Country Roads of Belgium, Luxembourg & the Netherlands - Classic Group
Country Roads of Belgium, Luxembourg & the Netherlands - Classic Group
$4595
Country Roads of Belgium, Luxembourg & the Netherlands - Classic Group
11 Days Starting in Brussels, Belgium and ending in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Visiting: Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Clervaux, Luxembourg City, Rotterdam, The Hague, Amsterdam
Tour operator:
Tour code:
E918ZN20
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Rail Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands with the "Country Roads of Belgium, Luxembourg & the Netherlands - Classic Group" tour. This immersive experience offers a blend of cultural exploration, historical insights, and culinary delights. Begin in Brussels with a choice between a chocolate truffle-making lesson or a visit to the historic Battle of Waterloo site. Discover the medieval charm of Ghent and Bruges, and enjoy a farm-to-table dinner in Luxembourg. Explore the vibrant cities of Rotterdam and Amsterdam, with highlights including a canal cruise and a visit to the Rijksmuseum. Throughout the tour, enjoy expertly guided tours, luxury accommodations, and authentic dining experiences, making this a truly unforgettable European adventure.
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Brussels: Join a private chocolate truffle-making lesson and tasting with a master chocolatier to get up close and personal with the decadent flavors of Brussels. Then enhance your discovery exploring Brussels with your Local Expert. Visit the cobbled square of the Grand-Place, home to the Town Hall and other buildings of political significance. This 12th century, Gothic architectural gem also hosts many concerts, fairs and folklore events and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
- Brussels: No visit to Belgium is complete without a trip to the site of the historic Battle of Waterloo. Your Travel Director reveals how the Battle of Waterloo was fought at this very spot between Napoleon’s French Army and a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Blucher, ending a 23-year war and Napolean’s imperial power. Step inside the museum and the underground Visitor Center to enhance your discovery through a 3D film and monumental panoramic painting depicting the battle.
Top Rated Highlights
- Brussels: Visit the Grand Place and view the Mannekin Pis.
- Brussels: See the Atomium, and the Chinese and Japanese Pavilions.
- Ghent: Visit St. Bavo's Cathedral with a Local Expert, former home of the Van Eyck masterpiece, and see the Castle of the Counts.
- Bruges: Visit the Market Square and famous belfry of the Market Hall with your Local Expert. See the Gothic town hall in Burg Square and the frescoes on the walls of the Holy Blood Chapel.
- Luxembourg City: With your Local Expert, enjoy views over the Petrusse Ravine and walk through the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the cathedral, the Palace of the Grand Duke and visit the grave of U.S. General George S. Patton. Lookout from the Pont Adolphe.
- Bastogne: Experience a fascinating insight into the history of the World War II at the modern Bastogne War Museum. Visit the Mardasson Monument, dedicated to those who fell during the Battle of the Bulge.
- Rotterdam: Witness the impressive market hall and Erasmus Bridge on your orientation of this modern city.
- Delft: Visit one of the manufacturers of original Delft blue pottery and see the potters at work on your guided tour.
- The Hague: See the Parliament and the Peace Palace.
- Amsterdam: Led by your Travel Director, wander the city to see the floating flower market, Dam Square and the Royal Palace.
- Amsterdam: Cruise along the waterways, discovering the architectural gems of the old city, including mansions dating from the Golden Age of the 17th Century.
- Amsterdam: Explore the Rijksmuseum, the Dutch national museum and largest art museum in the Netherlands, with a local art historian. Witness famous works by Van Gogh, Vermeer, and Rembrandt.
Authentic Dining
Brussels: Your delightful first evening also includes a Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant in the heart of the Old Town with an opportunity to mingle with your fellow travelers.
Maredsous Abbey: Visit the late 19th century abbey, surrounded by the lush greenery of the Molignée valley. Then, learn about the production secrets of the Maredsous Benedictine beers and cheeses before sampling freshly brewed beer along with a taste of creamy, golden-crusted cheese.
