Belgium Tours & Trips 2020

• Explore the walled city of Avignon, crossing the 12th-century Pont St-Benezet bridge and munching on classic French fare like baguettes with cheese.
• Visit a mixture of well-known and lesser-touristed cities for a real snapshot of Western Europe, from Eiffel Tower to alleyway bars.
• Spend two days or more in most destinations for a chance to go deeper than the highlights – with some help from your Intrepid leader of course.
• Three days in Amsterdam gives you time to see the varied sides of the city, from the sidewalk cafe culture to the leafy parks and master-filled museums.
• Admire the panoramic landscapes and weaving coastline from Barcelona to France’s Provence region. With all transport arrangements taken care of, you can focus on soaking it all up.

• Florence: Eight generations of history with plenty of stories to tell. Enjoy a traditional Be My Guest lunch with the Landi family at their home near Florence, set within a garden of oak trees against the backdrop of Tuscan vineyards and olive groves.
• Amsterdam: Led by your Travel Director, wander the city to see the floating flower market, Dam Square and the Royal Palace.
• Rhineland: Cruise beneath the semi-ruined castles and terraced vineyards. Sleepy villages slip by as you saunter upstream to the Lorelei Rock where the enchantress lured sailors to their doom.
• Heidelberg: Explore one of Germany's most enchanting cities during an orientation with your Travel Director.
• Munich: During your orientation of the city with your Travel Director, see Feldherrnhalle in the Odeonsplatz, the Palace of the Dukes of Wittelsbach, the English Garden, the Hofbräuhaus, St. Peter's Church and the famous Marienplatz.
• Innsbruck: Nestled amidst majestic mountains, Innsbruck is a beautiful city offering a unique combination of nature, history, and culture. Stroll the streets of the picturesque Old Town and learn about its history with your Travel Director.
• Vatican: Visit Vatican City and tour St. Peter's Basilica with a Local Specialist. Witness the early genius of Michelangelo as you take in the Pietà.
• Tuscany: View the stunning landscape of Tuscany on your drive today.
• Florence: Join a Local Specialist to view the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.
• Switzerland: Marvel at the Alpine landscape as you drive past breathtakingly beautiful mountains and valleys.
• Lucerne: During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the Lion Monument, Old Town Hall and Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.
• Paris: Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
• Venice: Learn about the history and ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing, playing your role in ensuring the survival of this traditional craft through your visit.
• Explore London, Rome, Florence and Paris with a Local Specialist
• Discover Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Munich, Innsbruck, Venice and Lucerne
• Visit a glassblowing factory in Venice and St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
• View the canals in Amsterdam, the Golden Roof in Innsbruck, St. Mark's Square in Venice, the ancient sites in Rome, the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne and the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
• See the Lorelei Rock and the vineyards of Burgundy
• Scenic Cruise along the canals of Amsterdam, the Rhine River and by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice

• Florence: Eight generations of history with plenty of stories to tell. Enjoy a traditional Be My Guest lunch with the Landi family at their home near Florence, set within a garden of oak trees against the backdrop of Tuscan vineyards and olive groves.
• Amsterdam: Led by your Travel Director, wander the city to see the floating flower market, Dam Square and the Royal Palace.
• Rhineland: Cruise beneath the semi-ruined castles and terraced vineyards. Sleepy villages slip by as you saunter upstream to the Lorelei Rock where the enchantress lured sailors to their doom.
• Heidelberg: Explore one of Germany's most enchanting cities during an orientation with your Travel Director.
• Munich: During your orientation of the city with your Travel Director, see Feldherrnhalle in the Odeonsplatz, the Palace of the Dukes of Wittelsbach, the English Garden, the Hofbräuhaus, St. Peter's Church and the famous Marienplatz.
• Innsbruck: Nestled amidst majestic mountains, Innsbruck is a beautiful city offering a unique combination of nature, history, and culture. Stroll the streets of the picturesque Old Town and learn about its history with your Travel Director.
• Vatican: Visit Vatican City and tour St. Peter's Basilica with a Local Specialist. Witness the early genius of Michelangelo as you take in the Pietà.
• Tuscany: View the stunning landscape of Tuscany on your drive today.
• Florence: Join a Local Specialist to view the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.
• Switzerland: Marvel at the Alpine landscape as you drive past breathtakingly beautiful mountains and valleys.
• Lucerne: During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the Lion Monument, Old Town Hall and Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.
• Paris: Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
• Venice: Learn about the history and ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing, playing your role in ensuring the survival of this traditional craft through your visit.
• Explore London, Rome, Florence and Paris with a Local Specialist
• Discover Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Munich, Innsbruck, Venice and Lucerne
• Visit a glassblowing factory in Venice and St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
• View the canals in Amsterdam, the Golden Roof in Innsbruck, St. Mark's Square in Venice, the ancient sites in Rome, the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne and the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
• See the Lorelei Rock and the vineyards of Burgundy
• Scenic Cruise along the canals of Amsterdam, the Rhine River and by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice

