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Western Front Explorer Itinerary
Day 1 - UK - Amsterdam
Arrive Amsterdam and embark your luxury river ship.
Day 2 - Amsterdam
Perhaps admire Amsterdam’s canals from a glass-top boat as you glide past 17th-century homes, churches and merchant houses. Otherwise, gourmet lovers will enjoy a culinary journey through Jordaan to visit a fishmonger, bakery and cheese store. After your chosen activity, we have left the afternoon free so you can get out and explore more on your own. Tonight, enjoy a gala welcome dinner.
Day 3 - Arnhem
In Arnhem, history buffs will love the Airborne Museum, viewing a depiction of the Battle of Arnhem in which the Allied Forces attempted to form a bridgehead on the northern banks of the Rhine river in September 1944. Or discover Arnhem on a guided tour and see the Sabelspoort (medieval city gate), the Mandela bridge and the Eusebius Church. You may like to take part in the Eusebius Experience and view Arnhem from 60 metres in the air on a glass balcony.
Day 4 - Nijmegen
Visit the Kroller-Muller Museum and see its sculptural art collection, including pieces by Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso. Or maybe visit the residence of the last German Emperor Wilheim II, Huis Doorn. After the German defeat in World War I, Wilheim II fled to the neutral Netherlands, where he lived on this estate in the Utrecht province from 1920 to 1941.
Day 5 - Maastricht
Savour a lunch at Chateau Neercanne, which commands impressive vistas across the Jeker Valley from its terraces. Tour Maastricht, renowned for its maze of tunnel caves, Roman history and historic architecture. Afterwards, enjoy free time.
Day 6 - Antwerp
Today you’ll arrive in Antwerp. You might like to spend today visiting the Battlefields of Fromelles, including the Flanders Field Museum, Pheasant Wood Cemetery and the VC Corner Australian Cemetery. Alternatively, enjoy a day at leisure to relax and explore Antwerp.
Day 7 - Antwerp
Explore Antwerp, Belgium's second city. Known for its diamond cutting industry, fashion and the many great artists that lived in its vicinity, Antwerp is a city focused on art and culture.
Day 8 - Ypres
Visit the Passchendaele Memorial Gardens, where each country that participated in the war has planted a small commemorative garden. Here, locals will share stories, music and poetry about World War I. Today, visit the Memorial Museum Passchendaele, Tyne Cot Cemetery – the largest Commonwealth War Graves site in the world – and the Polygon Wood battlefield. Later, you may like to experience the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate.
Day 9 - Ghent
Explore the Somme Battlefields, including the 1st and 2nd Australian Division Memorials and the John Monash Centre at Villers-Bretonneux. Alternatively, enjoy a guided discovery of Ghent, including a canal cruise. Today presents two very different sightseeing choices. Afterwards, return to your ship for dinner.
Day 10 - Ghent
Enjoy a full day to soak up the historic wonders of Bruges, including the Markt plaza and medieval bell tower.
Day 11 - Veere
Cruise into the Zeeland region, home to one of the world’s most complex modern engineering projects, the Delta Works, an incredible series of flood protection systems that took more than 30 years to complete.
Day 12 - Willemstad and Kinderdijk
Take a tour of Willemstad. After a midday sail, visit the World Heritage-listed Kinderdijk, known for having the country’s greatest concentration of 18th-century windmills.
Day 13 - Rotterdam
Enjoy a guided exploration of The Hague and see the Dutch Parliament building and the Peace Palace. Alternatively, tour Gouda. After your morning activity, maybe head off and explore Rotterdam on your own. Later, enjoy dinner on board your luxurious river ship.
Day 14 - Amsterdam
Wake early this morning for a special Anzac Day commemorative service on your ship’s sun deck. Later, visit the Keukenhof Gardens, encompassing more than 70 acres of renowned gardens and parklands. Relish the chance to admire the spectacular display of bulb flowers in bloom, including colourful tulips. Tonight, sit down to the Captain’s farewell dinner.
Day 15 - Amsterdam
Today, your journey draws to a conclusion. Say your farewells, disembark your ship and be transferred to the airport for your return flight to the UK.