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.
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.