HOLLAND, LUXEMBOURG & BELGIUM AT LEISURE
10 DAYS FROM $1,799 US
Details below or click here for more information INQUIRY FORM
Phone: 1-888-682-6449/1-303-670-5640
Fax: (425) 984-7676
For those who wish
to visit the Benelux countries at a leisurely pace, this is the perfect
10-day vacation. Travelers appreciate centrally located hotels in
Amsterdam, Luxembourg and Brussels. Special highlights like the bulb
fields of South Holland and the flower park Keukenhof (springtime only;
after spring enjoy a visit to Anne Frank House in Amsterdam instead), a
canal cruise, and visits to the Rijksmuseum, to admire Rembrandt’s
masterpieces, the Aalsmeer Flower Auction have been included. Via
Maastricht travel to Luxembourg for your overnight stay. Stops are made
at Bastogne at the American Memorial of the Battle of the Bridge,
General Patton’s grave, and at Waterloo, and from Brussels a special
excursion has been included to Bruges with guided sightseeing including
a boat cruise. Day 1 (Fri.)
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 Arrival in Amsterdam, Holland (Sat.)
The day is free to rest or to start exploring the Dutch capital. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day 3 Amsterdam (Sun.)
Start your discovery of Holland with a morning sightseeing tour of the capital with a Local Guide. Enjoy a CANAL CRUISE along gabled merchant houses and arched drawbridges reminiscent of the Golden Age, and the strikingly modern buildings of a young-at-heart city. Next, visit the fabulous RIJKSMUSEUM with priceless paintings by Rembrandt and other Dutch masters. Then time to explore Dam Square and the city center on your own, or join your Tour Director for an included visit to a major DIAMOND CENTER to appreciate how a rough mineral is transformed into a sparkling jewel. Afternoon at leisure. You may want to join an optional excursion to the fishing village of Volendam at the former Zuiderzee. (BB)
Day 4 Amsterdam. Excursion to Aalsmeer, Delft, The Hague, and Keukenhof (Mon.)
A scenic day. Start with an early visit to the impressive AALSMEER FLOWER AUCTION, where more than 17 million flowers and two million plants are sold each day. Next, continue to the world renowned ROYAL DELFT POTTERY FACTORY with its magnificent collection of hand-painted earthenware pieces, and see skilled craftsmen at work. Next, drive via The Hague, seat of the Dutch government and the International Court of Justice, to the famous bulbfields of South Holland and visit the extraordinary flower park of KEUKENHOF (departures 0412-0510) before returning to Amsterdam. Departures 0517 1004 visit ANNE FRANK HOUSE instead. (BB)
Day 5 Amsterdam–Maastricht–Bastogne, Belgium–Luxembourg (Tue.)
This morning drive south to Maastricht, where the famous treaty for a stronger unified Europe was signed. Learn more about the European Union as you stroll around this delightful city and enjoy lunch in one of the quaint cafés flanking Vrijthof Square. Cross the Belgium border and stop in Bastogne at the AMERICAN MEMORIAL of the Battle of the Bulge. Late afternoon arrival in Luxembourg, the homonymous capital of one of Europe’s smallest sovereign states. (BB,D)
Day 6 Luxembourg (Wed.)
Morning sightseeing with your Local Guide covers the city’s past and present, from the fortifications and the Old Town, perched high atop a sandstone outcrop with striking views on the Alzette and Pétrusse Gorges, to the modern administrative center of European Institutions. Visit the CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY, view the turreted Grand Ducal Palace, take a stroll along the panoramic cliff path known as “the most beautiful balcony in Europe,” and see the GRAVE OF GENERAL PATTON. An optional excursion to Trier in Germany can be arranged. (BB)
Day 7 Luxembourg–Waterloo, Belgium–Brussels (Thu.)
Through the Belgian Ardennes past Namur at the confluence of the Rivers Meuse and Sambre to Waterloo, where Napoleon was defeated and European history changed course. The afternoon is dedicated to cosmopolitan Brussels, the thriving Belgian capital with a proud medieval past. Your orientation tour features the Rue Royale with the monument of Congress, the Parliament buildings, the Royal Palace, and the main cathedral of Brussels, SAINT MICHAEL. Continue on foot to admire the GRAND’ PLACE with its baroque guild houses, the gothic Town Hall, and the most famous inhabitant of the city, Manneken Pis. (BB)
Day 8 Brussels. Excursion to Bruges (Fri.)
