Departing on the early morning HSS we travel on through southern Scotland and the north of England to Hull. We enjoy an overnight crossing to Holland on the P&O Cruiseferry including outside cabins with private facilities and buffet dinner and breakfast.

Once in Holland we drive to the Hague, the home of the Dutch royal family, where we see Holland in miniature at Madurodam. In the afternoon we proceed to Utrecht and our hotel in the centre of a city of canals, often called Mini Amsterdam.

We make the short journey north this morning to Amsterdam where we have a full day free to explore one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Try a canal trip, Anne Frank’s house or the Van Gogh museum.

Relax this morning, with time to get to know Utrecht. We visit one of the most entertaining museums in Holland, the National Museum Van Speelklok Tot Pierement – a collection of automated musical instruments ranging from street barrel organs to large funfair and dance instruments.

In the afternoon we visit the impressive 17th century Het Loo Palace at Apeldoorn, for 300 years the favourite summer residence of the Dutch Royal family.

We have a free day in Brussels, a city famous for many things, not least chocolate and beer. Our hotel is centrally located, giving access to Grand Place and the other attractions of the beautiful Belgian capital.

Brugge, the “Venice of the North” is less than an hour’s drive away. We spend the day here, amidst historic buildings and more canals, before completing our Low Countries tour with a short drive to the ferry port of Zeebrugge, where we catch the overnight sail back to Hull.

The journey from Hull to Stranraer is a relaxing last leg today with only Sunday traffic to negotiate. We catch the evening HSS to Belfast and arrive back at the Europa Buscentre around 10.00pm.