8 days – 7 nights
Brussels – Bruges – Ghent – Antwerp – Liège
DAY 1 | Brussels – Bruges
Arrival on Brussels International Airport. Transfer to Bruges. Time permitting your guide will take you on a stroll to the historic heart of the medieval city.
Overnight in Bruges.
DAY 2 | Bruges
Explore the historical city centre of medieval Bruges, admiring unique buildings like the Notre Dame church (with the second highest brick spire in the world), the belfry (providing exquisite sights from the top), the impressive town hall, the Gruuthuuse palace and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Looking for some peace and quiet? Then stroll through the 13th century beguinage or wander along the canals towards the Lovers’ Lake. Dive into history at the Historium, following a virtual journey with Jan Van Eyck through the Golden Age of Bruges and the time of the famous Flemish Primitives. Want to see the famous painting for yourself? Then a visit to the Groeninge Museum is a must. Your guide will show you the most picturesque spots in the city, ideal for the perfect selfie. Looking for something special? A stroll through Bruges in the evening delivers a wow effect around every corner.
Overnight in Bruges.
DAY 3 | Ghent – Antwerp
From Bruges we travel to Ghent, another great medieval city. The historic port city at the confluence of the rivers Leie and Scheldt is without doubt one of the gems of Flanders. Upon arrival you can board a boat for a leisurely, narrated tour of the canals, exploring medieval Ghent. After the boat tour your guide will take you on a walking tour of the beautiful city centre and accompany you to the St Bavo’s Cathedral, a magnificent house of Christian worship and home to one of the most iconic painting of medieval times: the Ghent Alterpiece with the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers. After lunch you’ll visit the Count’s Castle and visit one of the many museums in Ghent: STAM (the city museum), SMAK (the museum of contemporary art), House of Alijn, Museum Dr. Guislain (psychiatry history museum), … At the end of the afternoon you’ll visit one of the renowned chocolatiers before you travel to Antwerp.
Overnight in Antwerp.
DAY 4 | Antwerp
Today you explore Antwerp, the largest port of Belgium. Your guide will take you on tour in the historic city centre and visit the impressive baroque Carolus Borromeus church. You’ll also visit the diamonds museum DIVA, as Antwerp has been the largest diamond centre of the world for more than 5 centuries. During the tour you’ll discover DIVA’s magnificent collection and the extraordinary craftsmanship of diamond workers, gold and silversmiths. You’ll discover the stories from raw material to finished product. Take some time for window shopping on the Meir and visit one of the most beautiful rococo-style buildings in Belgium: the Palace on the Meir. It once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte. In the shadow of the impressive Notre Dame cathedral you’ll learn about Nello & Patrasche. The remarkable story of an orphan and an abandoned dog has moved generations since it was first published in 1872. You can’t miss the Rubens’ House, the museum in the former working place of the world-famous baroque painter Pieter Paul Rubens. The Rubens Experience brings the story alive through immersive images and sounds.
Overnight in Antwerp.
DAY 5 | Brussels
After breakfast you’ll travel from Antwerp to Brussels and embark on a grand sightseeing tour of Brussels and vicinity, exploring the Heysel area with the famous Atomium landmark, the Royal Palace and Royal Crypt at Laken, the European Quarter with the European Parliament and the Berlaymont building of the European Council, the Cinquantenaire, the Palace of Justice and the Grand & Petit Sablon squares. Explore the historic city centre on foot, passing the beautiful Grand Place, the 19th century St Hubert Royal Galleries, the St Michael & St Gudula Cathedral and of course also Manneken Pis, a tiny statue of a peeing boy that has become the mascot for the people of Brussels.
Overnight in Brussels.
DAY 6 | Brussels – Waterloo
Start the day with a visit to one of many interesting museums in Brussels. The National Comic Art Museum is a jewel for lovers of the ninth art, whereas the Mont des Arts on the junction between uptown and downtown Brussels offers major art museums and cultural institutions such as Bozar, the BELvue museum and the Museum of Musical Instruments within walking distance. After lunch drive to Waterloo to visit the Waterloo 1815 battlefield. It was here that Napoleon was decisively defeated by the joint armies under Wellington and Blücher. Visit the museum and climb the Lion Mound for a spectacular view on the battlefield. Your guide will take you through the events of the battle using film fragments on the battlefield itself.
Overnight in Brussels.
DAY 7 | Liège
Travel from Brussels to Liège by train and arrive in the magnificent train station of Guillemins. The building is a sublime example of modern architecture. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, it is made of steel, glass, white concrete and typical Belgian bluestone. The monumental arched canopy is 160 m (520 ft) long and 32 m (105 ft) high. Next climb the 374 steps of the Montagne de Bueren for a breathtaking view on the city and the River Meuse. After lunch visit the Musée du Val Saint-Lambert to discover the captivating world of glass and crystal. Tradition, modernity and the know-how of glass artisans await you in the former Cistercian abbey of seraing. Return to Brussels.
Overnight in Brussels.
DAY 8 | Brussels Airport
After breakfast transfer to Brussels Airport for your return flight home.
