Belgium & The Netherlands

April 3-14, 2024

Join Pack A Fork for an unforgettable tour through Belgium & The Netherlands taking in the landscapes, history, culture, art and architecture of  landmarks. You’ll explore the culinary side of each country tasting traditional and contemporary Belgian and Dutch cuisine. Visit this part of the world with local guides who know it best during springtime when the flowers are in full bloom!  Visit Keukenhof Gardens  – a must-see at this time of year. Discover the charming countryside and its towns as well as the larger cities of Brussels and Amsterdam.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS: 

  • Tour the historic city center of Brussels: Grand Place with its guild houses & 19th-century Stock Market, Place St. Catherine, the iconic 'Mannekin Pis' statue, the Royal St. Hubert Galleries and more..
  • Explore outside the city center of Brussels: the Atomium, the Royal Palace of Laeken, the Japanese Tower, the Chinese Pavilion, Cinquantenaire Park and the EU Quarter
  • Participate in a hands-on Belgian chocolate-making class
  • Discover the medieval castles, canals and sites of Ghent; explore the majestic Gothic architecture throughout the city
  • View charming Ghent from the waterways - travel back to medieval times
  • Stay in Bruges - a fairytale-like city 
  • Learn about the history and medieval buildings of Bruges 
  • Discover the sites of Bruges: The Markt, Minnewater Lake (the Lake of Love), the Beguinage, Walplein Square, Stoofstraat, St. John's Hospital (once a medieval hospital) and more..
  • Enjoy a canal cruise in Bruges through picturesque waterways
  • Taste Belgian chocolates, waffles and beer along the way
  • Discover the quaint city of Delft 
  • Tour the Royal Blue Delft earthenware factory to see artists at work 
  • Spend a day at Keukenhof Gardens and witness 7 million tulips in bloom 
  • View the commercial tulip fields where flowers are grown as far as the eye can see 
  • Discover Amsterdam on foot with a walking tour of Amsterdam’s main sites: Dam Square, Royal Palace, New Church, Begijnhof, the Floating Flower Market and many canal views; visit the Anne Frank House as part of this day 
  • Enjoy a vintage salon boat dinner cruise on the canals of Amsterdam 
  • Visit the Van Gogh Museum 
  • Bike in the Dutch countryside of Zaanse Schans; ride past windmills, handicraft workshops, museums, warehouses, bakeries and cafes 
  • Navigate the picturesque waterways of Geithoorn Village, a car-free village of quaint canals, charming houses and old farms 
  • Visit a family-owned cheesemaker's farm; learn about his process and taste Dutch cheeses
  • Enjoy time in Amsterdam on your own to shop, visit other museums or dine with new friends from the tour

INCLUDES: 

  • 12-day guided tour of the best of these locations: Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Delft, Keukenhof Gardens, Geithoorn and Amsterdam 
  • Service of certified Belgian & Dutch guides 
  • All accommodations (4* & 5*) hotels 
  • Private transportation by small coach 
  • Breakfast in the hotel daily
  • Select lunches and dinners at restaurants, cafes, marketplaces and on the dinner cruise in Amsterdam - per Daily Itinerary
  • Belgian chocolate-making class
  • Visit to a Belgian brewery 
  • Belgian & Dutch culinary treats along the way
  • All guided tours
  • Museums and site entrance fees 
  • Plenty of free time built in to relax, go out on your own or dine with new friends from the tour 

NOT INCLUDED: 

  • International airfare 
  • 3rd meal of the day
  • Alcoholic beverages 
  • Travel Insurance 

PRICE:

$ 6890 per person based on double occupancy;  $7390 single occupancy

MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: 15 guests + staff

April 3 - 14, 2024

Wed, April 3: Arrive Brussels, Tour Orientation, Welcome Dinner 

Travel from your home city to Brussels, Belgium. Check in to your centrally-located hotel and take the afternoon to relax.  In the early evening, gather for a Tour Orientation to meet your fellow travelers and learn more about the tour. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner this evening at a select restaurant in Brussels featuring traditional Belgian cuisine.

