Benelux

8 Days / 7 Nights — Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg

Highlights of the Low Countries...a delightful package of historic chateaux and delicious cuisine, bound together with more unspoiled delights.

DAY 1 — Amsterdam, Fryslan

Drive north en route to a more "traditional" Holland setting: more rural, fewer modern buildings and many villagers wearing Old World clothing. The first stop is the ancient Zuider Zee Port of Hoorn with its 16th and 17th Century houses. Continue on to Enkhuizen with its exceptional Zuider Zee Museum. Finally, cross into the great Afsluitdijk into the northern countryside district of Fryslan. Lodging: Hotel Landgoed de Klinze

DAY 2 — Blokzijl

Today's drive takes you through the Frisian Lake District to see landscapes notable for wide open spaces, lakes, villages laced with canals, and churches built on Terps, which are artificial mounds surrounded by trees. Next visit Giethoorn, a "water village" where boats are the primary means of transport. The best way to enjoy this unique place is to hire a boat and float past the beautiful old houses and gardens. Lodging: Hotel Kaatje Bij Sluis

DAY 3 — Wittem

Leave Blokzijl this morning via the Palace of Het Loo to visit the palace and magnificent gardens. Then it's on to the Kroller-Muller Museum featuring 276 works by Vincent Van Gogh. Continue further south to the beautiful Geul Valley where your medieval castle awaits you. Lodging: Kasteel Wittem

DAY 4 — Echternach

Today's routing takes you from Holland by the Belgian town of Spa, which once was the most fashionable resort in Europe. Drive deep into the Luxembourgian Ardennes where many of the towns and villages have a 1,000-year history. Settle into the Bel Air situated in a magnificent, 20-acre park. Lodging: Hotel Bel Air

We love food and wine. Our chauffeur helped us order the right cuisine in every region, so we didn't miss any local delights.

DAY 5 — Noirefontaine

Leave Echternach this morning via Luxembourg City to the unique Abbaye d'Orval. This Cistercian monastery, founded in 1070, is one of the most famous in Europe. Today the ruins are part of the entire complex. The beer and cheese produced here are world famous. Continue to the Moulin Hideux, which has been a beautiful country inn for over 50 years. Lodging: Auberge du Moulin Hideux

DAY 6 — Bruges

After breakfast, leave Noirefontaine using the auto route past Tournai and Kortrijk en route to Bruges. Bruges is a Flemish town dating from at least the 8th century. It later became a major importer of wool from England, making it an important cloth-making center — and thus became the commercial and financial hub of northern Europe. Today, most of the buildings are preserved and appear as they did in those early times. Lodging: Hotel Die Swaene

DAY 7 — Bruges

You have a full day on your own to explore this medieval treasure. With its many canals, Bruges is often called the "Venice of the North." The town is also renowned throughout the world for its woven lace, and lace centers are open every afternoon if you'd like an up-close presentation. The nighttime illuminations of the old and historic buildings make for an unforgettable evening. Lodging: Hotel Die Swaene

DAY 8 — Brussels

Enjoy a morning in Bruges before the short drive back to Brussels, concluding your cultural adventure.

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