Belgium In Depth

(8 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Bruges with Ypres & Ghent, Brussels with Antwerp & Leuven

This private luxury tour of Belgium is an in-depth exploration of the country's rich and multifaceted culture and history. It features private touring of canal towns, beer breweries, chocolate shops, art masterpieces, Art Nouveau architecture, contemporary design and fashion, monuments related to World War I and II and much more. It can be fully customized according to your interests.

Begin in romantic Bruges, a fairy-tale town of canals and medieval architecture. Stroll through the atmospheric backstreets, city gates and squares of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a boat tour along the canals. See ancient monuments, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the UNESCO-listed Begijnhof housing, and important museums of Netherlandish art such as the Groeningemuseum and St. John's Hospital. Other options include climbing to the top of the Belfry for views over Bruges, visiting a lacemaking studio, sampling locally made chocolates, biking through lesser-visited neighborhoods and touring a local brewery.

One day, take a private excursion to Ypres (Ieper), one of the deadliest battlefields during World War I. Learn about the history of the era at important monuments and museums in the region. If desired, continue to the Belgian coast to visit the Foundation Paul Delvaux Museum, which displays a collection of the surrealist painter's works and personal belongings.

Next, transfer to Brussels, stopping en route to tour Ghent, a charming university town. Visit St. Bavo's Cathedral to see the spectacular Ghent Altarpiece (The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb) by Hubert and Jan van Eyck. Also see highlights such as the beautiful waterfront quays of Graslei and Korenlei, landmark Belfry tower, imposing Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts) and medieval Patershol quarter.

Continue to Brussels, the capital of Belgium. During flexible private touring, walk through the iconic Grand-Place, the city's UNESCO-listed main square, to admire the ornate facades of the Town Hall and guild houses. Visit the Horta Museum, an Art Nouveau masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the Van Buuren Museum. See the renowned Manneken-Pis fountain and interesting street art. Perhaps visit the Royal Museum of Fine Arts or other museums, or browse antiques districts and open-air markets. If desired, see the European Parliament and other institutions related to the European Union. Artisans of Leisure can also arrange special-interest activities around Brussels such as visiting gardens, a private chocolate-making lesson, Jewish touring, attending a performance at the Bozar or other theaters, a Belgian beer tasting or tour of a local brewery, touring the Belgian Comic Strip Center, visiting locations related to Tintin and his animated adventures, seeing the Chinese Pavilion and Japanese Tower, or visiting the Atomium and Mini-Europe. If desired, also browse gourmet food markets, and perhaps sample Belgian specialties such as waffles, chocolate pralines and frites with mayonnaise.

One day, enjoy a private excursion to Antwerp. Stop on the way in Mechelen to see beautiful architecture and enjoy a brewery tour. Continue to Antwerp, a lively port city famous for fashion, diamonds and Peter Paul Rubens. During flexible touring, see historical highlights such as the medieval Cathedral of Our Lady, guild houses on the Grote Markt (main square), and the fin-de-siecle Centraal Train Station. Visit museums such as the Rubens House and the Plantin-Moretus Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves an important 16th-century printing and publishing house. Perhaps visit the Museum aan de Stroom, a striking contemporary landmark with views over the rooftops of the city, or tour the Red Star Line Museum, the departure point for millions of Europeans immigrating to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries. Other options in Antwerp include visiting the MoMu fashion museum, learning about diamond processing, walking through the Jewish quarter, seeing contemporary architecture by Zaha Hadid and others, and visiting additional museums such as the Royal Museum of Fine Arts or Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (MuHKA).

Another day, opt to continue city touring in Brussels, or take another excursion outside the city. Options include visiting the beautiful medieval town of Leuven, learning about World War I history in Liege or World War II history in Bastogne, exploring Napoleonic history in Waterloo, or visiting the towns of Mons and Tournai to see UNESCO-listed historic buildings.

This tour can easily be extended to include destinations in Holland (the Netherlands), Germany, France and other countries.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world