• Gaudi's modern cathedral, La Sagrada Familia, is like no other building you've ever seen. Still under construction after over 130 years, this Gothic masterpiece embodies Barcelona's artistic and progressive heart.
• Now one of the world's most artistic and exciting cities, Berlin has a complex history. See remaining fragments of the famous wall that once divided the city in half.
• Immerse yourself in the history, architecture and bohemian vibes of the Czech Republic. Soak up the smooth sounds of jazz at a low-lit bar in Prague before stepping right into a fairytale in the World Heritage-listed town of Cesky Krumlov.
• Enjoy a scenic walk along the banks of the River Danube in Budapest. Threaded with bridges and hemmed in by castles and historic city buildings, Europe’s second longest river is also one of its most beautiful.
• Feast on mouth-watering seafood along Italy's coast, drink fine wine in Tuscany and indulge in the endless pasta dishes on offer in Rome.

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

• 5 days to explore Holland and its traditions
• EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:
  • Delightful scents and springtime colors at the Keukenhof floral gardens(1)
  • Amsterdam and its unique atmosphere
  • Volendam, an authentic Dutch village
  • Zaanse Schans, its windmills and traditional houses

• Festive fixes… glühwein
• waffles
• Belgian beers
• stroopwafels
• chocolate lace and cheese… heartwarming carols and concerts joyfully orchestrated… villages dressed in the season’s best… Dutch canals
• cathedrals and candles aglow with yuletide spirit… Belgian squares and medieval markets making merry…  aboard a riverboat cruise all decked out with holiday cheer.

  The ribboned waterscapes of Holland and Belgium take on a special glow in December when storybook villages and fairy tale towns celebrate the joys of the season with holiday traditions centuries old. Experience yuletide spirit onboard and ashore on a river cruise that delights day and night… during a private performance inside Amsterdam’s royal concert house

• on a visit to a private canal house and and an illuminating canal cruise…  while having cheese and stroopwafels in Gouda… in Delft or Rotterdam
• as you choose… on sightseeing excursions in Ghent
• Bruges
• Antwerp dressed in their holiday best… in market squares where merry making entices with hot mulled wines
• waffles hot off the press
• beers locally produced and chocolates laced with care… and at special receptions
• dinners and cultural presentations aboard a riverboat decked out with cruising delights that make you feel right at home wherever we roam.

• Onboard welcome reception
• Choice of half- or full-day visit to Keukenhof Gardens or walk with your Adventure Host; harbor cruise in Rotterdam
• Choice of guided sightseeing or bike with your Adventure Host
• Choice of guided sightseeing, visit St. Baaf’s Cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
• Choice of guided walk in Middelburg or bike with your Adventure Host; choice of visit of the Flood Museum and guided walking tour of Veere or bike with your Adventure Host
• Choice of guided walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host; cheese tasting on board
• Choice of guided visit to Flower Auction, or canal cruise or walk with your Adventure Host
• This springtime river cruise gets underway in Holland’s colorful capital of Amsterdam
• This 700-year-old city offers an abundance of classic architecture, cafés, and restaurants to explore before you embark on your river cruise through Holland and Belgium

