Paris and Brussels: From the Eiffel Tower to the Grand Place

This morning, your group will meet its local guide in the lobby for a guided tour of the world renowned Louvre Museum, the most visited museum in the world. Guests will see celebrated works of art, including Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Nike of Samothrace, and Jacques-Louis David's The Coronation of Napoleon, among others. Afterward, guests will be transported to the Latin Quarter, where they will enjoy lunch on their own and then embark on a guided tour of the vibrant neighborhood. Later, they will be escorted back to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Art and history converge the Louvre, which is undoubtedly one of the world's most visited museums. Your group will navigate through its vast galleries, discovering masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Guests will have the chance to immerse themselves in the stories behind each artwork as they explore the museum's rich collection. After the museum visit, your group will be dropped off at the Latin Quarter. There will be time for lunch, after which, guests will enjoy a 90-minute walking tour of the historic heart of Paris. Here, in the 5th arrondissement, this Parisian neighborhood was buzzing with life during the Roman times, on through the Middle Ages, and right up to the present. Guests will see the Boulevard St-Michel, the Sorbonne, and the Caveau de la Huchette jazz club, among others. Once the walking tour is finished, the group will be dropped back at the hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel, travel to the Palace of Versailles for a half-day excursion. The afternoon is free for guests to explore Paris as they wish. Guests will reconvene at the hotel in the early evening for a sightseeing cruise on the River Seine. After embarking at the base of the Eiffel Tower, they will see the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Ile de la Cite, and the city's beautiful bridges. After the cruise, your group will proceed to a local restaurant for dinner.

This morning, your group will experience the grandeur of Versailles on a short, guided tour. Constructed primarily in the 17th century, this magnificent royal palace of Versailles was home to Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV, the Sun King. On this tour, your group will explore the majestic chateau, including the Grands Appartements, the Chapel, and the Hall of Mirrors with its 357 shimmering mirrors. Outside, guests will find meticulously landscaped gardens with its beautiful fountains and sculptures. Afterward, guests will be escorted back to Paris in the private coach.

Brussels is a city of contrasts. One district is home to major modern European organizations and governing bodies like the European Commission, the European Parliament, and NATO. On the hand, the city is home to a historic center and neighborhoods that have maintained their traditional architecture as well as a slower pace. During this tour, your group will visit one of Europe's most beautiful squares, the Grand Place, which is home to the medieval Town Hall. Apart from its history and culture, Belgium is famous for its chocolate and beer – in fact, it produces some of the finest beer in the world. The tour will also include a tasting at the Cantillon Brewery, which has been brewing beer since the 1800s. Afterword, guests will be escorted back to the hotel.

This morning is completely free for guests to explore Brussels at their leisure. This city has an amazing variety of museums, churches, green parks (and chocolate shops). After your group members have had lunch on their own, they will reconvene in the hotel lobby for an afternoon excursion by private coach to Ghent. No dinners are scheduled in the evening after the tour, so guests are free to venture out and explore Brussels' superb foodie scene. The guide will be happy to share restaurant recommendations upon request.

In the afternoon, your group will be transferred to the historic city of Ghent, just an hour from Brussels. This short walking tour is a wonderful way to experience the city and see some of its beautiful architecture from up close. Accompanied by an expert guide, guests will visit the impressive Roman Catholic St. Bavo's Cathedral, named after a local saint, and home to the famous Ghent Altarpiece. The Gothic Cloth Hall is next, being the center of Ghent's cloth trade, followed by the Belfry bell tower, which played a key role in the city's past. Guests will also have the chance to visit famous squares such as the Friday Market Square and Groot Kanonpilen, and walk down the streets of Graslei and Korenlei, where historic houses line Ghent's canals. Afterward, they will be transferred back to their hotel in Brussels in the private coach. After the tour, the group will return to the hotel in Brussels by private coach.

This morning, your group will travel by private coach to one of Belgium's best loved cities, Bruges, the capital of West Flanders. A day-long exploration of this city awaits guests, accompanied by a local guide to show them around the best sights. In the afternoon, guests will return by private coach and freshen up. A group dinner is planned for later, so guests may be able to unwind, recount their travel stories and bid farewell to the others in their group on their last evening in delightful Brussels.

The entire city center of Dutch-speaking Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon their arrival by private coach, your group will meet a local guide who will lead them on a walking tour of this beautiful city, which is often called the "Venice of the North." In addition to exploring its cobblestone streets and medieval quarters, guests will take a boat cruise to experience Bruges' picturesque canals. During the tour of Bruges, there will be free time for lunch and shopping before all group members meet back up with the local guide who will accompany them back to the private coach. Guests will then be transferred back to their hotel in Brussels. (Please note that the boat cruises do not operate during the winter months).

This morning, your group will be transferred by private coach to the international airport for their return flight home.