Optional Sightseeing Tours

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.

‘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.

‘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'.

An artistic city walk allowing you to literally walk into the local artists homes. The artists will tell you about their lives, their passions and give you a unique ‘behind the scenes’ look at their work.

Enjoy a nice golf day at the Royal Zoute Golf Club, one of the oldest (1899), famous and certainly one of the most popular Belgian Golf Clubs. Created in a superb landscape of pine, hawthorn hedges, silver birch and poplar trees, the Zoute fairways seem to navigate between waves of dunes. Nested in a slightly wild landscape, the club offers two courses: 'l'Extérieur' (Championship Course), with its reputation for being selective, particularly in high winds, and 'l'Intérieur' (Executive Course), an executive course. Greens noted for their quality and a comfortable clubhouse are just two of the attractive features of this golf club.

Just outside the historic heart of Bruges, there is also a lot to experience and discover. The Damse Vaart, a canal which links Bruges with Sluis in the Netherlands and which was excavated in 1810 on the orders of Napoleon is lined on both sides with an impressive row of trees. A unique sight, and depending on the weather or your personal preference, you can admire it by bike or by a bus shuttle.

After the bike tour or the bus transfer, a guide will take you to explore this picturesque medieval town. You will see the Gothic Town Hall, the statue of local medieval writer Jacob van Maerlant and the Church of Our Lady, one of the many famous landmarks in the Bruges district. The guide will also tell you the story of Tijl Uilenspieghel, a legendary but fictitious figure from the history of Damme who was famed for his pranks. After an authentic farmhouse lunch in De Stampershoeve, the bus will take you to the stylish beach town of Knokke.

Knokke is a flourishing seaside town with two distinct sides, so we offer you the choice between shopping in Knokke or an afternoon nature walk. Knokke is the most sophisticated seaside town in Belgium.

In Knokke you can shop ‘til you drop in the town centre. On the Lippenslaan, the Kustlaan and the Zeedijk in particular, the range of exclusive brand shops is impressive: Lacoste, Bruphils, Donaldson, Façonnable, Hermès, Natan, Louis Vuitton, Xandres, Olivier Strelli and Scapa to mention just a few. A paradise for the true shopper.

At Het Zwin you will see the other side of Knokke. This bird sanctuary and nature reserve extends along a 2.3 km stretch of coastline on the Dutch-Belgian border. Over the years it has grown into a resting and nesting place for many fascinating birds, such as storks. Although the greater part of the reserve is not open to the public, we can take you for a walk along the raised dyke from which you can see the nesting sites without disturbing the birds. In Het Zwin bird park you can see the birds up close and an ornithologist guide will tell you all you want to know about the sanctuary.

A surprising walk that will stimulate your senses…

Why not try Belgian cooking yourself? You can have an exclusive cooking class in a great setting. After a 10-minute drive you will arrive at Wit Huys, and while enjoying a welcome drink, the chef will help you discover the Belgian way of cooking where you can learn while having fun.

The cookery class takes place in the morning and includes lunch which you will have prepared yourself.

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.

In the morning, the bus departs from Bruges to Ypres. The drive will take about 45 minutes. You start the visit with a guide in the old city centre, viewing the Cloth Hall, Town Hall, St. Martin’s Cathedral, St. George’s Memorial Church, Old Fish Market, the Menin Gate and the ramparts… as well as the totally renewed peace museum in Flanders Fields. The battlefields around Ypres are some of the most famous in the world. In the First World War the German and Allied Armies fought for four years without achieving a decisive victory. The price in human lives was high - 1,2 million wounded and half a million dead. After the museum visit, we stop in a local restaurant in Ypres for lunch.

After lunch, a short drive will take you to Passendale with a visit to the Tyne Cot cemetery. This is the largest Commonwealth war cemetery worldwide. 11.952 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War are buried or commemorated at Tyne Cot Cemetery. 8.300 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to more than 80 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Back in the coach we continue our journey and follow the traces of the Great War, left behind in the Flemish landscape.