• Unpack just once, then cruise for seven nights by private canal barge
• Experience the countryside up close, as only a barge-and-bike tour allows
• Learn the art of silversmithing during a private demonstration
• Immerse yourself in local life as you visit a family in their home
• Admire Holland’s iconic, 19th-century windmills
• Picnic alongside historic locks
• Discover Bruges, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe
• Take a guided boat excursion to the center of Ghent
• Sip authentic Belgian beer
• Enjoy attentive service aboard our private barge

• Unpack just once and journey through five European countries—Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland
• Cruise aboard our award-winning 140- to 164-passenger ships with a dedicated English-speaking crew
• Experience this European itinerary, and uncover a local and American perspective in destinations like Speyer, where you’ll enjoy a Home-Hosted Kaffeeklatsch
• Explore with an expert, local Program Director—a native or resident of Europe—who will be dedicated to your group of no more than 47 from the start to the end of your trip

• Opportunity to Visit 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Explore Netherlands
• Visit Kinderdijk UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Discover Amsterdam
• Visit Netherlands

• In the Netherlands
• flowers are a way of life... You’ll see flower boxes abloom with tulips and an array of colorful potted plants in villages and towns all over Holland. Gardens grace the landscapes everywhere you look
• paying homage to an economy which is largely horticultural based... Everywhere you look
• a kaleidoscope of colorful images... on walking tours and bicycle rides... in the seasonal pageantry of tulips
• daffodils and hyacinths abloom in Keukenhof Gardens... in Kinderdijk windmills and coastal villages steeped in cultural treasures... at a Tauck Exclusive dinner in a palace museum rich with Old Dutch art masterpieces... in gabled houses dressed in maritime lore along Amsterdam’s tree-lined canals... on walking tours of cobblestoned Ghent and the fairy tale streets of Bruges... during discoveries about immigrant voyages and local brew in Antwerp and sculpted monuments and chocolate in Belgium...

• Visit Berlin, an exciting city with a complex history. Use your free time to see the remaining fragments of the infamous wall that once divided the city, but now unites it with murals and memorials.
• Immerse yourself in the bohemian vibes of the Czech Republic, soak up the smooth sounds of jazz at a low-lit bar in Prague before stepping right into a fairytale in Cesky Krumlov.
• With plenty of free time in classic Vienna and vibrant Budapest, whether you end up eating Sacher torte in a neighbourhood cafe or downing a couple of local brews in a ruin bar is totally up to you!
• Three days in Amsterdam gives you time to see the varied sides of the city, from the sidewalk cafe culture to the leafy parks and master-filled museums.
• Admire the panoramic landscapes and weaving coastline from Barcelona to France’s Provence region. With all transport arrangements taken care of, you can focus on soaking it all up.

• Best way to travel through Europe
• Discover five different countries
• Relaxing and rewarding experience

• Festive fixes… glühwein
• waffles
• Belgian beers
• stroopwafels
• chocolate lace and cheese… heartwarming carols and concerts joyfully orchestrated… villages dressed in the season’s best… Dutch canals
• cathedrals and candles aglow with yuletide spirit… Belgian squares and medieval markets making merry…  aboard a riverboat cruise all decked out with holiday cheer.

  The ribboned waterscapes of Holland and Belgium take on a special glow in December when storybook villages and fairy tale towns celebrate the joys of the season with holiday traditions centuries old. Experience yuletide spirit onboard and ashore on a river cruise that delights day and night… during a private performance inside Amsterdam’s royal concert house

• on a visit to a private canal house and and an illuminating canal cruise…  while having cheese and stroopwafels in Gouda… in Delft or Rotterdam
• as you choose… on sightseeing excursions in Ghent
• Bruges
• Antwerp dressed in their holiday best… in market squares where merry making entices with hot mulled wines
• waffles hot off the press
• beers locally produced and chocolates laced with care… and at special receptions
• dinners and cultural presentations aboard a riverboat decked out with cruising delights that make you feel right at home wherever we roam.

