Belgium 5 Nights
Day 1: Brussels
Arrive Brussels. After check in formalities, We start our visit with a stroll to Brussels’ beautiful Grand’ Place. Our guide tells us the history of the unique city hall and the splendid guild houses. Then we board our luxury coach and drive along the magnificent St. Michaels’ cathedral towards the world-famous Atomium, the Chinese Pavilion and the Japanese tower.
Via the Royal residence of Laeken and the Royal St Mary’s church, we drive back to the city center and visit the Sablon district with its elegant stores selling beautiful antiques. Next you see the impressive Court of Justice, we drive to the stately Place Royale and the Royal Palace. The next part of tour tour takes you to the European district with the European Parliamant, the European Commission and Council of Ministers. In the Park of the Jubilee you will marvel at the the monumental Triumphal Arch and some excellent examples of Art Nouveau houses. Passing the Royal Parc and the Belgian Parliament we drive back to the city center where our tour ends.
During our tour we will visit one of the best chocolatiers in town and you and see how our famous chocolate is actually produced. Ample opportunity to sample various chocolates and to purchase.
Day 2: Ghent /Burges
After an hour’s drive, we arrive in GHENT and visit St Bavo’s Cathedral, home of the world famous late medieval “Mystic Lamb” painting (optional visit, closed on Sundays).
During the city tour you will see all important ancient buildings for which the city is so famous: the Belfry, St Nicholas’ Church and the fortified castle of the Count of Flanders. Next we take you to BRUGES, where we first visit the dreamy Lake of Love and the beguinage where you can find peace and quiet. Time for lunch. Afterwards we start our walking tour and discover all the highlights of the city: Saint John’s Hospital, Our Lady’s Church with the statue by Michelangelo (optional), the Market Square with the Belfry and the medieval Chapel of the Holy Blood. Overnight in Brussels.
Day 3 : In Flanders Fields
After breakfast we leave Brussels in the direction of the German Military Cemetery of Vladslo, where Käthe Kollwitz Sculptures of the “Grieving Parents” is very moving. Then to the small city of Diksmuide where we visit the “Trench of Death”. We see the very impressive “Gate of Peace” and the Ijzertower. Passing along the Peace Mill, Houthulst and the Canadian Monument in St. Julien we arrive in Paschendaele/Langemark, where during terrible battles uncountable numbers of man have been killed. Time for bread meal in the old cheese factory. Then we visit the famous Commonwealth cemetery of TYNE COT, where some 35.000 man lay at rest. We arrive at ESSEX FARM- former field hospital. Here John Mc Crae wrote his famous poem “In Flanders Fields”. We are now close to Ypres, where we visit the UNESCO-listed museum of “in Flanders Fields” that is situated in the world famous Cloth Hall. Our last visit is Hill 60, so famous for the “tunneling” war and the Caterpillar Crater. A short drive brings us back to Ypres, where you have free time for dinner . At 8 pm sharp we attend the moving LAST POST CEREMONY at the Menin gate. After the end, we immediately drive back to Brussels, where we arrive at around 10.00 pm. The bread meal lunch in Passchendaele’s and the entrance to the “Flanders Fields museum” in Ypres are INCLUDED.
Day 4: Antwerp
Antwerp is Belgium’s 2nd largest city and Europe’s 2nd largest harbor. The city has preserved its historic character and many buildings remind us of its rich past. Above all, it is the city of RUBENS, the world famous master of the 17th century.
We drive to the ancient fortress of the city. Here we start our walking tour to the Market Square with its ancient houses and Our Lady’s Cathedral (entrance fee included). This cathedral boasts many treasures among which 4 of Rubens’ masterworks: “The Erection of and the Descent from the Cross, the Ascension of the Virgin and the Resurrection.” We enjoy a beautiful walk until reaching the Baroc Carolus Borromeus church, which interior has been made by Rubens himself. Some free time in the city center. Then by coach to the beginning of the port with its splendid new MAS-museum that has been opened .You can have a splendid view from the 9th floor of the port, Europe’s 2nd largest. Also here you can have a look at the Diamonds of the Diamond Pavilion as Antwerp is the world’s diamond center. MAS is closed on Mondays. Free access to the Panorama. Return to Brussels by coach.
Day 5: Tintin
Belgians are world-famous for their comics. Probably the best known are the Adventures of the famous reporter TINTIN. Today, a special museum is dedicated to the hero TINTIN and his intellectual father, the writer Hergé. Come and taste this unique experience in the magic world of the Comics, where you can live back your own youth and where children can discover the unique universe of comics made by Hergé. Discover the fabulous work of one of the greatest artists through his drawings, original boards, parts of films, pictures etc. We need 45 min to drive to the museum, situated a little outside Brussels. Here you will have more than 2 Hrs of time to explore the world of TINTIN.
After Lunch we will proceed to famous Autoworld Museum. It has more than 250 vehicles of various origins, recounts the history of automobile & illustrate the spectacular development of vehicles over more than a century.
Day 6 : Back home with pleasant memories
After breakfast we head to the Brussels airport for the return flight.