Holland and Belgium
Moderate pace with leisurely intermittent walks up to 2 hours on a variety of terrain, including cobblestones and moderate hills. Must be able to climb at least two flights of stairs, negotiate steps without railings and tolerate periods of standing during guided tours. Some days may include 3–5 km of walking over the course of the day.
We fly to Amsterdam.
After transferring to our hotel, we’ll take a short orientation walk and get together for our Welcome Dinner.
We start with a tour that features the city’s Jewish quarter, iconic 17th century townhouses and a statue of Anne Frank. Then it’s off to the towns of Volendam, Zaanse and Marke to take in old-world Holland —we will see windmills and a fishing village, and stop at a traditional cheese farm and a shop selling wooden shoes.
We visit Delft, the home of Holland’s famous blue and white Delftware pottery. Then we proceed to The Hague, the seat of the Dutch government and home of the royal family and the UN’s International Court of Justice. We’ll tour the historic city centre and visit the Mauritshuis collection, which has paintings by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Jan Steen, Rubens, Van Dyck and more.
Today we see the spectacular Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer flower auction, where 20 million flowers and plants are sold every day! Then we’ll explore Keukenhof, the world’s largest gardens, where we’ll experience the awe-inspiring sight of millions of bulbs in bloom and enjoy a boat tour through the park.
A day at leisure. Stroll the fascinating streets, squares and street markets, visit the Van Gogh Museum, or choose an optional excursion. In the evening, we will float past picturesque bridges and historic buildings on a Canal Dinner Cruise.
We leave Amsterdam, “The Venice of the North” for Antwerp, known throughout Europe as “the city of diamonds”. About 80% of the world’s diamond traffic passes through the city as it is an important port for cutting this enigmatic jewel.
Our city tour begins in the old quarter, with its gabled Flemish architecture and imposing castle. We’ll visit the house where Rubens was born and see Groenplaats Square, the historic heart of the city dominated by Our Lady’s Cathedral and ringed with cafés and restaurants. The afternoon is free to visit a museum or explore Middleheim Park, famed for its statuary.
Ghent is one of Belgium’s oldest cities, boasting medieval and classical architecture. Our guided walking tour captures the medieval castle, graceful rows of houses, street art, squares and markets full of delicacies. An included boat trip with a light lunch is included.
Day at leisure. You may want to take an optional tour to Flanders Field. Your Tour Manager will be happy to advise.
Bruges is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities, with an ornate medieval centre that hasn’t changed much in the last five centuries. On our morning walking tour, we’ll see the belfry with its 47-bell carillon, pop into lace shops in narrow alleyways, visit Belgium’s oldest town hall, and take a canal cruise. The afternoon is at leisure to visit lace parlours, chocolate makers and antique shops.
Today we visit Belgium’s capital, which is the headquarters of NATO and the European Common Market. We will walk the graceful avenues and cobbled streets, and marvel at what is perhaps the most beautiful square in Europe: the stunning Grand Place with its 15th century town hall, gold-topped guildhouses, and Europe’s oldest glass-covered shopping arcade. We will also see the Royal Palace—and maybe even enjoy a tasty sample at a waffle-making demonstration. Tonight is our Farewell Dinner.
We return to Amsterdam for our flight home.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
