Europe Private Tour (BEL005) Grand Netherlands - Belgium (7 Days 6 Nights)

We pick up the group from the airport and travel to Zaandam to visit Zaanse Schans. Zaandam is a historic town on the outskirts of Amsterdam with 13 remaining windmills in the area, which authorities have preserved as an open-air museum (Zaanse Schans or Zaanse Museum) windmill village located north of Amsterdam.

Visit the Rijksmuseum, the National Museum located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Founded in 1800, the Rijksmuseum is dedicated to arts, crafts, and history. It also houses an extensive collection from the Dutch Golden Age and Asian art.

Next, we take you to Dam Square, located in the heart of Amsterdam, not far from the home of "Anne Frank"—the Jewish girl who wrote her world-famous diary during World War 2—situated on Prinsengracht along Amsterdam's canals. Dam Square has been a bustling and important hub since the past. In an excerpt from Anne Frank's diary dated March 19, 1943, she wrote about Dam Square: "...The newspaper boy on Dam Square was shouting loudly, 'Turkey has joined the British!' People rushed to buy newspapers, and the news spread until it reached our ears."

Today, in addition to being the site of the National Monument built in 1956 to commemorate veterans of World War 2, the area around Dam Square is a hub of famous department stores, restaurants, cafes, and diverse shops. These include souvenir shops selling local goods, handicrafts, diamonds, tulips, windmills, and wooden clogs—the iconic symbol of the Netherlands—which visitors can browse and purchase here.

Dam Square is another central Amsterdam attraction that draws many visitors. It is located near several other important landmarks, such as the grand Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis) built in the 17th century and the nearby Nieuwe Kerk church featuring exquisite Gothic architecture. This square is truly a key place where visitors can take in the poignant atmosphere of history while enjoying the vibrant life of modern Amsterdam when visiting the Netherlands.

Visit the Royal Palace Amsterdam. The Royal Palace in Amsterdam is one of three palaces in the Netherlands at the disposal of the monarch by Act of Parliament. It is situated on the west side of Dam Square in the center of Amsterdam, opposite the War Memorial and adjacent to the Nieuwe Kerk.

We take you shopping along Kalverstraat, the main shopping street in the heart of Amsterdam. This area is packed with brand-name shops and popular brands loved by shoppers, such as H&M, Nike, Gucci, Tiffany & Co, Ralph Lauren, and many more. However, shops here usually open a bit late in the morning, where you will see locals and tourists bustling about.

At the appropriate time, we take you for dinner and transfer you to rest at Novotel Amsterdam City Hotel.

Travel to Rotterdam to visit The Cube Houses in the Netherlands, located in the city center next to Rotterdam Blaak railway station. In the surrounding area, there are lively restaurants and cafes around Oude Haven in Rotterdam, a major port city on the western coast of the Netherlands. This historic neighborhood was completely flattened by bombings in World War 2 (1940). Architect Piet Blom, who designed the site, renovated it into a 40-unit residential project. He did not want the development to consist of ordinary residential shapes, proposing instead the concept that each house is a tree—where each unit represents an individual tree, and together the entire project resembles a forest. Within the complex, the ground level connects into a public area, while the upper cubes representing tree canopies serve as living spaces, each unit featuring its own separate staircase leading up from the trunk base.

The Cube Houses are one of Rotterdam's most striking and beautiful attractions, designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom. This residential development is distinctive because the houses are tilted cubes at a 45-degree angle, with each triangular roof representing a treetop. The residences are built on concrete pillars with wooden frames, standing three stories high: the ground floor is the entrance, the first floor features an open kitchen and living room, the second floor has a bathroom and two bedrooms, and in some cases, the top floor serves as a small rooftop garden. When you step into the Cube Houses village, the first thing you experience is the iconic design of tilted cubic structures resting on hexagonal pillars, constructed with concrete floors, concrete pillars, and wooden frames. Inside, each home is divided into three levels accessible by stairs: the lower triangular area serves as a living room, the middle level houses bedrooms and a bathroom, and the top level is an open space used as a second bedroom or additional living area.

All walls and windows are tilted at an angle of 54.7 degrees, offering fantastic views of the surrounding area. Even with a total area of 100 square meters, the angled structure means only a quarter of that space is genuinely usable. The entire development spans 6,000 square meters. In addition to residences, the complex includes the Schaakstukken Museum (Chess Museum), open daily, and the Stayokay Rotterdam hostel, offering both dormitory and private rooms. A few units are also rented out as residential homes.

We also visit Rotterdam's Blaak area, home to Blaak metro station. The station has a distinctive flying saucer design, alongside a public library designed like the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and Het Potlood (The Pencil Tower), designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom, best known for his Cube Houses design.

See the historic Old Harbor and White House Rotterdam (Witte Huis), where you can take wonderful photos. A short walk brings you to the Old Harbor and White House Rotterdam, where you step into a whole different world.

