SHORE EXCURSIONS

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, from the exterior 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.

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.

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). 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 demonstration 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 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, enjoy a 15 minute boat transfer to your coach, which will then 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. From the exterior, 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

Explore the medieval village of Damme on your own and tour stately Loppem Castle, a former private residence furnished with 19th-century period pieces that beautifully complement its neo-Gothic design. You will travel through some of the most bucolic countryside in West Flanders to reach Damme, which has a surprising number of historical attractions despite its diminuitive size. Although you will be free to wander about wherever you please, the 13th-century Church of Our Lady and the 15th-century town hall are well worth considering. This area is also renowned for its gourmet chocolates, which you will have the opportunity to purchase at a confectionery. The high cocoa content in Belgium chocolates makes them particularly rich. The wealth of Loppem Castle is reflected in its extraordinary art as the owners were passionate collectors. You can expect to see Flemish paintings, Chinese porcelain, hunting artifacts and perhaps most impressive a 15th-century stained-glass window featuring a Pietà.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spend free time in the small medieval village of Damme however you please.
• Browse a confectionery that carries every sort of Belgium chocolate imaginable.
• Tour a 19th-century castle handsomely decorated with fine art and period furnishings.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

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.

OVERVIEW

Spend hours exploring the medieval powerhouse Ghent on your own with no schedule to follow, which will allow you the freedom to visit the attractions that sound most intriguing. During the drive there, the escort will describe possible places to visit and accompany you to Saint Bavo’s Square, the centrally located drop-off point. Then you will be free to meander wherever you wish, but you might consider visiting St. Michael’s Bridge. The 360º view from there features three medieval towers, including the 14th-century belfry, which is so architecturally rich that UNESCO named it World Heritage site. Regardless of where you wander, you will likely cross several waterways as Ghent lies near the junction of the Lys and Scheldt rivers, which have been canalized. Be sure to leave time for shopping as you will find merchandise ranging from diamond-studded jewelry to exquisite Belgium chocolates filled with marzipan and candied orange peels.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spend hours exploring atmospheric Ghent independently and at your own pace.
• Maximize your time by focusing on the attractions most suited to your interests.
• Explore landmarks such as The Belfry and lesser-known attractions, if you wish.

HELPFUL HINTS

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