Journey through the Netherlands, Belgium & France: Canals, Champagne & Culture featuring Christmas Markets

• Day
  1

  Overnight Flight

  From iconic Dutch windmills and cozy Belgian streets to the world-renowned Champagne region and the “City of Light,” experience the essence of three European countries. Connect with deeply rooted cultures as you make your way through the Netherlands, Belgium, and France in the heart of the holiday season.
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  2

  Amsterdam, Netherlands

  Narrow canals, stone bridges, and bike-brimmed lanes - this is Amsterdam, the lively starting point of your journey. Check into your hotel,* an impressive historic building with rich history and your home for the next three nights. As arrival times may vary, there are no scheduled activities during the day. Spend time as you wish, exploring the city independently. Tonight, get a taste of the local flavors and meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.

  • Meals Included:
  • Dinner
  Accommodations:  The Manor
• Day
  3

  Amsterdam

  See the city the way it’s meant to be seen – by canal on a private boat. Cruise under sloping bridges and pass by classic Dutch houses. Continue discovering Amsterdam on a walking tour with a local guide. After, chat with a local about the city’s progressive (and often controversial) culture. Enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure to spend time in the city however you wish.

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast
  Accommodations:  The Manor
• Day
  4

  Amsterdam

  Make the most of a free day in Amsterdam and explore Amsterdam’s Christmas markets throughout the city. Perhaps you’ll visit the Van Gogh Museum** and explore the Anne Frank House.** Or, choose an optional excursion to Delft,*** spending the day in this picture-perfect city where the artistic legacy of Johannes Vermeer lives on. After a guided walking tour, visit the Royal Delft earthenware factory which has been producing hand-painted blue motifs since the 16th century, and try your hand at painting a tile before returning to Amsterdam. No matter how you spend your day, complete it with an Impact Moment at A Beautiful Mess - a restaurant that helps refugees find independence in the Dutch community. Be united by food and enjoy locally sourced, environmentally conscious ingredients over dinner featuring authentic Middle Eastern and North African flavors.

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  Accommodations:  The Manor
• Day
  5

  Amsterdam - Kinderdijk - Bruges, Belgium

  Today, visit Holland’s storied windmills and take in the wind, water, and open spaces that make Dutch history come to life in Kinderdijk (UNESCO). Enjoy a short boat ride along the canal, walk along the winding paths, and venture inside of a working windmill. End your day in storybook Bruges, your home for the next two nights, and join in an evening stroll in the city with an enchanting atmosphere, festive lights, and decorations filling the historic streets.

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  Accommodations:  Hotel Aragon
• Day
  6

  Bruges

  Wander the cobblestone streets of Bruges and get familiar with this cozy Belgian city on a walking tour with a local guide this morning. Connecting with local traditions, taste Belgian chocolate, learn about the intricate craft of lace making and spend time exploring the Christmas markets. This afternoon, it’s your choice! Cheers to the day with a visit to a local brewery, where you’ll taste Belgium’s most classic beverage -OR- take a bus and depart on a journey to discover the streets of nearby Ghent on a locally guided tour. Tonight, taste your way across local cuisines and enjoy dinner on your own.

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast
  Accommodations:  Hotel Aragon
• Day
  7

  Bruges - Arras, France - Reims

  Journey through Flanders into France, savoring the charm of lesser-known cities and villages along the way. Visit Arras in northern France, which stands out with its striking Flemish-Baroque architecture and vibrant local markets. Join in a walk around its core, the Grand Place and Place des Héros - lively gathering spots where locals come together over coffee and conversation - and immerse yourself in the welcoming atmosphere. Back on the road to Reims, take time to unwind as you enter the heart of France’s illustrious Champagne region. Settle into your hotel and then enjoy the festive ambiance as you taste your way through French cuisine. Perhaps tonight you will join an evening walk and enjoy the beautiful lights that illuminate the town.

