“In what other country can one find such absolute freedom.”

- 17th Century French philosopher Rene Descartes

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is a country where freedom has come with responsibility and hard work. It is a country where the word “land” means something special – a valuable resource won from the sea. For, in literal terms, when you walk on dry land in The Netherlands, your head is barely above sea level in some places, and well below it in others. Amsterdam itself is 10 feet below sea level. Although the country is often known as Holland, this name actually only relates to the country’s heavily populated western provinces of Noord (North) and Zuid (South) Holland.

For many, the enduring image of the country is of a land unremittingly flat, criss-crossed by canals and dotted with windmills. Popular imagination conjures up pictures of clogs, cheese and swaths of brightly colored tulips. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is, of course, a far more complex and fascinating entity than such assumptions imply. The Dutch people are self-confident and accomplished, qualities that have evolved from their history and surroundings. Although they could easily boast of the way in which their environment has been mastered, they are refreshingly modest and restrained. The Dutch are enthusiastic and friendly, and show tolerance and mutual respect for others.

Tulips are a universal symbol of the country. They are also part of the Dutch flower trade, which accounts for 70 percent of the world market in exported flowers. An exciting and popular trip is take a river cruise through Holland at “tulip time” and visit the great floral explosion at the Keukenhof Gardens. While idling slowly down the river, one will see the scenery that inspired Vermeer. Since most cities are 170 miles from Amsterdam, it is easy to explore the rest of this fascinating country. The Hague, the seat of the Parliament, is an elegant spacious city and is the home of the International Court of Justice and the Peace Palace, funded by Andrew Carnegie. Nearby, is the charming town of Delft, famous for its elegant, handmade porcelain. The largest seaport in Europe, Rotterdam, is the dynamo that drives today’s Holland. Maastricht, a fortified medieval city of great interest, is at the southernmost tip of The Netherlands.

Amsterdam is a thoroughly modern city that has retained the traditions of its past. Just a few steps from a bustling main street visitors are enveloped by the peaceful, relaxed atmosphere of earlier times. Picturesque, tree-shaded canal waterways divide Amsterdam into numerous islands connected by bridges. Amsterdam is a flower-filled city of exhilarating art museums, glorious civic buildings, unique and decorative architecture, quality stores, superb restaurants and an entertaining street life. Must-sees include the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, the Rembrandt House and the Nieuwe Kerk.

THE 17^TH CENTURY DUTCH MASTERS TOUR

Unique Art Tour designed for European Spas and Tours

Land only

Special Visits to the Famous Dutch Museums

And

Celebration of Rembrandt’s 400^th Birthday

Depart USA for Amsterdam and The Hague. A guided tour through the Maurits House to see the Vermeer masterpieces (The girl with the Pearl Earring), Rembrandt, Jan Steen and Frans Hals. Stay at the 5 star Kurhaus Hotel.

Day Two – Visit the two largest and most famous museums in Amsterdam: The Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. Enjoy the vast collections with special paintings presented for this year alone.

Day Three – Visit the smaller museums in Amsterdam and The Hague: The Rembrandt House with a major retrospective exhibit and the Panorama Mesdag featuring the oldest 19^th cylindrical painting of a sea vista and the Scheveningen village.

Day Four – Visit the city of Leiden, where Rembrandt was born 400 years ago. A Rembrandt walking tour has been created just for his birthday celebration. Also included is the Lakenhal Museum that features three unique birthday exhibits.

Day Five – Visit the Kroller Muller Museum in Otterloo. Extensive works from a private Van Gogh collection and the 50-Acre Sculpture Garden create a monumental ensemble of art, architecture and nature.

Day Six – A trip to Haarlem to visit the Frans Hals Museum and then on to the medieval city of Delft for a Vermeer walking tour.

Day Seven – Goodbye to Holland and your return to the USA.

SHOPPING AND WINE TOUR

Unique, Luxury Tour (land only)

Castles, Shopping, Wine and Culinary Delights!

Depart USA for Amsterdam. Luxury coach transfer to the 5 * Kurhaus Hotel at the beach resort of Scheveningen.

Land only

Superb Dining with all meals on board including a cocktail reception, welcome dinner, Captain’s Gala dinner, one seating with open seating arrangements, quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions with every dinner

Seven nights deluxe cruise from Amsterdam to Amsterdam in outside cabins with hotel-style beds

Nightly piano music on board

Enrichment Programs, Cultural Presentations and Lecturers on Board

City Tours and applicable admission charges

Visits to Amsterdam, Arnhem, Antwerp, Ghent, Holland-Veere-Delta Works, Rotterdam, and Volendam