Inspire, 7 Night Heart of Belgium & Holland – Northbound ex Brussels (Brugge), Belgium to Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Be as active as you like as you venture off-the-beaten rivers to charming inland waterways in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Here daily life unfolds in leisurely bicycle rides along country lanes, guided walking tours in quintessential Dutch villages steeped in history and cultural riches, a beer tasting at a Belgian brewery, a visit to the newly opened Royal Museum of Fine Art in Antwerp, a canal boat cruise in Amsterdam and an unforgettable dinner at a 14th-century castle on a private island open just for Tauck guests.

Day 1
Tour begins: 4:00 PM. A transfer is included from Brussels Airport or train station to your riverboat; check-in time is 4:00 PM. Join us aboard your riverboat for a welcome reception and Captain’s toast followed by dinner.

Day 2
Enjoy a day in Brussels, exploring the sights with local guides who share insider anecdotes about life here past and present on a choice of excursions. See landmark sights that speak volumes about history, from its Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture to the Guild Houses lining Grand-Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or experience the best of the city on a tour by motor coach and on foot. After free time to enjoy as you wish, return to the riverboat as it sets sail for Antwerp. An onboard wine presentation precedes dinner at leisure tonight.

Day 3
Belgium’s largest port city, Antwerp has long been a magnet for art lovers and diamond traders. It was of Europe’s most important – and one of its richest – cities in the mid-16th century when merchants traded sugar and diamonds here. Golden Age artists Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony Van Dyck and Frans Snyders called Antwerp home in the 17th century and Renaissance monuments and a still unfinished 13th-century cathedral enrich the variety of architectural styles that grace its medieval heart. Join a local guide on a walking tour that explores the historic gems of this lively town, from bustling Grote Market to medieval guild houses, baroque churches, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and atmospheric squares. Following a morning of exploration in Antwerp proper and lunch aboard your ship, you’ll be met with a choice of excursions this afternoon! One option offers you a visit to the newly renovated and recently reopened Royal Museum of Fine Arts for a look at its impressive collection of art from the 14th through the 20th century, with an impressive hall dedicated to the art of its native son, Pieter Paul Rubens. Another takes you on brewery tour across the city highlighted with tastings of the city’s famous Belgian beers at local establishments. Your final choice offers you additional time to spend the afternoon exploring as you wish in Antwerp. Cocktails and dinner are at leisure tonight onboard ship.

Day 4
You’re off on a choice of excursions this morning. One brings you to flemish city of Bruges, known as “the Venice of the North,” for its canals and tiny medieval streets; have lunch in town. On your walking tour in cobblestoned, fairy tale-like Bruges, you’ll feel like you’ve walked into a painting by Jan Van Eyck, who captured life in the city during its heyday in the 15th century. The hike up the stairs of the medieval bell tower is well worth the effort; you’ll be rewarded with wonderful panoramic views. The other choice brings you to another flemish city, Ghent, for a walking tour through its Old Town; the pedestrian-friendly cobblestoned town center feels like an outdoor museum of early Flemish architecture. Think about climbing to the top of the 14th-century belfry, crowned with a dragon, for the view – Ghent laid out before you is a visual feast of castles, churches, and historic merchants’ houses. Be sure to try the local specialty, Ghent noses, a traditional raspberry candy sold at stands on the street – or a warm waffle with sugar or honey. Have cocktails and dinner onboard as your riverboat charts a course towards Gorinchem.

Day 5
Voted “the most beautiful fortified town in the Netherlands,” Gorinchem was founded in 1,000 AD, fortified in the 13th and 14th centuries, and today boasts the largest fully intact fort in the Netherlands. A quintessentially Dutch town with flowers and windmills, it is surrounded by green polders with grazing cows. The city was originally part of the Dutch Waterline of defense and the historic city center is still a well preserved walled fortress. This morning, depart by water taxi to the water castle of Slot Loevestein, where your arrival is greeted by a choice of activties. Choose from either a guided tour of the premises – learning about the castle’s rich and longstanding history, an archery lesson, a Djembe workshop (a large drum played with bare hands) or a fencing lesson. Lunch is back aboard the ship as you’ll enjoy an afternoon of cruising en route to your next destination – Rotterdam. Tonight, join us for an after-hours to the Mauritshuis, home to many incredible Dutch Golden Age paintings from the likes of Vermeer, Rembrandt, Steen and counteless others. You won’t have to go too far for dinner, as you’ll dine in the presence of these incredible works of art following your tour.

Day 6
Enjoy a choice of guided shore excursions as your riverboat is docked in Rotterdam, founded as a fishing village in the 13th century. A living monument to Holland’s Golden Age until it was bombed to rubble during World War II, the city today welcomes with world-class architecture and urban design, along with surviving traces of Old Rotterdam in Delfshaven (Delft Harbor) and Oude Haven (Old Harbor). You may choose to stay in town to explore the sights with a local guide, with time at leisure to explore as you wish; embark on a guided excursion to Leiden, the birthplace of Rembrandt, and home to charming architecture, canals and historic sights, including the country’s oldest university or get to know Rotterdam on a beer tour across the city. Return to the riverboat late afternoon.