Meals: D

Accommodations: Warwick Hotel Brussels

Thur, April 4: Discover Brussels Tour, Lunch, Free Evening

Start the day with a route by private coach to see the most iconic sites of Brussels outside the historic city center: The Atomium, the Royal Palace of Laeken (residence of the Belgian monarchy), the Japanese Tower, the Chinese Pavilion, the EU Quarter and Cinquantenaire Park - a vast set of gardens dotted with monuments, museums and arches. It was built in 1880 to commemorate the independence of Belgium.  Stop along the way for traditional waffle tasting and Belgian fries. After lunch, take the later afternoon to relax or go out and discover more of Brussels on your own. The evening will be at leisure.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: Warwick Hotel Brussels

Fri, April 5: Brussels Historic City Center, Lunch, Chocolate-Making Workshop, Free Evening 

The morning will focus on Brussels'  historic city center: Grand Place - the central square of Brussels considered to be one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Europe, La Bourse - Brussels’ 1873 neoclassical stock exchange building,  the iconic ‘Manneken Pis’ statue, the Royal St. Hubert Galleries and St. Catherine’s Place, Brussels’ trendy neighborhood with markets, cafes and boutiques. After lunch, participate in a hand-on Belgian chocolate-making class enjoying the chocolates of your labor! The evening will be at leisure.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: Warwick Hotel Brussels

 

Sat, April 6: Depart Brussels; Ghent Walking Tour, Lunch, Canal Cruise, Arrive Bruges

Depart Brussels today and arrive in the charming medieval city of Ghent. In the Middle Ages, Ghent grew fantastically rich from cloth and wool and was the second biggest city in Europe. Today, its medieval heritage can be seen in the old merchants' street that runs along the banks of the river, the guild houses, the Gothic spires of St. Bavo Cathedral, the medieval monasteries and castles. Take a guided walking tour in Ghent and visit St. Bavo Cathedral. Enjoy a canal cruise and learn about the historic district including Gravensteen Castle dating back to 1180.  Later in the day, depart Ghent and arrive in Bruges.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: Hotel De Tuilerieen

 

Sun, April 7:  Bruges Walking Tour & Canal Cruise, Lunch, Belgian Brewery, Free Evening

Bruges is Belgium’s fairy-tale city. Bruges has an expansive network of canals with overhanging willow trees, medieval buildings, lush gardens, old bridges and beautiful parks. Walk the heart of the city and explore the Markt, Minnewater Lake, the Beguinage and Walplein Square. After lunch, visit a Belgian brewery to taste their artisan beers. The evening will be at leisure in Bruges.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: Hotel De Tuilerieen

 

Mon, April 8:  Royal Delft Earthenware Factory Tour, Free Afternoon, Dinner in Delft

Today, leave Belgium and arrive in Delft, Holland known for its world-famous blue earthenware. Royal Delft has been produced since the 17th century. From 1600 to 1800, this earthenware was popular among wealthy families. At its peak, there were 33 factories in Delft. The only one remaining today is Royal Delft. With a tour at the factory and a visit to the museum, you’ll learn about the history and production process of Delftware and see artists at work. The afternoon will be free for discovering this charming city on your own from your centrally located hotel. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a select restaurant in Delft to explore Dutch cuisine.

Meals: B, D

Accommodations:  Hotel Arsenal Delft

Tues, April 9:  Keukenhof Gardens, Lunch, Commercial Flower Fields, Arrive Amsterdam

Today, depart Delft and drive to Keukenhof Gardens where 7 million tulip bulbs with 800 varieties bloom during springtime. This visit is during the height of the seasonal bloom. Besides 80 acres of flowers, you'll also enjoy the spectacular flower shows, unique artwork and flower projects at Keukenhof. After your visit to Keukenhof Gardens, travel to Amsterdam along a route of commercial flower fields as far as the eye can see. Get your camera out - this is a photo op like no other! Once in Amsterdam, the evening will be at leisure.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam

 

Wed, April 10:  A Day In Amsterdam with the Anne Frank House, Free Afternoon, Dinner Cruise

You'll explore Amsterdam today with your local guide. Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The city is well known for its elaborate canal system and architecture of iconic narrow houses. You’ll visit Dam Square, Royal Palace, New Church, Begijnhof, the Floating Flower Market and see many charming canal views. During the tour, you'll visit the Anne Frank House - now a museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist, Anne Frank. The later afternoon will be free to discover more of Amsterdam on your own or relax at the hotel. In the evening, take a gourmet dinner cruise on a vintage salon boat to explore Amsterdam at night.

