Cruise priced from $2,859 to $3,378 (plus airfare).

In addition to being your host throughout the entire cruise, Burt will conduct the following special events:

1. A tasting of the Beers of Belgium.
2. A tasting of the Chocolates of Belgium.
3. A tasting of Dutch Cheeses.
4. A tasting of the Distilled Spirits of Holland.
5. An introduction to the History of European Architecture.
6. An introduction to Pairing Food and Wine.

• Prior to the cruise departure, Burt will mail each guest a packet of his research and background material about the tour locations and a DVD of one of his programs that relates to the tour. These materials are his personal evaluation of the area – the history, art, architecture, what to eat, what to buy, and what to see. It will give you detailed background information on the places we are going to visit. It will also give you some ideas for things you might like to do in your free time.
• Onboard, Burt will present an overview of the area and give a number of talks about the importance of the locations we will be visiting.
• Cruising through Holland and Belgium is a perfect combination of cruising and touring with a pace you set yourself.
• Unlike ocean cruising, our river cruise often docks right in the city centers and the old towns. You can tour close to the ship or venture further into town.
• The ship’s entire interior is non-smoking and all announcements are in English.

With Burt as your host, the cruise will begin in Amsterdam and travel through Holland and Belgium, ending back in Amsterdam. The cruise itinerary includes stops in Schoonhoven, Dordrecht, Kinderdijk, Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Middelburg, Rotterdam, and Volendam, with excursions to Keukenhof Gardens, Edam, and Holland's Delta Works.  Avalon Tranquility’s English-speaking Captain, Cruise Director, and Crew are experienced professionals dedicated to your comfort.

Amsterdam is Holland's capital and one of the great cities of the world. It is sophisticated and modern with 700 years of history. Walking the city will introduce you to its classic architecture, cafes, restaurants, and unusual shops. This evening we will attend a reception and welcome dinner onboard our ship.

We'll visit the town of Schoonhoven, situated on the river Lek. The city dates back to 1280 and is nicknamed "The Silver City" for its tradition of silver and gold working. We'll also find out about the history and technology of windmills in the town of Kinderdijk, with its functioning mills preserved from the 17th century.

Our morning is in Antwerp which is Belgium’s second-largest city and the second largest harbor in Europe. It is a city filled with architectural highlights, most of which date from the 16th (the golden era of Antwerp) and the 17th centuries. During the early 17th century, Antwerp was the home of the painter Peter Paul Rubens. We will also visit the Grote Markt with its beautiful city hall and the Church of Our Lady.

Antwerp is the diamond center of the world and therefore the perfect spot to visit the diamond district. Burt has prepared a short guide to diamonds that will be helpful to anyone planning a purchase.

Today we will visit the city of Ghent. Ghent has managed to preserve its medieval charm and power while keeping up with the times. The city center is a showcase of medieval Flemish wealth and commercial success. It is also the flower city of Belgium. Flower growers from the area around Ghent sell their begonias and azaleas all over the world.

In order to defend themselves against rampaging Vikings, the people who lived on the coast of Zeeland constructed fortified settlements. Middelburg is a perfect example. Few other cities in The Netherlands present as many monuments per square meter as the city of Middelburg, and they all testify to the former wealth of the town. The city's Abbey is situated in the heart of town and covers about a quarter of the area of the former fortified castle. You can still feel the presence of the monks who lived there in past centuries. We'll also visit the town hall which is considered one of the most beautiful in Holland. There is an excursion this afternoon to the Delta Works, a series of locks, dikes and sluices that protect The Netherlands from flooding.

This is our day in Rotterdam. Over the centuries it has grown from a fishing village into an international center of trade, transport, industry, and distribution. Located on the Maas River, the regenerated city center is filled with avant-garde architecture, shopping, restaurants and cafes. We’ll make an excursion to the nearby gardens of Keukenhof which encompasses over 70 acres of parkland with lakes, sculpture gardens, greenhouses and a windmill. The millions of flower bulbs that are grown here present a spectacular display of blooms.

Today we begin in the city of Volendam -- with its maze of fishermen's houses built on poles, its unique open harbor, and small timbered church dating back to 1658. Next, we take an excursion to the little town of Edam, the Dutch province of North Holland where Burt has arranged for a tasting of Dutch cheeses and a tour of the city. Our stroll will take us past tea-houses, the leaning Carillon tower, a museum with a floating cellar, the Town Hall and the Great Church. The Church is one of the largest churches in The Netherlands and has an extraordinary collection of richly colored stained glass windows dating back to the 1600's. And finally to Amsterdam for a tour of the city by Canal Boat. We'll cruise through canals lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's Golden Age.

