Itinerary
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Thursday, 16 Apr 2020: Arrive Amsterdam; Welcome Dinner (D)
Schedule your arrival into Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport no later than 2:00pm. Group transfers provided to the hotel based on arrival times. Upon arrival at the hotel, relax or go exploring until our Welcome Meeting at 5:30pm in the lobby of the hotel. After introductions we will depart for dinner to get better acquainted. Overnight Amsterdam - 3 nights
Friday, 17 Apr 2020: Canal Excursion; Free Afternoon (B)
Founded in the Middle Ages, Amsterdam is comprised of 760 islands separated by nearly 50 miles of canals and connected by more than one thousand bridges. It's truly a marvel! Therefore we begin the day with a narrated canal cruise to better get our bearings. This afternoon is then free to wander the streets or visit one of the world-class museums. If you're interested in visiting the Anne Frank House, this afternoon is the time to do so. Note that you must purchase tickets for Anne Frank House online, 60 days in advance. This is an extremely popular activity and sells out quickly.
Saturday, 18 Apr 2020: Flower Auction and Keukenhof Gardens; Group Dinner (B,D)
With boxed breakfast in hand, we get an early start today to travel to Aalsmeer to see the world's largest flower auction, Floraholland. Flowers are auctioned and then packaged for distribution to all corners of the world. Some of the flowers that you see this morning could be at your local florist the very next day! Later we learn how flowers are cultivated and then we head to Keukenhof, the world-renowned display garden spanning 70 acres where six million bulbs are planted annually. Keukenhof is the world's largest exhibition of blooming tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. Stroll through the gardens, view the plantings in the three exhibition halls and walk up the windmill for a magnificent view of the brilliant colors in the accompanying bulb fields. We'll share our experiences over group dinner this evening.
Sunday, 19 Apr 2020: Walking Tour of The Hague; Delft Blue Pottery Tour (B)
After breakfast and check out, we travel to The Hague, which has gained a reputation as the "legal capital of the world." The Hague grew from a residence to a palace in the 13th century when various Dutch counts began using it as an administrative center. Today, it's where the Dutch government and parliament, the Dutch Supreme Court, and the Dutch Council of State are all located. After an informative walking tour we head to Delft, Vermeer’s birthplace and a long-time center for fine hand-painted porcelain. We'll take in a Delft Blue Pottery exhibition and a tour before checking into our hotel. Overnight Delft - 2 nights
Monday, 20 Apr 2020: Kinderdijk Windmills; Group Lunch: Delft City Tour (B,L)
This morning we're off to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring a unique collection of 19 authentic windmills, long considered a Dutch icon throughout the world. After returning to Delft, we'll enjoy lunch together, followed by a guided walking tour of compact Delft. The city’s name comes from the Dutch word for digging, appropriate since canals are a highlight here. We'll meander through the historic area of one of the most beautiful squares in all of Holland, flanked by the town hall (1618) and the "New Church" (1381) where members of the royal family are buried.
Tuesday, 21 Apr 2020: Ghent City Tour; Travel to Bruges; Group Dinner (B,D)
After breakfast we travel to Ghent for a guided city tour. Ghent is considered by many to be Belgium's most beautiful city. It is like a museum of early Flemish architecture and a testament to the city's medieval might. We then continue on to Bruges, Belgium, a charming town reminiscent of a fairy-tale medieval village. Here, you'll feel transported to another era. Tonight, we'll enjoy a group dinner. Overnight Bruges - 3 nights
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2020: Canal Cruise; Afternoon Free Time; Cooking Class & Dinner (B,D)
After breakfast we head out for a narrated canal cruise of Bruges, because as a city built upon canals, it really is the best way to gain perspective. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore Bruges and enjoy the pace of life. Your Tour Leader will have a sightseeing itinerary if you'd like to join her. Late this afternoon, we'll try our hand at cooking a few Belgian specialties and make dinner of the results of our labor.
Thursday, 23 Apr 2020: Frites Museum; Group Lunch; Brewery Tour; Afternoon Free (B,L)
Today, we're in for some quirky fun. We'll enjoy a brief walking tour on the way from our hotel to the "Frites Musee" (the French Fry Museum), which is the first and only museum in the world dedicated to fries, a Belgian specialty. From here, we walk to the De Halve Maan Brewery, where we'll have lunch together followed by a tour and beer tasting. After all, it is Belgium! The rest of the day is yours to explore or relax.
Friday, 24 Apr 2020: Chocolate Museum; Return to Amsterdam; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
Today we return to Amsterdam with a stop in Antwerp, Belgium's second largest city. Though heavily bombed in WWII, Antwerp retains a medieval core with cobblestone streets and an impressive Gothic cathedral. We'll visit Chocolate Nation, a relatively new experience museum devoted entirely to Belgian chocolate. There will be time for lunch (on own) here before continuing on to Amsterdam where we'll stay at a hotel located near the airport for convenience sake. This evening, we'll gather for our Farewell Dinner. Overnight Amsterdam Airport Area - 1 night
Saturday, 25 Apr 2020: Return home from Amsterdam (B)
Sadly, our time together has come to an end. Make your return flight at your convenience, remembering you will need to be at the airport 2.5 hours before your flight departs. The WTT Tour Leader will assist in grouping travelers to ride-share to the airport based on your flight departure time.