Meals: B, D

Accommodations: Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam

 

Thurs, April 11: Geithoorn Village, Lunch, Visit A Cheesemaker's Farm

Take a drive out of Amsterdam today to Geithoorn Village. Geithoorn is a unique car-free village of canals, old farms and charming houses. The houses are accessible only by boat. Geithoorn boasts a beautiful and serene atmosphere. Take a small electric boat to navigate along the narrow canals. Afterward, visit a family-owned cheese farm to meet the farmer in his field and see the full production process. This will be a non-commercial experience with tastings of authentic Dutch cheeses. Upon return to Amsterdam, the evening will be at leisure.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam

 

Fri, April 12:  Van Gogh Museum, Lunch, Biking at Zaanse Schaans

You’ll start the day at the Van Gogh Museum. Explore Van Gogh's personal and artistic development with the guide who will highlight the major works of Van Gogh. In the afternoon, drive to Zaanse Schans in the Dutch countryside where you'll bike to see historic windmills and distinctive wooden village houses dating back to the 18th century. The 5-mile bike route on flat terrain takes you past handicraft workshops, windmills, museums, bakeries and warehouses.  Stop and discover traditional Dutch history, culture and cuisine. (For those that do not want to bike, walking part of the bike route is an alternative). In the later afternoon, return to Amsterdam where the evening will be at leisure.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam

 

Sat, April 13: Amsterdam Free Day, Tour Farewell Dinner

Today, enjoy a free day on your own in Amsterdam. Discover more of Amsterdam today: visit another museum, shop for last-minute souvenirs, take a bike ride or just relax. In the evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a select restaurant featuring international cuisine.

Meals: B, D

Accommodations: Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam

 

Sun, April 14:  Fly Home
Today, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight home from Amsterdam.

Meals: B

PRICE: $6890 per person based on double occupancy; $7390 single occupancy 

INCLUDES:

  • 12-day fully guided small-group tour
  • Service of  a certified Belgian & Dutch guide/driver + specialist guides along the way
  • 11 nights of 4* & 5* accommodations
  • Transportation by private coach
  • Breakfast in the hotel daily
  • Lunches & dinners at restaurants, cafes, marketplaces and on the Amsterdam dinner canal cruise, per Daily Itinerary
  • Belgian hands-on chocolate-making class
  • Historical canal cruises in Ghent & Bruges
  • Vintage salon boat gourmet Dinner Cruise in Amsterdam
  • Belgian brewery visit in Bruges
  • Royal Delft Blue Earthenware our
  • Skip-the-line entrance to Keukenhof Gardens
  • Skip-the-line entrance to the Van Gough Museum
  • Entrance to the Anne Frank House
  • Bike rental at Zaanse Schans
  • Electric boat cruise in the picturesque, car-free village of Geithoorn
  • Visit to a local Dutch cheesemaker's farm
  • All site entrance fees
  • All guided tours
  • Tips for restaurant servers
  • Plenty of free time to relax or go out on your own

NOT INCLUDED:

  • International airfare
  • 3rd meal
  • Tip for the driver/guides
  • Alcoholic beverages (some beer and wine included)
  • Travel Insurance

 

REGISTRATION: 

Registration for this tour can be done online via the Registration page of this website.

 

TOUR DEPOSIT: 

A deposit of $1500 is requested to hold a spot on this tour.  The balance is due 90 days out from departure or January 2, 2024.  After January 2, 2024, full payment is required at registration.

 

TOUR PAYMENT:

Tour payment can be made by eCheck, credit card or bank transfer.

 

TOUR CANCELLATION:

This tour can be canceled through January 2, 2024.  A refund will be given less a $250 service charge. After January 2, 2024, refunds cannot be given.

If Pack A Fork cancels the tour, for any reason, all monies will be refunded.

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to offset tour cancellation, airline and other travel-related fees. We also recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy that includes coverage related to  COVID-19.

 

COVID-19 Vaccinations:

For the safety and health of all guests, we require the full COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days prior to departure. We no longer require a booster shot. However, if the countries being visited change their entry requirements, you will be notified in advance.  We will request a copy of your vaccination card at registration.

 

AIR RESERVATIONS

Pack A Fork! has partnered with Exito Travel for air reservations. We work with Leanne Reuss who is an international airfare specialist. Leanne can assist you with the best flights from your home city. She can be reached at 800-655-4053, Ext. 8528. Alternatively, you can always purchase your own flights.

 

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance will help protect you from trip cancellation fees, costs incurred due to trip delays/interruptions, lost or damaged baggage. Travel insurance may also give you medical protection during your trip. We recommend the website SquareMouth for InsureMyTrip for comparing policies.

 

12-Day Tour

From $6890
$1500 deposit due at registration
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