BELGIUM & HOLLAND IN SPRING
Discover the intricate network of canals in enchanting medieval Bruges, known in some circles as the “Venice of the North”
1. ARRIVE BRUSSELS Tour begins: 4:00 PM, Brussels. A transfer is included from Brussels Airport, Centraal Station or Brussels Midi Station to your riverboat, where embarkation begins at 4:00 PM. Settle in and then meet your fellow cruisers this evening at your captain’s welcome cocktail reception followed by dinner. Meals D
2. HISTORIC BRUSSELS & CHOCOLATE Since the 13th century, Brussels, the capital of Belgium, has been a key center of European trade and culture. Your guided sightseeing this morning, beginning onboard your riverboat, puts the city’s history in perspective. See the residence of the royal family; the Atomium, a 338-foot-tall structure resembling atoms, built for the 1958 World’s Fair; and the gigantic golden-domed Palace of Justice, on a hill standing watch over the city. You’ll also see the headquarters of the European Union. Then walk to Grand-Place, one of Europe’s loveliest city squares, where you’ll find an eclectic mix of architecture, including a Gothic town hall surrounded by Renaissance-era guildhalls. A UNESCO World Heritage Site today, Grand-Place started off simply as a marketplace for food; a vestige of the old days, the streets around the square are named things like Poulet (chicken) and Fromage (cheese). Stopping for coffee in the square is a must. Not far from Grand-Place, you’ll see the storied bronze fountain sculpture, a well-known symbol of Brussels, affectionately dubbed the Manneken Pis; his wardrobe, consisting of hundreds of costumes, is changed several times a week.
Call your travel agent or Tauck at 877-519-1035
Return to your riverboat for lunch or stay in town and have lunch wherever takes your fancy. But save room because this afternoon you’ll be getting acquainted with another item that Belgium is famous for – out-of-this-world chocolate – on your visit to a fine chocolate factory. Or if you prefer, enjoy some free time in the city center at your own pace. Meals BLD
3. EXPLORING THE AGE OF EXPLORATION Your riverboat arrives this morning in the major port city of Antwerp for a day in the capital of the Belgian province of Flanders. You’ll take an orientation tour of the city and a guided walk through the historic center. As you stroll and hear stories and insights from your local guide, take in Grote Markt, the old market square; City Hall; the Cathedral of Our Lady; and numerous restored merchants’ houses, harkening back to the days of the 16th-century Age of Exploration when Antwerp – at the time a powerful center of international commerce – was the richest city in Europe. You’ll also visit the Red Star Line Museum; interactive exhibits in the former warehouses of the Red Star Line shipping company tell the story of the more than two million immigrants from all over Europe whose long journey to a new life in North America began here at the Red Star Line headquarters in Antwerp. After lunch onboard your riverboat, enjoy a bit of free time this afternoon. Your Tauck Directors will have suggestions for places to see in town. Your riverboat sets sail for the Netherlands later this afternoon, and you’ll arrive in Maastricht tomorrow morning. Meals BLD
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