Homebound flights should not leave Amsterdam before 10:00am. Your flight will arrive back in the U.S. the same day (Sunday 5 April).

One of the most popular aspects of a Burt Wolf river cruise is the excellence of the food and free wine onboard. Each full day on board, there is a full breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is a cocktail reception, welcome dinner, and Captain’s dinner --- one sitting with open seating arrangements (non-assigned). At dinner, each evening, there is a selection of a red wine and a white wine from Europe’s most famous wine regions, which are served throughout the meal without charge.

Breakfast: 7:00am – 8:30am
A buffet table includes a wide variety of breads, cereals, fruit and fruit salad, cold cuts, smoked salmon, cheeses, pastries, yogurts, and juices. Scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, and other hot items can vary from day to day. The chef will prepare fresh omelets and other egg dishes to order.

Lunch: Usually served at 12:30pm depending on the cruise schedule
Buffet-style with appetizers, soups, sandwiches, cold cuts, breads, salad bar, two main courses (one of which may be a carving station), dessert table, cheese board, and fresh fruit.

Afternoon Tea:
Coffee, tea and cake will be served either in the lounge or on the Sun or Sky Deck.

Dinner: Usually served at 7:30pm depending on cruise schedule.
Dinner is traditionally four courses including a vegetarian selection. Choice of entrees with every dinner including complimentary red and white wines from the region.

Since 1982, Burt has written and produced over 4,000 segments for Cable News Network (CNN), 800 segments for ABC (the American Broadcasting Company), 125 half-hour programs for the travel division of The Discovery Channel, 25 half hours for the Family Channel, and 250 half hours for Public Broadcasting. He has been nominated for two Cable Ace Awards and a national Emmy in connection with culture and history.

Air Transportation between the U.S./Amsterdam and Amsterdam/U.S. can be made privately or through Avalon Waterways/Globus. Avalon Waterways/Globus offers competitive air-inclusive prices, including Business Class. Avalon Waterways/Globus offers free airport transfers (3/29/09 Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to the Amsterdam meeting point; 4/5/09 ship to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport) when you book your transatlantic flights with Avalon Waterways/Globus.

Those wishing to extend their stay (arriving earlier and staying later) may make those arrangements on their own or may book with Avalon Waterways/Globus.

The Land/Cruise cost, per person (based on double occupancy):

Cabins are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Expenses not included in the Land/Cruise cost include: roundtrip airfare, travel insurance, port tax (approximately $98.00); miscellaneous expenses onboard (laundry, internet, telephone, minibar, liquor/food not on the regular menu, porters at airports, excess baggage fees, gratuities to your Cruise Director, guides, and ship’s crew), passport, airport transfers in Europe (approximately $70.00 per person), and all other items of a personal nature. If you book your air with Avalon Waterways/Globus the airport transfer fee is waived.

Burt evaluated dozens of ships before selecting the Avalon fleet. The Avalon Tranquility introduces a new type of ship to cruising. The navigational bridge is located in the stern, behind the passenger section, allowing for a more spacious interior. The lounge and restaurant, located in the front of the vessel, give unimpeded views of the passing landscape. In addition, the Sky Deck is a large space for sunning, taking pictures, or simply relaxing. Avalon Tranquility features the Silent Drive System (SDS). The ship’s engines are located at the back of the ship and are separated from the passenger compartment which produces a quieter cruise than traditional small ships.

Built: 2007; Length: 443 ft.; Crew members: 43; Staterooms: 81; Jr. Suites: 4

	1 Sky Deck with Deck Chairs 2 Navigating Bridge 3 On-board Camera 4 Lounge 5 Bar 6 Lobby 7 Hairdresser 8 Restaurant 9 Reception 10 Foyer 11 Fitness Center 12 Galley
Royal Deck	Sapphire Deck Aft
Royal Deck	Indigo Deck Forward
Sapphire Deck Forward
Cabins
Staterooms 172 sq. ft. 1 Bed 2 Toilet 3 Washbasin 4 Shower 5 Closet 6 Writing Desk 7 Sliding glass doors	Suites 258 sq. ft. 1 Bed 2 Toilet 3 Washbasin 4 Shower 5 Closet 6 Writing Desk 7 Sliding glass doors 8 Sofa 9 Coffee Table