Belgium-Netherlands (NET001) (Romantic Belgium - Netherlands)

Belgium's capital, Brussels, is a charming European city rich in Gothic, Classical, and Art Nouveau architecture, boasting over 70 museums. As the seat of the European Parliament, it is dubbed the "Capital of the European Union" and is renowned for its delectable chocolates and world-famous beers.

This Belgium-Netherlands private tour will take you to admire the beauty of the Town Hall at the Grand Place, widely celebrated as the most beautiful square in Europe. See the famous statue of "Manneken Pis" surrounded by fascinating legends waiting to be discovered, followed by visits to delicious chocolate shops across the city.

Take a scenic walk through the lovely Place du Grand Sablon, featuring Belgian-style houses from the 16-19 centuries, where an antique market is held on weekends.

Visit and pay respects at the Church of Notre-Dame du Sablon with its breathtaking stained-glass windows, then continue to the Royal Palace, built in the 17th century with exquisite interiors. The surrounding area is packed with numerous art museums, such as the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Musée d 'Art Ancien, Musée d' Art Moderne, the Musical Instruments Museum, and the Art Nouveau Horta Museum, all available to explore according to your interests.

Customize your sightseeing to match your personal interests, with many other attractions to choose from, such as Mini-Europe, the Atomium (the iconic symbol built for the World Expo), the Brussels Stock Exchange, and the beautiful Belgian Senate. You can explore at your own pace and schedule. Overnight in Brussels.

Travel to Tournai, the oldest city in Belgium. While large tour groups skip this hidden gem, you will have the chance to immerse yourself in a 2,000-year-old ancient town.

We will take you to admire the beauty of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Tournai, the country's most significant historical cathedral featuring Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stands as the oldest church in Belgium.

Next, visit the Belfry located in the heart of the city, also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, standing 72 meters tall with 256 steps. Continue to the historic Pont des Trous, built in the 13th century, a remarkably rare site as one of only three surviving medieval military bridges in the world.

In the evening, we will take you to stay in the coastal town of Blankenberge along the North Sea. If time permits, you can enjoy the Belgian seaside atmosphere.

Note: For groups traveling between mid-March and mid-May each year, today's visit to Rotterdam and Utrecht will be replaced with a visit to the Netherlands' famous tulip gardens at "Keukenhof" (Lisse) instead. 3 Bruges - Overnight Bruges

Bruges is Belgium's most popular tourist destination—a deeply romantic medieval town filled with historic houses, ancient alleys, picturesque canals, and palaces, earning it the title "Venice of the North."

We will take you to explore the central square, Grote Markt, surrounded by 13th-century guildhalls. At the Town Hall, you can climb the 83-meter-high Belfry tower for panoramic views. Built between 1376 and 1420, guided tours of the Gothic interior are available if you wish.

If you love fine art, don't miss the Groeninge Museum featuring world-class masterpieces by Jan van Eyck (from the Netherlands), including the Virgin and Child with Canon van der Paele. Visit the historic city castle (Burg Bruges).

Enjoy free time to relax, stroll, sightsee, and shop through the quaint alleys at your own pace, or take a scenic boat cruise along the canals of Bruges.

4 Ghent - Overnight Ghent

Ghent is a genuinely charming town! You will fall head over heels in love with Ghent, especially its breathtaking and romantic evening atmosphere, reminiscent of a nostalgic vintage scene. Lonely Planet named this city "Europe’s best kept secret," while National Geographic Traveler called it a historic city with some of the best photography spots of the year.

We will take you to visit St. Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal) in the central square, home to Jan van Eyck's famous masterpiece "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" and remarkably valuable stained-glass collections. Next, stop by a renowned local café, housed in a former meat market that has been delightfully redesigned into a contemporary, inviting gathering spot.

Continue with a visit to Ghent's Gravensteen Castle, offering a high vantage point overlooking the city, followed by a boat cruise along the picturesque waterways (optional).

Afterward, savor a delicious meal at a canal-side restaurant while soaking in the wonderful atmosphere. Check in to the hotel, relax, and stay overnight, or take an evening stroll to fully enjoy the vibrant night lights.

5 Antwerp - Overnight Antwerp

Antwerp is a vibrant, multicultural metropolis you are sure to love. You can comfortably stroll and shop across the city, where innovative and chic design items are always on display. Artists from around the globe admire how seamlessly the city blends old and new, inspiring many to open small boutiques as well as large flagship stores. Simply walking 360 degrees around town is bound to spark endless inspiration.

Here, we will spend half a day exploring the "must-see" highlights, leaving the other half free for you to explore and shop to your heart's content—tailored to our private-tour style that values your independence.

