Singles Travel Escapes presents exclusive 2015 programs from Ultitude

  Unique Experiences    Limited Group Size    Professional Local Tour Guides throughout your tour   GUARANTEED DEPARTURE

Highlights of the Low Countries                                 September 18- September 27, 2015

There is a saying in Britain that goes “They don’t make diamonds as big as bricks” meaning that size does not always reflect quality. How appropriate that this could apply to the Low Countries of Belgium and The Netherlands especially since Antwerp is the world’s diamond capital. This area also gave us Madurodam, the world in miniature. Despite the small land mass and population there is a wide variety of culture, cuisine and history to be explored in the cities of Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Antwerp and Amsterdam and sharing this discovery with new friends makes it all the more rewarding

10 days: $2, 699 per person inclusive of superior accommodations, 16 meals; 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners, comprehensive sightseeing, Tour Manager and Tour Leader throughout, private air-conditioned motorcoach. International airfare estimated at $1, 434 is additional. We can assist with reservations. An optional single supplement of $936 is available for those not wishing to participate in our roommate matching guarantee.

  • Private sightseeing in Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Antwerp and Amsterdam
  • A street food dining experience in Brussels
  • Learning chocolate making in Belgium
  • Admiring the works of Peter Paul Rubens in Antwerp Cathedral
  •  Visiting a diamond cutting workshop
  • Privately guided tours of the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museums
  • A farewell "Rijstaffel" dinner in Amsterdam

GUARANTEED DEPARTURE

Day 1: Friday, Sep 18, 2015                                                                                                               Depart USA

Tonight you board your aircraft in New York for the overnight flight to Brussels. You tour leader will be hosting a get together two hours before departure for those connecting from other cities or resident in the New York area. This will give you the chance to meet your fellow travelers face to face before boarding.


Day 2: Saturday, Sep. 19, 2015                                                                                                   Arrival in Brussels

Upon arrival in Brussels you are met by your guide who will escort you to the coach which will be taking you to your hotel. First however you will be given an orientation tour of the city including the Atomium symbol of Brussels’ hosting of the World’s Fair, the European Parliament, Royal Castle and other major sights of interest. You have the rest of the afternoon to relax. In the evening you get a chance to know both Brussels and your fellow travelers better as your guide takes you on a walking tour of Belgian street food. Walking through the historic centre of Brussels you will have a chance to sample a variety of food including “frites” or French fries which are actually Belgian Fries, mussels, and croquettes all washed down with Belgian beer. Later, dessert can include waffles with various toppings and some famous Belgian chocolates.                    Dinner


Day 3: Sunday, Sep. 20, 2015                                                                            Art and Chocolate in Brussels

After breakfast you meet your guide for an exposure to the various aspects of this charming city. Your fist visit will be to The Royal Museum of Fine Arts with over 20,000 paintings, sculptures and drawing. You will see artists from the 15th through 17th Century and then spend time in the more contemporary Magritte Museum named for the Belgian painter and displaying some of his finer works. From works of art to buildings as art as your guide takes you on a walking tour of the buildings dating back to the late 19th and early 20th Centuries; Brussels is the capital of Art Nouveau and these buildings are designated as world heritage by UNESCO. Take time for lunch before indulging yourself in a chocolate making workshop. Experience the pleasure of hand-dipping, molding and working with handmade chocolates and get to sample what you make.   Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4: Monday, Sep. 21, 2015                                                                                              Brussels a la carte

Today has been left open for you to explore the city based on your interests. If shopping is part of the plan you can find high fashion (and higher prices) on Antoine Dansaert Straat home to many of the “of the moment” designers. For the more established brands such as Chanel, Vuitton and Armani, Avenue Louise is the place. For bargains try Rue Neuve in the city centre. Top off the shopping safari at Gallerie St Hubert a crystal-covered delight and Europe’s first shopping arcade. For the non-shoppers a tour of the fine breweries of Brussels might be in order. All needs could be met by a combined beer and chocolate adventure including Leonidas, Neuhaus and Godiva. If you’re pressed for time you can visit Maison des Maîtres Chocolatiers. If you are a history buff you may want to take our optional tour to the Ardennes the forested area that was the site of major battles in the two World Wars particularly the Battle of the Bulge.                                                     Breakfast

 

Day 5: Tuesday, Sep. 22, 2015                                                                              Ghent. Damme  and Bruges

This morning you leave Brussels and head through the Flanders countryside to the quite unassuming town of Ghent, filled with university students, medieval architecture and cafes that let you linger as long as you want. You’ll get to view some of these sights on a stroll though the old center. Continue your drive through the Flemish countryside including a brief stop in the picturesque medieval town of Damme before arriving at the delightful city of Bruges where you check into your hotel. After lunch take a guided walking tour of this city, which, at one time was a major port until the estuary to the sea silted up. Known as the Venice of the North because of its peaceful canals, Bruges is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. This beauty justified the entire city centre being declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 2000. After your introductory tour you have the evening open to try one of the many great restaurants in this walkable town                                     Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6: Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2015                                                                                    Your Personal Bruges

