05 APR 2019: Its long spring season and cool evenings make Holland the perfect place to grow tulips. And, from mid-March through the end of May, the fields featuring rows upon rows of colourful tulips draw crowds – for good reason. From marvelling at the colourful blooms at legendary Keukenhof to bicycling along the Dutch Waterways to witness the colourful horizons of rural fields, nothing says spring like Tulip time. In 2020, Avalon Waterways is unveiling five cruises – including three new itineraries – that invite travellers to Europe when the crowds are small and the blooms are bountiful.

“Every year, the fields of Holland transform into a colourful wonderland of beauty,” said Pam Hoffee, managing director of Avalon Waterways.

“It’s a spectacle every world traveller should try to witness up-close, at least once. And in 2020, we’re giving our guests more opportunities to marvel at the beauty of those seven million blooms.”

In 2020, Avalon Waterways is unveiling a new 8-day Tulip Time in Holland and Belgium, new 8-day Tulip Time Highlights and 15-day Grand Tulip Cruise of Holland & Belgium itineraries.

Avalon’s new 8-day Tulip Time in Holland and Belgium vacation begins in Amsterdam and ends in Brussels with opportunities to bike the river banks of Arnhem, take a guided walk through a mill and bake a local pie called a vlaai, spend time admiring ancient architecture in Namur, stroll through the romantic streets of the “Fiery City” of Liége, visit the Grote Markt in Antwerp and meander along the Lower Town Streets of Brussels.

The river cruise company’s other new 8-day escape – Tulip Time Highlights – begins in Brussels with opportunities to explore the cobblestones, canals and cosmopolitan charisma of Ghent – or alternatively, Bruges – a “last post” ceremony in Bossuit, a guided walk of the Delta Works, time spent in Rotterdam, an immersion in Dutch history in Zaandam, tulips, tulips and more tulips in Haarlem and ends with the spectacular sights of Amsterdam.

The 15-day Grand Tulip Time Cruise of Holland & Belgium combines both new cruise itineraries, giving travellers an in-depth vacation featuring windmills, waterways and waving fields of flowers.

Other Tulip-focused itineraries include 8-day Tulip Time Cruise and Tulips of Northern Holland itineraries.

Also in 2020, using Avalon’s new Your Way options, travellers can choose to add on land exploration to the start or end of their cruise with three options: An Avalon Waterways land extension; a Monograms independent vacation package or a Globus escorted touring vacation. Both Monograms and Globus are sister companies to Avalon, ensuring a seamless transition between the cruise and the pre- or post-tour.

“With our new Your Way program, we’re making it easier for travellers to extend their river cruise vacation with land itineraries that are perfectly suited to their preferences and budget,” said Hoffee.

“In addition, with our exclusive onboard Avalon Choice on each and every river cruise itinerary, our guests have their pick of the widest array of included excursions, from classic sightseeing to immersive discoveries and active adventures.”