Fascinating insight into the realities of conflict
DAY ONE ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM You travel to Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ beautiful capital, and enjoy a relaxing evening aboard your ship, MS Serenity. DAY TWO KINDERDIJK & DORDRECHT This morning you will reach the village of Kinderdijk, renowned for its 19 beautifully preserved windmills. An optional excursion will take you to visit one of the mills, where you can find out about the miller’s life and the mechanism of a mill. You will continue cruising to Dordrecht and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Alternatively, you can visit the nearby city of Delft on our optional excursion to Royal Delft, the only remaining Delft earthenware factory from the 17th Century. DAY THREE BRUSSELS Today’s included excursion is a visit to the Belgian town of Mons, where the first and last British soldiers died in the First World War: Private John Parr on August 21, 1914, and Private George Ellison on November 11, 1918, just 90 minutes before the Armistice. You can discover more of their stories alongside the wartime history of the region at the Mons Memorial Museum, to which entrance is included. You will also visit St Symphorien Cemetery, which was originally a cemetery for German soldiers following the Battle of Mons in August 1914. Today, there are 284 German graves and 229 Commonwealth graves, including those of John Parr and George Ellison. This afternoon, you will visit the charming city of Brussels, including its beautiful medieval old town, before sailing on towards Antwerp. DAY FOUR ANTWERP Today begins with a guided tour telling the story of the people of Antwerp during the First World War. You are then free to explore the city (a return shuttle is included from your ship to the city centre). Tonight, you will hear an exclusive private talk and Q&A from the journalist, broadcaster and historian Peter Snow, who will be introducing his new book of War Stories. DAY FIVE GHENT The pretty city of Ghent is your base today as you’re joined by Peter Snow for an excursion to Ypres. Here you will visit the famous Menin Gate, where the names of 54,896 missing soldiers are engraved. Entrance to the In Flanders Fields Museum is included. Your next visit is to the Plugstreet (Ploegsteert) Memorial To The Missing and Hyde Park Corner Cemetery where, again accompanied by Peter, you’ll find out more about the origins of WWI and life on the front line at the Plugstreet 14-18 Experience. This afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore other sites and memorials, including Tyne Cot Cemetery. DAY SIX ROTTERDAM Today you arrive in Rotterdam, where you have the option of an excursion to enjoy the city highlights, including views from the Euromast tower and visiting Rotterdam’s ‘cube houses’. DAY SEVEN AMSTERDAM TO THE UK You will say farewell to your ship and her crew after breakfast before making your journey home.