London and Brussels
7 Days
![Millenium Bridge, London](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_90,f_auto,c_lfill,w_400,h_400,x_w_mul_0.54,y_h_mul_0.6,g_xy_center/ee-web/2024/03/EE_millenium-bridge-london-england-3371.jpg)
![London view from London Eye](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_90,f_auto,c_lfill,w_400,h_400/ee-web/2024/03/EE_141711940_England_london_view-from-London-Eye.jpg)
This vacation itinerary allows your group to experience two distinctly different European capital cities and their respective charms. As the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, London oozes culture, cosmopolitanism and fascinating history. Home to some of the world’s best museums, a fantastic theatre scene, and beautiful city parks – some of history’s best characters called London home – including Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Queen Elizabeth I, Geoffrey Chaucer, John Keats, Lord Byron, Thomas Becket and Virginia Wolff to name a few.
As the capital of Belgium and the unofficial capital of the European Union, Brussels houses a remarkable mix of cultures. While the majority of its residents speak French, visitors to Brussels will also encounter many Flemish (Dutch) speakers. And due to Brussels’ international presence, you’ll hear a lot of English spoken here as well. Its terrific mix of cultures, rich heritage, excellent museums, green parks and exceptionally tasty food are just a few reasons to spend some time enjoying Brussels. As part of this itinerary, the group will also experience the Flemish Region of Belgium (Flanders) with day trips to Ghent & Bruges.
Highlights
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Cruise down the River Thames
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Guided city tour of Brussels including brewery visit
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Excursions to Ghent & Bruges
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Canal cruise in Bruges
Itinerary Details
International Arrival
Transfer via private coach to your hotel
3 Nights
London
Included activities
DAY 1: Arrive in London
Arrival to London, England. Upon arrival meet a local guide in the terminal's arrivals hall and board a private coach for a panoramic city tour of London's best sites en route to the hotel. See St. Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and more. Once the tour finishes at the hotel, group members will have free time to check in and fresh up before dining together in the hotel this evening.
DAY 2:
After breakfast in the hotel, the group will travel by private coach with a local guide to the fascinating Tower of London for a guided tour. The Tower's origins date back to the 11th century, and today it is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Crown Jewels, which have been on display here since the 17th century. The Tower was the site of the executions of Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, Margaret Pole and many others. After the tour, the group will have free time for lunch. Consider fish & chips or a steak & kidney pie at a local pub. After lunch, the group will walk down to the Tower Pier on the River Thames. (This is how prisoners were traditionally bought into the Tower) for a cruise down to Westminster Pier. The private coach will pick the group up at the pier and return it to the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free. London has an excellent theatre scene, and this evening the group will attend a theatre performance.
DAY 3:
After breakfast in the hotel, the group will have a guided tour of one of London's terrific museums. Choose for example between the Victoria & Albert Museum (art & design), the British Museum (antiquities), Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition, the National Portrait Gallery or the Tate Modern (contemporary art). (Note: Group will need to decide on selected museum before departing the US). Once the museum tour has finished, the group has free time to have lunch, shop and relax. This afternoon your group will enjoy a traditional afternoon tea. Your last evening in London is free.
![London and Brussels](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/london-england-big-ben-1.jpg)
![England London tower Bridge](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/EE_181853102_england_london_tower-bridge.jpg)
![London and Brussels](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/buckingham-palace-flowers-e1719000450413.jpg)
![London and Brussels](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/shutterstock_626229854.jpg)
![London view from London Eye](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/EE_141711940_England_london_view-from-London-Eye.jpg)
Group transfer by private coach to the train station
Eurostar ride to Brussels
Transfer by private coach to the hotel
4 Nights
Brussels
Included activities
DAY 4: Arrive in Brussels
After breakfast and check-out, the group will transfer by private coach to the station. Travel first class by train on the Eurostar to Brussels, the capital of Belgium. As the train pulls into the station, a local guide will meet your group on the platform and lead it to the hotel by private coach. Even though the group's rooms will most likely not be ready this early, group members can store baggage with the hotel's reception staff before setting off on an exciting city tour of Brussels. This is a city of contrasts. One district of Brussels is home to major European organizations and governing bodies like the European Commission, the European Parliament, NATO and many others. However, it also contains a very historic city center and neighborhoods that have maintained traditional architecture and a slower pace. During the tour your group will visit one of Europe's most beautiful squares, the Grand Place, which is home to the medieval Town Hall. The tour will finish also feature a tour and tasting at the Cantillon Brewery, which has been brewing beer since the 1800s. As a country, in addition to chocolate – Belgium produces some of the finest beer in the world. The tour will finish at the hotel where there will be time to check in and fresh up before the group goes to a local restaurant for dinner.
DAY 5:
After breakfast in the hotel, the group has the morning at leisure to explore Brussels. This city has an amazing variety of museums, churches, green parks (and chocolate shops). After the group members have had lunch on their own, they will all reunite in the hotel lobby for an afternoon excursion by private coach to the historic city of Ghent. During the walking tour, the group will see St. Bavo's Cathedral, the gothic Cloth Hall and Belfry tower, Friday Market Square, Groot Kanonplein Square, and the streets of Graslei and Korenlei whose historic houses line Ghent's canals. After the tour, the group will return to the hotel in Brussels by private coach. A group dinner is not scheduled tonight, so group members can go out and individually explore Brussels' superb foodie scene.
DAY 6:
After breakfast in the hotel, today the group will travel by private coach to one of Belgium's best loved cities, Bruges, the capital of West Flanders. The entire city center of this Dutch-speaking city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival to Bruges, the group will meet a local guide who will lead it on a walking tour of this especially beautiful city, which is often called the "Venice of the North." In addition to exploring its cobblestone streets and medieval quarters, the group will take a boat cruise to experience Bruges' picturesque canals (note: the cruises understandably do not operate during the winter months). During the visit to Bruges, there will be free time for lunch and shopping before all group members meet back up with the local guide who will accompany the group back to its private coach. After boarding the coach, the group will return to the hotel in Brussels. After freshening up, the group will dine together in a local restaurant on its last evening in delightful Brussels.
DAY 7:
After breakfast and check-out, the group will travel to the airport for its return flight to the US.
Transfer to the airport
International Departure
![Brussels, Belgium. Wide angle night scene of the Grand Place and Maison du Roi, one of Europe finest historic squares and a must-see sight of Bruxelles.](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/Brussels_519683941.jpg)
![Brussels at sunset, Belgium](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/Brussels_739707577.jpg)
![Brussels Jubelpark](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/Brussels-jubelpark.jpg)
Inclusions
Includes
- Panoramic tour of London's top monuments
- Guided tour of the Tower of London + guided tour of a London museum
- Accommodations: London 3 nights, Brussels 3 nights
- Meals: Continental breakfast daily. Lunch and dinner as noted in itinerary
- Ground transportation via air conditioned luxury coach
- English speaking assistants and guides
- Admission tickets as outlined in itinerary