Holland and Belgium with Grand Circle Travel

Our 12-day cruise/tour “Holland and Belgium in Springtime,” March 27-April 7, ’04, was one of the best trips we’ve ever taken. Grand Circle Travel (347 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210; phone 800/221-2610 or visit www.gct.com) has many repeat travelers; we now understand why.

M.S. River Harmony was a clean, classy, well-maintained ship carrying 140 passengers in roomy outside cabins. Our meals were excellent on board, and wine was included with dinner. The entire crew went out of their way to make our stay a memorable one.

The three program directors who split us up and guided us for seven days on the ship and three days in Brussels were well informed, helpful and friendly. We were fortunate to be in Rudi’s group. He is without a doubt the best program director I’ve ever traveled with.

In Brussels our accommodations were in the Brussels Hilton on Boulevard de Waterloo. It is a very nice 5-star hotel but a little hike from the Grand’Place. Buffet breakfasts and one dinner were included during our three days in Brussels.

A nice feature was a home-hosted visit with a Dutch family. Our group of five had tea with a couple who live in a home built in 1630, with beds in closets and a garden big enough to play football in. We were very interested to hear them talk about the hardships of the Winter of Starvation (1944-45) during which the Dutch had to resort to eating tulip bulbs before they were liberated by the Allies.

It amazes me that Grand Circle can put together such a first-class trip, with airfare, transfers and shore excursions included, for such a price. The normal price of this 12-day cruise/tour started at $1,695 from New York or Boston; we paid an Internet-sale price of $995.

— PAULA PRINDLE, Orient, OH