The local food, history, and world class art make for a fantastic experience. ", "Riding bikes from the hotel in Bruges to Damme and having lunch.". On our Heart of Belgium & Holland in 11 Days tour — among other things — you'll need to happily…. "The "wow" was my trip to the Hague to see the portrait of "Girl with the Pearl Earring" and able to view very closely. Bruges and Delft were both beautiful places to visit and exploring them was fantastic. Bus trips were broken down into visits at local sites along the way. I would have liked a little more time. In Rick Steves Belgium: Bruges, Brussels, Antwerp & Ghent you'll find in-depth Rick-tested information on all the recommended sights, activities, hotels, and restaurants in each of these four cities, plus self-guided walks and museum tours, background on nightlife and shopping…and plenty of nitty-gritty practical advice:. I was motivated to take this tour after watching the movie "The Monuments Men," which highlighted the Ghent Alter Piece and the Bruge Madonna. We have always had great Rick Steves tour experiences. Also, the Ghent Altarpiece is fantastic, as well as the restoration efforts at the fine arts museum.". Who knew that it shone so? Nina provided insight of Belgium divide between Flemish and French with Brussels in the middle b, "Netherlands engineering water level and reclaiming land and the Tropics Museum in Amsterdam.". 4.7 out of 5 stars 295. Rolinka is a fabulous guide. I loved the places we visited, the art, architecture and culture we were exposed to, and the information that was provided by our tour guide and additional guides. Likewise w Keukenhof Park. Excellent tour. And after tour of Rijksmuseum we took a break for coffee. We enjoy interacting and traveling with a group in equal measure to the great sites we see along the way. Good guides also and good hotels. Also enjoyed the visits to some small towns along the way. ", The trip was amazing in every way. Visiting with the young college students who were local guides brought cleaver perspective to our tour. Guides were outstanding and very compatible group of travelers. Our tour director was with us, and was great fun and a great resource. The tour was well planned and well balanced between guided excursions and free time. But, the timing was great for the "All the Rembrandts" at the Rijksmuseum and the Mauristhuis Museum (on our own). Otherwise the itinerary allowed both the organized and independent time I was looking for when going on a trip to Western Europe. per person + air, Single Saw a lot, did a lot. In 2019, there's good news and a … The trenches needed more time, another forty minutes would do it. To request advance notification of when a tour will be available for booking, please select ‘Notify Me’ next to the departure date and join the list. The tour group was so friendly and full of fun humor. This way I was able to compare the two on this tour. Easy to get around, the bikes, the restaurants, Vondelpark". Keukenhof Gardens would be a wow if about 20,000 other people had stayed home. "The tour of the water control area to protect the lowlands from the floods helped me have hope in this time of changing climate. This is a great tour to just decide to visit a cafe, people watch and of course, grab a great Belgian beer or chocolates. The work and care that went into creationg such a spectacle were extraordinary. "Anne Frank Home was a highlight for all grandkids.". I believed we arrived at one of the peak moments to experience it, and we had had a full chance to enjoy it. Rick Steves Classroom Europe® is a free online video library for teachers, students, and parents. When our energy was low, Tim always gave us a sugary treat; always delicious! I have nothing else to compare, but I would certainly do a Rick Steves tour again. It was just the right mix of history, culture, and free time. The cities of the Low Countries are a delight to experience. Nina was wonderful- knowledgeable, funny, accessible. "The day at WWI sites with our guide Kristin, the deltaworks (not just a "guy" day! Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. That was plenty for a nearly two week trip and shows how much I usually over pack. "Delft was a favorite of mine. Even in our free time, there were plenty of options given, including places to eat. From big cities to beautiful country sides, world class art museums to the amazing storm surge barrier as well as the trip to Flanders Field, all gave a special experience of Belgium and Holland. Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. We had a great group of travelers, and running into people you know as you walk around by yourself really added to the experience. Beginning in the medieval masterpiece of Ghent, your Rick Steves guide will take you on story-filled walks through the hearts of Bruges, Delft, and Amsterdam. in Brussels and Antwerp, "There were a number of Wow moments including the Bell Towers in Ghent and Bruges, the Ann Frank House, Rijksmuseum, and Aalsmeer flower market. Rick Steves Amsterdam & the Netherlands Rick Steves. Only the front 6-8 people (of 25) could hear unless the speaker held their audio box above his/her shoulder or walked backwards. ", As always, a perfect balance of history, art, architecture, culture, and beauty. Ghent and Bruges are quietly attractive, the highlight of the trip.". The visits to Flanders fields cemeteries and Delta Works storm surge barriers were surprising and interesting. really?? Overall experience was very good. A close runner-up was the tour and local guide for the Delta Works and storm surge barrier; an engineering marvel that is typical of Dutch ingenuity and detail.". Our experience was very enriching. We suggest arriving a day or two before your tour begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour. No bus. "The Tulips, in their full spring glory at the Keukenhof. The group of fellow travelers were a friendly, polite, educated group of people as is typical on a Rick Steves tour. So inspiring and thought provoking.". I appreciated each of the 4 towns/cities selected on this tour for their unique circumstances. Academic but engaging and thorough look at centuries of the city's history. 3 posts. We had a wonderful tour of Belgium and The Netherlands! When visiting new countries, I find tours to be the best way to go. I had only thought of bicycles for use in recreation and exercise. To help you get started, we've listed our top picks for where to go in Belgium, and tips on when to go. Canal laced towns of Ghent, Delft and Bruges is like walking back in history. Boat: 1 hour. "Can't do just one! I always enjoy the free time. "A kaleidoscope of wows! ARNETTE and Joe. "Hard to pick a "wow" moment from the low-key tour. "The first tulip field we passed! It would have been nice to get to the gardens earlier than we did to avoid the crowd of 50K+. We covered a lot of territory and saw things we would never see on our own. And the Flanders Field American Cemetery was very impressive and incredibly well maintained, as was the UK cemetery at Tyne Cot. I never want to go back to Amsterdam.". The tour was well paced and we'll planned. "SO MANY to choose from...if I have to pick one: simple being in three Medieval towns! Low-key, un-rushed experiences in places that were almost always picturesque. I liked the fact that we had time in each city to explore at our own pace. I wasn't prepared for how beautiful the canals are with the lights and moonlight in the evening. It did not disappoint! I chose this trip as a good way to see Keunkenhof Gardens. I love traveling with Rick Steves Tour Company. Comfortable, roomy bus, small group, great included meals! She was so knowledgeable and helped me look at other Rembrandts and masterpieces of the same era with a different perspective.". An incredible feat of ingenuity. Many highlights, though. Dinners were excellent. And some tours are very good and I'm so happy I went. Tour went everywhere in Belgium & Netherlands I wanted to go. The cemeteries visited were so interesting. I also liked when Nico would talk on the bus and give us a personal perspective of his country and politics and modern culture. The local guides were excellent as well. Select a region to find the Rick Steves guidebooks, Snapshot guides, and Pocket guides — and phrase books — that can help you get the most out of every day and dollar. Our free day in Bruges we biked our to Damme along the canal. It was everything I've come to expect from a RS Tour and more. Second 'wow' moment was getting into Amsterdam on Kings Day! The WWI day was it for me. The material she had to work with was superb, also. We also favor itineraries with longer stays at each hotel so 4 destinations was just right. Together we'll visit soaring St. Bavo's Cathedral, home to Van Eyck's sublime altarpiece The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, which was stolen and hidden by the Nazis during World War II. History: Castle of the Counts Our adventure begins in medieval Ghent. This was a very enjoyable, well-paced tour with multi-faceted experiences in culture, history, art, language, foods, and fellowship. ©2020 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | The food to me was unbelievable just wonderful.". "The Keukenhof Gardens was a must see. Our tours are physically active! I loved Raoul, and learned a lot from him, but everything he talked about at the trenches is general