Day 7
Spend the day in the world-famous 17th century capital of Holland, known for its artistic heritage, historic canals, and narrow houses with gabled facades, living legacies of the city’s Golden Age. Art masterpieces hang in its acclaimed museums, including the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, where the Old Masters hold court. Bicycles and canal boats are key to the city’s character; gardens bloom with Dutch bulbs; and its cultural treasures are among the most significant Europe. You have a choice of excursions today, each offering great insight into Dutch life. One takes you on a guided tour of the Rijksmuseum, seeing such works as The Milkmaid by Vermeer, Self-portrait by Van Gogh, The Merry Family by Jan Steen and Rembrandt’s Night Watch. The other brings you to the nearby city of Volendam for a bike ride past dikes, windmills and small bridges on your way to a local farm for a cheese-making lesson. Return to your riverboat for a farewell toast and dinner followed by a musical performance.

Day 8
Tour Ends: Amsterdam. Disembark your riverboat this morning by 9:00 AM. A transfer is included from Tauck’s riverboat to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport or Centraal Station. Fly home anytime. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in at the airport.

The new Inspiration Class ships maintain Tauck’s high standards for luxury and comfort… and take their name from ms Inspire, which will cruise exclusively on the Rhine and Moselle rivers. With a maximum of 130 guests, ms Inspire and her sister ship ms Savor continue our tradition of providing the most space per guest on Europe’s inland waterways – we will transport the fewest passengers of any longship (135 meters). Our deck plan for our Inspiration Class riverboats is innovative. With a total of 67 cabins, our most popular cabins tend to be our largest… so we have used the added ship length to offer twenty-two 300-square-foot-suites aboard ms Inspire and her sister ship – the most of any river cruise ship on any European river. To increase the amount of natural sunlight on the lower deck, we’ve created 8 loft cabins that extend from the first to the second decks, providing guests with an additional view; all windows in these loft cabins open.

We couldn’t find just the right words to describe the sumptuous new bedding and amenities we custom ordered for your in-cabin cruising comfort… 400-thread-count satin bed linens made from the finest combed cotton… puffy white duvets and pillows of very fine mako cotton, with a hypoallergenic 90% down filling… 100% cotton blankets, temperature balancing and so soft to the skin… and thick pillow-top mattresses that lull you to sleep… along with the Essentials Line of Molton Brown bath products, exclusive to Tauck… absorbent terry cloth robes and fluffy towels… hair dryers… but we do know they are key for waking up refreshed and relaxed for your traveling pleasure.
– See more at: http://www.tauck.co.nz/river-cruises/river-cruise-ships/ms-inspire.aspx#sthash.2wN88GyY.dpuf

Inspirational cruising… and the promise of fun. Cruise travel at its best.

What makes Tauck’s Small Ship Cruising and River Cruising unique is our focus on the destination – in scenic ports of call that connect you with people and places… moving, compelling and heart-warming experiences onboard and ashore… inspiration through Tauck’s cruise travel. We cast anchor in pristine bays, off island beaches and at docks accustomed to personal yachts… in small towns and villages along the great rivers of Europe… and in some of the world’s favorite cities. Our time ashore is enriched by in-depth cultural exploration and insider access that ensures up-close-and-personal connections with the locals and daily life. Our cruise travel adventures include guided sightseeing with local experts such as naturalists, historians, and accomplished lecturers. You’ll dine on regional cuisine on land at aboard ship that showcases specialties of the destination. And after a day of extraordinary sightseeing, we welcome you back onboard our hand-picked vessels for warm camaraderie and lively conversation that’s inherent on every Tauck cruise travel experience. The stories are endless, the memories are timeless and the connections priceless.

Select the Deck to view detail.

Inspire - Emerald Deck

Inspire - Ruby Deck

Inspire - Diamond Deck

Inspire - Sun Deck

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Category 7 Suite

22 luxurious 300-square-foot Category 7 suites on the Diamond Deck boast two floor-to-ceiling French balconies with sliding door and large marble baths with double sinks.

1. Two floor-to-ceiling French balconies, each 98 inches x 75 inches with one sliding door that opens

2. 32″ LED TV

3. Pull-out sleeping couch (triple & quad capacity; quads for children only)

4. Walk-in closet with built-in shelves and a safe

5. Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, replenished daily

6. Storage / drawers

7. Coffee maker

8. Full-size bathroom featuring enhanced lighting, marble counters, additional storage and a hair dryer

9. Large shower featuring rainfall shower head (note: no bathtub)

10. Pillow top queen-sized bed, 62 inches x 77 inches (with optional twin-bed capacity)

11. Padded headboard with reading lamps

Additional Amentities

* Elegantly designed 300 sq. ft. suites

* 400 thread count cotton linens / white duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

* Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

* Terry-cloth bathrobes plus slippers

* Breakfast room service

* Iron plus ironing board

* 220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

* Easy under-bed luggage storage

*Telephone and individual climate control

* Onboard wi-fi available

Category 6 Cabin

Sixteen elegant 225-square-foot Category 6 cabins, each featuring a floor-to-ceiling French balcony with one sliding door, are situated aft on the Ruby Deck.

