Benelux Deluxe
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per item
Highlights:
- For an in depth exploration of the "Low Countries," we offer this curated program for your consideration.
- Offering visits to Amsterdam, Brussels and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, plus numerous secondary cities like Antwerp, The Hague, Delft and Bruges.
- This would make an ideal vacation for two or three couples sharing an interest in art, fine dining and the European Countryside.
SKU:
Explore: Benelux
Customizable Itinerary - 14 Days (from $7,358 / person)
Day 1: Depart USA
Board your aircraft bound for Amsterdam and the beginning of your Benelux adventure.
Day 2: Arrival in Amsterdam
After landing in Amsterdam you will be met by our driver and taken to your hotel. You will meet your guide in the lobby who will take you on a bike tour that gives you an overview of the city, reaching places where busses and cars can’t. If you are not into bike riding the guide can use trams and canal boats.
Day 3: A Visit to the Dutch Countryside
Your driver, along with your guide, will be waiting into the countryside to view the unique sights of yesteryear. Your first stop will be Zaanse Schans to dee its famous windmills then to the quaint village of Marken where the residents still wear their folkloric costumes. Your next stop will be the fishing village of Monnickendam where you have lunch. Finish your tour in Broek, located in the Waterland region which was the home of sea captains in the 17th and 18th Centuries.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: A Day Devoted to Dutch Art
This morning will take you on a walking tour through several beautiful neighborhoods including Jordaan which offers antique stores. This will be followed by Begijnhof an area that was home to widows and unmarried women who cared for the poor. Arrive at Museum Square which is the home of the Van Gogh Museum. Your guide will give you a private your of some of his best works. After your visit you will board a boat for a private lunch cruise as you cruise the canals of Amsterdam. In the afternoon you arrive at the Rijksmuseum where you will get a guided tour including the major works by Rembrandt and other Dutch Masters.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Delft and The Hague
Today you will visit two cities that have played a crucial role in the history of the Netherlands. You will first be driven to medieval Delft where Vermeer lived and painted. Your guide will take you on a walk through the historic centre, along the canals and past the many almshouses. You will then visit the Royal Dutch Delftware Manufactory established in 1652 and still hand-painted. You will stop for lunch before being taken to The Hague and Mauritshuis home to some of the best 17th Century paintings. Here you will see “The Goldfinch” by Fabritius, “anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp” by Rembrandt and “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Vermeer. You will also see the main government buildings and the palace where King Willem Alexander resides.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6: Rotterdam and Antwerp
You will depart with your driver for the port city of Rotterdam. This is one of Europe’s busiest Ports but the city is also known for its avant garde architecture that has re-defined the city. You will take a cruise around the harbour which while commercial is also scenic. You then cross into Belgium and arrive in the Diamond capital of the world, Antwerp. You will visit the diamond district before checking into your hotel.
Breakfast
Day 7: Ghent and Bruges
Continue your exploration of Belgium as you first visit the town of Ghent, a university town that was the location for the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United States. After an overview tour you will proceed 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: A Visit to the Ardennes
After breakfast you meet your driver for the drive to the area known as Wallonia, the French speaking part of Belgium, and the more generic Ardennes. This scenic area is a favorite of the residents of Brussels as a peaceful weekend escape. This area was one of the key battlegrounds of both World Wars as the Germans, in both cases, used Belgium as a way to avoid French fortifications. You will stop to sample some beer at the Bocq micro-brewery and drive along the scenic banks of the Meuse River from Dinant to Namur. Spend the night in the picturesque town of Namur.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: From Beer to Brussels
Leave Namur and drive towards Brussels. Stop at the Abbey of Maredsous where the brothers’ turn out high quality Trappist Beer and some pretty good cheese. It makes a nice lunch along with fresh bread. You will also visit a snail farm which provides ‘escargots’ to the restaurants of Brussels and Paris. When you arrive in Brussels you will receive 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.
Breakfast
Day 11: Chocolate and Beer, Everybody’s Happy
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. We will provide dinner recommendations.
Breakfast
Day 12: A Day in the Duchy of Luxembourg
Drive to one of the smallest countries in Europe, ruled over by a Grand Duke and currently supporting elements of the European Union. You will see the Royal Palace, the Place d’Armes and the 17th Century Notre Dame Cathedral all located in the older part of the city. The other, more modern part of the city includes the European Court of Justice and the Secretariat of the European Parliament. Enjoy lunch in old town and some free time to explore before returning to Brussels.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 13: Foodies Finale
The central core of Brussels is the Market Square known as the Grand Place with its incomparable city hall and guild houses. In the afternoon your guide will take you on a walking tour 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 Dinner
Day 14: Return to USA
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for the return flight to the USA where you arrive back the same afternoon.
