Excursions in Holland & Belgium

12 excursions available

Biking on the Polders

Take a bike tour of Hoorn and its surroundings. Located on the banks of the Ijsselmeer, Hoorn was one of the important Dutch East India Company towns in 17th-century Holland. Hundreds of merchant ships left Hoorn to sail across the world and return loaded with merchandise, especially spices such as peppercorn, nutmeg, clove and mace. Our guide will explain the city's celebrated past in detail. The outskirts of Hoorn itself are dotted with biking and hiking paths that cross the superb polders, following the river dykes and passing by old villages and the ancient Westfriese Omringdijk—an almost 800-year-old dyke. The Beemster polder, the first in the Netherlands and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a masterpiece of creative planning and a superb example of the conflict the inhabitants have waged with water in this area. You'll get to see old windmills. PLEASE NOTE Good walking shoes are recommended. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate. Attention: children are under the responsibility of their parents and must be autonomous by bike. Helmets are provided on all our cycling tours.

Experience

Included

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Guided tour of Alkmaar

Departure by coach from Volendam or Enkhuizen for the town of Alkmaar. We'll reach the city center on foot in the company of our guide. Alkmaar is a historical town with over 400 monuments. The Waag (weigh house building), dating from the 14th century, the Town Hall dating from the 16th century, the Grote or Sint-Laurenskerk (St Lawrence church) and a multitude of enclosed courtyards, noteworthy facades and canals all partake in the particular atmosphere of this city. However, Alkmaar is particularly known for its cheese. From the 1st Friday in April to the 1st Friday in September, the traditional cheese market is held every Friday morning from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The traders sell their cheeses using a barter system. The cheese carriers' guild, which has existed for 400 years, transports the cheeses on wooden barrows, after weighing the batches at the weigh house. Inside this building, a guided visit to the Cheese Museum will teach you all about the various steps to making dairy products. You'll discover the beautifully ornate cheese presses and various other implements and tools used to make cheese and butter over the centuries. The first floor houses documentation illustrating how cheese is made today on the farms and dairy factories, as well as this industry's major influence on the Dutch economy. After some free time, return to the ship for lunch. PLEASE NOTE Wear sturdy shoes: the streets are cobbled. On Friday, the visit is to the cheese market instead of the museum. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

Authentic

Included

Ghent and its Christmas Market

As the day winds down, set out on foot to explore downtown Ghent and its Christmas market. Browse the quaint wooden chalets proposing handcrafted objects and local delicacies such as waffles and mulled wine, as festive music fills the air. The smell of holiday spices and the warm, friendly atmosphere will plunge you into the Christmas spirit. After our wealth of discoveries, we'll return on board. PLEASE NOTE Times are approximate. The order of the visits can change.

2h00Authentic

Included

Guided Tour of the Christmas Market in Bruges

We'll leave on foot for the Christmas market tucked away in the center of the city, also known as the Venice of the North—an enchanting experience for all! Located mainly in the Grote Markt and near Simon Stevinplein, the Christmas market glows under festive lights accenting the city's Gothic architecture. Dozens of quaint wooden chalets display handcrafted treasures within—from finely handcrafted Christmas decorations to local candies. As the sun sets, watch the market lights come alive, chasing away the impending darkness. After our tour, we’ll return to the ship on foot. PLEASE NOTE Times are approximate. The order of the visits can change.

2h00Authentic

Included

Guided Tour of the Ghent Christmas Market and a Tasting of Local Specialties

We'll set out on foot for the city center. Ghent is a pedestrian's dream—an open-air museum where Flemish architecture accents the indisputable beauty of its medieval heritage. During the entire length of this tour, you'll have the opportunity to taste local specialties. We'll visit the Christmas market and its more than 150 beautifully decorated wooden chalets—a perfect time to browse the stands for unique gifts and handcrafted items. Stroll at your pace through the lively aisles as the tempting aroma of mulled wine, grilled chestnuts, and sweet delights awaken your spirit. At the end of the afternoon, shimmering lights transform every corner of the market into a captivating spectacle highlighting the city's historic facades. We'll return to the ship. PLEASE NOTE Times are approximate. The order of the visits can change.

4h00Authentic

Included

Bruges, its Christmas Market, and a Brewery

At the beginning of the afternoon, we'll set off towards the center of Bruges for a guided tour. With picturesque cobblestone streets lined with medieval homes, romantic canals, and exceptional heritage, it's no wonder this area is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide will recount the city's fascinating history through its iconic monuments. Afterwards, we'll head over to the Bourgogne des Flandres, known for its beautiful decor and handcrafted beer. The brewery combines modern techniques and artisan methods dating back to the 18th century. As night falls, enjoy a guided tour of the Christmas market illuminated by festive lights accenting the city's Gothic architecture—an enchanting experience for all! Enjoy some free time afterwards to browse through the stands proposing finely handcrafted Christmas decorations, local candies, and much, much more. After our tour, we’ll return to the ship on foot. PLEASE NOTE Times are approximate. The order of the visits can change.

4h00Authentic

Included

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Guided tour of Oudenaarde and the Tapestry Museum

We’ll take a coach to the historic heart of the city. Oudenaarde has a very rich past. The city is jam-packed with architectural gems—each with its own story to tell. We'll stop in front of the Collegiate Church of Saint Walburga to admire its Gothic-style edifice built in the 12th century. A little further down the way, we'll run into the splendid city hall, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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. Then depart for the Tapestry Museum. Nestled in the heart of a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the Oudenaarde and Flemish Ardennes Museum offers a genuine journey through time. No fewer than 43 tapestries are displayed in the museum, ranging from decorative to figurative works. In addition to textiles, the museum houses one of the most prestigious collections of goldsmith’s work and silverware in all of Flanders. Return to the ship. PLEASE NOTE Times are approximate. The order of the visits can change.

