Benelux Tour

Day 1

• +/- at noon : arrival at the airport of Amsterdam/Schiphol - meet and greet with your local guide and coach driver and city tour Amsterdam
  During this extensive city tour you will see most of Amsterdam's sights: the old and new parts of this beautiful city, many historical buildings and places of interest, including the Royal Palace on Dam Square, the National Monument, the Skinny Bridge, the Albert Cuyp market and the beautiful 17th century merchant houses along the canals.
• guided visit of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
  During the restoration of the main building, the Rijksmuseum is displaying the crème de la crème of its permanent collection in the newly furnished Philips Wing. 'Rijksmuseum, The Masterpieces' offers the unique opportunity to view all the highlights of the Golden Age in one place.
• check-in in your 3 or 4* hotel in Amsterdam centre or direct surroundings - accommodation and buffet breakfast
• candlelight dinner cruise on the canals in Amsterdam

Day 2

• in the morning : visit of the famous Keukenhof in Lisse (24/03 - 20/05/2011)
  For 60 years now, Keukenhof has been the most beautiful place in the world, where spring bursts out in all of its colourful majesty. Here you can find inspiration and relaxation in a magnificent park environment. In addition to the millions of blooming flower bulbs and fantastic flower shows, Keukenhof has the largest sculpture garden in the Netherlands and is the most photographed spot in the world. Come visit Keukenhof and celebrate our colourful 60th anniversary with us!
• in the afternoon : guided visit of Leiden
  In the Golden Age, Leiden was the second most important city in the Netherlands with all of its wealth and academic fame. It is in this atmosphere that the sociable, authentic "Leidener" has been living alongside the equally sociable student in the charming, historic inner city lined with canals. Rembrandt, the most famous Leidener of all, would still be able to find his way around the picturesque streets and alleys today while making a discovery or two at the same time. Leiden is not called the Key to Discovery for nothing.
• accommodation and buffet breakfast in a 3* hotel in Noordwijkerhout

Day 3

• in the morning : guided visit of Delft
  When you think of Delft, you think of Delftware. But there are also several ways in which you can get 'in contact with' Vermeer and William of Orange.In and around the inner city are many touristic main attractions : the Prinsenhof museum, Royal Delft, the Old and New Church, the Vermeer centre,…
• in the afternoon : guided visit of the harbour of Rotterdam
  Rotterdam is famous for its port, the biggest in Europe. During an impressive boat trip, you can see the gigantic throughput facilities, which are shifting further towards the sea all the time. Simultaneously, the inner-city docklands are being transformed into attractive, lively areas with busy pavement cafés, innovative architecture, unique bridges and an excellent choice of shops, restaurants and bars
• accommodation and buffet breakfast in a 3* or 4* hotel in the centre of Antwerp

Day 4

• in the morning : guided visit of Antwerp incl. visit of the Cathedral Our Lady
  Antwerp, Belgium's 2nd largest city and Europe's 2nd largest harbour has kept many memories of its rich past. Above all, it is the city of PP Rubens, worldfamous master of the 17th c. The cathedral, Belgium's largest Gothic church and the largest of its kind in the Netherlands contains, amongst other treasures, two of Rubens' masterworks : "The Erection of and the Descent from the Cross".
  Antwerp is also the world's diamond centre.
• in the afternoon : visit of the House of Rubens
  P.P. Rubens acquired this house in 1610, a year after his marriage to Isabella Brant, and lived there until his death in 1640. He arranged the house to his own taste and requirements, making his home to the left of the entrance and turning the right wing into his studio
• and visit of the Diamondmuseum
• accommodation and buffet breakfast in Antwerp

Day 5

• in the morning : city tour Brussels incl. guided visit of a chocolate manufacturer
  (visit of the famous Grand'Place, the remarkable city hall and guildhouses, the St. Michaels' Cathedral, the Congress column, the Atomium, the Chinese pavillion, the Japanese tower, the Royal Residence, the European Parliament, the Royal Palace, the Palace of Justice, …)
• in the afternoon : guided visit of Mechelen
  Mechelen was the capital of the Burgundian Netherlands. It was residence to Margaret of Austria, the regent of the Netherlands. Mechelen is most renowned for its churches: the gothic Cathedral of St Rumbold, with its imposing tower and The Large Beguinage, which has been recognized as World Heritage Site of UNESCO
• and visit of the worldfamous Carillion school, where we enjoy the sound of these instruments (incl. private concert in the Hof van Busleyden).
• accommodation and buffet breakfast in Antwerp

Day 6

• in the morning : guided visit of Gent incl. the St. Bavo cathedral
  Ghent's historic inner city offers a superb collection of splendid buildings along picturesque canals ; you will discover this medieval city by foot and see a.o. the St. Bavo Cathedral (a majestic building of brick and granite) with its famous painting 'The Mystic Lamb', the 91m high belfry (symbol of the city's independence), the splendid cloth hall, the town hall, the St. Michiels bridge, the guild houses on the Koren- and Graslei and the castle of the Counts of Flanders, …
• the afternoon : visit of Bruges incl. boattrip on the canals
  in Bruges you visit the Lake of Love and the beguinage, Our Lady church with the famous statue of Michelangelo, the Market Square with the belfry, the Burg Square with the town hall and the Holy Blood chapel,…
• guided visit of a local beer brewery
• accommodation and buffet breakfast in Antwerp

Day 7

• in the morning : guided visit of Namur incl. visit of the Citadel
  The famous citadel - one of the mightiest fortresses of Europe - is well worth a visit on account of its excellent museum. Important sights are also the Archaelogical Museum, the Musée des Arts anciens du Namurois and the former Convent of the Sisters of Notre-Dame, in which one of the finest ecclesiastical treasuries in the country is kept. It consists of the treasure from the monastery of Oignies, its finest pieces were the work of goldsmith Pater Hugo von Oignies (13th c).
• in the afternoon : boattrip from Dinant to Freyr
• and guided visit of the Castle and Gardens of Freyr
  these dwelling place was visited by royal guests such as Louis XIV, Stanislas Leszczynski, Maria Christina of Austria and H.I.H. Naru Hito. It is adorned in a refined and cosmopolitan manner, while history has left its trace when the treaty of Freÿr was signed (1675) and coffee drunk for the first time in the country. Starting in 1760, the Renaissance gardens were redrawn in classical style inviting to meditation. While listening to the peaceful song of the fountains and breathing the fragrance of the orange trees, most of which originated from the Court of Lorraine and are nearing 350 years. In winter, these trees are kept in the oldest orangeries of the Low Countries.
• accommodation and buffet breakfast in a 3* or 4* hotel in Luxemburg

Day 8

• in the morning : guided visit of Luxemburg
  Whilst the Luxembourg fortress was a true textbook example of European military architecture, it has changed hands many times over its existence. Italian, Spanish, Belgian, French, Austrian, Dutch and Prussian engineers have been involved in progressively extending the fortifications of this stronghold. Traces of their work remain, and what traces! Since 1994, the fortifications and the old city have been classed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
  An extraordinary network of 23km of underground galleries, the famous casemates, which were carved from the city's rocks constitute the city's main attraction.
  The Grand-Duke's residence, the Grand-Ducal palace, has an exceptionally beautiful facade in Flemish Rennaissance style (16th century), and a majestic interior and ceremonial rooms open to the public during the summer only. In the Notre-Dame Cathedral, 17th century rood screen contrasts with the 20th century windows.
• in the afternoon : free time
• accommodation and buffet breakfast in Luxemburg

Day 9

• after breakfast : transfer hotel Luxemburg - airport Luxemburg and end of our services

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