Breakfast
Board your aircraft bound for Amsterdam and the beginning of your Benelux adventure.
Day 2: Arrival in Amsterdam
After landing in Amsterdam you will be met by our driver and taken to your hotel. You will meet your guide in the lobby who will take you on a bike tour that gives you an overview of the city, reaching places where busses and cars can’t. If you are not into bike riding the guide can use trams and canal boats.
Day 3: A Visit to the Dutch Countryside
Your driver, along with your guide, will be waiting into the countryside to view the unique sights of yesteryear. Your first stop will be Zaanse Schans to dee its famous windmills then to the quaint village of Marken where the residents still wear their folkloric costumes. Your next stop will be the fishing village of Monnickendam where you have lunch. Finish your tour in Broek, located in the Waterland region which was the home of sea captains in the 17th and 18th Centuries.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: A Day Devoted to Dutch Art
This morning will take you on a walking tour through several beautiful neighborhoods including Jordaan which offers antique stores. This will be followed by Begijnhof an area that was home to widows and unmarried women who cared for the poor. Arrive at Museum Square which is the home of the Van Gogh Museum. Your guide will give you a private your of some of his best works. After your visit you will board a boat for a private lunch cruise as you cruise the canals of Amsterdam. In the afternoon you arrive at the Rijksmuseum where you will get a guided tour including the major works by Rembrandt and other Dutch Masters.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Delft and The Hague
Today you will visit two cities that have played a crucial role in the history of the Netherlands. You will first be driven to medieval Delft where Vermeer lived and painted. Your guide will take you on a walk through the historic centre, along the canals and past the many almshouses. You will then visit the Royal Dutch Delftware Manufactory established in 1652 and still hand-painted. You will stop for lunch before being taken to The Hague and Mauritshuis home to some of the best 17th Century paintings. Here you will see “The Goldfinch” by Fabritius, “anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp” by Rembrandt and “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Vermeer. You will also see the main government buildings and the palace where King Willem Alexander resides.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6: Rotterdam and Antwerp
You will depart with your driver for the port city of Rotterdam. This is one of Europe’s busiest Ports but the city is also known for its avant garde architecture that has re-defined the city. You will take a cruise around the harbour which while commercial is also scenic. You then cross into Belgium and arrive in the Diamond capital of the world, Antwerp. You will visit the diamond district before checking into your hotel.
Breakfast
Day 7: Ghent and Bruges
Continue your exploration of Belgium as you first visit the town of Ghent, a university town that was the location for the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United States. After an overview tour you will proceed 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: A Visit to the Ardennes
After breakfast you meet your driver for the drive to the area known as Wallonia, the French speaking part of Belgium, and the more generic Ardennes. This scenic area is a favorite of the residents of Brussels as a peaceful weekend escape. This area was one of the key battlegrounds of both World Wars as the Germans, in both cases, used Belgium as a way to avoid French fortifications. You will stop to sample some beer at the Bocq micro-brewery and drive along the scenic banks of the Meuse River from Dinant to Namur. Spend the night in the picturesque town of Namur.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: From Beer to Brussels
Leave Namur and drive towards Brussels. Stop at the Abbey of Maredsous where the brothers’ turn out high quality Trappist Beer and some pretty good cheese. It makes a nice lunch along with fresh bread. You will also visit a snail farm which provides ‘escargots’ to the restaurants of Brussels and Paris. When you arrive in Brussels you will receive 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.
Breakfast
Day 11: Chocolate and Beer, Everybody’s Happy
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. We will provide dinner recommendations.
Breakfast
Day 12: A Day in the Duchy of Luxembourg
Drive to one of the smallest countries in Europe, ruled over by a Grand Duke and currently supporting elements of the European Union. You will see the Royal Palace, the Place d’Armes and the 17th Century Notre Dame Cathedral all located in the older part of the city. The other, more modern part of the city includes the European Court of Justice and the Secretariat of the European Parliament. Enjoy lunch in old town and some free time to explore before returning to Brussels.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 13: Foodies Finale
The central core of Brussels is the Market Square known as the Grand Place with its incomparable city hall and guild houses. In the afternoon your guide will take you on a walking tour 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 Dinner
Day 14: Return to USA
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for the return flight to the USA where you arrive back the same afternoon.
Breakfast
