HOW about this? The chance to combine a visit to the vibrant city of Amsterdam with a taste of traditional Dutch life.

A four-day break with Travelscope gives you two nights berthed in a cruise vessel in Amsterdam, where you can enjoy the special atmosphere and rich culture of the Dutch city.

Then there is a one-night stay in the picturesque town of Volendam with a chance to visit Zaanse Schans, home to clog makers, cheese makers and working windmills.

The trip begins by coach from local pick-up points to Harwich for the ferry crossing to the Hook of Holland and the onward journey to Amsterdam. In Amsterdam your cruise vessel will be berthed and you will arrive in plenty of time for the optional three-course evening meal.

There is also an optional sparkling city cruise to see the city illuminated, or you can just have a night out in the city centre.

The second day sees your cruise vessel set sail for Volendam, where there will be an optional Dutch Delights excursion to Zaanse Schans. The boat remains berthed in Volendam overnight before cruising back to Amsterdam on day three. Then there is plenty of time to enjoy the shopping, bars, restaurants, museums, galleries and famous landmarks for the rest of the day and night.

An optional dazzling Dutch capital tour gives you the best of the city's sights with a canal cruise included and a visit to a diamond factory.

On day four you leave your vessel after breakfast for the return journey, which will include a visit to the pretty town of Delft, famous for Royal Delftware pottery.

Included in the price are two nights' accommodation berthed in Amsterdam and one night in Volendam, buffet breakfast on board, twin-bedded en suite cabin, a visit to Delft, return coach travel and ferry crossings. The optional evening meal package costs £25 if pre-booked, and the three optional excursions can be pre-booked as a package for just £46 per person.

Prices for the four-day trip start at £109 and it departs on March 17, 2005.

To book your place, call Reader Travel on 01904 567123 or, for a brochure, call our 24-hour hotline on 01904 567124.

Updated: 16:31 Friday, November 05, 2004