Arrive in Brussels

Plan your international flights to arrive in Brussels by mid-afternoon today. It is easy to catch a taxi from the airport to our hotel, or book a private transfer (we’ll provide some options prior to departure). Explore the amenities of the hotel and the surrounding neighborhood until time for our welcome cocktail in the hotel’s bar. Afterwards we walk to a nearby restaurant for our Welcome Dinner. Please let us know on your reservation form if you would like to arrive one day early (July 1) to rest up from jet lag. (Welcome Dinner included)

Brussels City Tour / Welcome On Board

After breakfast and check-out, meet our guide for an exciting day of sightseeing in Brussels. We begin our visit with a short stroll in the old city centre. We’ll learn about the world-famous Grand Place with its unique city hall and splendid guild houses. Take time to view the Manneken Pis, a famous bronze fountain sculpture in central Brussels, depicting a puer mingens; a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin.

We continue our adventure through the capital by coach. Pass by the magnificent St. Michaels cathedral, the Congress Column, the Heizel district with the renowned Atomium (entrance included), the remarkable Chinese pavilion and the Japanese tower. We drive back to the centre via the Palace of Laken and visit the Zavel district with its many antique stores. After seeing the impressive Court of Justice and the elegant Louiza Square, we drive to the stately Place Royale, the Royal Palace and the old Palace of the Nations which is now the home of Parliament. Around the corner, the heart of Europe beats: the buildings of the Commission, the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.

After lunch we participate in a Chocolate Workshop. After being welcomed to the chocolate factory we learn the history of cocoa and how it is transformed into chocolate. We have a demonstration of how artisanal pralines are created by professional chocolate-makers assisted by two of our group members. Interspersed throughout the various presentations are three different chocolate-tastings. To conclude, the staff takes questions and we have an opportunity to purchase these fabulous chocolates in the gift shop.

Finally, we transfer to the pier at Halle (approximately 1 hour drive) and board our barge at 6pm. After settling into our cabins we are introduced to the crew during a welcome cocktail reception, followed by dinner and our first of six nights aboard. (All meals)

Halle – Strepy Thieu

South of Brussels and just on the Flemish side of the boundary between Flanders and Wallonia, Halle is an endearing city spreading around a white Gothic church. The old centre has a Renaissance town hall, looking towards St Martin’s Basilica, which holds an unusual amount of centuries-old treasures. Enjoy a tour of Halle including
• The Basilica of St Martin - the home of the Black Madonna of Halle - an absolute must during any visit to Halle.
• Discover the wonderful world of Lambic brewing at Brewery Boon in Lembeek and find out what makes Oude Geuze so special.
• Beer walk : 4 km walking tour - This walk takes you through the streets and squares in search of the devil's spirit and Halle's centuries-old brewing tradition.
Afternoon sailing on the Canal du Centre to Strepy-Thieu where we dock for the night. (All meals)

Strepy Thieu - Mons

We spend the morning cruising. Our first big adventure is the monumental Ronquières Inclined Plane, built between 1960 and 1968. Construction of the plane reduced delays caused by the 14 previous locks. After navigating the incline our barge takes a boat lift. Using two independent caissons, the lift allows a crossing in less than 35 minutes with a 240-foot height difference (75 m), in one swoop replacing four former boat lifts and two locks.

We continue cruising to Mons where we embark on a food tour. Few cities can boast about their heritage like Mons can. This is a vibrant, modern city with a deep, historic past. The Grand-Place offers a myriad of places in which to lose yourself. Our guide takes us to the center of Mons to learn about the city's history and edible delights. This stroll is a combination of history, culture, and anecdotes accented by a tasting of four local specialties. Indulging in the local cuisine makes this tour an unforgettable experience. After the tour we return to our barge for dinner and overnight in Mons. (All meals)

Mons – Peronnes-lez-Antoing

Set off on a visit to the Château de Beloeil and the Chant d’Éole vineyard. The Château de Beloeil — nicknamed the Belgian Versailles — contains a valuable collection of 15th- to 19th-century art, including a library with more than 20,000 books and precious manuscripts. The furniture is a sampling of some of the top work of French cabinet makers in the 17th and 18th centuries. The paintings depict the grand achievements of most of the castle's family members.

After visiting the Château we continue on to the Chant d’Éole estate. This vineyard came into being when a family of Belgian farmers joined forces with a family of eminent sparkling winemakers. They use the best modern techniques to guarantee a sparkling wine that adheres to Belgian tradition. Our tour recounts the vineyard's history, with enthusiastic guides explaining the different stages of production — from planting to bottling, and everything in between. We finish with a tasting of three signature spirits — the Brut Blanc de Blancs, the Rosé Brut, and the Elixir Saint-Georges.

After reboarding our barge in Mons, we spend the afternoon cruising on the Nimy-Blaton-Péronnes Canal, a strategic waterway in the center of Belgium. The canal opened in October 1955 and enabled a liaison between the Canal du Centre and the Scheldt River. We dock in Péronnes-lez-Antoing where we are free to do some personal exploration before dinner and overnight. (All meals)

Peronnes-lez-Antoing - Oudenaarde

This morning we commence cruising to Oudenaarde. Take advantage of some downtime to relax on the Sun Deck and watch the scenery roll by. We pass through the city of Tournai before arriving in Oudenaarde in the early afternoon.

