Itinerary:
Day
1: Morning - BRUSSELS
Welcome by our guide and short sightseeing tour of Brussels.
City tour Brussels on arrival: Atomium, Park Cinquantenaire, the European district, the Houses of Parliament, Park Warande, the Royal Palace, St. Michel-and-Gudule Cathedral, ...
Lunch in Brussels - Afternoon
Discovery of the historical centre of Brussels on foot: the famous Grand’Place and its guild houses, the St. Hubert Galleries, the statue of Manneken Pis, the Stock Exchange, ...
We end the day with a visit to the traditional Gueuze Brewery with tasting
Transfer to a hotel in Brussels or back to your hotel in Antwerp Arrival at the hotel and check in.
Gastronomic dinner at the hotel or at a restaurant in the historical centre.
Day
2: Morning - ANTWERP
Buffet breakfast
Welcome by our guide and transfer to Antwerp.
City tour Antwerp: the Art Nouveau district “Zurenborg” in Berchem, the diamand district and the international harbour.
Lunch at the hotel or at a restaurant close to the hotel.
Afternoon
Visit at the historical centre: the fortress Het Steen with the statue of Lange Wapper, the historic Central Market Place with its guild houses, Renaissance Town Hall and statue of Brabo, the “Vlaaykensgang”, a collection of narrow romantic alleys, Our-Lady-Cathedral (with masterpieces of Rubens), the Square ‘Groenplaats’, the popular shopping street the ‘Meir’, the Rubens house (museum) and the Saint-Jacobs church (with the burial chapel of Rubens) .
Gastronomic dinner at the hotel or at a restaurant in the historical centre.
Day
3: Morning - GHENT
Buffet breakfast
Welcome by our guide and departure to Ghent, place of birth of CharlesV.
Visit of the historical centre on foot: St. Bavo’s cathedral (with the famous painting ‘The Mystic Lamb’ of Jan van Eyck), the Belfry, Saint Michael’s bridge, the famous Graslei and the Korenlei (the old harbour of Ghent), the Castle of the Counts (outside), the romantic Patershol with its numerous restaurants and antique shops, the ‘Vrijdagsmarkt’ Square with the statue of Jacop van Artevelde, the Town Hall, ....
Lunch
Afternoon
Visit at the Lys region and the “Latemse School”. We stop at art villages Deurle and Latem and make a walk along the houses where famous artists such as Constant Permeke, George Minne, Paul Delvaux, ... used to work or live here in the 19th -20th century.
Visit to the Castle of Ooidonk on the Lys river.
Overlooking one of the bends of the Lys river, it proves to be the focal point of the surrounding countryside which sports lush green meadows and centuries old oak trees that shelter a colony of celebrated herons. What an imposing sight, austere and sumptuous as well! Dated from the 14th century, its massive towers and walls bear witness to its past, ravaged by war yet withstanding the fire and destruction that it brings. Although modernized in the 19th century, it stands almost intact as it was in 1595. Several generations can be traced back to its interior decoration, highlighted by its elegant white-stone staircase, its historical architecture, furniture and art collections.
Transfer to Bruges and check in at your hotel, situated in the historical centre.
Gastronomic dinner at a restaurant in the centre of Bruges.
Day
4: Morning - BRUGES
Buffet breakfast
Welcome by our guide
Discovery of Bruges, “Venice of the North” on foot: the historic Market square with the belfry, the Burg Square with the Holy Blood Basilica and the Town hall, the Fish Market, the Dijver (old harbour of Bruges) and Our Lady Church (with the magnificent sculpture ‘Virgin and Child’ by Michelangelo and the tombs of Charles the Bold and Mary of Burgundy)
Lunch
Afternoon
Cruise on the romantic canals.
Visit at Saint Salvator’s cathedral, the Lake of Love ‘Minnewater’, the beguinage, ...
We close the day with a visit to one of the brewerys in Bruges followed by a degustation.
Gastronomic dinner in a restaurant outside the hote
Day
5: Morning - BRUGES
Buffet breakfast
Welcome by our guide and visit at Groeninge Museum.
This museum is a must for any art-lover as it takes you on a wonderful journey trough the history of Belgian art, comprising some magnificent masterpieces by painters from the 15th century through to the present day. The first five rooms are dedicated to the Old Flemish Masters. For example: Jan van Eyck, Rogier van der Weyden, Hans Memling, … The contemporary art section displays works by Delvaux, Magritte, Permeke and Van de Woestyne
Lunch
Afternoon
Free time and /or transfer.