Belgium, Luxembourg and Alsace 11 Day
Commencing in Bruxelles, we'll discover the cultural gems of the capital before heading to Flanders and the wonderfully historical city of Bruges. Made famous by many films including one starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Meehan, the city has benefitted from its aesthetic appeal in recent years, being a popular city to visit. With a canal boat ride, we'll make our way around the old city, visit the chocolate and "French fries" musuems, two subjects that the Belgians take very seriously.
The beers and seafood in Bruges are top class and the city is extremely enchanting, known as one of the cultural gems of Medieval Europe. From Bruxelles, we'll make our way to Luxembourg where we'll overnight and spend one full day exploring this little known founding member state of the European Union. From Luxembourg, it's down through the regions fought over by Germany and France in both World Wars and even before that in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. Of course, we're talking about Alsace-Lorraine and the entire area around the Vosges Mountain range.
We'll enter Strasbourg for two nights and spend our time visiting some of the fantastic cultural attractions in this University city known for housing the European Parliament and the European Court of Justice. We'll visit the Old Town, known as the Petit France, still charming and original after several hundred years unchanged. Strasbourg Cathedral, one of the largest in Europe is a spectacular sight, as are the many old streets, food markets, and historic public buildings. Sightseeing outside the city will include a day trip to Mulhouse and Colmar as well as "La Route des Vins" which takes in some of the finest Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer vineyards in the world. With more Michelin star restaurants per capita than anywhere in France, Strasbourg, like all of France, is a foodie paradise for you to enjoy.
This will be a very interesting trip allowing us to make comparisons between many lands that made up part of the Hapsburg Empire.
Itinerary and Specifics
Highlights:
- Experience the magic of history and custom in some of the oldest parts of Continental Europe
- See some of the most famous icons of Belgium and Luxembourg
- Enjoy some of the best cuisine in Europe
- Understand WW1 and WW2 and the impact on the region
- Get to grips with the beautiful, historic city of Luxembourg
- Develop a comprehension of why Alsace-Lorraine has been fought over for centuries by the Germans and French
- See stunning countryside and historic buildings that tell tales several centuries in depth
Included:
- 4 Star Accommodation on a Bed and Breakfast Basis
- Meet and Greet at Airport
- Transfers to and from hotel
- Expert driver/guide
- Comfortable touring vehicle
- Local knowledge, recommendations and help with any bookings you want to make
- Porterage - 1 piece per person in and out of hotels
Not included
- Flights - purchase your own flights in and out of destination
- Gratuities minimum recommended $20 per person per day
- Lunches and Dinners - we like our guests to be able to choose their own dining options
- Any entrances to musuems, attractions and concerts - most of what you're looking for will be free entrance anyway.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1
Arrive at Bruxelles International Airport, Meet and Greet and transfer to your central hotel not so far from the Grande Place. Check-in, freshen up and meet the local guide in the lobby for a walking tour around the hotel for orientation purposes. Get familiar with the centre of the city and what dining options you have this evening.
Day 2
We'll do a panoramic city tour this morning and you'll have the opportunity to explore the many cultural attractions of the Belgian capital this afternoon - La Grande Place, Art Musuem Ixelles, Constantin Meunier Musuem, Train World and much more. Enjoy the excellent gastronomy the city has to offer this evening.
Day 3
We'll leave the capital this morning spending two nights in Bruges. One of Europe's most beautiful cities, it's been surprisingly untouched by the two world wars that passed this way in the nineteeth century. Explore the town today on a guided boat excursion on the canal and follow up with a guided walking tour with your guide.
Day 4
Enjoy the best that the capital of West Flanders has to offer today with many cultural attractions, great people watching, superb brasseries and bistrots. There's something for everyone here - the Markt(held for over 1,00 years), Belfry Tower, Torture Musuem, French Fries musuem (a Belgian obsession), Basilica of the Holy Blood and more.
Day 5
We're off to Antwerp today, outside of which lies one of the biggest ports in Europe. Antwerp is also known for its Jewish community, the Diamond Trade, historic buildings, art and some truly beautiful streets. It's a really great city. The City Hall and Guild Houses are stunning Renaissance gems and your local guide will take you on a foodie and architectural tour to understand why. You must try the Belgian waffles with chocolate here, they're the best in Europe. Visit the Rubens House whilst your here, the mansion of the great painter. Overnight here.
Day 6
This morning we'll arrive in Luxembourg. Wander around the Old Quarter which is a UNESCO Heritage Site in the presence of our guide who will lead you through the heritage and history. You'll get a great feel for the place and understand why Luxembourg exists as a state (one of the smallest in the world). Things to see and do in your free time this afternoon will include the Notre Dame Cathedral, National Musuem of History and Art, visit the Echternach Benedictine Abbey and Explore the Bock and City casements. Enjoy the dining scene this evening and tomorrow we leave this historic city.
Day 7
We're off to Strasbourg, crossing the regions of Lorraine and Alsace, where some of the toughest fighting took place during both World Wars. Regions contested by France and Germany, they are truly stunning, producing excellent food and wine as well as being incredibly lucrative engineering and industrial areas in the past. Learn more aboutt the Treaty of Versailles and what happened two both regions of the centuries. We'll arrive in Strasbourg, capital of Alsace in the early afternoon and you'll check into the hotel for a freshen-up. After lunch you'll take a boat cruise around the town for information and sightseeing and our local guide will show you around the historic centre including the Cathedral and Petit France. We are here for three nights.
Day 8
This morning we will take an expedition to explore the local wine route, known as the "Route des Vins" and taste some of the finest white wines in France, matching it with some excellent local foods, such as tartiflette or Flammenkuche (Tarte flambee). We'll visit an incredible castle north of the city and understand the importance of the Vosges Mountains to local history and agriculture. We return to the city in the early evening, which is yours to enjoy.
Day 9
This morning we will visit the excellently preserved small city of Colmar, south of Strasbourg. It's picture perfect and you'll see local life in all it's beauty here this morning. This afternoon we'll cross the Rhine into Germany and explore the University of Freiburg, the first German city to have a Green Party Mayor.
Day 10
This morning is yours to explore the attractions of the city, such as the Orangerie, the Petit France, the Zoological museum or just to wander through the pedestrianesed streets. It's truly a stunning city. This afternoon we'll visit a brewery outside the city and understand the importance of hops growing as wel as barley to the area. Strasbourg is one of the only French cities with its own beer industry and famous brands such as Meteor, Kronenbourg and Fischer. Finish off the visit to Strasbourg and the end of this voyage with a great meal tonight. Strasbourg is a culinary capital and has more Michelin starred restaurants per capita than every other place in France.
Day 11
This morning we'll check out and spend a couple of hours in the stunning German city of Heidelberg. With lots of culture and one of Germany's oldest universities, it's so picturesque it has to be seen. We'll bring you to Frankfurt International Airport as you'll get much better flight connections here and that ends the trip. Bid your driver/guide farewell and enjoy the greatest memories of Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Germany you can possibly have!