This afternoon we enjoy a guided tour of Oudenaarde and a distillery. Oudenaarde is a picturesque city full of historic monuments, with the most notable being the town hall and its two main churches. Other memorable sites include the lovely beguinage, the house where Margaret of Parma was born, the Boudewijnstoren, and the 18th-century meat market. Everything is testimony to a rich and lively past. The city has more than 100 historic monuments. Set off on an urban hike taking you to the loveliest areas and tourist sites. Enjoy some free time on your own to see what the city has to offer.

We then head over to a distillery. This will be the time to learn about how jenever, gin, and whiskey are distilled. Of course, we'll have a taste! Return on board our barge for dinner and overnight. (All meals)

Oudenaarde - Ghent

Today we glide along the Scheldt from Oudenaarde to Ghent, surrounded by the magnificent scenery of several natural parks. Our excursion this afternoon is a guided tour of Bruges and a brewery. Arriving in Ghent we head to Bruges (about a 60- to 75-minute coach ride). Its works of art, tranquil ambiance, romantic aura, and stunning architecture make it one of the top places to visit during any European vacation. The city has meticulously preserved the elegance and class it exuded during its golden age as a maritime trade center.

After seeing the highlights of Bruges, we visit a brewery for a taste of ale. This brewery was founded in 1856. Six generations later it remains a dynamic brewery, still attached to its origins and the authentic Bruges Zot.

We return to our lovely barge for one final night aboard. Tonight is our festive gala evening where we thank the crew and wish them a fond farewell. (All meals)

Depart – or - Commence Netherlands Tour Extension

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00am. We will assist those who are not joining our tour extension to the Netherlands in coordinating a departure transfer to the Brussels airport or destination of your choosing. It is approximately a one-hour drive to the airport. There are bus and train options, as well as taxi and ride-share. Bon Voyage and safe travels! (Breakfast)

The Netherlands

ITINERARY
The Netherlands is often incorrectly referred to as Holland. It is one of the most vibrant and interesting countries in Europe. Known for its eclectic capital city of Amsterdam – with its canals, amazing museums, and vibrant nightlife – the Netherlands is far more than this, and when we venture further afield we will find picture postcard pretty towns as well as dynamic cities like The Hague. You won’t want to miss this exciting tour extension capping our cruise in Belgium.

The Hague - Amsterdam

After disembarking from our barge this morning we board our motorcoach and commence a 2.5 hour drive to The Hague. After a break for lunch we take a guided tour of this Royal City, the third largest in the Netherlands. It has something to offer every visitor. We begin at Koningin Julianaplein, then see Central Station, the largest terminal in the Netherlands with 12 tracks. Some of the monumental and historic buildings we see today are the Queen's Palace, the Peace Palace with its international judicial institutions, the Palace Noordeinde, and the famous Binnenhof. The Binnenhof started off as a hunting lodge, then a castle, and later developed into complex of various historic buildings. Next is Buitenhof, the government buildings, Kalvermarkt, Fluwelenburgwal and Herengracht.

Top highlights of this day will be our visit to the Mauristhuis Museum – home to some of the most famous Dutch paintings – as well as our private tour of the Visitor’s Centre inside the grounds of the Peace Palace.

We conclude our journey with a one-hour drive to Amsterdam, where we check in at our centrally located hotel. After some time to settle in, we take a short walk to d'Vijff Vlieghen to enjoy a special three-course dinner with wine. (Breakfast / Dinner)

Amsterdam Tour

After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, join our guide for a full day of sightseeing in Amsterdam. This exciting city is best visited on foot, so bring your most comfortable walking shoes! From our hotel in the historical city centre, we pass Damrak and central station with its reminders of a glorious past. Continue through 19th century quarters to modern day Amsterdam, passing by Museum square where the famous Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh and Stedelijk museums are located. We tour the Rijksmuseum to marvel at its vast collection of art masterpieces. We’ll see the Singel flower market and some remaining windmills in the capital. Stop for a chance to pay respects at the Homomonument. We’ll see the numerous bridges and canals that give this city its romantic atmosphere during a canal cruise with wine and cheese. Get a glimpse of the wealthy past of Amsterdam with a visit to a diamond factory. Returning to our hotel we have a free evening for fun in this wonderfully gay-friendly city! (Breakfast)

Zaanse Schans / Edam / Volendam / Marken

The Zaanse Schans is a delightful village on the banks of the river Zaan with characteristic green wooden houses, charming stylized gardens, small hump-backed bridges, tradesmen's workshops, historic windmills and engaging little shops. This enchanting village has been lovingly established by relocating local houses, windmills, storehouses and barns to form a remarkable replica of a typical “Zaanse” village of the seventeenth and eighteenth century. Apart from the cluster of windmills, characteristic wooden houses and delightful shops to visit, there are intriguing traditional Dutch crafts such as wooden shoes, pewter and cheese making, several fascinating museums and restaurants.

Continue to the charming fishing villages of Marken and Volendam. Marken was once an island but now it is connected to the mainland. It's wooden houses on stilts still stand near it's small harbor. Visit a traditional cheese-farm in Edam to taste different kinds of cheeses. Volendam is known for its traditional Dutch customs. We enjoy free time to explore Volendam.

After an exciting day in the countryside, we return to Amsterdam for our festive Farewell Dinner with wine included. (Breakfast / Dinner)

Farewell to Amsterdam

The tour extension concludes with your check-out from our hotel this morning. We have not included airport transfers since we are not all departing on the same flight. It is easy to organize a taxi transfer with the hotel’s concierge. Please let us know if you wish to extend your stay an additional night at our Amsterdam hotel. Our rate is only valid for one additional night.