Frances Ball, Secretary for the Fennylock Sports & Social Club in Milton Keynes was lucky enough to take part in a recent familiarisation trip to Holland, for three days, organised by Gloucestershire-based tour operator Travelscope. She explains, “Myself and my husband Alan were asked some time ago by the company if we would be interested in the trip as we are experienced customers on Travelscope’s cruising holidays.”

Two coachloads involved in organising travel attended and the group travelled from Dover to Calais by ferry before continuing on to Utrecht to board the ship, ‘HMS Britannia’.

Frances comments, “We had a lovely evening meal on board, retiring in the early hours of the morning.” She continues, “The following morning, we had a briefing on the new ships, one of which is the ‘HMS Britannia’, and river cruises available from Travelscope as the ship travelled down the River Lek to Amsterdam. We then had the afternoon to ourselves to explore Amsterdam and were taken for an evening cheese and wine trip on the Amsterdam canals.”

After breakfast the following day, the group took a leisurely coach trip home through the Dutch and Belgian countryside.

“I am interested in bringing my group on this Amsterdam cruise for 2008 so when I get back, I will secure ideas as to whether members would like to do this. The whole trip was absolutely relaxing and enjoyable and a great trip for a weekend break,” Frances concludes.