20 May 2019, 09:09

Float away on a fascinating canal cruise

A heroic cat and story of Children’s Dyke feature on celebration of the Low Countries’ charm and chocolate

  • Sail on Dutch and Belgian waterways
  • All meals included
  • 12-hour free bar

The legend of a cat and a cradle, and the lure of fabulous chocolate, are among the highlights on a tranquil cruise along the canals of Holland and Belgium.

Saga’s seven-night all-inclusive Cities of the Low Countries river cruise on 151-passenger Rex Rheni takes guests to destinations of charm and culture, featuring walks to explore Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent, a canal cruise and city tour of Amsterdam.

Guests also see the 19 UNESCO-listed windmills at Kinderdijk, built in the 18th century to pump water from reclaimed land and all still in working order. Legend has it that the “children’s dyke” took its name from a flood in 1421, when a baby was washed away but rescued after a cat had kept its floating cradle stable on the waters.

There’s a morning in the “silver city” of Schoonhoven, renowned for its silver since the 17th century and home to the Dutch Silver Museum and International Silver School.

An overnight mooring in Rotterdam gives the chance to see the beautiful squares, huge market and historic buildings of The Hague, while a tour of Ghent reveals timber-framed buildings, stone fortifications, a network of canals, the 91-metre bell tower of the medieval Cloth Hall and views from St Michael's Bridge.

Highlights of Brussels include tempting chocolate shops, the Palais de Justice and the headquarters of the European Parliament, while Antwerp features the 16th-century Grote Markt, with its Brabo fountain, and the largest Gothic cathedral in the country.

After a mooring in Dordrecht, at the confluence of four rivers, the Amsterdam city tour and canal cruise leaves time to explore at leisure, perhaps to seek out the Rijksmuseum or Anne Frank House.

There is a 12-hour free bar, from noon to midnight, on Rex Rheni and all meals are included. The comfortable ship has a lounge with large observation windows, a restaurant, partially-shaded sun deck with loungers, a library, wifi, a lift and air conditioning.

For details call free on 0800 656 9919 or visit saga.co.uk/river-cruises

Seven nights from £999 per person all-inclusive, departing August 13, 2019 flights with Easyjet from Heathrow or Gatwick or by Eurostar from St Pancras or Ebbsfleet International. 

Price includes UK travel package, return flights and transfers, all meals, 12-hour free bar open from noon to midnight serving non-branded alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, welcome cocktail party, porterage, optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights or a discount if passenger has own insurance.

Contact

alex.brazier@saga.co.uk

Alex Brazier

Notes to editors

Saga is a specialist in the provision of products and services for life after 50. The Saga brand is one of the most recognised and trusted brands in the UK and is known for its high level of customer service and its high quality, award winning products and services including cruises and holidays, insurance, personal finance and publishing. Visit saga.co.uk