EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Bruges is an exquisitely preserved Medieval town. The general prosperity, visible in the opulence of the mansions and civic buildings, lasted until the end of the 15th century.

After a 30-minute drive from the port, you arrive in Bruges where your guided walk will start. Often called Die Scone or 'the beautiful', the charm of this lovely Medieval city will capture you immediately. Smaller and more contained than many other old Flemish cities, Bruges gives the impression that you have stepped back in time. Your guide will walk with you through the narrow, twisting cobbled streets, passing by picturesque scenes of ancient buildings, tree-lined canals and gabled facades. See the bustling marketplace, Belfry Tower, the Town Hall and the Chapel of the Holy Blood. The highlight of this walking tour will undoubtedly be a 30-minute canal tour. While sitting back in a small boat, you'll enjoy this short canal boat ride along the serene waterways of this romantic historical city. As Bruges is full of lace and chocolate shops, you will have lots of free time which will allow you to search for the perfect souvenir. Your guide will lead you by the romantic 'Lake of Love' back to your coach, that will bring you back to your ship.

A scenic ride through the charming Flemish countryside takes you to Ghent, a delightful town that is proud of its medieval heritage.

Your guide will lead you to the pontoon where you'll board a canal boat for a fun and thorough exploration of the city. As you cruise through the historic city, see highlights such as the impressive castle of the counts, the Fish Market, 13th century monasteries and the ancient port of Ghent along with its mercantile houses. Once your canal cruise ends, you'll have free time to independently explore this gracious city. You may choose to enjoy a locally brewed beer in one of the stylish bars, or maybe a coffee in one of the waffle houses. Strolling along the narrow streets, many of which are pedestrian, you'll be enthralled by the unique architecture, while the shops will tempt you with their fine chocolates, Flemish lace and other locally-crafted wares.

The exquisitely preserved medieval town of Bruges is a veritable jewel. Step back in time as you begin your guided walk through Bruges, often called 'Die Scone' or 'the beautiful'. The charm of this lovely medieval city will capture you immediately. As you walk through the narrow streets, passing by picturesque scenes of ancient buildings, tree-lined canals and gabled facades, you'll see the bustling marketplace, The Belfry Tower, the Town Hall and the Chapel of the Holy Blood.

The highlight of this walking tour will undoubtedly be a 30-minute canal tour. While sitting back in a small boat, you'll enjoy the serene waterways of this romantic historical city. Since Bruges is full of lace and chocolate shops, you'll certainly find the perfect souvenir as you explore the area on your own. To end this perfect tour, your guide will lead you by the romantic 'Lake of Love' on the return drive to your ship.

This excursion is organized for those guests who have previously visited Bruges or who want to explore independently. Transfer to the entrance of the old city, where you will have approximately 5-hours of free time to take in the activity of your choice. A tour escort will be aboard to answer any questions you may have regarding the best places to see or shop. The escort will remain at the drop off point to further assist you if needed. Return to your coach at the appointed time and place for your return drive to the ship; please be punctual.

A drive of approximately two hours will take you from Zeebrugge to Brussels. Your panoramic drive will pass the King Boudewijn Stadium (Belgium' national sport stadium), the Atomium statue (built for the World Fair in Brussels in 1958 which represents an iron molecule), the Royal Castle of Laeken - the residence of King Filip and Queen Mathilde, and the Royal Palace. A tour leader will assist you from the ship to the Grand Place of Brussels, where you'll receive additional information about what to see and do. During your free time, you can admire the Old Town area with The St. Hubert Arcades and its shops as well as Butchers' Street with its plethora of restaurants and cafes. You can meet 'Manneken Pis', Brussels best-known little boy and search for your perfect Belgian souvenir. You'll have no problem finding a nice place to eat and enjoy some typical Belgian products. After a short walk back to the coach, you'll be transferred to your ship.

Bruges is an exquisitely preserved medieval town. Linked with the sea by a navigable waterway, the city became a leading member of the Hanseatic League in the 13th century.

Upon arrival in Bruges, a guided walk through the historical center introduces you to this beautiful, romantic city. During the walk, your guide will point out such major sights as the Market Square with its Guild houses, the Belfry Tower, and Burg Square. Burg Square is the focal point of ancient Bruges, flanked by many magnificent buildings. See the Town Hall, the former Recorder's House from the 1530's, and the Chapel of the Holy Blood.

Your walk then takes you to a Belgian chocolatier's workshop to see, firsthand, how raw chocolate bars are made into the fine Belgian chocolates using only the freshest and best ingredients. At the end, there is some time to purchase some if you wish and pay a brief independent visit to the Chocolate Museum. Bruges is full of lace and chocolate shops, and your free time will allow you to search for the perfect souvenir.

Your guide will lead you past the romantic Lake of Love on the way back to your coach.

This dynamic modern city has a center straight out of the Middle Ages. After a one-hour drive on the highway passing the typical Flemish countryside, you arrive at the medieval city of Ghent. Your guided walking tour passes by St. Michael's Bridge. On top of St. Michael's Bridge you'll have the most impressive view of the historical city center. From that point, you can see the Old Port with gabled-guild houses, the 1,000-year old Castle of the Counts and the famous 'row of the 3 towers' - St. Nicolas Church, The Belfry Tower and St. Bavo's Cathedral. Your guide will lead you through the old town passing the old port, the Butchers' Hall and City Hall on your way to St Bavo's cathedral. Inside St. Bavo's Cathedral you'll see the beautiful decorated wooden pulpit. You can enjoy some free time for shopping to find the perfect souvenir. After this free time, your coach will bring you back to your ship.

