Holland & Belgium in Bloom

 

DAY 2 – APRIL 8, 2027

Experience the beauty of spring in Europe on this 8-day Holland & Belgium river cruise, where vibrant tulip fields, historic cities, and charming waterways create an unforgettable journey.

Sail aboard an Emerald Cruises Star-Ship and explore the Netherlands and Belgium at a relaxed pace. From the windmills of Zaanse Schans to the cobbled streets of Antwerp and the blooms of Keukenhof Gardens, enjoy a perfect balance of guided experiences and free time—immersing yourself in local culture while unpacking just once.

DAY 3 – APRIL 9, 2027

ARRIVAL – AMSTERDAM

Depart Bruges after breakfast and travel to Amsterdam for a visit to the Anne Frank Museum prior to transferring to your cruise ship.

(B,D)

DAY 4 – APRIL 10, 2027

AMSTERDAM - ZAANSE SCHANS

Beyond Amsterdam’s storied canals, a gentler rhythm unfolds as you venture into the Dutch countryside. Today’s included excursion takes you to Zaanse Schans, a charming village known for its iconic windmills, traditional green houses, and artisan workshops.

EmeraldPLUS: Onboard clog painting demonstration with a local artisan.

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided e-bike tour through the scenic Waterland region.

(B, L, D)

DAY 5 – APRIL 11, 2027

Discover Rotterdam, the Netherlands’ second-largest city and Europe’s busiest port, known for its bold, modern skyline shaped by post-war reconstruction and innovative design.

EmeraldPLUS: Visit The Hague, the country’s royal and administrative capital, including entry to the Mauritshuis Museum, home to masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer, including “Girl with a Pearl Earring”

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided cycling and tasting tour through Rotterdam, exploring historic districts and local culinary highlights

DiscoverMORE: Delft pottery factory visit or hands-on Royal Delft tile workshop (additional cost)

(B,L,D)

DAY 6 – APRIL 12, 2027

ROTTERDAM - WILLEMSTAD

Spend the morning in Rotterdam before returning to your Emerald Star-Ship and cruising to the charming fortified town of Willemstad.

Today’s included excursion explores Rotterdam’s striking architectural legacy, combining a guided coach and walking tour with time to experience the local atmosphere.

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided e-bike tour through the Dutch countryside, passing scenic landscapes and notable landmarks

(B,L,D)

DAY 7 – APRIL 13, 2027

ANTWERP

Arrive in Antwerp, Belgium’s largest port city, known for its rich artistic heritage and vibrant atmosphere along the River Scheldt.

Today’s included excursion is a guided walking tour through the historic centre, where cobbled streets, café-lined squares, and landmarks such as the Renaissance City Hall and the medieval Steen Fortress bring the city’s past to life. Time is also available to explore at your own pace.

DiscoverMORE: Full-day excursion to Bruges or a guided Antwerp experience featuring local chocolate traditions (additional cost)

(B,L,D)

DAY 8 – APRIL 14, 2027

NIJMEGEN

Welcome to Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands, with a history dating back over 2,000 years. Blending ancient roots with a lively, modern atmosphere, the city offers a mix of historic landmarks, green spaces, and cultural charm.

Today’s included excursion is a guided walking tour through the town centre, where Roman relics, medieval architecture, and highlights such as Valkhof Park and St. Stephen’s Church bring the city’s past to life.

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided cycling tour along the River Waal

EmeraldPLUS: Onboard performance by a traditional Dutch shanty choir

DiscoverMORE: Visit to Paleis Het Loo, the former royal summer residence (additional cost)

(B,L,D)

DAY 9 – APRIL 15, 2027

AMSTERDAM

Return to Amsterdam, a city of picturesque canals, historic merchant houses, and over 1,700 bridges. In spring, the city truly comes to life with vibrant colour and blooming landscapes.

Today’s included excursion is a visit to the iconic Keukenhof Gardens, where more than seven million tulips and spring flowers create one of the most spectacular floral displays in the world.

DiscoverMORE: Visit the Royal FloraHolland flower auction, explore hidden gems of Amsterdam, or enjoy a traditional Dutch apple pie experience (additional cost)

(B,L,D)

DAY 10 – APRIL 16, 2027

Departure – Amsterdam

After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to your fellow guests as you disembark your Emerald Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of wooden windmills and blossoming flowers with you.

(B)

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above.

Pricing below is per person and based on double occupancy with all taxes & fees included.

 

• Category C- Panorama Balcony Suite: $8,549.00
• Category B- Panorama Balcony Suite: $8,849.00
• Category A- Panorama Balcony Suite: $8,949.00
• Category S- Grand Balcony: $9,999.00
• Category SA- Owner’s One Bedroom: $10,899.00

A 2000.00 non-refundable deposit is due at time of booking. Final payment due October 23, 2026

We highly recommend the purchase of Travel Insurance for your holiday.

