Holland & Belgium round-trip at a slow pace

Amsterdam

Day 1: Welcome to Amsterdam!

After arriving into Amsterdam's international airport, you'll be met by a driver and taken to your hotel in the city center, 30-60 minutes away depending on traffic. An amazing labyrinth of canals and streets lined with old houses, Amsterdam's center is quite small, so most places can easily be reached on foot or by bike.

From a canal dock, you'll board a small private open boat for a trip along many of the city's canals. This is a great way to soak up the city from a unique vantage point on your first day!

Amsterdam

Day 2: A day of culture & history in the capital

Today, your private guide will pick you up from your hotel to begin a walk through Amsterdam, exploring how this beautiful city has grown and changed over 750 years.

Uncover all the highlights as well as hidden spots: start on the harborfront, following Zeedijk - a historic street that now houses the city's Chinatown, on the edge of the Red Light District; then, visit the Jewish Quarter on the banks of the river Amstel, ending your tour in de Begijnhof, a beautiful courtyard of the Beguines religious order.

Later today you'll visit the Rijksmuseum, the most famous museum in the Netherlands, which houses iconic paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer and other Dutch masters.

Amsterdam

Day 3: At leisure in Amsterdam

Spend the day at leisure in Amsterdam, where if you'd like to see more beautiful art, you could consider visiting the Van Gogh Museum. Stroll through bustling markets in search of souvenirs and fresh produce, and feast on deliciously hearty Dutch fare before retiring to your hotel for the evening.

Amsterdam - Zaanse Schans - Amsterdam

Day 4: Explore rural Dutch traditions

It's time to marvel at more Dutch icons beyond Amsterdam: a world of wooden shoes, fishing, cheese and windmills awaits as you take a day trip to Zaanse Schans, stopping at various towns and villages en-route.

First you'll be driven to picture-perfect Marken, to tour a wooden shoe factory before continuing on by ferry to the fishing village of Volendam. With a harbor full of old ships, it's a great place to enjoy fresh seafood before you carry on to Edam - the home of a century-old cheese market that takes place on Wednesdays in July and August.

Finally, reach Zaanse Schans, whose windmills have been used throughout the centuries to grind spices, produce paint and oil, saw wood and more. A number of these windmills still exist and can be visited today, before you make your return to Amsterdam.

Amsterdam - Haarlem - Amsterdam

Day 5: Take a trip to Haarlem

Enjoy a day trip to the lovely and historic city of Haarlem, which can be reached in just 13 minutes by train. You'll meet a private guide, who will show you around their beloved city bursting with hidden courtyards, cobbled streets and lovely canals - it's much like Amsterdam, but without the crowds.

Later in the day, visit the Frans Hals Museum on your own, exploring the works of this great painter of the Dutch Golden Age. You'll then have the rest of your time in Haarlem to enjoy at leisure, sightseeing or relaxing over a beer and Indonesian-Dutch rijsttafel dinner. When you're done exploring, return to the station for a train back to Amsterdam.

Amsterdam

Day 6: Another day at leisure in Amsterdam

Spend another day at your own pace in Amsterdam, perhaps diving deeper into the city's Jewish history with a visit to the Anne Frank House museum, Resistance Museum and Jewish Synagogue. If the weather is good, why not also make like a local and relax amidst the greenery of Vondelpark?

Amsterdam - Ghent

Day 7: Journey to Belgium's laid-back Ghent

Bidding farewell to Amsterdam, today you'll begin a journey by private transfer to Ghent, your laid-back base in Belgium. There are no border formalities, and in fact, you might not even notice that you’re crossing a border at all!

You'll be provided with a Ghent CityCard, granting you access to monuments and museums in the city as well as public transport for 48 hours. After some sightseeing at your own pace, head to the Leie river in the afternoon to board a boat, taking you on a leisurely narrated tour of the canals of Ghent. After a 40-minute ride, dock and go in search of authentic local cuisine, before retiring to your hotel for the night.

Ghent

Day 8: Explore the historic wonders of Ghent

On today's walking tour of Ghent, you'll get to marvel at plentiful sights across two hours: the arched St Michael's Bridge and Graslei boulevard that runs alongside the river; specialist produce shops where you can try local Gentse neuzen candy; a clutch of cathedrals and elegant buildings across Groentenmarkt and Korenmarkt; and the medieval Gravensteen castle, which you'll have time to explore on your own.

In the afternoon, make the most of your Ghent CityCard to visit more museums and soak up the sights at leisure. Rest your feet in the evening as you feast on traditional Belgian cuisine, then head on back to your hotel to rest.

Ghent - Antwerp - Ghent

Day 9: A day trip to Antwerp

Today, enjoy a trip to the port city of Antwerp, a direct 50-minute train away. There you'll visit Chocolate Nation, the country's largest chocolate museum, where multimedia displays and delicious tastings make for a memorable experience.

Afterwards, on a private guided walking tour, you'll get to seek out the city's best attractions - from the extravagant city hall and guildhalls on Grote Markt, to traditional edible specialties. If time allows before your return to Ghent, pay a visit to the Cathedral of Our Lady, home to numerous works by Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens.

Ghent - Bruges - Ghent

Day 10: Soak up the charms of Bruges

Another day trip awaits, this time seeing you venture into the charming heart of Bruges, 20-30 minutes away by train. Accompanied by a local guide, you'll explore the city's cobbled streets and squares on foot, culminating in a visit to the Belfry of Bruges overlooking the Market Square. Ending your tour in the historic center, you'll be within easy reach of the Historium's interactive exhibits, perfect for soaking up more of the city's past.

While you're here and before your return to Ghent, don't miss a chance to take a relaxing boat ride, settle down with a beer in hand, or pick up some tasty souvenirs at one of the iconic chocolatiers.

Ghent

Day 11: One last day to enjoy in Ghent

Your adventure is soon coming to an end, but worry not: you still have one final full day to make the most of your time in Belgium. Take the opportunity to explore more of the city, perhaps viewing the magnificent Ghent Altarpiece (Adoration of the Mystic Lamb - a famous set of monumental paintings that date back to 1432). Elsewhere, you could stroll the prestigious university Botanical Gardens, home to more than 10,000 plant species and extensive greenhouses, before getting your last taste of locally-brewed beer.

Ghent

Day 12: Goodbye, Ghent!

Get ready to bid farewell to Belgium: at an appropriate time, check out of your hotel and meet your private driver, for a transfer to the airport ahead of your departure flight. Safe travels!