OVERVIEW

Bicycle the flat, tree-lined path that connects Bruges to the tiny village of Damme, taking in the serenity of the countryside among locals who will probably be biking, too. You will follow a tree-lined canal all the way to Damme, a straight route with a bicycle path on one side of the waterway and a road on the other. Not having to contend with vehicular traffic will make the trip all the more relaxing and carefree. The terrain is completely flat and easy to pedal with minimal effort, allowing you to concentrate on the sights. The bucolic scenery is so wonderfully peaceful, it could well be the inspiration for a Flemish landscape painting. Along the way, you will pass charming cottages, iconic windmills and small boats inching along the waterway. Chances are, you will be riding among locals, as bicycling between Bruges and Damme is a popular way that locals get away from the urban hustle and bustle.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bicycle through the bucolic countryside on a flat road that prohibits motorized vehicles.
• See iconic windmills, charming cottages and small boats in the canal that the road follows.
• Ride among local bicyclists between Bruges and the village of Damme.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Take a guided tour of Bruges, where the charm of this lovely medieval city will capture you immediately. The highlight of this tour will undoubtedly be a beer tasting session at a local cafe. Beer is deeply rooted in culture and tradition in Belgium and is more than just a drink, with the country offering more than 450 varieties. Your beer expert will explain the history of Belgian beer brewing and you'll explore the delicious taste and flavor of four different kinds of beer.

There is no doubt that Belgium is the country of beer. What other country can offer more than 450 varieties of beer? Beer is deeply rooted in culture and tradition and is more than just a drink. These are certainly not the only reasons why Belgium deserves its title 'Beer Paradise'. After a 30-minute drive from the port, you arrive at Bruges where your guided walk will start. Often called 'Die Scone' or 'the beautiful', the charm of this lovely medieval city will capture you immediately. Your guide will walk with you through the narrow, twisting cobbled streets, passing by picturesque scenes of ancient buildings, tree-lined canals and gabled facades. See the bustling marketplace, Belfry Tower, the Town Hall and the Chapel of the Holy Blood. The highlight of this tour will undoubtedly be a beer tasting session at a local cafe. Your beer expert will explain the history of Belgian beer brewing and you'll explore the delicious taste and flavor of four different kinds of beer. As Bruges is full of lace, chocolate and beer shops, your free time will allow you to search for the perfect souvenir. Your guide will lead you by the romantic 'Lake of Love' on the way to your coach that will bring you back to the ship.

Experience Bruges like a local by exploring areas off the beaten path but still in the shadow of landmarks such as Kruispoort. Although you will stop at this 15th-century gate, the sites that lie ahead will reveal a lesser-known but not less spectacular side of Bruges. You will see windmills along medieval ramparts, follow atmospheric lanes through residential neighborhoods and pause at the bridges and inner canals that gave Bruges its nickname, the Venice of the North. Upon arriving in St. Anne's, you will behold the Jerusalem Chapel, which was designed to mirror the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. By the 16th century, Bruges had become a textile center for woven lace, and you will observe a demonstration of this artisan trade that continues to flourish. Another way to become immersed in local life is at the Market, a sprawling square that has been a marketplace for more than 1,000 years.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Explore atmospheric areas of Bruges that are typically unknown to all but the locals.
• Cross landmark canals that gave Bruges its nickname, the Venice of the North.
• Watch a demonstration of lace making, a trade that has flourished in Bruges for centuries.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an enlightening walking tour through the medieval quarter of Bruges, which UNESCO declared a World Heritage site for its extraordinary Gothic architecture. Canals run throughout the city, the first one being built in the 12th century to connect Bruges to the North Sea. As you will see while passing by, Dijver is one of the prettiest canals and the street that parallels it is just as lovely. Burg Square is named for the castle that once stood there and today landmarks such as the 14th-century Renaissance-style city hall and the 12th-century Basilica of the Holy Blood surround it. The architecture lends the entire square a wonderful, fairytale-like ambiance. If not the most well-known medieval attraction, The Belfry is certainly one that is impossible to miss. Built in the 13th century, the ornate building features a 275-foot-high carillon with 47 bells that are still played three days a week.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy the fairytale-like atmosphere in medieval Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• See the 12th-century Basilica of the Holy Blood and the 14th-century city hall.
• Spend free time exploring other attractions or perhaps shopping and dining.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

This tour takes in the dramatic history of World War I and the battles fought in and around Ypres. The city of Ypres, located in Flanders fields, was reduced to rubble by constant bombardments. Through the words of the poem by Canadian doctor Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, it has come to symbolize the meaningless slaughter of the Great War. Now resorted to its former grandeur, Ypres contains numerous poignant sites and monuments linked to the war. There are many battlefields around Ypres where German and allied armies fought without decisive victories. New weapons such as gas, land mines and missiles left 1,200,000 injured and 500,000 dead. You'll stop to visit one of the British cemeteries and see the Menin Gate, a famous British War Memorial with the names of 54,896 missing soldiers engraved on its walls. Visit the In Flanders Fields Museum. This is not a traditional war museum, as is not about weapons and strategy; rather it is about ordinary people who endured the war, the soldiers, nurses, fugitives and children. The generation that survived the Great War is dying, and with them the stories die too. The purpose of the In Flanders Fields Museum is to keep this compelling history alive for future generations. The innovative high-tech methods used within the museum have earned Flanders Fields the title of 'Best European Museum.' Following this visit you'll have free time for shopping and lunch. Before returning to your ship, visit the Essex Farm Cemetery, one of the area's most visited sites due to its association with John McCrae who wrote his poem on May 3, 1915, the day after he witnessed the death of his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer. Next to the cemetery is a marker with the date commemorating the writing of this poem.