Ask your Travel Advisor for a quote.

Ready to plan your journey?

Reach out to your BST Vacations Travel Advisor for details and to book.

If you’re not currently working with an advisor, please send an email to info@bstvacations.ca

to be set up with an advisor.

INCLUSIONS:

• Roundtrip airfare from Toronto Pearson Airport
• 2 day pre-cruise land tour of Brussels & Bruges
• Includes Anne Frank Museum tickets , ½ day tour Brussels, ½ day tour of Bruges
• Airport transfers to and from your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
• Services of a BST Vacations Tour Host throughout
• 7 nights aboard an Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners
• Guided sightseeing and excursions as outlined in the itinerary, including:
• Visit to Zaanse Schans with its iconic windmills and traditional Dutch craftsmanship
• Visit to Keukenhof Gardens, featuring over seven million blooming tulips
• Guided tour of The Hague with entry to the Mauritshuis Museum
• Architectural tour of Rotterdam
• Guided walking tours in Antwerp and Nijmegen
• EmeraldPLUS experiences, including: Visit to the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague
• Traditional Dutch shanty choir performance
• EmeraldACTIVE experiences, including: Guided cycling tours in select destinations
• Onboard cultural experiences, including clog painting demonstration
• Services of local guides and onboard cruise staff

Pricing does not include:

• Optional DiscoverMORE excursions
• Travel insurance
• Gov’t taxes, levies, & fuel surcharges beyond our control
• Passport or visa fees (if required)
• Items of a personal nature

 

BST Escorted Group Terms & Conditions

(These Terms & Conditions do not apply to Charters. Separate T & C apply.)

Please carefully review the Terms & Conditions outlined below. Any reservation made with BST constitutes a binding agreement
signifying your acceptance of, and your agreement to follow, these Terms & Conditions, and to be bound by them.
To process your reservation, we will need your personal information including your name, address,
telephone number, email address, passport number, date of birth, citizenship, and information you have disclosed regarding health, medical, dietary, mobility and other special requirements. BST will require a copy of your valid passport at time of deposit.

Deposit and Final Payment
Deposit is due at time of booking to secure your reservation.

A Non refundable Deposit of $2000.00 CAD per person due at time of booking per person.

The final payment deadline is due in our office on or before December 10, 2026 All payments once received are non-refundable. Please refer to insurance sections below.
Please make cheques payable to Blowes and Stewart Travel. We also accept in-office cash / debit payments, or Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards. E-transfers are accepted, please send to pgraham@ bstvacations.ca Completion of the electronic credit card authorization form or the PDF credit card authorization form commits you to your reservation and the charges on your credit card. The Company reserves the right to cancel a reservation if payment has not been received by the specified due date. Final Travel details will be issued 2 weeks prior to departure.

Not Included in the Trip Cost
All quoted trip costs do not include items of a personal nature such as but not limited to; medical insurance, cancellation/interruption insurance, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, phone calls, airline baggage fees where applicable and meals that are not included or listed in the itinerary.

Escorted Group Cancellation Policy
All escorted groups require a minimum number of passengers to travel. Should minimum numbers not been reached, the Company has the right to cancel the tour with a full refund to the passengers booked. Refund will be processed
in manner received. Tours unable to operate due to Travel Advisory, acts of God, Terrorism or any other event and no fault of BST, will be subject to cancellation charges as
listed above. BST highly recommends the purchase of cancellation/interruption insurance for all trips. BST will
not be held responsible for loss of monies due to cancellation/changes. Your travel advisor will review your travel insurance options at booking. Medical insurance is mandatory for all trips outside of the Province of Ontario. If client has out of province medical insurance with a separate insurance provider, BST must be advised of insurance company name, policy number & company contact information prior to trip commencement. Persons leaving the tour during operation will not receive a refund of unused services and all
costs of returning to the point of
embarkation will be borne by the client. For additional information on packages/plans offered,
please visit https://www.igoinsured.com/Direct/ManulifeGlobal.aspx?ag=STEWPET&lang=E

Global Pandemic
Customer acknowledges the risks related to the spread of infectious or contagious diseases. It remains the customer's responsibility to take the necessary precautions applicable to any health hazards, including but not limited to a Global Pandemic. To ensure the safety of all guests and employees, suppliers may have mandatory safety protocols in place, and the
availability of their services and facilities may be impacted. Customer agrees to follow all current and future regulations/protocols set forth for safety in compliance with government policies at your own expense. BST is not responsible for any fees for, or associated with, mandatory government testing in destination or for returning to Canada,
quarantine or expenses relating to any Global Pandemic or similar. If additional insurance protection is declined, it remains the customer's responsibility to verify if their travel insurance policy covers a Global Pandemic. BST will not be held liable should customers be denied boarding due to insufficient proof of a negative Global Pandemic test prior to departure, or displaying symptoms of a Global Pandemic upon check in. No monies will be refunded to customers who have been denied boarding or refunded at port of entry.