Market Hall Rotterdam Blaak (Markthal) is a fascinating attraction in Rotterdam, Netherlands. It is a remarkable food and retail market featuring an impressive interior structure with a massive artwork across the ceiling, creating an open European community hall atmosphere. There are also numerous shops and restaurants where you can find snacks or buy fresh food throughout the day.

In the evening at the appropriate time, we stop for dinner and take you to your hotel to relax at Motel One Rotterdam, Rotterdam.

Visit Antwerp, a vibrant and multicultural major city that you are sure to love. You can enjoy shopping throughout the city, discovering stylish and innovative designs at every turn. Artists from around the world are drawn to the city's cool blend of old and new, gathering here to open numerous shops ranging from small boutiques to large stores. Simply exploring shops throughout the city in a 360-degree radius is a truly inspiring experience. Here, we spend just a half-day exploring the must-see highlights, including Steen Castle, the city's historic fortress and one of the largest medieval fortress-style castles in Europe.

Stop for photos in front of the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS), designed by Neutelings Riedijk Architects. The building's facade is clad in Indian red sandstone and curved glass panels, standing as an example of postmodern Art Deco architecture. MAS holds 470,000 objects, most of which are kept in storage. The first visitor gallery is the "visible storage" housing 180,000 items. The building stands on the site where the Hanzehuis once stood, where foreign merchants worked and lived until a fire destroyed the building in the 19th century.

The Havenroute is an approximately 50-kilometer driving tour around the port organized by Antwerp Tourism. The Port of Antwerp is second only to Rotterdam among Europe's major ports, rightfully ranking as one of the largest in the world. The port facilities alone cover over 10,000 hectares, plus another 3,400 hectares of industrial zones. The Havenroute journey begins in the port area at the Loodsgebouw (Pilot House) on the embankment north of Het Steen. From there, the route heads north past two of the oldest docks, the Bonapartedok and Willemsdok, at the far end of which stands the prominent Koninklijk Stapelhuis. The tour continues past the 17th-century windmill Eenhoorn to Lillo, one of the few historic polder villages to survive the port expansion. At Lillo, you have the option to drive and view the massive Berendrechtsluis, the world's largest lock, or shorten the tour by heading southwest on the Havenroute back toward Antwerp via the Frans Tijsmanstunnel beneath the Kanaaldok.

Het Steen (Steen Castle) is a medieval fortress in the old town center of Antwerp, Belgium, home to one of Europe's largest ports. The surviving structure was built between 1200 and 1225 as an entrance gate to a larger castle belonging to the Duke of Brabant, which was demolished in the 19th century. Het Steen is considered the city's first stone fortress. Afterward, head into the heart of the city at the Great Market Square, where charming alleyways branch out in every direction.

Antwerp's Grote Markt is the historic central square lined with splendid architecture, including the magnificent 16th-century City Hall, as well as numerous restaurants and cafes. The Grote Markt is conveniently located within walking distance of the Scheldt River.

The Diamond Quarter (Diamantkwartier) is a district located in Antwerp, Belgium, and stands as one of the world's most prominent centers for diamond trading and manufacturing. It is the origin of many world-renowned diamonds, notably the deep-yellow diamond (Antwerp Yellow). Diamond trading has thrived in this district for over 500 years, inspiring the famous saying "Diamonds are a girl's best friend." This area is a major highlight for visitors interested in diamonds, where you will find a wide variety of quality diamond merchants, as well as factories and organizations related to the diamond trade. If you appreciate fine gems, visiting Antwerp's Diamond Quarter (Diamantkwartier) is a truly memorable experience.

In the evening at the appropriate time, we stop for dinner and take you to your hotel to relax at Hilton Antwerp Old Town, Antwerp.

We recommend a scenic boat tour on Ghent's canals (Cruise Ghent's Canals) to soak up the waterside atmosphere. You can choose a shared cruise or a private boat at your leisure, or even enjoy kayaking if you wish.

Visit the Castle of the Counts (Gravensteen), Ghent's iconic medieval fortress offering panoramic views over the city, and enjoy the picturesque cityscapes along the water.

Visit Saint Michael's Church and Sint-Michielsbrug. Admire this Gothic church, begun around 1440, though curiously it was not completed until 1825. A 1662 design planned for a towering 134-meter spire (by comparison, Saint Bavo's Cathedral stands at 89 meters), but due to a shortage of funds, that ambitious design was never carried out. What was meant to be a soaring monumental spire was capped at just 46 meters with a flat roof. This turned out to be a fortunate turn of events, as serious soil stability issues were later discovered beneath the church, meaning the ground might not have supported the heavier structure.

Visit Saint Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal), the Catholic cathedral of Ghent, Belgium. This 89-meter-tall Gothic building serves as the seat of the Diocese of Ghent and is named after Saint Bavo of Ghent. It houses the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece.

In the evening at the appropriate time, we stop for dinner and take you to your hotel to relax at Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof Ghent, Ghent.

