MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE

High Art in the Low Countries: Bruges to Amsterdam Aboard Magnifique III

May 17–25, 2019 MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE

Dear Traveler and Friends,

Please join us next May on an enchanting cruise through Belgium and the Netherlands aboard Magnifique III, a boutique riverboat launched in 2017. From the jewel-like town of Bruges to the intriguing Dutch capital, experience the outstanding art, architecture, and gastronomy of the region as we step ashore in picturesque cities and revel in springtime in the Low Countries.

The Museum Travel Alliance (MTA) provides museums with the opportunity to offer their members and patrons high-end educational travel programming. Trips are available exclusively through MTA members and co-sponsoring non-profit institutions. This particular voyage is co-sponsored by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Traveling with us on this cruise is Manu Frederickx, Associate Conservator for Musical Instruments at The Met.

Begin in Bruges with a look at some of the city’s hidden artistic gems. Stop in Ghent, one of the largest and wealthiest cities in medieval Europe. In Dendermonde, admire its Flemish buildings and Van Dyck masterpieces before stepping ashore in Antwerp to visit the 17th-century Rubens House.

In Holland, call at Vianen to see the “silver city” of Schoonhoven. Discover picturesque Kinderdijk, famous for its impressive row of 19 large windmills, or sample local cheeses and sweet stroopwafels in Gouda. In Amsterdam, whose elaborate canal system is lined with the historic homes of wealthy merchants, see the splendid masterpieces of the Rijksmuseum.

The intimate Magnifique III, built in the style of a traditional canal barge, has just 20 cabins and suites. Last year our barge cruise through Belgium and Holland filled up quickly, so we recommend reserving a place as soon as possible.

For those who wish to spend more time discovering the art of the Low Countries, an optional prelude is offered in Brussels and an optional postlude in Amsterdam.

We hope you can join us for this memorable journey.

Sincerely,

Jim Friedlander President Museum Travel Alliance

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS TRAVELING WITH YOU

CRUISE aboard the new Magnifique III, an upscale Dutch-style Manu Frederickx, Associate boutique riverboat with 20 comfortable cabins Conservator, received a master's degree in musical DISCOVER the medieval towns of Dendermonde and Dordrecht instrument making from the during shore excursions Royal Conservatory in Ghent in 2002. He has worked as an independent maker and restorer of harpsichords behind the scenes in the charming town of Bruges, a UNESCO GO and plucked stringed instruments, and trained in World Heritage Site the conservation of wood at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. From 2004 to 2015, he ADMIRE works by Rubens, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Anthony was a lecturer at the School of Arts of University van Dyck, Hans Memling, the van Eyck brothers, and other masters College Ghent, where he became head of the Musical Instrument Making Department in EXPERIENCE the Low Countries as the locals do, on optional 2013. He worked as a conservator at the Musical cycling tours along gentle, even terrain Instrument Museum, Brussels, from 2009 until joining The Met in 2015. High Art in the Low Countries: Bruges to Amsterdam Aboard Magnifique III

May 17–25, 2019

THE MONDAY, MAY 20: DENDERMONDE / NETHERLANDS SINT-AMANDS, BELGIUM North Spend the morning cruising along the Scheldt River to Sea Amsterdam Dendermonde, a small city known for its magnificent Flemish buildings. Visit the Church of Our Lady, home to two Van Dyck paintings, as well as a 12th-century Schoonhoven Vianen baptismal font of Tournai stone, and visit the charming Kinderdijk medieval beguinage (a home for lay religious women). Dordrecht Enjoy an evening concert on board. B,L,D

Bruges Sint- TUESDAY, MAY 21: ANTWERP, BELGIUM Antwerp Ghent Niklaas Continue to Antwerp, a city renowned for its Medieval Dendermonde and modern architecture and impressive art collections. Visit the 17th-century Rubens House to see some of the

Brussels Flemish painter’s famous works and tour the treasures of the Mayer Van den Bergh museum. Continue to the BELGIUM charming Museum Vleeshuis, which displays six hundred years of Antwerp’s musical history. Get a typical taste of the city by experiencing Belgium’s celebrated beer at a local café. B,L,D An optional prelude in Brussels is offered from May 15 to 18, 2019. WEDNESDAY, MAY 22: ANTWERP / DORDRECHT, HOLLAND FRIDAY, MAY 17: DEPARTURE View the impressive Kreekrak lock system as the Depart on an overnight flight to Brussels, Belgium. riverboat cruises to Dordrecht, one of the Netherland’s oldest cities. Explore its historic harbors, ancient SATURDAY, MAY 18: BRUSSELS / BRUGES, BELGIUM warehouses, and busy merchant streets. Visit the Great Arrive in Brussels and transfer to Bruges. Enjoy time in this Church, the Dordrecht Museum, and the 13th-century UNESCO-listed city of sublime architecture and art. Visit Augustine monastery. Magnifique IIIremains docked in the Hans Memling collection, the Groeninge Museum, Dordrecht overnight. B,L,D and see Michelangelo’s Madonna & Child in the Church of Our Lady. Transfer to Magnifique III and settle into your cabin. Tonight, the captain hosts a welcome reception and dinner. R,D

