'MARJORIE II'

Sunday
Transfer from your hotel in Amsterdam to the Marjorie II, moored at Haarlem. After a drink to welcome us on board, we can visit the Frans Hals Museum and its collection of Old Masters. Other highlights include St. Bavo's Cathedral on the main square where both Handel and Mozart played the magnificent Muller organ.

Monday
After an early breakfast we take a trip to the Aalsmeer flower auction, where some 17 million cut flowers are auctioned every day. Returning to our boat, we cruise on to Leiden. This is a very charming University town with the American Pilgrim museum how tells the stories of the founders of New England, the Pilgrims.

Tuesday
This morning marks a cruising highlight: a walk through the glorious Keukenhof Gardens, Holland's bestknown gardens park, with more than 70 acres filled with over 6 million flowering bulbs. We stroll through breathtaking waves of color on this unforgettable half -day excursion. Back on board, we cruise through beautiful landscapes to Delft.

Wednesday
Delft is a fascinating town, full of small canals and humpbacked bridges and best explored by bike or on foot. Many beautiful buildings illustrate the city's historic connection with the Dutch East India Company. The birthplace of Jan Vermeer, Delft is also famous for its tableware, and we visit a factory to learn how this worldfamous porcelain is made. Then, back on the barge, we cruise through Rotterdam, the largest port in the World direction Antwerp.

Thursday
Antwerp, where the three "must-see" sights are baroque painter Pieter Paul Rubens' house, the Plantin- Moretus house, a printing plant and shop in service between 1555 and 1876, and of course Belgium's largest Gothic cathedral. This evening you should go to the "Grote Markt" to drink one of the more than 100 kinds of Belgian Beers.
Today we need to cruise on the Schelde River to Gent. This river has a tide difference of more than 20 feet and a strong current.

Friday
A first and lasting impression of Ghent is of its marvelous medieval structures whose sturdy stone facades reflect well in canal waters. We visit the Castle of the Counts. This magnificent, almost unrivalled example of a feudal fortress of the Counts of Flanders has a massive medieval shape that rises from the reflective waters of its moat, it was built about 1180. We cruise to our final mooring, Bruges. The day ends with this evening's Farewell Dinner.

Saturday
After breakfast, disembark to your hotel or airport.

Please note these are sample itineraries and excursions or other details may change without notice. Cruises run in reverse direction on alternate weeks. Children under 14 are welcome on charters only. Departures are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 passengers.

Sunday
Pick up at your hotel in Brussels at 3:00pm for transfer to the Marjorie II, moored in Flanders, capital of Antwerp. After a welcome drink, passengers can stroll through the city until our first dinner is served on board. This evening it is suggested that passengers go to the 'Grote Markt' to drink one of the more than 100 varieties of delicious Belgian beers.

Monday
In Antwerp where the three 'must-see' sights are baroque painter Pieter Paul Rubens' house. The Plantin-Moretus house has been a printing plant and shop in service since between 1555 and 1876. A visit to Belgium's largest Gothic cathedral should also not be missed today. We will cruise to Hasselt in the early evening, the 'Fashion and Shopping' city.

Tuesday
This morning we visit the 19th century agricultural distillery located in the middle of the city of Hasselt. The National Genever Museum tells the story of Belgian genever, from grain to drink (Genever is the juniper berry flavored and strongly alcoholic traditional liquor of Belgium and the Netherlands). Passengers can follow the production process in an authentic distilling facility. We can also taste a large number of Belgian grain genevers. We will commence cruising towards Liege during lunch, followed by a short drive afterward to the wine castle of Genoels-Elderen. With its 20 hectares of vineyards, this is the largest winery in Belgium. The micro-climate on the hills of Limburg produces an excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. We will have a guided tour and a wine tasting.

Wednesday
After breakfast with Belgian waffles we embark on a drive to Eupen, the German speaking region of Belgium. We visit the Jacques Chocolate factory founded in 1896. This educational museum uncovers everything from the cultivation of cacao to the finished products, from the origins to the fabrication of chocolate as well as the ceremonial rituals that accompanied its tasting in times gone by. Afternoon cruise through the hills to Huy, one of Belgium's oldest towns.

Thursday
We drive to the historic Waterloo Battlefield, preserved almost as it was in 1815. Learn about the course of this great battle from our European history, which pitted Napoleon's troops against those of Wellington and Blücher. Late afternoon cruise to Namur which is located at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse Rivers. The city boasts an impressive cathedral and citadel above the cliffs.

Friday
Today's excursion is to the 13th century Abbey de Leffe, famous for their beers. In the afternoon, we enjoy a cruise to Dinant, home to cathedrals and fortifications as well as the home of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone.

Saturday
After breakfast, passengers disembark and are transferred to Brussels, where our tour ends.

Note: All cruises may operate in the reverse direction on alternating weeks. This is a sample itinerary and it is subject to change.