Optional Sightseeing Tours
The congress offers a number of exciting and interesting tours in and around the beautiful city of Bruges.
All tours will be conducted in English
Excursions do not include lunch unless otherwise stated
For all excursions it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes
Please be present at the tour desk in the main foyer of the Concertgebouw (Concert Hall) 15 minutes before departure of the tour
Tour reservations can be made through the online registration form. In the event of cancellation of any tour reservation, written notification should be sent to the PCO Secretariat (c/o MCI Brussels). For cancellations received before 30 June, refunds will be made minus 10% of amounts paid. After 30 June, no refunds will be granted. All refunds will be processed and issued within 30 days after the congress.
Some tours have limited space, so we advise you to book early to avoid disappointment. If minimum numbers are not reached, we reserve the right to cancel these tours.
Sunday Tours Monday Tours Thursday Tours
Sunday 12 SeptemberBrussels: Yours To Discover Full Day Tour (lunch at leisure) Time: 09.00 - 16.00 Price per person: € 73.00 + 21% VAT
Brussels, the capital of Belgium and Europe is a meeting point of diverse architectural, literary, historical and cultural currents, set right in the heart of marvelous Brabant countryside.
During this tour, you will discover the city of Brussels with the help of our professional guides, who will describe its history, geography, economy, cultural and social life. Driven by coach you will discover Laeken, the residential and royal commune with its historical castles, which forms the private residence of the Royal Family of Belgium (visits inside the residence are not permitted) and its famous Greenhouses (open in late April and early May). Also in this area you will see the site of the World Exhibition, the Trade Mart, the Planetarium and Brupark – Mini Europe, all dominated by the impressive Atomium.
Next, you will visit the Chinese Pavilion, the Japanese Tower and the Church of Our Lady of Laeken and its famous cemetery. During the drive through the European district, at the edge of the Cinquantenaire Park and its monumental ensemble, built under Leopold II, your guide will outline the European functions of Brussels.
Along the wide boulevards of the inner ring road you will then return to the Louise district, with its designer shops and the gigantic Palace of Justice. The tour continues to the Sablon district, a 15th century ensemble with its small garden paying homage to the great Humanists of the 16th century and to the different Guilds (medieval trades), and its late Gothic masterpiece, the Church of Our Lady of the Sablon. Via the Royal District with its Palace and Park, the Parliament buildings and the Congress Column, we will descend gently to the lower town and its famous Grand Place.
During the second part of this excursion, you will discover by foot (pedestrian zone) the Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville) surrounded by Guild Houses, Brussels most famous citizen Manneken Pis and finally the winding little streets of the Ilôt Sacré. There will be time to have a leisurely lunch and enjoy some free time before heading back to Bruges.
Bruges City Immersion Half Day Afternoon Tour Time: 14.00 - 17.00 Price per person: € 38.00 + 21% VAT
‘Brugge, die skoone’, as it is called in the old local dialect, quite rightly describes this city. Beauty just seems to pour from the walls of this picturesque town, which stands as a silent witness of the wealth and business guile of Bruges in the late middle ages. The historic centre still exudes the atmosphere of those times, with streets, avenues and buildings in their original state or magnificently restored. It is no surprise that the small 'heart' of Bruges has been included on UNESCO's World Heritage list.
This guided tour through the town centre is more than sightseeing. It is a fascinating cultural journey which leaves a lasting impression. Escorted by an experienced guide, groups of 20 to 30 people explore the narrow cobbled streets which are often kept traffic-free. There are many stepped façades, typical of the neo-Gothic style in which the heart of the city was built. You will discover the famous Bruges lace, with its unique patterns and lavish air, the statue of the medieval heroes Jan Breydel and Pieter De Coninck in the Grote Markt, and the three surviving city gates.
The Minnewater with its legendary swans flows out through the Reien, dozens of canals which meander through the historic heart of Bruges. During a unique boat trip on these city ways you will see for yourself that Bruges richly deserves its fame as the 'Venice of the North'.
Monday 13 SeptemberBruges City Immersion Half Day Morning Tour including lunch Time: 09.00 - 14.00 Price per person: € 73.00 + 21% VAT
‘Brugge, die skoone’, as it is called in the old local dialect, quite rightly describes this city. Beauty just seems to pour from the walls of this picturesque town, which stands as a silent witness of the wealth and business guile of Bruges in the late middle ages. The historic centre still exudes the atmosphere of those times, with streets, avenues and buildings in their original state or magnificently restored. It is no surprise that the small 'heart' of Bruges has been included on UNESCO's World Heritage list.
This guided tour through the town centre is more than sightseeing. It is a fascinating cultural journey which leaves a lasting impression. Escorted by an experienced guide, groups of 20 to 30 people explore the narrow cobbled streets which are often kept traffic-free. There are the many stepped façades, typical of the neo-Gothic style in which the heart of the city was built. You will discover the famous Bruges lace, with its unique patterns and lavish air, the statue of the medieval heroes Jan Breydel and Pieter De Coninck in the Grote Markt, and the three surviving city gates.
The Minnewater with its legendary swans flows out through the Reien, dozens of canals which meander through the historic heart of Bruges. During a unique boat trip on these city ways you will see for yourself that Bruges richly deserves its fame as the 'Venice of the North'.
You will enjoy lunch in a restaurant in a unique location with a view over a charming square and a menu to make every gourmet's heart beat faster.
Thursday 16 SeptemberAntwerp: City of Diamonds Full day Tour (lunch at leisure) Departure bus: 08.30 Back in Bruges: 16.30 Price per person: € 70.00 + 21% VAT (entrance fees included)
This trendy city has received a lot of well deserved attention lately. The nightlife is ‘hot’, the diamonds are ‘cool’, the Bolleke beer (De Koninck) is served ice-cold and the innovative fashion is ultra-bold. Much like the diamonds, Antwerp sparkles with an impressive range of architecture from medieval buildings to the Art Nouveau styles.
After a one hour drive, the bus will drop you off near the Groenplaats (Market Square) where guides will meet you for a 2 hour walk. You will discover how the city grew from a small rural village to the destination of a perfect city trip. You will walk by the Castle, Het Steen, built in the 11th century, the Antwerp Cathedral, the impressive Renaissance City Hall and other historical monuments, all silent witnesses to the splendor of this city in the 16th century.
Walking through the narrow streets of the historic city centre you will get a good idea of how the settlement developed into a world famous metropolis. The Vleeshuis (Meat House) Museum, elegant guild houses and legendary heroes tell the history of this enchanting place and the people who lived here. A story of courage, success, failures, battles and wars. The highlight of this walking tour is a visit to the Cathedral of Our Lady harboring 4 master pieces of Pieter Paul Rubens, Antwerp's most famous cultural and political ambassador.
You will have time for a leisurely lunch and enjoy some free time to shop or visit the Rubens House before heading back to Bruges.