Additional Notes

All prices listed are per person in Canadian Dollars unless otherwise noted. Pricing is based on supplier cost, currency exchange rates and conditions in effect at the time of brochure printing. Final payment may fluctuate based on changes to the currency exchange at that time. Should there be a pricing increase, a maximum of 7% of base cost, may be applied, or to the taxes and/or government-imposed fees, fuel surcharges or additional airline fees before final payment, these increased charges will be levied to the customer and applied to the final invoice. No additional surcharges may be applied after the trip is paid in full. All trips may be subject to change in situations beyond our control.

When travelling outside of Canada all Canadian passengers require a valid passport. If travelling with a foreign passport (not Canadian) BST must be advised at time of booking so we can advise accordingly. Most countries require passports to be valid for 6 months beyond the expected return date.

Some countries may also have visa requirements for entry. Any fees to obtain visas or additional travel documentation that may be required are the responsibility of the traveler. Entry into another country cannot be guaranteed and is at the sole discretion of the local authorities. BST takes no responsibility for a customer being denied entry into another country. Cancellation charges and any additional fees will be at the customer’s expense.

It is the passenger's responsibility to obtain information, and to have in their possession, all the required documentation to travel (such as passports, visa where applicable, etc.) required by the relevant governmental authorities, for themselves and passengers in their care. Note that the documents required for the outbound portion of your travel may differ from those required for the return.

BST is not responsible for any missing or inappropriate documents. Failure to have proper travel documents will result in denied boarding and automatic cancellation of your reservation without refund.

BST accepts any passengers that have a disability, intellectual or physical condition providing they are able to care for themselves during the trip which includes boarding the plane/bus on their own; participating in any included tours/sightseeing without assistance; the ability to understand meeting points/times and the ability to care for their own documents. BST will accept any passenger who’s intellectual or physical condition is such as to render him/her incapable of caring for him/herself without assistance, provided that he/she is accompanied by an attendant (at an additional cost) who is responsible for the passenger enroute and with the care of such attendant, he/she will not require attention or assistance beyond that which is usually provided by BST tour escort. Some destinations may not be suitable for physical mobility issues.

Baggage restrictions vary by airline and destination. Specific details will be provided with your final travel documents.

Please ensure that you have secured baggage tags to your luggage prior to arriving at the airport, train station or boarding the coach.

Please note that you are responsible for carrying your own luggage and are responsible for the safety and security of your luggage at all times. BST will not assume liability for loss, theft, or damage due to breakage, fire, water, or theft, during transport on the plane, coach, train or at hotel. Ask your agent for details of Baggage and Personal Effects Insurance coverage.

Airline seating requests are taken into consideration and sent to each airline if applicable. Additional charges apply for premium seating on aircraft. Specific seating on coaches or trains cannot be guaranteed. BST will try to accommodate all requests.

BST reserves the right to decline any person as a member of the trip at any time before or during the trip should such person’s presence be considered detrimental to the interest, comfort, and enjoyment of the other members. Persons leaving the trip after commencement will not receive a refund of unused services and all costs of returning to the point of embarkation will be borne by the client.

When travelling outside of Ontario, please note local customs may differ and conditions of travel may not be the same as home. Clients not travelling on full itinerary as outlined assume full responsibility for any cancellation penalties or fees incurred due to cancellation or alteration to itinerary in any way.

Our Role

In offering travel arrangements for sale, BST acts solely as the organizer of the tours and responsible for making all reservations as outlined. BST cannot be held responsible for supplier errors or omissions. We do not maintain any control over the personnel, equipment or operations of any supplier and we assume no responsibility for, and shall not be expected or required to pay for any financial loss, personal injury, other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience or irregularity which you may experience either by reason of (1) non-performance by any supplier for whatever reason (2) wrongful causes, negligent or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any supplier or its employees or on the part of any other party not under the control of BST (3) any defect, breakdown or other failure of any aircraft, train, bus, automobile, accommodation, ship or other equipment or instrumentality operated and owned or otherwise used by a supplier or (4) BST is not liable for any loss, damage, injury or death resulting from circumstances beyond its direct control such as unexpected weather conditions, civil unrest, acts of God, force Majeure or any other unforeseen circumstances.