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  Accommodations:  Continental Hotel
• Day
  8

  Reims - Champagne Winery - Reims

  Uncover the city’s Celtic roots and Gothic architecture during a guided walking tour in Reims. Step into the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims and gaze up at a sea of colorful stained glass. This afternoon, cityscapes give way to vineyard rows as you make your way along the Route du Champagne. Learn all about this world-famous artisan production during a tour and tasting at a nearby maison du champagne.**** Enjoy your afternoon and evening at leisure.

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  Accommodations:  Continental Hotel
• Day
  9

  Reims - Paris

  Say bonjour to Paris, the French capital. This morning, begin your Paris journey in style and glide along the iconic Seine River on a scenic lunch cruise. While savoring delicious French cuisine, take in panoramic views of Paris’s most celebrated landmarks - from the majestic Eiffel Tower to the historic Notre-Dame Cathedral - all unfolding before you like a living postcard. This afternoon, settle into your charming neighborhood, your home for the next two nights, and explore Paris’ liveliest and biggest winter fair at the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market, La Magie de Noël.

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  Accommodations:  Courtyard Marriott Paris Gare de Lyon
• Day
  10

  Paris

  This morning, step into the enchanting enclave of Montmartre as you join a local expert and ride Le Métro to this historic hilltop neighborhood. Stroll through its charming cobblestone streets where artists set up their easels. Admire the stunning Sacré-Cœur Basilica, with its graceful white domes and sweeping city views, before exploring the Musée de Montmartre, a hidden treasure nestled in a 17th-century house. The afternoon is yours to embrace the magic of Paris however you choose. You may explore the friendly vibe at Place des Abbesses Christmas markets and warm yourself with warm spiced wine and hot roasted chestnuts, or perhaps wander along the Seine. Maybe you’ll indulge in some Christmas shopping along the Champs-Élysées, the world-famous avenue brimming with elegance and energy. End the day and toast to a wonderful journey over an exclusive dinner at the Eiffel Tower featuring French cuisine and breathtaking views.

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  Accommodations:  Courtyard Marriott Paris Gare de Lyon
• Day
  11

  Paris - Tour Ends

  Say au revoir to Europe as you depart for home.

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast

Optional Activities:

• A Day in Royal Delft

  Location: Amsterdam
  Price: $199.00 per person

  
  Spend a day in Delft, a picture-perfect city known for its elegance, history, and charming canals, seemingly little-changed from the times of its most illustrious son, the painter Johannes Vermeer. The great Dutch master captured Delft’s charm on canvas in some of the most iconic paintings of the Dutch Golden Age. Visit the Markt, one of the largest historic market squares in Europe, and take in the sight of the Oude Kerk (Old Church) and Nieuwe Kerk (New Church). After a guided walking tour, take time for lunch on your own. Next, visit the Royal Delft Museum. This earthenware factory has been producing the renowned, hand-painted blue motifs since the 16th century. Try your hand at painting a tile before returning to Amsterdam for an evening at leisure. Duration approximately 8 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 6 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. This optional tour must be purchased at least 45 days prior to departure.

• Showtime in Paris!

  Location: Paris
  Price: $235.00 per person

  
  Join us for an unforgettable evening at one of Paris's most cherished venues, the renowned Paradis Latin. Nestled in a historic building linked to Napoleon and masterfully reconstructed by Gustav Eiffel, this iconic cabaret has been enchanting audiences since 1889. Indulge in a lavish dinner accompanied by fine wine, followed by a sparkling celebration with champagne as the dazzling show begins! Duration approximately 5 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 5 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. As with a typical Parisian cabaret, the show contains some tasteful nudity and may be considered unsuitable for children.

Tour Extensions:

Pre-tour Hotel

• The Manor Amsterdam

  Price: $330.00 per person

Post-tour Hotel

• Courtyard Marriott Paris Gare de Lyon

  Price: $280.00 per person

Tour extensions are 1-night in length, unless noted otherwise.