Today you have the day to explore Bruges at your own pace or, even better, share it with some of your new friends. The current city boundaries still coincide exactly with those of the medieval city centre and the spaces and structures that were so typical of Bruges in the past have been preserved. Walking along the winding cobbled alleys and romantic canals imagine yourself to be in medieval times. If you have the energy walk up to the top of the bell tower for spectacular views of the city roof tops and make sure to join the swans for a cruise on the moat and the canals.                             Breakfast

Day 7: Thursday, Sep. 24, 2015                                                                   Bruges, Antwerp and Amsterdam

After breakfast you meet your guide and head to Amsterdam your next destination. Along the way, however you will spend time visiting the city of Antwerp, a splendid city with many numerous architectural highlights most of which date from the 16th and 17th Centuries. The past is also represented by the numerous paintings of Peter Paul Rubens who lived in the city in the early 17th Century. Upon arriving in the city you will start with a walk to the unique marketplace surrounded by the mighty Renaissance town hall and the numerous guild houses. You will visit the cathedral of our Lady crowned with a unique Gothic steeple, the symbol of Antwerp. The cathedral is also home to three of Rubens major paintings. Antwerp is also the diamond centre of the world and home to a large Hassidic Jewish population, 90% of who are involved in the diamond trade. You will visit a diamond cutting workshop and showroom before having lunch and heading to Amsterdam. Upon arrival in Amsterdam you check in to your hotel and have dinner at the hotel.           Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Friday, Sep. 25, 2015                                                                                          Highlights of Amsterdam

Today you really get to experience Amsterdam. You will start with a walking tour focused on the essential cultural and architectural sights of the city. Part of this will depend on your interests but could include the old stock exchange building, the flea market, Dam square, the Red Light district, Anne Frank's house, the floating flower market and the old church. After lunch the rest of the day is left open.          Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9: Saturday, Sep. 26, 2015                                                                             Amsterdam Art and History

After breakfast you head to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museums where your guide will give you an introduction to the old masters like Vermeer and Rembrandt including his masterpiece "The Night Watch". At the Van Gogh museum you are able to follow the painter's career over the years and his descent into depression and madness. You have a light lunch at the museum and then stroll through Amsterdam's charming canal district and discover some of the city's hidden gems. Some of its elegant 17th Century canal mansions house small fascinating museums with collections of paintings, tapestries, furniture, artifacts and more. In the evening you walk to a typical Indonesian "Rijstaffel" restaurant. From 1601 to 1945, Indonesia was a Dutch colony and much like the British love their Indian food so the Dutch love their "rice table" which is made up of a variety of dishes ranging from mild to hot.                            Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner       

Day 10: Sunday, Sep. 27, 2015                                                                                                      Return to USA

In the morning you will be transferred to Schiphol airport where your guide will assist with your check in for the return flight to the USA arriving back the same afternoon.                       Breakfast

 

 

ACCOMMODATION

Brussels: Crowne Plaza

Hotel Crowne Plaza Brussels - Le Palace is a wonderful 4 star hotel, ideally located at the Place Rogier in the centre of Brussels. After exploring the centre of the city, and the main shopping area of Brussels next to the hotel, you will certainly appreciate the cozy atmosphere, the quality of service and the legendary hospitality of the hotel The European commission and European Parliament are situated at 10 minutes’ walk from the hotel Unlimited Free Wi-Fi is available in the entire hotel.

Bruges: Hotel Montanus

The Montanus Hotel is located in the heart of Bruges, a stone's throw from all places of interest, such as the Lake of Love and the Beguinage. Within walking distance of the Hall Tower and the Market place, and in a few moments you are in the congress site "Old St. John." The garden and pond give a rural feeling to the property. In the garden, there is a terrace where you can enjoy a full breakfast, where you can sunbathe the rest of the day and enjoy pure tranquility in a bustling city centre. In short an indescribable silence for every guest.


Amsterdam: Hotel NH Amsterdam

The NH City Centre offers guests a gateway to the historic and beautiful Amsterdam. Located in the heart of the city and overlooking the Singel Canal, the hotel is only a very brief walk to the famous floating flower market, the powerfully moving Anne Frank House, and the bustling shops of Dam Square

 

For more on this trip, please contact Ultitude at
Phone: 407 549 5640
Email: concierge@ultitude.com
Or click the reservations link at the bottom of this page to book your space on the trip.
Florida Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST37189

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