Luxembourg City: At restaurant Les Écuires du Parc, savor a freshly prepared Farm-to-Table meal of locally sourced, seasonal produce.
Monnickendam: Enjoy a Celebration Dinner with wine in an elegant restaurant in the quaint village of Monnickendam.
Insight Choice
Brussels: Join a private chocolate truffle-making lesson and tasting with a master chocolatier to get up close and personal with the decadent flavors of Brussels. Then enhance your discovery exploring Brussels with your Local Expert. Visit the cobbled square of the Grand-Place, home to the Town Hall and other buildings of political significance. This 12th century, Gothic architectural gem also hosts many concerts, fairs and folklore events and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
Brussels: No visit to Belgium is complete without a trip to the site of the historic Battle of Waterloo. Your Travel Director reveals how the Battle of Waterloo was fought at this very spot between Napoleon’s French Army and a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Blucher, ending a 23-year war and Napolean’s imperial power. Step inside the museum and the underground Visitor Center to enhance your discovery through a 3D film and monumental panoramic painting depicting the battle.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Brussels
Location: Brussels
Accommodation: Sofitel Europe
Accommodation Name: Sofitel Europe, Brussels
Meals Included: Dinner
Airport transfers depart Brussels airport for your centrally-located hotel. After checking in, the afternoon is yours to relax. Join your Travel Director for a visit to the cheeky Manneken Pis statue and a leisurely stroll around the Grand Place, voted the most beautiful square in Europe. Your delightful first evening also includes a Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant in the heart of the Old Town, with an opportunity to mingle with your fellow travelers.
Day 2: The Battlefield Of Waterloo Or Chocolate Truffle Making Lesson
Location: Brussels
Accommodation: Sofitel Europe
Accommodation Name: Sofitel Europe, Brussels
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore Brussels with Insight Choice. Learn about Napoleon’s final defeat at Waterloo, or join a private chocolate truffle making lesson and tasting with a master chocolatier, and further explore Brussels with a Local Expert. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to the lively city of Antwerp.
Day 3: Ghent And On To Bruges
Location: Ghent
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel, Bruges.
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu, Bruges
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning, admire the contrast of the Chinese and Japanese Pavilions and the impressive, metallic spheres of the Atomium. Your journey then crosses the pasture lands of Flanders to reach Ghent, the City of Flowers, offering a fascinating cultural mix of medieval heritage and modern urban life. With a Local Expert, take a stroll through the historical streets and be mesmerised by the outstanding beauty of its quays, churches and squares. Visit St. Bavo's Cathedral, former home of the Eyck masterpiece, and see the Castle of the Counts. We continue to Bruges, where you'll stay for the next two nights. Meet your Local Expert in Bruges for a stroll along cobbled streets, lined with high-gabled houses from the 16th century. Visit the Market Square dominated by the 83-meter medieval bell tower, The Belfry of Bruges. Explore Burg Square with its ornate Gothic town hall and glorious frescoes on the walls of the Holy Blood Chapel.
Day 4: Bruges Relaxed Start
Location: Bruges
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel, Bruges.
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu, Bruges
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a relaxed start and leisurely morning to explore the city of Bruges at your own pace. With your free afternoon, perhaps join an Optional Experience to visit the historic town of Ypres. Explore the market square and attend the famous Last Post Ceremony, commemorating the fallen Allied Forces on the surrounding Flanders Fields.
Day 5: Luxembourg
Location: Clervaux
Accommodation: Château d'Urspelt (Castle Rooms), Clervaux.
