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Brussels, Bruges & the Floriade

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A celebration of culture and nature beckons on this summertime tour through Belgium, featuring the highly anticipated Floriade Expo.

Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager

2023 Tour code: GR-FBEA-23

About the tour

The heavenly scent of flowers guides you through Belgium and the Netherlands on this perfectly timed vacation that features both the Floriade Expo and the Flower Carpet of Brussels. After a train ride from London, commence your journey in the capital city of Brussels, where history and culture spill from every square and street. We then spend the day in Bruges, learning about authentic Belgian chocolate-making processes and exploring canals and Medieval sites. A pinnacle of this vacation comes as we travel to Almere in the Netherlands to visit the Floriade Expo, a decennial celebration of all things horticulture. From beautiful plants to interesting vendors, this show leaves visitors inspired. Before our tour concludes, one more floral showcase is presented in Brussels: the Flower Carpet. This massive floral arrangement scents the air with its perfume and makes the Grand Place an even more impressive sight. Visiting Europe in the summer is always a good idea, but it is even better when paired with these eagerly awaited events.

Highlights

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What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – London to Brussels by Train

Arrive at London St. Pancras, and make your way to your dedicated Departure Office to meet your Tour Manager and fellow travelers. Here, we board a high-speed Eurostar train bound for Brussels, Belgium - a journey that takes approximately 2 hours to complete. A coach awaits to transfer us from the station to our centrally-located downtown hotel.  

This evening, a short walk takes us from the hotel to a restaurant that has been serving traditional Belgian cuisine to locals since 1893, Chez Leon. Enjoy a group dinner to kick off this memorable adventure. Overnight Brussels. 

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Bruges Sightseeing

After breakfast at the hotel, we are transferred to the train station for a day trip to Bruges. One of seven cities noted as "The Venice of the North," Bruges is a delight of Medieval architecture, cobbled streets, pretty parks and winding canals. On arrival, we walk from the station to the city center, where you are free to explore for a bit ahead of our chocolate-making demonstration at the Chocolaterie Sukerbuyc. Enjoy a more in-depth look at the culture of Belgium and the city's sites as you embark on a walking tour with an expert guide. The excursion presents Bruges's beautiful squares and intricate buildings, dating back centuries. Take our remaining time in this destination at leisure. You may wish to explore one of the authentic Belgian breweries in the city or to take a boat ride along one of the canals. We return to Brussels by train this evening. You are welcome to end your day relaxing at the hotel or exploring one of the fantastic eateries nearby. Overnight Brussels.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 3 - The Floriade Expo

One of the most anticipated annual events in the Netherlands lies ahead today as we attend the magnificent Floriade Expo in Almere. The Floriade Expo is known to be the "World's Fair" of horticulture shows and has been showcasing flora once every ten years since 1960. This year's theme focuses on building green cities and is certain to be filled with both beauty and innovation. We transfer to the expo by motorcoach, and on arrival, you have the full day to explore. Listen to live music, immerse yourself in Dutch culture and sample your way through the expo's food vendors and trucks. Ride the cable car to look at the exhibits from above while traveling between the north and south ends of the park. Walk through the arboretum to experience a living encyclopedia of horticulture. In addition to the Dutch hosts, participants from over 40 countries around the world will also be showcasing their ideas for how to make cities greener and more sustainable in the future. There is no shortage of ways to fill your time. Overnight Brussels.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - Brussels at Leisure/Carpet of Flowers

Spend your last day in Belgium sightseeing independently in Brussels. Beloved points of interest include the Atomium sculpture, the Royal Palace of Brussels and the Parc du Cinquantenaire. There are wonderful museums throughout the city, such as the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, to occupy your time. For a look at the eccentricities of Brussels, seek out some of the unique statues throughout the city, including the Het Zinneke, Manneken Pis and Jeanneke Pis.

You may also take your explorations to the Grand Place, with its Gothic structures and beautiful arched buildings. As the main square of Brussels, this attraction is brimming with activity. Once every two years, the Grand Place undergoes a showstopping transformation into an intricate tapestry of brightly hued flowers: the Flower Carpet. Made of thoughtfully placed begonias, dahlias, grass, bark and other plants, this living artwork is a true spectacle. Admission to the Town Hall's balcony is included with the price of your tour so that you can take in the carpet in all its lavish glory. If you stick around in the Grand Place until evening, a memorizing sound and light show accompanies the floral display. Overnight Brussels.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 - Tour Conclusion

Breakfast is served at the hotel ahead of our transfer to Brussels' train station. Together, we board our Eurostar train to London St. Pancras, where on arrival, your summertime tour through Belgium concludes.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre, Brussels

Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre, Brussels

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Train

Eurostar

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