Pre-Cruise Vacation Stretcher Packages – Amsterdam, Netherlands

A city that remains timeless, Amsterdam continues to amaze visitors and locals every day. Like a Golden Age painting, the sunlight filters through tree-lined canals, reflecting off intricate buildings and homes, leaving you fulfilled in a way you've never known. You can't walk a mile without bumping into a masterpiece, such as the Van Gogh Museum or the Rijksmuseum. 99 out of 100 people who live here own a bicycle, and the other 1% walk everywhere. The restaurants are inviting and delicious, letting you linger with friendly conversation over candlelight. You never know what you'll find: a hidden garden, a shop selling velvet ribbon, a jenever (Dutch gin) distillery, an old monastery-turned-classical-music-venue. Wherever you end up, it's probably by a canal. And a café. Extend your vacation to take in the incredible sights, sounds and smells of this enchanting city.

Option 1: Amsterdam Three-Nights Pre-Cruise Stretcher (April 16 - 19, 2016)

Hotel dates are April 16 - 19, 2016

Your pre-cruise package includes:
• Three-night stay in an Executive City View Room at the Doubletree by Hilton Amsterdam Hotel
• Check-in on April 16 is at 3 pm and check-out on April 19 is at 1 pm (extended for Olivia)
• Full breakfast on April 17, 18 and 19
• All taxes and luggage porterage
• Walking tour of Old Town and Red Light District on April 17
• Visit to Keukenhof Gardens on April 18
• Walking tour of Jordaan, Homo Monument and VIP entrance to Anne Frank House on April 18
• Transfer to riverboat for embarkation on April 19, with luggage assistance (as part of your cruise fare)
• Gay friendly, English-speaking guides
• Olivia staff assistance throughout
* Please note that this stretcher involves walking long distances over cobblestones and uneven surfaces

Not included:
• Transfer from airport to hotel on April 16
• Tips to guides and drivers
• Meals, other than noted

Option 1 - Three Nights Amsterdam Pre-Cruise Package Price:
$999 based on double occupancy per person
$1599 based on single occupancy per person

Download Pre-Cruise Stretcher Information Flyer

Option 2: Amsterdam Two-Nights Pre-Cruise Stretcher (April 17 - 19, 2016)

Hotel dates are April 17 - 19, 2016

Your pre-cruise package includes:
• Two-night stay in an Executive City View Room at the Doubletree by Hilton Amsterdam Hotel
• Check-in on April 17 is at 3 pm and check-out on April 19 is at 1 pm (extended for Olivia)
• Full breakfast on April 18 and 19
• All taxes and luggage porterage
• Walking tour of Old Town and Red Light District on April 17
• Visit to Keukenhof Gardens on April 18
• Walking tour of Jordaan, Homo Monument and VIP entrance to Anne Frank House on April 18
• Transfer to riverboat for embarkation on April 19, with luggage assistance (as part of your cruise fare)
• Gay friendly, English-speaking guides
• Olivia staff assistance throughout
** Please note that this stretcher involves walking long distances over cobblestones and uneven surfaces

Not included:
• Transfer from airport to hotel on April 17
• Tips to guides and drivers
• Meals, other than noted

Option 2 - Two Nights Amsterdam Pre-Cruise Package Price:
$739 based on double occupancy per person
$1199 based on single occupancy per person

Download Pre-Cruise Stretcher Information Flyer

To participate in the afternoon walking tour, you will need to arrive to the hotel by 2 pm. The city's Schipol Airport is one of Europe's best. Most flights from U.S. and Canada arrive in the morning.

April 17, 2016 - Tour of Old Town and Red Light District
This afternoon we will walk from our hotel through some of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, with a special visit to the famous Red Light District. Along the way, we will learn about the unique architecture of this city, exploring its tree-lined canals, admiring its 17th century homes and discovering its rich history. Once we reach the Red Light District, we won't just be walking past the windows, but will enjoy a behind-the-scenes look into the oldest profession in the world. We will get the inside scoop on the economics, politics and working conditions and will even have a chance to experience what it feels like to sit "in the window." The tour will continue back to the hotel through the old town making a stop at Café 't Mandje, recognized as the first gay bar in Amsterdam, and in the world, founded by lesbian Bet van Beeren in 1927

April 18, 2016 - Kukenhof Gardens & Bulbfields
When you think of the Netherlands, Dutch tulips are likely among the first things to come to mind. The Keukenhof Gardens is the world's foremost annual tulip exhibition, where more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths fill over 32 hectares of gardens with color and fragrance. Nearby, we will drive through the bulbfields where the acres of bulbs are grown and the fields are like a magic carpet of color.

