Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
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.
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.
See Europe’s best cities on a 15-day adventure from Barcelona to Berlin. Full of fun, flexibility and loads of free time to explore each destination at your own pace, this adventure is perfect for independent travellers. Your passionate European leader will take you on regular orientation walks and give you plenty of insider knowledge, but how you spend your days is largely up to you. Wander the streets of Barcelona and see Gaudi’s architecture before exploring the medieval walls of Girona. Learn the history of gladiators in the Roman amphitheatre of Nimes and soak up the gorgeous scenery in Avignon. Visit some of the finest winemaking parts of France, then maybe picnic in Paris, have a beer in Brussels and explore a fairytale castle in Antwerp. Perhaps cycle the Amsterdam canals and see why Berlin's nightlife is so iconic before ending it all with a toast to a whirlwind trip well-travelled.
Walking toursSightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
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.