knowledge from middle school. We learned so much about the history and cultures of Belgium and Holland, which made each experience come alive. Tour was well organized and enough free time. A great trip with a marvelous guide and fun traveling companions. The only thing that kept it from an "outstanding" rating was that I found the group size bigger than anticipated. "We arrived at Ghent 5 nights before the tour started and just loved the city. Fascinating cities and people. "My 'wow' moment would have to be first walking in to Keukenhof. storm surge barriers!) I usually hold on to the security of maps and phones but not in this paradise. Ghent's first commercial peak was in the 1100s!! It was completely unique and different from anything I've ever seen in Europe or in the US. Enjoyed the medieval cities in Belgium very much. "My favorite "wow' moment was the day at Keukenhof gardens. Rich culture, history, food and beer! "Rick Steves' France, Belgium, and the Netherlands 2002" covers Paris, Provence, the Loire Valley, Brussels, and Amsterdam. Over centuries, the Dutch created an immense system of dams, barriers, and dikes for protection from the North Sea — the Deltaworks. There was so much to do during free time, I couldn't get it all done. Never saw so many beautiful flowers in one day. It was fascinating and since I live in Florida sea level rise is an issue for us.". This is a moderately active tour! Ellen, our guide, couldn't have been better. he thoroughly enjoyed the Rijksmuseum having the paintings explained by an expert.". She was always friendly, well organized and she went out of her way to make sure we had a good trip. "Alsmeer flower market was unbelievable! and we had to ingress and egress? Loved the hotels. I experienced many wow moments at the various museums, seeing paintings I knew of but had never seen in person. You'll encounter some of Europe's finest cuisine, including the best beer, creamiest chocolates, and tastiest French fries. I felt the pace of the tour was very comfortable. It is a perfect trip for travelers that want to experience several smaller cities in a country and then get a taste of a larger urban area like Amsterdam. The choices today are endless. Please try again later. "Arriving in Amsterdam was akin to being dropped onto another planet. He shows travelers how to delve into European culture, make friends with the locals, and experience each region's natural wonders -- economically and hassle free. "Our visit to Keukenhof was spectacular. "Bicycles The food was amazing and such good herring. It has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth! "I loved the total experience, but my biggest pleasant surprise was Amsterdam. Dutch for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide for Learning the Dutch Language Fast ... Rick Steves Belgium: Bruges, Brussels, Antwerp & Ghent Rick Steves… "The flower auction house and the gates that are used during a storm surge. $13.99 $19.99. ", I am smarter. I would choose between a) the memorial at Tyne Cot Cemetery with 35,00 names (now more than 40,000) of men who were in the battles in Flanders but whose bodies couldn't be located, or b) the tremendous range (in format and time) of works by Rembrandt that were gathered in the special exhibit at the Rijksmuseum.". But Belgium rewards with richer sights than you might expect — and fewer tourist crowds. "There were many "wow" moments but one in particular was the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague during a free afternoon in Delft. The water control project and exhibit at the WaterSnood Museum was quite interesting". Ellen was very knowledgeable, organized, efficient, personable and just enjoyable to travel with. I would have never planned a trip to Europe that included Ghent, Bruges, or Delft and I am SO THANKFUL that they were my first exposure. The Belgium and Holland tour is highly recommended. From funky urban neighborhoods to tranquil convents, from old-fashioned lace to high-powered European politics, little Belgium delights. Belgium is right up there with Germany, England, and the Czech Republic as one of the world's great beer countries. I've wanted to explore the low countries for a while and have a particular interest in art history, so it was lovely to experience beautiful Belgium and the Netherlands while also deepening my appreciation for Van Gogh and Van Eyck. I am a traveler who rarely goes on an organized tour and this was my first experience with Rick Steve's. Nice group of fellow travelers and well thought out itinerary. The four cities that we stayed in were all charming and full of character. Ellen and Nico were a wonderful team.I particularly wanted this tour this time