Accommodation Name: Château d'Urspelt (Castle Rooms), Clervaux
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel into the French-speaking region of Wallonia, where picturesque country roads lead you to the late 19th century Maredsous Abbey. Surrounded by the lush greenery of the Molignée valley, the Benedictine monks have toiled for over 100 years to create a cultural household for arts and crafts and a successful school, brewery and cheese plant. Your visit concludes with a sample of freshly brewed beer and a taste of creamy, golden-crusted cheese. Continue on to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to arrive at your 18th century château home for two nights. In the evening, you will be served a fresh and delicious Farm-to-Table Dinner at restaurant Les Écuries du Parc. See the 12th century Clervaux Castle illuminated on your stroll after dinner.
Day 6: Luxembourg City And Countryside
Location: Luxembourg City
Accommodation: Château d'Urspelt (Castle Rooms), Clervaux.
Accommodation Name: Château d'Urspelt (Castle Rooms), Clervaux
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your travels continue to Luxembourg City for sightseeing with your Local Expert this morning. Visit the grave of U.S. General George S. Patton, laid to rest alongside the men who fought and died in his great Third Army. Admire the view over the Petrusse Ravine from the Pont Adolphe and stroll through the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see the cathedral and the Palace of the Grand Duke. The afternoon is free for you to explore Luxembourg City at your leisure, or perhaps join an Optional Experience to the ancient Roman city of Trier, home town of Karl Marx, to explore with a Local Expert. Later, return to your hotel in the stunning scenery of the Luxembourg Ardennes hills.
Day 7: Explore Bastogne Then On To Rotterdam
Location: Rotterdam
Accommodation: Inntel Hotels Rotterdam Center.
Accommodation Name: Doubletree Rotterdam City Center
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head for Bastogne to visit the Mardasson Monument, a star-shaped memorial dedicated to the U.S. troops who died during Battle of the Bulge in World War II. You may choose to climb to the top for a perspective of what it might have been like during the winter of 1944. Visit the Bastogne War Museum, a fascinating modern and interactive memorial center highlighting the causes, events and consequences of WWII. Travel through the center of Belgium as your journey continues to Rotterdam, the world's largest port rebuilt after wartime devastation. During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the impressive market hall and its radical modern design and the Erasmus Bridge.
Day 8: Delft And The Hague Relaxed Start
Location: The Hague
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam.
Accommodation Name: Apollo, Amsterdam
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit one of the manufacturers of original Delft blue pottery before moving on to the Hague, the elegant governmental center of the Netherlands. See where the Parliament is situated, and the impressive Peace Palace. Select departures visit Keukenhof Gardens, one of the world's largest flower gardens, an unforgettable experience not to be missed. Pass through picturesque villages and windmills of the Dutch countryside to Amsterdam for three fabulous nights.
Day 9: Amsterdam Sightseeing Relaxed Start
Location: Amsterdam
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam.
Accommodation Name: Apollo, Amsterdam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After a leisurely start today, you explore Amsterdam, a living museum of the 17th century, yet still a vibrant metropolis and port. The best way to see this remarkable city is from the water as you cruise through the canal district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the elegant merchants houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, their facades are a reflection of when trade flourished during Amsterdam's Golden Age. Relax as you pass stunning gables, beautiful churches and the iconic Magere Brug, better known as the Skinny Bridge. Disembark your cruise to wander the city and see the floating flower market, Dam Square and the Royal Palace. The rest of the day is at your leisure. With your free time, there's the opportunity to venture out to the Dutch Countryside to the village of Marken. Later you have a choice of cuisine and ambience from a hand-picked selection of local restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening.
Day 10: A True Dutch Delight Relaxed Start
Location: Amsterdam
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam.
Accommodation Name: Apollo, Amsterdam
Meals Included: Breakfast
If you choose, you could start the morning by visiting the Van Loon Museum. Later, visit the newly refurbished Rijksmuseum with a Local Expert, Amsterdam's famed treasure trove of Dutch art, housing Rembrandt's ‘Night Watch.' Journey to the village of Monnikendam, learn the secrets of the Cheese Maker's craft, from milk to the finished product. Then witness a traditional Shoemaker turn a block of wood into clogs. In the evening, join your newfound friends and Travel Director for dinner at a beautiful restaurant in Monnikendam.
