There is no doubt that Belgium is the country of beer since it offers more than 450 varieties of brew. After a 30-minute drive from the port, you will arrive in Bruges where your guided walk will begin. Bruges gives the impression that you have stepped back in time. Your guide will lead you through the narrow, twisting cobblestone streets, passing by picturesque ancient buildings, tree-lined canals and gabled facades. See the bustling marketplace, Belfry Tower, the Town Hall and the Chapel of the Holy Blood. The highlight is undoubtedly a lunch combined with a beer tasting of 4 different types of beer. Together with your expert guide, you will explore the tastes and flavors of four different beers. Bruges is filled with lace, chocolate and beer shops, so your free time will allow you to search for the perfect souvenir or treat. Your motor coach will return you to your ship. Please note : Guests must be 21 years old to participate in the beer tasting. For safety reasons, guests must be able to enter/exit the motor coach independently. Wear comfortable walking shoes. The itinerary might be reversed to accommodate extra capacity.

This tour takes in the dramatic history of World War I and the battles fought in and around Ypres . The city of Ypres, located in Flanders Fields, was reduced to rubble by constant bombardments. It has come to symbolize the meaningless slaughter of the Great War. Now restored to its former grandeur, Ypres contains numerous poignant sites and monuments linked to the war. There are many battlefields around Ypres where German and Allied armies fought without decisive victories. New weapons such as gas, land mines and missiles left 1,200,000 injured and 500,000 dead. You will stop to visit one of the British cemeteries Tyne Cot and see the Menin Gate -a famous British War Memorial with the names of 54,896 missing soldiers engraved on its walls. You will have free time for shopping and lunch in the city center of Ypres. Then visit the Essex Farm Cemetery -one of the area's most visited sites due to its association with John McCrae who wrote his poem on May 3, 1915-the day after he witnessed the death of his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer. Next to the cemetery is a marker with the date commemorating the writing of this poem. Please note : Wear comfortable walking shoes as the surfaces are uneven and cobblestoned. Order of site visits might vary. For safety reasons, guests must be able to enter/exit the coach/boat independently.

Ghent is a dynamic city with a center straight out of the Middle Ages. In rebellion against annexation, it was the simple weavers and poorly trained infantry militia from Bruges, Ghent and the area surrounding the town (but not the town leaders) who took up arms to defeat 10,000 mounted French Knights of King Philip IV in The Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302. After a 75-minute drive in the typical Flemish countryside, you will arrive at the medieval city of Ghent. Before enjoying the beautiful city of Ghent you'll have the opportunity to relax and anjoy the taste of a real Belgian waffle at a local Waffle house. Your guided walking tour starts at the bottom of St. Michael's Bridge. On top of St Michael's Bridge you will have the most impressive view of the historical city center. From that point you can see the Old Port with gabled guild houses, the age-old Castle of the Counts and the famous " Row of Three Towers ," St. Nicolas Church, the Belfry tower and St. Bavo's Cathedral. Pass the Old Port, the Meat House and the City Hall to reach St. Bavo's Cathedral. The highlight of this tour will be the visit to a chocolatier . A Belgian chocolate maker will show you how raw chocolate bars are made into the fine Belgian chocolates using only the best of fresh and carefully selected ingredients. Tasting is allowed!! ! At the end, there will be time to purchase some chocolates. Following the visit to the factory there will be free time (approximately 45 minutes) for shopping. After this free time, your motor coach will bring you back to the ship. Please note : For safety reasons, guests must be able to enter/exit the coach independently. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

A 30-minute drive from the port will bring you to lovely Bruges where your guided walk will start. Smaller and more contained than many other Flemish cities, Bruges makes it easy to believe you have entered a time warp. It is an exquisitely preserved medieval town-a jewel be-ribboned with picturesque canals. Before enjoying the beautiful city of Bruges you'll have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the taste of a real Belgian waffle at a local Waffle house . Your guide will walk with you through the narrow, twisting cobblestone streets, passing by picturesque scenes of ancient buildings, tree-lined canals and gabled façades. See the bustling marketplace, the Belfry Tower, the Town Hall and the Chapel of the Holy Blood. Belgium's finest export product is undoubtedly chocolate and you will learn why its longstanding reputation is well deserved. Walk to a Belgian chocolatier to see a demonstration how raw chocolate bars are made into fine Belgian chocolates using only the freshest and best ingredients. At the end, there is some time to purchase some Belgian chocolates if you wish and pay a brief visit to the Chocolate Museum (on your own at no additional expense). Your free time will allow you to shop for the perfect souvenir among Bruges' lace and chocolate shops. Finally, your guide will lead you past the romantic Lake of Love and back to your coach for the drive back to the ship. Please note : Wear comfortable walking shoes as the surfaces are uneven and cobblestoned. Order of site visits might vary.