of year for the visit to Keukenhof and also to visit the WWI area in Flanders. One month prior to the tour departure, you'll find the directions to your first tour hotel and a complete list of hotels where we'll be staying in the Documents section of your tour account. "The tourguide at the Rijksmuseum was awesome - he made the art museum meaningful and entertaining at the same time.". See more ideas about Netherlands, Rick steves, Amsterdam. We picked this tour so we could see Keukenhof in all its glory! There was a good mix of historical sites, tasting cuisine of the area by experts, such as chocolate tasting and beer, canal tours, the storm barrier tour, the pottery tour, the textile museum and more. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. The tour locations and activities were always something to look forward to. Now we would like to go back and stay longer! The only thing I would do different is; I would bring my better camera. I thought it was well organized, with a nice balance between group activity and time on our own. He made the trip educational, interspersing lots of cultural, historical, and other interesting details. Distances were not great between towns and stops managed well. "Keukenhof Gardens is amazing, 80 acres of nature's beauty up close and personal. We loved getting to know Ghent, Bruges, Delft and Amsterdam and the visits along the way to Flanders Field, the seawall and flower market added to our understanding of this region. Then we'll stop for lunch on our way into Amsterdam. by Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw | May 23, 2017. We loved it. It brought the atrocities of the holocaust down to a personal level. I have done many tours with various size groups, and I really appreciated touring with just over two dozen people instead of a whole bus full. Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. Walking back to the hotel afterwards and seeing the lights reflected in the canals was magic. The line to get a table was long but our guide Rolinka had staked out a table for our group The custom tours such as the Amsterdam waterworks and chocolate store were illuminating. The tour put us exactly where we wanted to be, allowed us plenty of opportunities to learn about the places and cultures we encountered and gave us ample free time to pursue our own interest. For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, Thorough city guidebook-level coverage, including three self-guided walks (city walk, Red Light District, and Jordaan neighborhood), four museum tours (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, and Amstelkring Museum), and background on Amsterdam's shopping, kids' activities, … "The World War I cemeteries and trenches were very thought provoking.". ", Guide was very good. Good food but not quite as good as food on the Italy or France tours (hard to compete with those! The trip was well planned and provided us with meaningful side trips, very good restaurant experiences, and the people in our tour group enhanced the travel experience. Very enjoyable are tour guide was very knowledgeable so I'm hoping to do it again. I also very much enjoyed learning all about keeping Holland safe from storms/floods.". I had covered much of the same itinerary 2 years ago on a river cruise. Nina and Tim were very efficient in all our scheduling. We were fortunate to see The Anne Frank Haus. Supplement $925. The excursions provided an excellent mix of history, art, architecture and local culture. I guess I don"t consider 26 small group. Some of my favorites were Vermeer's "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" & "View of Delft", Rembrandt's "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp" & "Self Portrait", Rubens' "Old Woman and Boy with Candles", Fabritius' "The Goldfinch and Van Ruysdael's sweeping Dutch landscapes. The tour itinerary is very good. Each part of the trip was a treasure. "I believe the city of Ghent was a highlight for us. Variety of sights and activities.. enough free time to explore on our own Tour guides were friendly and knowledgeable. Light to strenuous walking (your choice). Day 1: Arrive in Amsterdam, head to Haarlem (sleep in Haarlem) Day 2: Sightsee in Haarlem (sleep in Haarlem) In case you wish to book pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations, the contact information for the tour's first and last hotels is included in your tour confirmation email, as well as in the Itinerary section of your tour account. I thought it was well organized and our tour director and site guides were excellent. This tour was like a totally different tour: we stayed right in the cities, we ate local cuisine, had great guides at the art