Pride of Belgium – Amsterdam to Brussels

Itinerary Details

Day 1 Amsterdam, Holland

Welcome to Holland where you will be met and transferred to the DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station or similar. The remainder of the day is free to start exploring this delightful 700-year old city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafs and restaurants that give it a distinct ambiance!

Day 2 Amsterdam ( Embarkation )

Included today: canal cruise, Welcome Reception.This morning set out to discover the treasures of this city by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s “Golden Age”. Explore on your own this afternoon before boarding your ship and meeting the crew at a welcome reception. Sail out of Amsterdam at dinner time. (B, D)

Day 3 Rotterdam.

Included today: Harbour cruise; choice of excursion to either Kinderdijk or Keukenhof Gardens (or Delft after mid May). This morning cruise through Rotterdam’s busy harbour and then the choice is yours: you may choose to visit Kinderdijk and its iconic windmills; or the gardens of Keukenhof (April 15 and 19 departures). When Keukenhof Gardens are closed, (May 20 and September 27 departures) you may choose to take a guided excursion Delft. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Ghent, Belgium

Included today: guided sightseeing, visit St Baaf’s Cathedral In a unique way, Ghent, the “diamond” of Flanders, has managed to preserve its medieval charm and power while keeping up with the times. A LOCAL GUIDE will proudly point out that the city centre alone is a showcase of medieval Flemish wealth and commercial success. Visit ST. BAAF’S CATHEDRAL, that houses remarkable art treasures, including the most important work in Flemish art, The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, created by the Van Eyck brothers around 1432. On your own, explore the traffic-free streets in the city centre; see Gravensteen, the “castle of the counts”, an imposing castle in the city that was built in 1110; or join an optional excursion to Bruges, with its criss-crossed canals and charming patrician houses. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Excursion to the Battlefields of Eastern Flanders

A moving day today as you travel by coach for a full day to view the WWI battlefields of Eastern Flanders. The war on the Western Front was fought in three phases, and lasted from 1914 until 1918, leaving behind a scarred landscape in Belgian Flanders and north-eastern France. Today there are many thousands of war graves and commemorative memorials for the fallen of many nations along the line of the battlefields that formed The Western Front. It is close to here that John McCrae’s famous poem “In Flanders fields the poppies blow” is believed to have been written, and in many countries on every 11th November, poppies are worn in remembrance of Armistice Day. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Antwerp

Included today: guided sightseeing. Antwerp is Belgium’s second-largest city and one of the world’s most important ancient seaports. It merges the new with the old and offers the attractions and atmosphere you’d expect from a European city – friendly people, fabulous architecture, chic shops, interesting museums, vibrant cafs, charming galleries, and historic monuments. INCLUDED SIGHTSEEING with a Local Guide shows you its superb architecture; the central GROTE MARKT, lined with 16th-century houses; the beautiful city hall, completed in 1566; and the Church of Our Lady, started in 1352 and featuring paintings by Rubens. An optional excursion is available to nearby Brussels, Belgium’s capital and home of the European Union. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Maastricht, Holland

Included today: guided sightseeing This morning arrive in Maastricht, the bustling cosmopolitan capital of the province of Limburg. A LOCAL GUIDE will show you the sights of this vibrant university town – the lovely cathedrals, old houses and buildings, and the impressively cobblestoned town centre. Later, take advantage of free time to explore on your own. Maybe wander through the hidden alleys or relax with a drink at a caf in Vrijthof, the town’s main square. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Namur, Belgium

Included today: choice of guided sightseeing, or full day excursion to the Ardennes region. Namur is located on two rivers, the Meuse and the Sambre, and was an ideal location for the earliest Roman settlements. The streets of the town are where its charm and atmosphere lie and much of Namur has been dedicated to pedestrians, making it easy to get around. The symbol of the city is the snail, and visitors are encouraged to relax and enjoy the charming medieval squares and gracious streets lined with mansions, chic shops and cafs. See the striking Namur Fortress, one of Europe’s largest. Join a Local Guide for a GUIDED TOUR of this city, including a visit to a CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Alternatively you may prefer to take a full day excursion to the Ardennes region, including a visit to Bastogne. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Namur ( Disembarkation )

Transfer to the airport or station for your journey to the UK. (B)