessible scholarship. He now spends most of his time as a painter focused on abstraction.