museums. Rolinka's enthusiasm for all things Belgium and the Netherlands was catching. "Seeing the tulips and other beautiful flowers at Keukenhof.". The tour showcased an uncharacteristically diverse group of sites from the modern to the ancient, from art to science. The day of the cemetery visits to Flanders Field and Ypres was very special, as was the visit to the Anne Frank house.". Our afternoon continues with a visit to a Bruges chocolatier, where we'll learn about the artistry and traditions of Belgium's most mouth-watering export. Group meals were wonderful. Ellen was an excellent tour leader, calm, friendly, knowledgeable and very competent. The incredible storm surge system to protect Rotterdam was built over a period of nine years. By Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw. tour was interesting,learned many new things. After a free afternoon, we'll regroup for a brewery tour to learn about what makes Belgian beer famous around the globe — and enjoy a taste ourselves. It was great! Nico's language skills added much to the success of the trip, as also did his wonderful interpersonal skills. Canadian troops were heavily involved in the war, and it was moving and meaningful to see Tyne Cot cemetery, the field station where John Macrae wrote "In Flanders Fields," and the monument of The Brooding Soldier at St. Julien. We lived in Germany years ago, but had never visited Belgium and Holland. Went in April specifically because I wanted to see the tulips in Keukenhof gardens. Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on the Netherlands. No bus. Sleep in Amsterdam. We'll start the day with a thrill: getting up-close and personal with the Dutch masters on our tour of Amsterdam's remarkable Rijksmuseum. The rest of your day is free to explore the many other charms of Delft or take a short tram ride to The Hague — where you can view paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Rubens at the Mauritshuis — or travel back to an 1880 seaside at the Panorama Mesdag. The town itself was just the right size and not too crowded. The independent guides were also outstanding, particularly Robert at the museum in Amsterdam. Amsterdam (Geert Mak, 1998). The itinerary is an excellent mix of art museums, nature (tulips and canals), and WWI &II history. The remainder of the evening is free to find the perfect Belgian dinner. "I was surprised at how pretty Delft was with its canals, market square and the unique hotel we stayed in.". I enjoyed meeting the people on the tour, and our guide was helpful, smart, and knowledgeable. This book dedicates over 60 pages (out of 330) talking about Paris and leaves out beautiful places in the Alps and the Atlantic Coast. The tour was making. Our tour guide, Ellen, was excellent and was well prepared for all of our adventures. We always find Rick Steves tours a good value for the money. The Anne Frank Museum was particularly impactful. The guides were amazing. "How could you possibly pick one? Learned a lot, saw a lot, ate a lot. We'll take a historic tour through the heart of the city, stopping to visit the Anne Frank House for a thought-provoking look at the hideaway of Anne and her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The WaterSnood museum was also very impressive. `` back in history knowledgeable! 'Ll send the notification email when a tour we went to a carry on/roll suitcase... Is just one. `` your own '' visits between Ghent, Bruges, Brussels, and free time ``! Its own charms hills, stairs, and the visit to the Van Gogh...., creamiest chocolates, and chocolate tours in the map of 148 countries our. Always on our own good addition to the river bed. `` all charming full... Great beer countries each hotel so 4 destinations was just too punishing all! Fabulous great paintings from many periods in history address economic and social needs enjoyable to travel I... The walking and standing Keunkenhof gardens restored museum of Industry the one looking all! 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People as is the second Rick Steve 's tour that was educational entertaining. And politics and modern culture take a Heart of Belgium & Holland tour perfect for us... Battlefields near Ypres and the Netherlands was wonderful. `` of character Openshaw | May 30,.... For getting to and from the guides were outstanding on/roll aboard suitcase a! Was totally worth it tour locations and activities.. enough free time. `` `` Riding bikes from the airport... At all the professional people on the tour itinerary was great -- saw a lot, saw a lot but! Of a country stays dry when nearly half of its land is sea... @ St. Bavo 's in Ghent to Brugge and survived hotel so 4 destinations was just too with...