April 18, 2016 - Anne Frank, Jordaan & Homo Monument
After a brief rest and lunch on your own, we will set out on a walking tour of the Jordaan. This picturesque neighborhood is filled with antique shops and historical treasures. We will make a brief stop at the Begijnhof, a peaceful hidden courtyard within the bustling city center, which served as home for widows and unmarried women for centuries. Continuing on, we will skip the line and enter the VIP entrance to the Anne Frank House, where Anne Frank was hiding during the German occupation. Finally, we will admire the Homo Monument, the first gay monument in the world, and the focal point of Amsterdam's gay pride celebrations. You may choose to walk back to the hotel with the group, or stay and enjoy one of the area's restaurants and a leisurely walk back on your own

The morning of April 19 is at your leisure to sleep in or enjoy one of Amsterdam's many other attractions. Visit the Rijks Museum or the Van Gogh Museum on your own, or take advantage of the optional tours offered by Avalon from the hotel. After check- out, enjoy lunch on your own before your included transfer to the Avalon Luminary to embark on your riverboat cruise. You may store your luggage at the hotel; transfer to the ship will be at approximately 3:30 pm.

Post-Cruise Vacation Stretcher Packages – Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam is often referred to as one of the most colorful cities in the world, and rightly so! Where else can you find so many places of interest, world-famous museums, cozy pubs, cobblestone streets along tree-lined canals, one-of-a-kind shops and flower markets? Extend your vacation with Olivia and give yourself the time to experience all that beautiful Amsterdam has to offer!

Option 3: Amsterdam Two-Nights Post-Cruise Stretcher (April 26 - 28, 2016)

Hotel dates are April 26 - 28, 2016

Your post-cruise package includes:
• Two-night stay in an Executive City View Room at the Doubletree by Hilton Amsterdam Hotel
• Check-in on April 26 is at 3 pm and check-out on April 28 is at 1 pm (extended for Olivia)
• Full breakfast on April 27 and 28
• All taxes and luggage porterage
• Luggage transfer from ship to hotel on April 26
• Olivia staff assistance throughout

Not included:
• Transfer from ship to hotel on April 26
• Transfer from hotel to airport on April 28
• Meals, other than noted

Option 3 - Two Nights Amsterdam Post-Cruise Package Price:
$519 based on double occupancy per person
$899 based on single occupancy per person

Download Post-Cruise Stretcher Information Flyer

April 27, 2016 - King's Day in Amsterdam
Our post-cruise stretcher is perfectly timed to experience the joyful open-air celebration of King's Day. This National Holiday has been celebrated in one form or another (formerly as Queen's Day) since 1885 and provides a unique and electric atmosphere that is not to be missed. King's Day festivities invite locals and visitors alike to soak up Amsterdam's open-air fun. In the streets, canals, parks and everywhere in between, the city is bursting with orange as Amsterdammers enjoy the biggest street party of the year! From city-wide street markets to canal boat parades to carnival rides, DJs and live music, the city streets and squares are transformed for this once-a-year event.
We will disembark the ship to begin our full-day tour starting with a visit to Keukenhof Gardens. When you think of the Netherlands, Dutch tulips are likely among the first things to come to mind. Keukenhof is the world's foremost annual tulip exhibition, where more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths fill over 32 hectares of gardens with color and fragrance. Nearby, we will drive through the bulbfields where the acres of bulbs are grown and the fields are like a magic carpet of color. Lunch on own.

Since hotel rooms are traditionally difficult to secure during this very popular event, we couldn't resist the opportunity to offer you hotel nights at special Olivia rates. Our ship will be docked within walking distance of the hotel, with check-in starting at 3 pm. We will take care of transporting your luggage directly from the ship to the hotel, leaving you unencumbered and free to enjoy the day as you please.

We will not offer an organized tour as part of this package, but you can either take advantage of an optional tour offered by the ship, explore a local museum or simply walk off the ship and into the charming canals and streets of Amsterdam.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Amsterdam Centraal Station
DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station combines elegant modern rooms, business facilities with the latest A/V technology, a fitness centre and an ideal location overlooking the River IJ and city centre. It is next to Amsterdam Central Railway Station and features the SkyLounge Amsterdam with scenic city views.

Our Executive City View Rooms feature floor to ceiling windows with views over the historic city center, complimentary breakfast and late check-out at 1 pm. Watch a movie on the Apple iMac TV, stay connected with complimentary Wi-Fi and refresh in the elegant bathroom.

Space is limited. Deadline to sign up is November 1, 2015 or until sold out!