The must-see attractions include Het Steen Castle, the city's historic fortress and one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. Next, head to the Great Market Square (Grote Markt), nestled among charming alleys waiting to be explored.

For a unique experience, consider visiting Antwerp's magnificent railway station (Antwerp Centraal). As the world's leading diamond trading hub where over 85% of the world's rough diamonds are traded, a visit to the Diamond District (Diamantkwartier) and its prominent showroom, Diamondland, is a true highlight.

If you appreciate unseen art and culture, visit Antwerp Belgium's Plantin-Moretus Museum—the only museum in the world designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its category. Converted from a 16th-century printing works, it houses a library containing historic Gutenberg printing presses. If you love books, art, and design, this is a wonderful stop we'll gladly take you to visit.

In the afternoon, enjoy free time for shopping before we transfer you back to your hotel.

6 Rotterdam - Utrecht - Overnight Antwerp

Rotterdam is one of Europe's premier port cities, featuring a landscape of striking modern architecture and cutting-edge design that is both amazing and distinctly different from any other stop on the itinerary, adding a fantastic variety to your journey.

Admire the marina, the red Willemsbrug bridge, and the white Erasmus Bridge (Erasmusbrug). If you wish, we can arrange a Spido Boat Trip harbor cruise to take in views of the port of Rotterdam aboard a 3-deck vessel at 10 euros per person (recommended during mild weather).

Next, we visit the Cube Houses, uniquely designed cube-shaped homes built adjacent to each other—a true must-see attraction here.

We wrap up the city with its famous shopping street, spanning over 2 km, spending as much time as the group wishes.

Next, we take a short 70 km drive of about 1 hour to Utrecht. As the fourth-largest city in the Netherlands, located right in the center of the country, it serves as a major hub for rail and road transport, yet its city center is full of charm. This city is considered a special bonus on our journey, and recently BBC Travel named it one of the happiest cities in the world.

We will stay overnight in this city of happiness, but not before exploring the 7th-century cultural old town and St Martin's Cathedral (built between 1254 and 1520), home to the Dom Tower rising 112 meters with 465 steps—the tallest in the Netherlands! It took over 300 years to build.

If you are up for the climb, you can enjoy panoramic views and take photos of the city from the top (tickets required, with scheduled entry times). Utrecht University is the largest university in the Netherlands. The city has a relaxed, pleasant, and delightful atmosphere.

If time permits, stroll through the wonderfully charming Alleyway, and if there is extra time, we will take you to visit The Saint Willibrordchurch, whose interior is exquisitely decorated. We will then treat you to dinner before heading back to your hotel for our second night in Antwerp.

7 Amsterdam - Overnight Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands: we will take you to the pier in front of the central train station for a glass-topped canal cruise by Holland International, departing every 30 minutes for a scenic 30-minute cruise. Soak in the atmosphere of Amsterdam's UNESCO World Heritage canals, whose remarkable canal system was engineered centuries ago. Admire the historic 17th-century houses along both banks, glide beneath arched bridges, and navigate narrow canals with delight (sitting on the left side of the boat is recommended for the best view). The Netherlands is world-renowned for its stunning flowers.

We will continue to the Bloemenmarkt flower market at Koningsplein, stretching over 500 meters along the canal, where you can take wonderful photos to your heart's content. Then, explore Dam Square, the heart of the city's key landmarks, including the Royal Palace and the National Monument, as well as the Red Light District (the Netherlands' legally regulated adult entertainment area), which you can explore firsthand as a unique experience. And while in Amsterdam,

If you would like to admire the artwork of Vincent van Gogh at the Van Gogh Museum, you are welcome to visit at your leisure. We will treat you to delicious local cuisine.

8 Giethoorn - Zaanse Schans - Overnight Amsterdam

In the morning, set off to explore Giethoorn, famously known as the "Venice of the Netherlands." This picturesque village is filled with canals and lakes, completely free of cars and roads, featuring only footpaths along waterways accessible solely by bicycle. If you wish, you can rent and steer a boat along the canals, with boat rental services readily available in town.

Next, travel to the windmill village of Zaanse Schans to experience traditional Dutch windmills up close. A visit to see how authentic Dutch wooden clogs are crafted is definitely not to be missed, along with historic waterside houses and a traditional cheese farm.

After spending ample time here, return to Amsterdam. Enjoy free time for shopping on Kalverstraat, Amsterdam's premier shopping street situated adjacent to Dam Square, lined with brand-name boutiques and souvenir shops. Overnight in Amsterdam.

9 Amsterdam airport - Departure Today there is no tour scheduled. We will arrange your transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule (airport transfer voucher provided).