• Amsterdam: Go Dutch and share a gezellig Be My Guest dinner, savouring delicious local cheeses, with the Pauw family on their dairy farm near Amsterdam.
• Rome: Enjoy a private visit inside the Vatican where you will tour the Museo Gregoriano Profano featuring Roman and Ancient Greek antiquities before an exclusive private dinner.
• Amsterdam: Cruise along the old waterways with your Travel Director and fellow travellers. Discover the architectural gems of the old city, including mansions dating from the Golden Age of the 17th Century.
• Rhineland: Cruise beneath the semi-ruined castles and terraced vineyards. Sleepy villages slip by as you saunter upstream to the Lorelei Rock where the enchantress lured sailors to their doom.
• Heidelberg: See the magnificent castle built in red sandstone, overlooking the Student Prince’s town.
• Rhine Falls: See these spectacular falls.
• Lucerne: During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the Lion Monument, Old Town Hall and Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.
• Vaduz: Explore Vaduz and admire the Royal family's residence, Vaduz Castle, which overlooks the capital.
• Innsbruck: Nestled amidst majestic mountains, Innsbruck is a beautiful city offering a unique combination of nature, history, and culture. Stroll the streets of the picturesque Old Town and learn about its history with your Travel Director.
• Salzburg: Join your Local Specialist to visit the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace and Residence Square - both locations used in 'The Sound of Music.' See the imposing fortress, the immense cathedral and Mozart's birthplace on the lively Getreidegasse.
• Vienna: Walk through the first district, Inner Stadt, as your Local Specialist reveals the historic core of the city. Tour the Ring Road to see the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche.
• Assisi: With a Local Specialist, find out why the Basilica of St. Francis is considered to be one of the crowning artisitic achievements of 13th-century Europe.
• Pompeii: Walk with a Local Specialist through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the 1st century.
• Pompeii: Walk with a Local Specialist through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the 1st century.
• Capri: Join a Local Specialist on a walk through elegant Capri to gain insight into the island's local culture and historic landmarks.
• Vatican: Visit Vatican City and tour St. Peter's Basilica with a Local Specialist. Witness the early genius of Michelangelo as you take in the Pietà.
• Rome: Experience Rome through the eyes of a local, as a passionate Roman guides you past the city's most iconic sites.
• Florence: Join a Local Specialist to view the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.
• Florence: See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods, and witness a gold and leatherwork demonstration.
• Pisa: During an orientation, your Travel Director will show you the baptistery, cathedral and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
• Monaco City: See the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married.
• Nice: Enjoy exploring the beautiful coastal city of Nice on the French Riviera.
• Saint-Paul-de-Vence: Discover the beauty of this hilltop town and gain insight into why it became a refuge for artists.
• Avignon: View the Pont d'Avignon and walk the medieval narrow streets of the Old Town to the Palais des Papes.
• Beaune: Marvel at Beaune's famous renaissance roofing style during an orientation of this wine capital.
• Paris: Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
• Venice: Learn about the history and ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing, playing your role in ensuring the survival of this traditional craft through your visit.
• fast-track Admission to the Vatican Museums
• Explore London, Salzburg, Vienna, Assisi, Pompeii, Capri, Rome, Florence and Paris with a Local Specialist
• Discover Bruges, Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Lucerne, Innsbruck, Venice, Pisa, Monaco, Nice and Avignon
• Visit the Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen, Vaduz, a glassblowing factory in Venice, excavations in Pompeii and the Sistine Chapel in Rome, Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Beaune
• View the ancient sites of Rome, the Leaning Tower in Pisa, the Papal Palace and Pont d' Avignon in Avignon and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
• See the Lorelei Rock in Rhine Valley, the Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino and the vineyards of Burgundy
• Scenic Cruise through Amsterdam's canals, by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice, the Rhine River and to the Isle of Capri
• Bruges: A former monastery from the 17th century, the NH Brugge has historical features such as stained-glass windows and exposed beams.