Itinerary Details
1 Arrive Amsterdam, Netherlands
A maze of pretty waterways, coffeehouses and museums brimming with Golden Age masterpieces: Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most unforgettable capitals, a city that takes high culture as seriously as hedonism. Whether explored on foot, boat or bike — the transport of choice for Amsterdammers, of course — its cool, laid-back collage of districts is stitched together with cobbles and canals: browse the boutiques along De 9 Straatjes, people-watch from Jordaan’s storied bruin (brown) cafes or roam the artsy, leafy streets of De Pijp.
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2 Amsterdam – Cruising The Canals
Glide along the city’s iconic canals on a private cruise. Donning your walking shoes, take to the charming streets and alleys en route to Dam Square, dominated by the Royal Palace. In the Canal Ring district, see gabled houses lining the waterways. End the day at the Anne Frank House, a poignant reminder of its occupants’ experiences during World War II.
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3 Amsterdam – Pedaling Through Waterland
Today, your cycling guide leads a bike tour through the scenic countryside and along the North Holland Canal to Waterland, northeast of Amsterdam. The charming villages of Zunderdorp, Ransdorp and Durgerdam present scenic views and opportunities for exploration and refreshments before a ferry ride back to Amsterdam. Once a working-class neighborhood, the trendy Jordaan district now boasts specialty shops and fantastic restaurants. Meet families preserving Dutch food traditions and explore historical sites rarely seen by visitors.
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4 Amsterdam – Van Gogh And Rembrandt
The Van Gogh Museum holds the artist’s most celebrated works, making it the perfect start to an art-filled day. The artistic journey continues at the Rembrandt House Museum, the artist’s former home and creative haven. As you wander through, discover remarkable paintings and precious belongings reunited after Rembrandt’s bankruptcy in 1656.
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5 Delft And The Hague – Masterworks Of Pottery And Paint
Delft beckons with its blue and white pottery and attractive architecture. The town’s gorgeous buildings and charming ambience invite you; visit the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), boasting the second tallest church tower in the Netherlands. Continue to the Vermeer Centrum; discover the history of Johannes Vermeer, the Dutch Baroque painter of Girl with a Pearl Earring. After lunch at leisure, continue to The Hague, exploring the Mauritshuis Museum’s impressive works by Rembrandt, Steen, Hals, Rubens, Van Dyck and many other Dutch artists.
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6 Antwerp, Belgium – Flemish Artists’ HavenPause in Antwerp en route to Bruges and meet your guide for a walk through Belgium’s second city. Stroll wide boulevards and past ornate facades until you reach the Snijders&Rockox House to view Rubens’ early self-portrait, a rendition of The Descent from the Cross and lively sketches. Next, visit the Cathedral of Our Lady, where soaring vaults hold more of the artist’s masterpieces.
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7 Bruges – Storybook CharmerLike a storybook illustration, Bruges has a timeless, almost fantastical beauty to it: a jumble of step-gabled houses and Gothic belfries, the scents of Belgian fritjes (fries) and sculpted chocolate tempting from all directions. And yet the city is at its most enchanting by the water, where boats glide beneath stone bridges and willows toss their fair green locks into winding, narrow canals. Your guide leads a stroll along the tree-lined canal streets, passing the Church of the Holy Blood, the Markt and its soaring belfry. Next, visit the medieval city hall, the Church of Our Lady and the Groeninge Museum.
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8 Ghent – Medieval TreasuresOn your way to Brussels, stop off in the beautiful city of Ghent to take in its magnificent medieval quarter; the masterpieces within St Bavo’s Cathedral; and Gravensteen, a splendid 12th-century castle reminiscent of former glories.
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9 Brussels – Belgium’s Artistic HeritageThe birthplace of Tintin and home to the mischievous Manneken Pis, Brussels scarcely deserves its reputation as a city of bureaucrats. It is a visual feast, replete with gilded Flemish buildings and Victor Horta’s flourishes of art nouveau, while comic-style street art and tongue-in-cheek statues illustrate the Belgians’ good humor. Begin with a visit to the Grand Place, home to the old quarter’s markets, opulent guildhalls and impressive Bread House. Close by stands Brussels’ most famous resident, the Manneken Pis, a bronze emblem of the city’s bold nature. Venturing further afield, visit the Horta House, dedicated to Art Nouveau architect Victor Horta and based in his old residence.
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10 Brussels – A Delectable Taste Of BelgiumMeet a culinary guide to sample Brussels’ signature flavors, starting with shrimp croquettes at a specialist spot, then moving on to boulettes à la Gueuze (Brussels’ famous meatballs) served with fries. After lunch, indulge in a classic Belgian waffle before finishing with pralines in a historic chocolate shop.
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11 Depart BrusselsMeals:
