British Isles Cruise & Amsterdam

British Isles Cruise & Amsterdam

Tours Starts: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Tours Ends: Hamburg, Germany

Days 1 & 2

Arrive in Amsterdam

After an overnight flight, arrive to Amsterdam! If you purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations, a YMT representative will welcome you at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and transport you to the hotel. This evening, relax on your own and then get to know your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner at your hotel, where you will learn about the exciting days ahead. (D)

Radisson Blu Schiphol Airport or similar

Day 3

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Enjoy a half-day city tour, starting with a cruise through Amsterdam’s canals, where you will see the Dam Square with the Royal Palace, New Church, the National Monument, and the Skinny Bridge across the River Amstel. Your cruise concludes in central Amsterdam, at which point you will continue on foot to view City Hall, Rembrandt Square and more before stopping for free time and lunch on your own. (B)

Radisson Blu Schiphol Airport or similar

Day 4

Amsterdam to Bremen, Germany

Transfer from Amsterdam to Bremen, Germany’s oldest coastal city, where you will learn about the lively culture and see stunning attractions on a panoramic city tour. Highlights include the City Hall, a 15th century Gothic civic building that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Marktplatz, St. Petri Dom and the Bottcherstrabe, a street famous for its unusal architecture. Your tour includes admission to the Bremen Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece dating back to the 11th century, which you can visit at your own pace, including the Cathedral Museum. (B)

Dorint City Bremen or similar

Day 5

Bremen to Hamburg (Embark at 6:00 PM)

Today includes a city tour of Hamburg, “the gateway to the world.” Enjoy highlights of Germany’s largest port city, which is as renowned for its musical heritage—Gustav Mahler once directed its storied state opera, both Brahms and Felix Mendelssohn were born here, and the Beatles enjoyed pre-fame residencies at various clubs around the city—as its stunning architecture. Standouts include the glass and brick Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall and the Medieval City’s half-timbered structures. You will visit the Speicherstadt UNESCO World Heritage Site, the world's largest complex of warehouses. Speicherstadt's beautiful neogothic brick architecture is incredibly impressive. Board the MSC Preziosa this evening. (B)

Day 6

At Sea

Day 7

Cork Island, Ireland (2:00 PM - 8:00 PM)

Experience Cork, Ireland’s second largest city. Its city center is set on an island in the River Lee, surrounded by waterways and packed with sights and experiences you won’t want to miss.

Day 8

Dublin, Ireland (8:00 AM - 6:00 PM)

Arrive in Dun Laoghaire, just outside Dublin, the lively capital city of the “Emerald Isle.” Dublin is laid out perfectly for casual walkers, so shops, restaurants, the River Liffey, and many other highlights are easy to explore on foot at your leisure.

Day 9

Belfast, Ireland (8:00 AM - 6:00 PM)

Spend the day enjoying Irish hospitality at its finest in this picturesque capital city on Northern Ireland’s rugged east coast. Belfast is know for its shipbuilding industry and was made famous as the birthplace of the Titanic.

Day 10

Liverpool, England (10:00 AM - 8:00 PM)

Today we port in Liverpool, a port city from where over 9 million emigrants left England for a new life in America. Highlights include the Liver building, the Headquarters of the Whitestar Shipping line owners of the Titanic, Albert Docks, and the two cathedrals of Hope Street. Fans of the Beatles will have no shortage of places to visit in the Fab Four’s hometown.

Day 11

Glasgow, Scotland (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

Stop in Greenock, just outside of Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city. Glasgow perfectly combines a storied history and bright, lively present. Once a major center for shipbuilding famed for its Victorian and art nouveau architecture, it is now a national cultural hub. It is home to institutions including the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and National Theatre of Scotland, as well as many acclaimed museums.

Day 12

At Sea

Day 13

Zeebrugge, Belgium (10:30 AM - 6:30 PM)

Today’s stop is the city of Zeebrugge. You may travel on your own to Bruges, home to some of the world’s best-preserved Medieval architecture, or you may stay closer to the ship. A local highlight is Seafront Zeebrugge, where you can learn about the region’s role in World War II, its historic fishing industry, or take a few steps in a Cold War-era Russian Foxtrot Submarine.

Day 14

Hamburg Cruise Parade (5:00 PM - 11:30 PM)

The day’s main event is sure to be lively, as your floating home will play a part in the spectacular Hamburg Cruise Parade, where a procession of splendidly illuminated ships will sail down the river towards the sea. Prepare for the MSC Preziosa to be celebrated with a special fireworks display and accompanied by a fleet of smaller escort boats. This unique event takes place against the backdrop of a Blue Port light installation that will be a highlight of your tour.

Day 15

Disembark in Hamburg to Lübeck day trip (Arrives at 6:00 AM)

After disembarking in Hamburg, take a visit to the city of Lübeck. Lübeck grew wealthy during the Middle Ages as a member of the Hanseatic League thanks to its location along one of Europe’s most important trade routes. Seven monumental Gothic church towers and the Holsten Gate dominate Lübeck’s skyline, and the entirety of the city’s Old Town is recognized by UNESCO. Enjoy a panoramic and walking tour in the Old Town, view the Holsten Gate, Gothic Church Towers and learn about the history of the "Queen of the Hanseatic League" before a lunch on your own. Return to Hamburg for a glorious farewell feast with your fellow travelers. (D)

Leonardo Hamburg Airport or similar

Day 16

Depart for Home (B)

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tours vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights.