Explore the Benelux countries at a leisurely pace on this exciting vacation that features three nights in Amsterdam and Brussels and a two-night stay in Luxembourg. Special highlights include the world-famous Aalsmeer Flower Auction, the Royal Delft Pottery Factory, the bulb fields of South Holland, Keukenhof Flower Park during springtime (departures April 6-May 11; departures May 18-September 28 visit the Anne Frank House instead), an Amsterdam canal cruise, and a visit to the Rijksmuseum to see Rembrandt’s masterpieces. Also visit Maastricht, where the treaty for a stronger unified Europe was signed, the American Memorial in Bastogne, and General Patton’s grave. In Waterloo, your special Lion Museum Pass gives you access to various sites to relive the famous Battle of Waterloo, and a special lunch with local specialties awaits you at the well-known Bivouac de l’Empereur restaurant. An excursion to Bruges featuring guided sightseeing, a canal cruise during which you can try out Belgian chocolate bonbons, and a traditional lace demonstration. In Brussels, visit Grand'Place, spend a full day at leisure with the possibility to visit Antwerp, and enjoy a special dinner at the lively Chez Léon restaurant. Transfer by high-speed Thalys train to Paris, where three overnights and guided sightseeing of the major attractions make the perfect finale to this grand vacation!
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Amsterdam, Holland. Welcome to Amsterdam! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day #2 Amsterdam. Your discovery of Holland features a morning sightseeing tour of the capital with a Local Guide. Enjoy a CANAL CRUISE past gabled merchant houses, 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 a visit to a major DIAMOND CENTER to appreciate how a rough mineral is transformed into a sparkling jewel. Afternoon at leisure. An optional excursion to a cheese farm, a clog maker, a working windmill, and dinner in the fishing village of Volendam at the former Zuiderzee is available. (B)
Day #3 Amsterdam. Excursion to Aalsmeer, Delft, The Hague & Keukenhof. Start with an early highlight visit to the impressive [LF] 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. After an orientation drive of The Hague, seat of the Dutch government and the International Court of Justice, continue to the famous bulbfields of South Holland and visit the extraordinary flower park of KEUKENHOF (departures April 6-May 18) before returning to Amsterdam. Departures May 25-September 28 visit ANNE FRANK HOUSE instead. (B)
Day #4 Amsterdam–Maastricht–Bastogne, Belgium–Luxembourg. Drive south to Maastricht, where the famous treaty for a stronger unified Europe was signed, the set-up of today’s European Union. Time to stroll around this delightful city, and to maybe have lunch like the locals at 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, where thousands of soldiers and civilians died during the winter of 1944-1945. Late-afternoon arrival in Luxembourg, the capital of one of Europe’s smallest sovereign states. (B,D)
Day #5 Luxembourg. 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 of the Alzette and Pétrusse Gorges, to the modern administrative center of European institutions. Visit the CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY, see 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. (B)
Day #6 Luxembourg–Waterloo, Belgium–Brussels. A highlight visit today: drive through the Belgian Ardennes to Flanders and arrive in WATERLOO, where Napoleon was defeated and European history changed course. Your Lion Hamlet Pass gives you access to the Visitor’s Center, where the Lion Mound, the films, and the Panorama help you relive the famous Battle of Waterloo. [LF] Enjoy a lunch of local specialties and wine at the well-known Bivouac de L’Empereur restaurant. Arrive in Brussels, the thriving capital, where your orientation features the Rue Royale, the Parliament Buildings, the Royal Palace, and Saint Michel Cathedral. Continue on foot and enter GRAND’PLACE to admire its baroque guild houses and the gothic Town Hall. You cannot leave Brussels without touching the statue of Everard ‘t Serclaes, a 14th-century hero, for good luck, and taking pictures of the tiny but world-famous statue of Manneken Pis. (B,L)
Day #7 Brussels. Excursion to Bruges. Focus on Bruges, one of Western Europe’s most perfectly preserved medieval towns. [LF] A CANAL CRUISE (weather permitting), during which you can try Belgian chocolate BONBONS, will give you a first taste of this delightful town. The Local Guide will show you the Madonna of Bruges by Michelangelo in the CHURCH OF OUR LADY and the famous MARKET SQUARE. Also enjoy [LF] a traditional LACE DEMONSTRATION, a reminder of Bruges’ history of cloth-making. Time for souvenir hunting and exploring on your own before returning to Brussels. (B)
Day #8 At Leisure in Brussels. This morning is your chance to join a half-day optional excursion to Antwerp, the second-largest Belgian city and one of the world’s most important ancient seaports. Tonight, an [LF] included farewell dinner with wine at the lively Chez Léon restaurant, specializing in fish dishes like moules, is the perfect way to celebrate the success of your vacation. (B,D)
Day #9 Brussels–Paris, France.You will be transferred by high-speed THALYS TRAIN to Paris, arriving at lunchtime. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day #10 Paris. Morning sightseeing features Paris’ most famous highlights, including gothic NOTRE DAME Cathedral and a photo stop at the Eiffel Tower. (B)
Day #11 At Leisure in Paris. Full day at leisure. Ask your local host for suggestions. (B)
Day #12 Paris. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
