DAY 1: Friday or Saturday
Welcome by our assistant upon arrival at Brussels airport or Brussels South train station (arrival Thalys/Eurostar) and transfer to the hotel in Brussels center.
Dinner at own arrangements
Night in Brussels
DAY 2: Saturday or Sunday
Buffet breakfast at the hotel
Morning
09h00 Welcome by our guide at the hotel and city tour of Brussels (duration 3 hours) by coach and on foot.
Brussels has an atmosphere that international visitors find very appealing .
Not only is Brussels the capital of Belgium, but it is also home to the three key institutions of the European Union and to many other pan-European organizations. Brussels has a lot to offer in terms of important historic sites and a wide array of cultural and folkloristic events. Brussels is also the capital of Art Nouveau and well-known architects such as Victor Horta lived and worked here.
During this 3 hours tour we try to explain all the above aspects of this vibrant city. By private car (minivan) we make a sightseeing tour covering all Brussels ‘places of interest: the Atomium, the Royal Palace of Laeken, the Japanese tower and the Chinese pavilion, the Cinquantenaire Park, the EU-quarter, the Palace of Justice, the Warande park, the Wetstraat/ Rue de la Loi, the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudule, … . On foot we discover the famous Grand’Place with its beautiful guild houses and surroundings (the St Hubertus galleries, the notoriously statue of Manneken Pis, the square Place de Brouckère with the imposing 19th century Stock Market, Place de la Monnaie and its theatre,..) Afternoon
Lunch at own arrangements
Free time in Brussels
Night in Brussels
DAY 3: Sunday or Monday
Buffet breakfast at the hotel
Morning
09h00 Check-out and transfer to Ghent.
Ghent situated at the confluence of the Scheldt and Lys rivers, has been listed by National Geographic Traveler as the third most authentic city worldwide.
We make a 3 hour guided walk along the picturesque Graslei and Korenlei. The gables of their guild houses turn them undoubtedly into two of Ghent’s most beautiful historical streets. From one of the flanking bridges, one can see the postcard panorama of the three towers: the belfry and the steeples of the St. Nicolas church and the Saint Bavo cathedral. A stroll over the Korenmarkt , a stop at the St Nicolas church, the impressive belfry and its cloth hall ( both on the World Heritage list) brings us to the Saint Bavo cathedral. There the famous altarpiece The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb ( 1432) by the van Eyck brothers , a milestone in art history, is not to be missed ! On our way to the Vrijdagsmarkt Square we elaborate on the city hall with its mixture of styles from flamboyant Gothic to sober Renaissance. In the middle of the Square ’ the statue of Jacob Van Artevelde sees to it that Ghent thrives again like it did in the 14th century when Jacob ended the English boycott on wool imports. A little further we encounter Dulle Griet (“ Evil woman”),a 15th century cast iron cannon, weighing more than twelve tons. Once we have crossed the Lys we enter the inner courtyard of the House of Alijn. This former almshouse is now the Museum of Folklore. The exquisite complex is part of the Paterhol. The only neighborhood in Ghent where the original medieval street plan is still intact. Through winding alleys and cobbled streets with numerous restaurants we reach the Castle of the Counts. This imposing fortress used to be the residence of the count of Flanders. Later on it was used as a courthouse, a jail and even a textile factory. We return to the Korenlei passing the St-Veerle square and the Old Fish Market. We end our visit with a 40 minutes cruise on the inner canals of Ghent
Afternoon
Lunch at own arrangements
Free time in Ghent
Transfer to Bruges and installation at the hotel.
Dinner at own arrangements
Night in Bruges
DAY 4: Monday or Tuesday
Buffet breakfast at the hotel
Morning
09h00 Welcome by our English speaking guide and city tour of Bruges on foot .
With its almost intact medieval street plan Bruges is certainly an evocative open air museum. But having survived the two World Wars unscathed it luckily preserved all its art treasures and museums. During this half day city tour we discover the main highlights of Bruges. The city is also proud to be called the “chocolate capital of Belgium”. Since the 16th century chocolate is produced in Bruges. Nowadays the city center counts more than 50 chocolate manufacturers, every year a Chocolate Festival takes place in the city and on top of that the city has its own chocolate museum ‘Chocostory’ which attracts many visitors
During our discovery walk we will pass by at some of the finest chocolate shops. During the walk and guide gives a brief explanation of the most important buildings and places which we will pass by such as the Market Square with the Belfry, the Burg Square with Town Hall,… A visit of the chocolate museum Choco-story is also on the program. At the end of the visit you will taste and sample the homemade chocolates…
We end the morning with a visit of the brewery De Halve Maan with local guide This is the last remaining active family owned brewery in the center where the Brugse Zot is brewed
Lunch at own arrangements
Afternoon
Free time
Night in Bruges
DAY 5: Tuesday or Wednesday
Buffet breakfast at the hotel
Transfer Bruges – Antwerp
Morning
Visit of the historical center of Antwerp on foot.
In this 3 hours walk guided tour of Antwerp we visit the Market Square, Our Lady cathedral, the Vlaeykensgang (medieval district with narrow streets and alleys), the Square Groenplaats, the popular shopping street the Meir where we pass by along the Rubenshuis (visit outside) where the famous painter Rubens used to live and work.
Afternoon
Free time in Antwerp
Transfer Antwerp – Brussels (airport / train station) with assistance
End of services
minimum 15 persons