Enjoy sweet treats as you indulge in the wintertime festivities of Belgian towns, where the Christmas markets are often elaborate festivals complete with ice rinks and Ferris wheels. Warm your hands with mugs of hot chocolate and stroll through the UNESCO-designated city center of Bruges, decked in twinkling lights for the holidays. Then fill your mind with art and culture in the Netherlands, where you can find the porcelain artisans of Delft crafting their famous blue-and-white pottery, a little palace dedicated entirely to Dutch art, and the canal-lined streets of a wintry Amsterdam.
Soak in as much of Central Europe’s fantastic cities and culture as possible in just two weeks. Snack on classic Dutch treats in the Netherlands, enjoy the fruits of Germany’s excellent vineyards, hop into neighboring Luxembourg for a quick course on World War II history, and walk the idyllic streets of Alsace. At the end, drive to the top of a Swiss mountaintop for a suitably monumental conclusion to this incredible journey.
The holiday season in Belgium is something truly special. Each city throws an enchanting winter festival, which could include anything from market stalls and elaborate light displays to Ferris wheels and ice skating rinks. Bordered by the bigger tourism magnets France, Germany, and the Netherlands, Belgium is a small country bursting with cultural impact and well worthy of being the highlight of any European trip—whether it’s your first time on the continent or your tenth. Chocolates, french fries, specialty spirits, and beers are amongst the many things this stretch of the Earth is known for doing well. You’ll get to experience it all during Belgium’s most festive time of the year, when you can sip vin chaud and the world’s most delicious cups of hot chocolate between bites of warm liege waffles and spiced gingerbread.
Who will enjoy this cruise: This trip is perfect for those who have been to the classic markets of Germany and are looking for something new, for anyone looking to explore a different side of Belgium than most tourists see, or for those excited to lean into a holiday extravaganza for their next winter season.
Please note that some of the winter festivals we visit may not be open during the sailing departing on the 2nd of December.
Climb aboard an unforgettable cruise to fascinating cities and through the gorgeous scenery found in The Netherlands and Belgium. This journey takes you from charming Amsterdam to vibrant Brussels—with ports of call in Rotterdam, Antwerp, Ghent, and other historically and culturally rich destinations. Let the rhythm of the water and the beauty of the passing scenery take you away from it all. This cruise is much more than a trip—it’s a total immersion in the history, traditions, and natural wonders found in two fascinating countries.
From the Belgian capital to the famous Windmills of Kinderdijk, discover the beauty of northern European cities and the authenticity found within. A cultivated mix of architecture and local cuisine. Crisscross Brussels and its medieval Grand-Place, retrace the steps of immigrants embarking to the USA during the 19th and early 20th centuries at the Red Star Line Museum in Antwerp, and visit one of the best-kept secrets in that city—the magnificent Nottebohm Room. In Ghent, you'll come across amazing Flemish architecture revealing an unquestionable medieval heritage, and you won't escape without enjoying a local brew, if that's your style. Stroll the romantic streets of Bruges, taking in the fairytale-like atmosphere. Further along, learn about the years of engineering needed to complete the intriguing Delta Works. Lastly, visit one of the most iconic sites in Holland, the famous Windmills of Kinderdijk—a prime example of 1,000-year-old Dutch know-how.