TYou will start your tour through the typical Flemish countryside with a scenic drive to the quaint little village of Damme, a typical Flemish village that has retained its historic character. You will drive through Damme at a slow pace so that you have plenty of photo opportunities. Continue your tour by driving through the outskirts of the historical city of Bruges. You will get a view of the windmills and the impressive Medieval walls surrounding the city of Bruges, before having the opportunity to buy some famous Belgian chocolates at one of the largest chocolate shops around Bruges. Afterwards, you will be transferred south of Bruges, where you will have the opportunity of making a visit to the impressive Castle of Loppem. This castle has a particular and homogenous style, and the architecture and the interior have been kept in their original state. It was in 1856 that the future castellans, Baron Charles van Caloen and his wife, Countess Savina de Gourcy Serainchamps, appointed the English architect Edward Welby Pugin (whose father, August Welby Northmore Pugin, participated in the building of the Westminster Houses of Parliament) with the task of designing the plans. Pugin's task was followed by Jean Bethune, who provided a more Flemish character to the construction. Loppem Castle later came to play a prominent role in the political history of Belgium at the end of World War I. Please note : This excursion does not enter the city walls of Bruges, you only visit the outskirts of the city. This tour is ideal for guests who prefer minimal walking. For safety reasons, guests must be able to enter/exit the motor coach independently.

Join your guide for a scenic walk through Antwerp's Old Town, passing Market Square with its guild houses, cafés, and City Hall, before heading to the Cathedral of Our Lady, home to works by Rubens and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Belfries of Belgium and France. Afterward, explore the Art Nouveau-style Cogels Osylei, renowned for its unique architecture, and admire the impressive Central Railway Station, dubbed the 'Railway Cathedral.' The tour ends at the MAS Museum, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Antwerp from the rooftop terrace. Your guide will then escort you back to the ship.

This guided tour explores the beautiful historic city center of Antwerp while combining an enjoyable walking experience with small tastings of typical Antwerp and Belgian delicacies along the way. In the comfort of a small group, you will follow a knowledgeable guide through the city’s medieval alleys, discovering highlights such as the Market Place and the famous “Pie Alley.” After all is seen and tasted, your guide will escort you back to the ship, or you may choose to remain in the city center to continue shopping for more delicious local treats.

No additional details available for this excursion.

This tour combines a scenic coach ride with a walking exploration of Brussels. After approximately an hour's drive, you'll arrive in Brussels, a city that blends modern skyscrapers with historic charm. As the center of banking, trade, and international organizations like NATO and the European Union, Brussels has a rich history reflected in its narrow cobblestone streets. Your panoramic drive will pass the King Boudewijn Stadium, the Centenaire exhibition halls, and the iconic Atomium, built for the 1958 World Expo and representing an iron molecule. The tour continues through the city, passing the Chinese Pavilion, the Japanese Tower, and the Royal Castle of Laeken, the residence of King Filip and Queen Mathilde. The walking portion begins near Central Station, where you'll stroll through the old town, admiring the elegant St. Hubert Arcades and its array of shops. A short walk further will lead you to the stunning Grand Place, a UNESCO-listed square known for its Baroque guild houses and the impressive Town Hall, often regarded as one of the most beautiful market squares in the world. Continue a few more blocks to see the famous "Manneken Pis," Brussels' iconic statue. You'll have some free time to explore the Grand Place area, shop for Belgian chocolates, lace, and tapestries, or enjoy a drink at a local café. Afterward, your coach will take you back to Antwerp, passing landmarks such as the Royal Palace, the European Parliament, Cinquantenaire, and NATO headquarters.

Antwerp, Belgian Beers in Antwerp

Explore the wonders of Antwerp on a leisurely bike ride through the city's iconic architecture and landmarks. Start at Steenplein, a charming square by the Scheldt River, next to Antwerp's oldest building, the fortress Het Steen. Pedal past the Cathedral of Our Lady, a stunning Gothic masterpiece with a towering 403-foot spire (with four additional spires never completed). Continue to the strikingly modern MAS Museum, and ride through the pedestrian tunnel to Linkeroever, where you'll enjoy postcard-worthy views of your Windstar cruise ship in the harbor. Pause at a local spot to savor fresh Belgian waffles before cycling through the historic streets of Antwerp.