SUNDAY, MAY 19: BRUGES / GHENT, BELGIUM This morning, cruise past canals and small villages en route to Ghent. Pause to watch the operation of the “Eye,” Belgium’s giant lock system, and picnic alongside the River Lys. In the afternoon a guided tour of Ghent will reveal the fascinating history of this lively city, which was one of the largest and wealthiest in Europe during the Middle Ages. View its greatest treasure, the 15th-century Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (Ghent Altarpiece), by the Van Eyck brothers. Return to the ship or visit a local piano factory for a concert and reception. B,L,D

Central Station, Antwerp THURSDAY, MAY 23: DORDRECHT / VIANEN, musical instruments room. Then, have the choice to HOLLAND remain at the Rijksmuseum, continue to the nearby Van This morning cruise to Kinderdijk to see the impressive Gogh Museum, or explore Amsterdam on your own. windmills at this UNESCO-designated site. Drive to the This evening celebrate a memorable voyage at tonight’s Gouda Cheese Market for tastings and talks with local farewell dinner. B,L,D producers, followed by a picnic lunch at a cheese farm. Join the ship in Schoonhoven and follow the Lek River SATURDAY MAY 25: AMSTERDAM / RETURN to Vianen. After dinner, take an evening walk in Vianen, Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for once home to American Revolutionary hero, the Marquis return flights home. B de Lafayette. B,L,D An optional postlude in Amsterdam is offered from May FRIDAY, MAY 24: VIANEN / AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND 25 to May 27, 2019. Take a canal cruise through the historic city of Amsterdam and enjoy lunch on board. In the afternoon, visit the DISCLAIMER: The itinerary is subject to change at the discretion Rijksmuseum, the State Treasury of Dutch paintings. View of The Museum Travel Alliance and Arrangements Abroad. For its incomparable treasures, including Rembrandt’s Night complete details, please carefully read the terms and conditions at Watch, and lesser-known gems like the newly reopened www.museumtravelalliance.com/terms.php.

MAGNIFIQUE III TOP DEC

OOL

UPPER DEC

ORE 1 S

2

LOWER DEC

21 19 17 15 11 9 7 5 CREW

22 1 1 1 12 10 CREW

PROGRAM RATES RATES INCLUDE Double Single n Seven nights aboard the newly launched Magnifique III Cabin Categories Cabin Numbers Rates Rates n Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, 21, 22 Lower Deck N/A $11,999 L=Lunch, R=Reception, D=Dinner); bottled Single cabin. One twin bed with portholes water and coffee/tea with all meals; thoughtfully 5, 7 to 12, 14 to 19 Lower Deck $7,999 Inquire selected wines and beers with dinners Twin beds with portholes n Airport/pier/airport group transfers for 1 to 4, 6 Upper Deck $9,999 Inquire all participants on suggested flights Suites, twin beds, small sitting area, large windows n Enrichment program of lectures and talks n Escorted sightseeing, transportation, Built in the style of Holland’s traditional river Magnifique III and entrance fees for all included visits barges, Magnifique IIIwill make her premier n voyage in spring of 2018 sailing under the Dutch Customary shipboard gratuities flag. All of her 20 cabins feature individually n Taxes, service, and porterage charges; regulated air conditioning and flat-screen satellite gratuities to local guides and drivers TV. The upper deck has a spacious salon as well NOT INCLUDED IN RATES International airfare; as a restaurant, a bar, and a lounge with large passport/visa fees; meals not specified; alcoholic windows for viewing the passing scenery. The aft beverages other than noted in inclusions; personal items of the barge has a partly covered teak sun deck. and expenses; airport transfers other than for those on suggested flights; Brussels prelude; Amsterdam postlude; Complimentary bikes and helmets are available for luggage in excess of one suitcase; trip insurance, any use ashore. Limited Wi-Fi is available in the lounge. other items not specifically mentioned as included. Amsterdam

THE MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE HIGH ART IN THE LOW COUNTRIES: BRUGES TO AMSTERDAM n MAY 17–25, 2019 RESERVATION FORM

To reserve a place, please call The Museum Travel Alliance at 212-302-3251 or 855-533-0033, fax: 212-344-7493; or complete and return this form with your deposit of $1,000 per person (of which $500 is non-refundable for administrative fees) payable to The Museum Travel Alliance. Mail to: The Museum Travel Alliance, 1040 Avenue of the Americas, 23rd floor, New York, NY 10018-3721.

______Name(s) in full as on passport(s). Please print.

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ACCOMMODATIONS Magnifique III cabin preference (1) ______(2) ______I wish to share a cabin with ______

OPTIONAL PRELUDE & POSTLUDE q I/We would like to join the optional prelude in Brussels q I/We would like to join the optional postlude in Amsterdam

Hotel Room Preference q One bed q Two beds q Single

MTA MUSEUM AFFILIATION______

FORM OF PAYMENT q Enclosed is my check (payable to The Museum Travel Alliance) q Debit card q Credit card

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I/We confirm that I/we have carefully read and agree to the Terms & Conditions of this Program (see www.museumtravelalliance.com/terms.php to review or call for a copy). I/We agree to full payment 120 days prior to departure. Each participant must sign below.

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______Signature (required) Date On the front cover: Windmills of Kinderdijk B_19MG3BRU0517_MTA