Day 11: Depart Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bid farewell to Amsterdam as you transfer to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.
What's Included
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Expertly Guided Tours
Enjoy the expertise of Local Experts as you explore Brussels, Ghent, Luxembourg City, and Amsterdam. Discover the history, culture, and architecture of these iconic cities.
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Unique Experiences
Participate in a private chocolate truffle-making lesson in Brussels, visit the Maredsous Abbey for a beer and cheese tasting, and enjoy a farm-to-table meal in Luxembourg.
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Cultural Insights
Visit significant historical sites including the Panorama of the Battle of Waterloo, St. Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent, and the Mardasson Monument in Bastogne.
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Luxury Accommodations
Stay in carefully selected, high-quality hotels throughout your journey, including a night in an 18th-century château in Luxembourg.
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Scenic Cruises
Experience the beauty of Amsterdam from its canals with a guided cruise, showcasing the city's historic mansions and architectural gems.
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Specialty Meals
Enjoy a variety of dining experiences, including Welcome and Celebration Dinners with wine, highlighting local cuisine and specialties.
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Additional Included Highlights
Personal radio headsets, hotel and restaurant tips, taxes, porterage charges, and complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi are included.
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Insight Experiences
Visit Monnickendam to learn about the dairy industry and witness the ancient art of clog making.
What's Not Included
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Airfare
International and domestic airfare are not included and must be arranged by travelers.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers to ensure protection.
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Optional Activities
Costs for optional activities and excursions are not included and are available for an additional fee.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, room service, and additional meals are not included.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included and are at the discretion of the traveler.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Dinner (D)
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Insight Experiences
- Monnickendam: Journey through the polder landscape to visit Monnickendam. Along the way, visit a rustic cheese workshop to learn the secrets of the dairy industry and witness the ancient art of clog making.
Summary
- City tours of Ghent, Bruges, Luxembourg City, and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam all with Local Experts.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Mode of Transport
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom, ensuring a smooth journey from Brussels to Amsterdam with scheduled airport transfers.
Accommodation
Stay in carefully selected, high-quality hotels throughout your journey, including a night in an 18th-century château in Luxembourg, the Sofitel Europe in Brussels, Radisson Blu in Bruges, and the Apollo in Amsterdam.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a private chocolate truffle-making lesson in Brussels, a visit to Maredsous Abbey for a beer and cheese tasting, and a farm-to-table meal in Luxembourg.
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What historical sites will be visited during the tour?
The tour visits several historical sites including the Panorama of the Battle of Waterloo, St. Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent, and the Mardasson Monument in Bastogne.
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What kind of dining experiences can I expect on this tour?
You can expect a variety of dining experiences including a Welcome Dinner with wine in Brussels, a Farm-to-Table Dinner in Luxembourg, and a Celebration Dinner in Monnickendam.
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What are some of the highlights of the Amsterdam visit?
In Amsterdam, highlights include a canal cruise to see the city's historic mansions, a visit to the Rijksmuseum with a local art historian, and exploring the floating flower market, Dam Square, and the Royal Palace.
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What is the accommodation like during the tour?
The tour includes stays in high-quality hotels, such as the Sofitel Europe in Brussels, Radisson Blu in Bruges, and a night in an 18th-century château in Luxembourg.
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Are there any special activities in Brussels?
Yes, in Brussels you can choose between learning about Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo or joining a private chocolate truffle-making lesson with a master chocolatier.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Why book with Barrhead?
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All our holidays are fully financially protected.
Your flight & hotel package is fully ATOL protected.
Range
Our bespoke holidays are tailor-made to suit your personal requirements.
We can book flights, rail journeys, accommodation, cruises, attraction tickets and much more.
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
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We know because we go – our Touring & Adventure specialists have travelled to over 55 countries.
Reliable & unbiased advice from our trusted travel experts.
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