3h30Authentic

Included

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VISIT THE CHÂTEAU DE BELOEIL AND THE CHANT D’ÉOLE VINEYARD.

We'll leave from Mons in a coach for the Château de Beloeil, also known as the Belgian Versailles. The castle has stood in the middle of its moat for eight centuries. Once a medieval fortress, it became an immense, stately home over the course of several centuries. Today, it has opened its doors to visitors. This castle is not an anonymous, static museum. The objects within reflect the evolution of art. The vast library contains 20,000 works from the eras when printing was invented up to modern times. 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. While some of the most beautiful French Gardens were created in the 17th century, the one surrounding Beloeil was designed and developed by 10 successive generations between 1515 and 1780. We'll continue on to the Chant d’Éole estate. The vineyard came to be when a family of Belgian farmers joined forces with a family of eminent sparkling-wine makers. They use the best modern techniques to guarantee a sparkling wine that adheres to Belgian tradition. We'll take a guided tour recounting the vineyard's history. Our enthusiastic guides will explain the different stages of production—from planting to bottling, and everything in between. We'll finish up the tour with a tasting of three signature spirits—the Brut Blanc de Blancs, the Rosé Brut, and the Elixir Saint-Georges. We'll return to Mons. PLEASE NOTE Times are approximate. The order of the visits can change. OCTOBER : Visit to the Castle of Seneffe and the Chant d’Éole Estate. Departure by coach from Mons to the Castle of Seneffe. Built between 1763 and 1768 by the architect Laurent-Benoît Dewez for the businessman Julien Depestre, who became Count of Seneffe and Turnhout in 1767, this building is a jewel of exceptional 18th-century neoclassical architecture. Its façade was constructed in blue stone from Feluy and Ecaussinnes. Two long Palladian galleries with Ionic columns, containing statues and antique-style vases sculpted by Laurent Tamine, flank the castle on both sides. You will admire the magnificent parquet floors and sumptuous interior decorations. Today, the castle houses the Museum of Silversmithing of the French Community of Belgium. You will discover collections of silverware and decorative arts, displayed in context and reflecting the art of living and cultural codes of the time. You will dive into the daily life, even the intimacy, of the castle’s former residents. The journey continues to the Chant d’Éole Estate. Born from the meeting between a Champagne winemaker and a Belgian farming family, this wine estate draws inspiration from the best techniques developed to date to ensure the production of sparkling wines that truly reflect the Belgian terroir. A guided tour will take you to the heart of the vineyard’s history. Passionate guides will explain the various stages of creating these nectars — from planting to bottling — including the choice of grape varieties, vine maintenance, and vinification. The visit will end with a tasting of Brut Blanc de Blancs, Brut Rosé, and Élixir Saint Georges. Return to Mons.

4h00Authentic

Included

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Guided Tour of Bruges and a Beer Tasting at the Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery

We'll leave on foot for Bruges. 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. We'll visit a brewery founded in 1856 to throw back a pint. Its traditional brewing combines modern techniques and artisan methods dating back to the 18th century. Enjoy some free time at the Christmas market. We’ll return to the ship. PLEASE NOTE Times are approximate. The order of the visits can change.

4h00Authentic

Included

Guided Tour of Ghent and Tasting of Local Delights

Ghent's city center is a pedestrian's dream—an open-air museum where Flemish architecture accents the indisputable beauty of its medieval heritage. During the entire length of this tour, you'll have the opportunity to taste local specialties. As the morning ends, take some time to explore the Christmas market in the city center on your own, where a magical world of festive decorations magnifies Ghent's beautiful architecture. We'll return to the ship. PLEASE NOTE Times are approximate. The order of the visits can change.

4h00Authentic

Included

Tour of Amsterdam by tram with a visit to the Jordaan district

Enjoy a tour of Amsterdam from Leidseplein to Dam on an old-fashioned tram. Sites on this tour include the Museumplein, lively Leidsestraat, the floating flower market, the Spui, and much, much more. Of course, the canals are never far from view. We’ll continue on foot to the upscale Jordaan district brimming with quirky galleries, independent boutiques, hip restaurants, and street cafés. The moving Anne Frank House museum is located close by. The tour ends at Westerkerk, the largest Protestant church in Holland and Rembrandt’s final resting place. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

4h00Authentic

Included

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FOOD TOUR IN MONS.

We’ll take a coach to the historical heart of Mons to enjoy a tour on foot of the city. 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 to lose yourself in. The city hall's colossal doors conceal a curious passageway taking visitors to the city center. At the end of the passageway, the hustle and bustle give way to the tranquility of the Jardin du Mayeur. Nature surrounds many of the capital's older buildings, including the Mont-de-Piété and the baroque-style belfry. Discover Mons on a food tour to taste all the local specialties—beer, chocolate, wine, and cheese—in establishments chosen expressly for you. Indulging in the local cuisine makes this tour an unforgettable experience. Enjoy some free time on your own to see what this small city has to offer. We’ll return to the ship. PLEASE NOTE Times are approximate. The order of the visits can change.

3h00Authentic

Included