1. One floor-to-ceiling French balcony (98 inches x 75 inches) with one sliding door that opens

2. 32” LED TV

3. Full-sized window (98 inches x 37.5 inches)

4. Pillow top queen-sized bed, 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

5. Padded headboard with reading lamps

6. Storage / drawers

7. Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, replenished daily

8. Large closet

9. Safe

10. Full-sized bathroom featuring enhanced lighting, additional storage and hair dryer

11. Large shower featuring rainfall shower head

Additional Amenities

* Elegantly designed 225 sq. ft. cabins

* 400 thread count cotton linens / white duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

* Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

* Terry-cloth bathrobes plus slippers

* 220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

* Easy under-bed luggage storage

* Telephone and individual climate control

* Onboard wi-fi available

Category 5 Cabin

Located on Ruby Deck and Diamond Deck.

Eight spacious, Category 5 cabins on the Ruby Deck measuring 225 square feet.

Two 190-square-foot Category 5 corner cabins are set extreme forward on the Diamond Deck.

1. One floor-to-ceiling French balcony (98 inches x 75 inches) with one sliding door that opens

2. 32” LED TV

3. Storage / drawers

4. Pillow top queen-sized bed, 62 inches x 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

5. Padded headboard with reading lamps

6. Safe

7. Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, replenished daily

8. Large closet

9. Full-size bathroom featuring enhanced lighting, additional storage and hair dryer

10. Large shower featuring rainfall shower head

Additional Amentities

* 400 thread count cotton linens / white duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

* Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

* Terry-cloth bathrobes plus slippers

* 220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

* Easy under-bed luggage storage

* Telephone and individual climate control

* Onboard wi-fi available

Category 4 Cabin

Two spacious 190-sq. ft. Category 4 cabins are situated extreme forward on the Ruby Deck, featuring one floor-to-ceiling French Balcony and bathrooms with marble counters.

* Elegantly designed 190 sq. ft. cabins

* Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

* 400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

* One floor-to-ceiling French Balcony (98 inches wide x 75 inches high) with one sliding door that opens

* Bathroom with marble counters, larger showers with rainfall shower heads, enhanced lighting, and under-sink storage space

* Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

* Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers

* Coffee maker plus minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily

* 32” LED TV

* 220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

* Built-in closet and drawers

* Easy under-bed luggage storage

* Telephone, safe and individual climate control

* 2 chairs

* Onboard wi-fi available

Category 3 Cabin

On the Emerald Deck, 8 innovatively designed, 225-sq. ft. Category 3 loft cabins with large marble bathrooms extend from the first to second deck for additional views.

1. One-and-a-half deck window that opens at the top, electronically controlled

2. Loft sitting area

3. 4 steps up to loft area

4. Railing

5. Full-sized bathroom
featuring enhanced lighting, additional storage and a hair dryer

6. Large shower featuring rainfall shower head

7. Closets

8. Storage / drawers

9. Safe

10. Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, replenished daily

11. Pillow top queen-sized bed, 62 inches x 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

12. Padded headboard with reading lamps

13. Storage / drawers (credenza not visible from this perspective)

14. 32” LED TV (on credenza below; not visible from this perspective)

Additional Amenities

* Innovatively designed 225 sq. ft. “split-level” loft cabins

* 400 thread count cotton linens / white duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

* Window (98 inches x 114 inches) can be partially opened

* Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

* Terry-cloth bathrobes plus slippers

* 220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

* Built-in closet with drawers

* Easy under-bed luggage storage

* Telephone and individual climate control

* Onboard wi-fi available

Category 2 Cabin

Three Category 2 cabins are located on the Ruby Deck, measuring 150 square feet and featuring one floor-to-ceiling French Balcony with one sliding door.

* Elegantly designed 150 sq. ft. cabins

* Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

* 400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

* One floor-to-ceiling French Balcony (98 inches wide x 75 inches high) with one sliding door that opens

* Marble bath with shower
Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

* Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers

* Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily

* 32” LED TV

* 220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

* Built-in closet with drawers
Easy under-bed luggage storage

* Telephone, safe and individual climate control

* 2 chairs

* Onboard wi-fi available

Category 1 Cabin

Situated on the Emerald Deck, six 150-square-foot Category 1 cabins each feature a marble bath with shower with Molton Brown toiletries, a Tauck Exclusive.

* Elegantly designed 150 sq. ft. cabins, including four dedicated solo traveler cabins

* Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

* 400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

* Two 2’ by 3’ fixed windows

* Marble bath with shower
Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

* Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers

* Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily

* 32” LED TV

* 220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

* Built-in closet with drawers
Easy under-bed luggage storage

* Telephone, safe and individual climate control

* 2 chairs

* Onboard wi-fi available