Best of Belgium
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Highlights:
Belgium is a hybrid country between France and Holland. Part of the country speaks French and the other part Dutch. Fortunately for travelers, they also speak English fluently.
Brussels, the capital, has taken on more importance, wealth and hospitality development since the European Union was created and many of its bureaucrats work here.
Brussels creates some of the world’s best chocolate, invented “French Fries” and offers a great variety of beers of which Stella Artois is just the beginning. Let us show you around.
Belgium is a hybrid country between France and Holland. Part of the country speaks French and the other part Dutch. Fortunately for travelers, they also speak English fluently.
Brussels, the capital, has taken on more importance, wealth and hospitality development since the European Union was created and many of its bureaucrats work here.
Brussels creates some of the world’s best chocolate, invented “French Fries” and offers a great variety of beers of which Stella Artois is just the beginning. Let us show you around.
SKU:
Explore: the best of belgium
Customizable Itinerary - 9 Days (from $4,678 / person)
Day 1: Depart USA
You board your aircraft for the overnight flight to Brussels, the Capital of the European Union.
Day 2: Welcome to Brussels
Upon arrival you will meet your guide for an orientation tour of the city including the Royal district of Laeken, the shopping districts of Avenue Louise and the headquarters of the European Union. You will then be delivered to your hotel.
Day 3: A Foodies’ Tour of Central Brussels
The central core of Brussels is the Market Square known as the Grand Place with its incomparable city hall and guild houses. You hotel is located close to the Grand Place and you have the morning to explore on your own. In the afternoon your guide will take you on a walking lunch as you explore the square. You might start out with Mussels, accompanied by Frites (which are actually Belgian fries not French fries), some good Belgian beer helps wash it down followed by Belgian waffles and, of course, chocolates.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Chocolate and Beer
Belgian chocolates are known worldwide especially Godiva but there are a lot more boutique chocolatiers and you will visit a few and have the chance to create your own unique box of chocolates this will be combined with some antique browsing. Later in the day you will embark on a beer tasting tour that could include a pub dating back to 1695 and offering your first taste of Trappist Beer in Belgium. You will also visit Cantillon Brewery makers of Lambic Beer. Ironically, although Stella Artois is known worldwide, many locals prefer less popular brews, local snobbery perhaps?
Breakfast
Day 5: A Visit to the Ardennes
Today your driver/guide will take you into Wallonia, the French speaking part of Belgium known as the Ardennes region. This area was the site of great battles in both World War I and II including the Battle of the Bulge around Bastogne. You will visit the Abbey of Maredsous and taste their high quality Trappist Beer. You will also visit a snail farm which provides the famous escargots for both Brussels and Paris kitchens. You will stay the night in Namur and enjoy dinner at the hotel’s gourmet restaurant.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: The Scenic Journey from Namur to Ghent
After your breakfast you will head out of Namur to visit the castle of Annevoie Before taking a scenic drive along the banks of the Meuse River between Namur and Dinant before arriving in the historic town of Ghent where the treaty between England and America was signed ending the war of 1812.
Breakfast
Day 7: Ghent and Bruges
Ghent is a university town with a style similar to the Latin Quarter around the Sorbonne in Paris. Your guide will give you an overview tour before taking you to Bruges. At one time, this city was a major trading port but the river connecting with the sea silted up and the town was preserved in its ancient ways and architecture. In the afternoon your guide will show you the major highlights including Our Lady and the Statue by Michelangelo, the Market square with the Belfry and the Town Hall Square (also known as the Burg) with the Chapel of the Holy Blood. Bruges has many fine restaurants within walking distance of your hotel.
Breakfast
Day 8: A Day in Bruges
We would leave this day open for you to explore the town at your own pace. You can take a cruise on the canals, observe a lace-making demonstration or visit the Groening Ancient Art Museum. If you like you can take an optional bike tour along the canals and through the Flemish countryside. Breakfast
Day 9: Return to USA
After breakfast you will have a private transfer to Brussels Airport for the flight back to the USA where you arrive back the same afternoon.
Breakfast
You board your aircraft for the overnight flight to Brussels, the Capital of the European Union.
Day 2: Welcome to Brussels
Upon arrival you will meet your guide for an orientation tour of the city including the Royal district of Laeken, the shopping districts of Avenue Louise and the headquarters of the European Union. You will then be delivered to your hotel.
Day 3: A Foodies’ Tour of Central Brussels
The central core of Brussels is the Market Square known as the Grand Place with its incomparable city hall and guild houses. You hotel is located close to the Grand Place and you have the morning to explore on your own. In the afternoon your guide will take you on a walking lunch as you explore the square. You might start out with Mussels, accompanied by Frites (which are actually Belgian fries not French fries), some good Belgian beer helps wash it down followed by Belgian waffles and, of course, chocolates.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Chocolate and Beer
Belgian chocolates are known worldwide especially Godiva but there are a lot more boutique chocolatiers and you will visit a few and have the chance to create your own unique box of chocolates this will be combined with some antique browsing. Later in the day you will embark on a beer tasting tour that could include a pub dating back to 1695 and offering your first taste of Trappist Beer in Belgium. You will also visit Cantillon Brewery makers of Lambic Beer. Ironically, although Stella Artois is known worldwide, many locals prefer less popular brews, local snobbery perhaps?
Breakfast
Day 5: A Visit to the Ardennes
Today your driver/guide will take you into Wallonia, the French speaking part of Belgium known as the Ardennes region. This area was the site of great battles in both World War I and II including the Battle of the Bulge around Bastogne. You will visit the Abbey of Maredsous and taste their high quality Trappist Beer. You will also visit a snail farm which provides the famous escargots for both Brussels and Paris kitchens. You will stay the night in Namur and enjoy dinner at the hotel’s gourmet restaurant.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: The Scenic Journey from Namur to Ghent
After your breakfast you will head out of Namur to visit the castle of Annevoie Before taking a scenic drive along the banks of the Meuse River between Namur and Dinant before arriving in the historic town of Ghent where the treaty between England and America was signed ending the war of 1812.
Breakfast
Day 7: Ghent and Bruges
Ghent is a university town with a style similar to the Latin Quarter around the Sorbonne in Paris. Your guide will give you an overview tour before taking you to Bruges. At one time, this city was a major trading port but the river connecting with the sea silted up and the town was preserved in its ancient ways and architecture. In the afternoon your guide will show you the major highlights including Our Lady and the Statue by Michelangelo, the Market square with the Belfry and the Town Hall Square (also known as the Burg) with the Chapel of the Holy Blood. Bruges has many fine restaurants within walking distance of your hotel.
Breakfast
Day 8: A Day in Bruges
We would leave this day open for you to explore the town at your own pace. You can take a cruise on the canals, observe a lace-making demonstration or visit the Groening Ancient Art Museum. If you like you can take an optional bike tour along the canals and through the Flemish countryside. Breakfast
Day 9: Return to USA
After breakfast you will have a private transfer to Brussels Airport for the flight back to the USA where you arrive back the same afternoon.
Breakfast