Most of today is dedicated to Bruges, one of Western Europe’s most perfectly preserved medieval cities. Originating during the defense of the Flemish coast from Viking attack, and once an important wool trading port, it now proudly tells the story of art and architecture of the Middle Ages. A CANAL CRUISE (weather permitting) will give you your first feel of this delightful town. Your Local Guide will show you the Church of Our Lady, the MARKET with its belfry, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, and the City Hall. Plenty of time for lunch, souvenir hunting, and exploring on your own before returning to Brussels. (BB)
Day 9 At Leisure in Brussels (Sat.)
Day at leisure to catch up on your postcards, browse through the trendy boutiques, or simply relax. Another possibility: join a half-day optional excursion to Antwerp, the second-largest Belgian city and one of the world’s most important ancient seaports. Visit the famous Rockox House, where the art collector and friend of Rubens lived; the Plantin-Moretus Museum, a permanent exhibition dedicated to the early days of book printing in the 16th century; the Grote Markt; and the Church of Our Lady to admire two of the most important triptychs by Rubens. Tonight an included farewell dinner is the perfect way to celebrate the success of your vacation. (BB,D)
Day 10 (Sun.)
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)
INCLUDED FEATURES
AMSTERDAM - Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, visit Rembrandt’s masterpieces in the Rijksmuseum; canal cruise; visit a major diamond center; visit Anne Frank House (departures 0517-1004)
AALSMEER - Visit the Flower Auction
DELFT - Orientation, visit the Royal Pottery factory
THE HAGUE - Orientation
KEUKENHOF - Visit the Flower Park (departures 0412-0510)
MAASTRICHT - Orientation
BASTOGNE - Stop at the American Memorial
LUXEMBOURG - Guided sightseeing, visit the cathedral, General Patton’s grave
WATERLOO - Picture stop
BRUSSELS - Orientation including the Grand’Place; visit St. Michael’s Cathedral, picture stop at Manneken Pis; farewell dinner
BRUGES - Guided sightseeing; canal cruise
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
MEALS
Buffet breakfast (BB) daily; 3 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Amsterdam and a farewell dinner in Brussels
SUPERIOR HOTELS
AMSTERDAM Crowne Plaza City Centre (SF), LUXEMBOURG Hilton (SF), BRUSSELS Radisson SAS Royal (D)
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 Arrival in Amsterdam, Holland (Sat.)
The day is free to rest or to start exploring the Dutch capital. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day 3 Amsterdam (Sun.)
Start your discovery of Holland with a morning sightseeing tour of the capital with a Local Guide. Enjoy a CANAL CRUISE along gabled merchant houses and arched drawbridges reminiscent of the Golden Age, and the strikingly modern buildings of a young-at-heart city. Next, visit the fabulous RIJKSMUSEUM with priceless paintings by Rembrandt and other Dutch masters. Then time to explore Dam Square and the city center on your own, or join your Tour Director for an included visit to a major DIAMOND CENTER to appreciate how a rough mineral is transformed into a sparkling jewel. Afternoon at leisure. You may want to join an optional excursion to the fishing village of Volendam at the former Zuiderzee. (BB)
Day 4 Amsterdam. Excursion to Aalsmeer, Delft, The Hague, and Keukenhof (Mon.)
A scenic day. Start with an early visit to the impressive AALSMEER FLOWER AUCTION, where more than 17 million flowers and two million plants are sold each day. Next, continue to the world renowned ROYAL DELFT POTTERY FACTORY with its magnificent collection of hand-painted earthenware pieces, and see skilled craftsmen at work. Next, drive via The Hague, seat of the Dutch government and the International Court of Justice, to the famous bulbfields of South Holland and visit the extraordinary flower park of KEUKENHOF (departures 0412-0510) before returning to Amsterdam. Departures 0517 1004 visit ANNE FRANK HOUSE instead. (BB)
Day 5 Amsterdam–Maastricht–Bastogne, Belgium–Luxembourg (Tue.)
