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