London and Brussels: A Tale of Two Cities

After breakfast, your group will travel by private coach with a local guide to the fascinating Tower of London for a guided tour. The morning will be spent exploring this historic monument, and there will be free time for lunch, followed by a Thames river cruise. The tour will end back at the hotel with the rest of the afternoon at leisure for participants to unwind or step out to explore on their own. The evening offers a perfect opportunity for guests to dive into London's excellent theater scene, with a performance planned for your group.

The Tower of London dates back to the 11th century, and today, this imposing fortress is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accompanied by the guide, your group will begin the tour with a visit to see the Crown Jewels, which have been on display at the Tower since the 17th century. The Tower was the site of numerous executions, including that of Henry VIII's second wife Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, the queen of England for 9 days in the 16th century, and Margaret Pole, who was accused of treason. Guests will hear captivating tales of intrigue and and revisit centuries of history. Afterward, there will be free time for lunch, and guests may want to consider "fish & chips" or "steak & kidney pie" at a local pub. Later, they will walk down to the Tower Pier on the River Thames, where prisoners were traditionally brought into the Tower. A boat will be waiting to take them out for a cruise down to Westminster Pier. Once the guests disembark at the pier, the private coach will pick them up and transfer them to the hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel, your group will have a guided tour of one of London's terrific museums. The options are many - from the Tate Modern in Bankside to the iconic British Museum in Bloomsbury. After the tour, guests will have free time for lunch, shopping and relaxing. Later, your group will reconvene to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea, an enduring custom in the British Isles. The last evening in London is free for guests to revisit some of its iconic sights. They may want to take a walk down the bustling Oxford Street, go up on the London Eye for a bird's eye perspective, or simply wander in some of the atmospheric neighborhoods, such as Soho, Camden Town or Shoreditch.

This morning, your group can enjoy a guided tour to one of London's several excellent museums. The list to choose from includes the Victoria & Albert Museum for art and design, the British Museum for a range of antiquities and historic collections, Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition, a reconstruction of the iconic Globe Theatre. The National Portrait Gallery houses numerous portraits of famous Britons, while the Tate Modern has a stunning collection of contemporary art. Based on the museum selected, the group will be transported to the location by private coach and enjoy an immersive, guided tour with commentary and insights shared by an expert. Afterward, they will be free to linger on, or step outside the museum to explore more on their own. (Please note that your group will need to select the museum in advance before the vacation begins so that necessary arrangements can be made.)

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 Kanonplein, 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.