Country Roads of Belgium, Luxembourg & The Netherlands

Day 1 Brussels, Belgium        
Arrive into Brussels and transfer to the hotel where the afternoon is free. This evening, join your travel director for a city tour to see the Manneken Pis and stroll around the Grand Place. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant in the heart of the Old Town.          

Day 2 Brussels        
Depart the city this morning and visit the battlefield of Waterloo to learn of Napoleon's final defeat in 1815. Immerse yourself in the action at the Panorama, where a huge 360-degree mural depicts a key moment in the raging battle. Return to Brussels this afternoon at explore further at leisure.

Day 3 Brussels to Bruges          
Cross the pasture lands of Belgian Flanders to Ghent, the ‘City of Flowers'.  With a local expert, visit St. Bavo's Cathedral to see the Van Eyck masterpiece and Castle of the Counts. Continue to historic Bruges and enjoy a fabulous dinner this evening amid the old-world atmosphere of the town square.          

Day 4 Bruges        
Meet a local expert for a stroll along the cobbled streets, lined with high-gabled houses dating from the 16th Century and visit the Market Square. Explore Burg Square's ornate Gothic town hall and Holy Blood Chapel before enjoying the rest of the day at leisure. Why not visit the town of Ypres this evening to hear the Last Post in memory of those lost during World War I.          

Day 5 Bruges to Luxembourg, Luxembourg          
Travel into the French-speaking Walloon region of Belgium today to visit the late 19th Century Scourmont Abbey. Over the past hundred years, the Trappist monks have built a successful farm, brewery and cheese plant. Visit the Chimay Experience to learn of their production secrets and sample some of their produce. Continue to Luxembourg where you will be staying in an 18th Century chateau for the next two nights. Enjoy a local dinner this evening and admire the 12th Century Clervaux Castle which is illuminated on your stroll back to the hotel.          

Day 6 Luxembourg          
Join a local expert for a sightseeing tour of Luxembourg City. Admire the view of the Petrusse Ravine from the Pont Adolphe, stroll through the Old Town and visit the Palace of the Grand Duke. Visit the grave of US General George Patton who was laid to rest alongside his men of the Third Army, before enjoying the rest of the day at leisure.      

Day 7 Luxembourg to Rotterdam, Netherlands      
Head to Bastogne to visit the Mardasson Monument, a star-shaped memorial dedicated to the US troops who died in WWII Battle of the Bulge. Visit the Bastogne War Museum before driving through the heart of Belgium to the Dutch border. Continue to Rotterdam, the world's largest port and appreciate the innovative construction of the Erasmus Bridge on your orientation tour upon arrival.      

Day 8 Rotterdam to Amsterdam  
Visit one of the manufacturers of original Delft blue pottery before travelling to the Hague, the elegant governmental centre of the Netherlands. See the Binnenhof courtyards where the Parliament is situated and the impressive Peace Palace. This afternoon, pass through picturesque villages and windmills of the Dutch countryside to Amsterdam.          

Day 9 Amsterdam    
Explore Amsterdam, a living museum of the 17th Century, yet still a vibrant metropolis and port today. Cruise the canal district and admire the elegant merchant houses as you pass through the city. Pass under the iconic Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge), before disembarking and touring the city on foot to see the floating flower market and Dam Square.      

Day 10 Amsterdam          
Visit the newly refurbished Rijksmuseum with a local guide, home to Rembrandt's famous Night Watch. Later, travel to the village of Monnikendam to learn the secrets of a cheesemakers craft and to watch a showmaker turn a block of wood into clogs. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner.        

Day 11 Amsterdam          
Transfers to Amsterdam airport for your flight home.