5Ghent, Belgium - Bruges, Belgium - Hotel

Today, we take you on a tour of Bruges, Belgium's most popular destination. This romantic medieval city is filled with historic houses, charming alleys, canals, and palaces, earning it the title "Venice of the North."

Visit the Belfry of Bruges, a medieval bell tower in the heart of Bruges, Belgium. Formerly one of the city's most prominent symbols, the belfry once housed the municipal treasury and archives, while also serving as an observation tower to detect fires and other dangers.

We take you to the central square, Grote Markt, surrounded by 13th-century houses. At City Hall, you can climb the 83-meter tower for scenic views. This City Hall was built between 1376 and 1420, and tours inside the Gothic Hall are available upon request.

If you love art, do not miss the Groeninge Museum, home to world-class masterpieces by Jan van Eyck (Netherlandish master), including the famous painting Virgin and Child with Canon van der Paele. Then explore the Burg square and Bruges Castle.

Burg Square is located in the heart of Bruges, Belgium, and is one of the city's key attractions. It is a major historical and cultural landmark featuring important historic buildings, such as Bruges City Hall or Stadhuis, built in the 14th–15th centuries as a prime example of medieval European architecture. It is a very popular spot where many visitors come to admire Bruges' iconic landmarks and ornamental architectural style.

Burg Square (De Burg) is a historic square in Bruges, just a street away from the Grote Markt. This square has been of great importance to the city for centuries. Today, the municipal government of Bruges operates from the historic Gothic Town Hall. The square features magnificent buildings such as the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the Liberty of Bruges, and the Deanery, each showcasing distinct architectural styles.

Burg Square was once a fortress, surrounded by walls and gates. The ancient fortress stood where a Roman road and the Reie canal converged. Count Arnulf I of Flanders (northern Belgium) expanded the fortress into a strong central stronghold for the city.

At the appropriate time, we will take you for dinner before transferring you to your hotel to relax at Hotel Dukes' Palace Bruges, Bruges.

6 Bruges, Belgium - Brussels, Belgium - Hotel

Grand-Place de Bruxelles, the central square of Brussels (also known as the Grand-Place or Grote Markt), is surrounded by magnificent and architecturally harmonious historic buildings, and is considered one of the most beautiful squares in the world—most notably the Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles) and the King's House (Maison du Roi). This square is Brussels' most important tourist attraction and one of Belgium's premier landmarks. Measuring 68 meters wide and 110 meters long, it is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Grand Sablon Square (Place du Grand Sablon), located just a 10-minute walk from Brussels' bustling Grand-Place, is a historic square in the heart of the Sablon district. It feels like another world compared to the bustling city center, featuring striking medieval townhouses, stylish restaurants, sidewalk terrace cafes, and a lively antique market.

The Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon, or Church of Our Lady of the Sablon, is a Roman Catholic church located in the Sablon/Zavel district in the historic center of Brussels, Belgium, dedicated to Our Lady of the Sablon.

Notre Dame du Sablon, Brussels, Belgium. In the 13th century, the Guild of Crossbowmen (Serment of Crossbowmen)—an armed crossbow guild tasked with defending Brussels from invaders in the past—received land in the Sablon area near Mont des Arts from noblemen and wealthy patrons of Brussels. The crossbow guild then used this land to build their guild chapel.

Initially, the chapel was just a small building used for religious services by guild members. However, according to an ancient church legend, it rose to fame when a local woman named Beatrijs Soetkens had a vision of the Virgin Mary instructing her to take a statue of the Virgin Mary from the Cathedral of Antwerp and bring it to Notre Dame du Sablon. She traveled by boat from Brussels to Antwerp and retrieved the statue while the cathedral guards were asleep, bringing it back to the crossbow guild's chapel. There, she was warmly welcomed by guild members who pledged to protect her, marking the beginning of the church's reconstruction into a grander sanctuary worthy of housing the Virgin Mary statue. This remains one of the most famous legends of the church.

At the appropriate time, we will take you for dinner before transferring you to your hotel to relax at Steigenberger Icon Wiltcher's, Brussels.

7 Brussels, Belgium - Airport - End total service

The Royal Palace of Brussels is the official palace of the King and Queen of the Belgians in the heart of Brussels, the nation's capital. However, it is not used as a royal residence, as the King and his family reside at the Royal Palace of Laeken north of Brussels. The Belgian Monarchy website describes the palace's functions as follows:

The palace is where His Majesty exercises his authority as Head of State, grants audiences, and attends to affairs of state. In addition to the offices of the King and Queen, the Royal Palace houses the services of the Grand Marshal of the Court, the Head of the King's Cabinet, the Head of the King's Military Household, and the Intendant of the King's Civil List. The palace also includes staterooms where large official receptions are held, as well as suites provided for foreign heads of state during official visits.

We will stop for lunch near the palace with free time at your leisure. When the time comes, we will transfer you to the airport for your memorable journey back to Thailand.