This morning drive south to Maastricht, where the famous treaty for a stronger unified Europe was signed. Learn more about the European Union as you stroll around this delightful city and enjoy lunch in one of the quaint cafés flanking Vrijthof Square. Cross the Belgium border and stop in Bastogne at the AMERICAN MEMORIAL of the Battle of the Bulge. Late afternoon arrival in Luxembourg, the homonymous capital of one of Europe’s smallest sovereign states. (BB,D)
Day 6 Luxembourg (Wed.)
Morning sightseeing with your Local Guide covers the city’s past and present, from the fortifications and the Old Town, perched high atop a sandstone outcrop with striking views on the Alzette and Pétrusse Gorges, to the modern administrative center of European Institutions. Visit the CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY, view the turreted Grand Ducal Palace, take a stroll along the panoramic cliff path known as “the most beautiful balcony in Europe,” and see the GRAVE OF GENERAL PATTON. An optional excursion to Trier in Germany can be arranged. (BB)
Day 7 Luxembourg–Waterloo, Belgium–Brussels (Thu.)
Through the Belgian Ardennes past Namur at the confluence of the Rivers Meuse and Sambre to Waterloo, where Napoleon was defeated and European history changed course. The afternoon is dedicated to cosmopolitan Brussels, the thriving Belgian capital with a proud medieval past. Your orientation tour features the Rue Royale with the monument of Congress, the Parliament buildings, the Royal Palace, and the main cathedral of Brussels, SAINT MICHAEL. Continue on foot to admire the GRAND’ PLACE with its baroque guild houses, the gothic Town Hall, and the most famous inhabitant of the city, Manneken Pis. (BB)
Day 8 Brussels. Excursion to Bruges (Fri.)
Most of today is dedicated to Bruges, one of Western Europe’s most perfectly preserved medieval cities. Originating during the defense of the Flemish coast from Viking attack, and once an important wool trading port, it now proudly tells the story of art and architecture of the Middle Ages. A CANAL CRUISE (weather permitting) will give you your first feel of this delightful town. Your Local Guide will show you the Church of Our Lady, the MARKET with its belfry, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, and the City Hall. Plenty of time for lunch, souvenir hunting, and exploring on your own before returning to Brussels. (BB)
Day 9 At Leisure in Brussels (Sat.)
Day at leisure to catch up on your postcards, browse through the trendy boutiques, or simply relax. Another possibility: join a half-day optional excursion to Antwerp, the second-largest Belgian city and one of the world’s most important ancient seaports. Visit the famous Rockox House, where the art collector and friend of Rubens lived; the Plantin-Moretus Museum, a permanent exhibition dedicated to the early days of book printing in the 16th century; the Grote Markt; and the Church of Our Lady to admire two of the most important triptychs by Rubens. Tonight an included farewell dinner is the perfect way to celebrate the success of your vacation. (BB,D)
Day 10 (Sun.)
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)
INCLUDED FEATURES
AMSTERDAM - Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, visit Rembrandt’s masterpieces in the Rijksmuseum; canal cruise; visit a major diamond center; visit Anne Frank House (departures 0517-1004)
AALSMEER - Visit the Flower Auction
DELFT - Orientation, visit the Royal Pottery factory
THE HAGUE - Orientation
KEUKENHOF - Visit the Flower Park (departures 0412-0510)
MAASTRICHT - Orientation
BASTOGNE - Stop at the American Memorial
LUXEMBOURG - Guided sightseeing, visit the cathedral, General Patton’s grave
WATERLOO - Picture stop
BRUSSELS - Orientation including the Grand’Place; visit St. Michael’s Cathedral, picture stop at Manneken Pis; farewell dinner
BRUGES - Guided sightseeing; canal cruise
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
MEALS
Buffet breakfast (BB) daily; 3 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Amsterdam and a farewell dinner in Brussels
SUPERIOR HOTELS
AMSTERDAM Crowne Plaza City Centre (SF), LUXEMBOURG Hilton (SF), BRUSSELS Radisson SAS Royal (D)
April - October
Prices
From approx $1,799 US
per person based on double occupancy
To book or for more information please complete the
INQUIRY FORM
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Phone: 1-888-682-6449/1-303-670-5640
Fax: (425) 984-7676
tours@a-ztravel.com