Festive 2025 tours available now!

Brussels to Belgium - Chocolate, Canals & Culture

Discover the hidden treasures of Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany’s north

Explore medieval towns and charming cobblestoned villages

Embark on a captivating exploration of the lesser-known gems in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany’s vibrant north, where palaces, medieval towns and charming cobblestoned villages await your discovery.
Be absorbed by Brussels, visit Waterloo, relax in Ghent’s beautiful town squares, amongst Bruges’ ornate gabled merchant houses, and visit the sobering WW1battlefields of Flanders and Ypres. Cruise through Rotterdam’s port, drive along the massive Delta dykes, stay in the heart of charming Utrecht, cruise along Amsterdam’s canals and explore the astonishing Palace of De Haar. (Late April, special departure includes tickets to visit the world famous Keukenhof Tulip Flower Festival!) 
Now complete the picture with six further nights in Germany’s vibrant North. In Papenburg, witness some of the world’s biggest passenger cruise liners being built, visit the UNESCO Heritage listed Bremen Town Hall and cruise along the River Wesser. Explore the Hanseatic city of Hamburg, visit the stunning, UNESCO listed Schwerin Castle and to cap it all off, see Berlin’s Checkpoint Charlie, visit the famous Reichstag and Potsdam’s Palaces.

  • Travel in a first-class air-conditioned touring coach

  • A complimentary glass of wine, beer or soft drink with all included dinners 22 meals including breakfast daily (B) and 7 evening meals (D) Welcome drink on Day 1

  • Hotel porterage of 1 bag per person (where available) 15 nights specially selected hotel accommodation Free WiFi at most hotels (where available)

  • Personal audio system whilst on tour (where available) ALL tips for your Tour Manager, Driver and Local Guides Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager Local guides as described in the itinerary

  • Hand Selected Albatross Experiences including special boat rides in Ghent, Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Bremen, visit the Waterloo Battlefield and Museum, special Flanders Fields tour and the delightful Zaanse Schans historical windmill village. Drive along the Delta Project Dykes, visit Papenburg’s enormous shipbuilding site, Bremen’s beautiful Town Hall, spend a whole day in Potsdam with multiple palace visits, and be staggered by the beauty of Schwerin Castle! ALL excursions, scenic drives, sightseeing and entrances as described

Tour itinerary

If you haven't found what you are looking for then use our Tour Finder to search for another tour.

Brussels to Belgium - Chocolate, Canals & Culture

Video Highlights

Hand Selected Experiences

These are just a few of the very special hand selected experiences that will really make your touring experience exceptional and unique, and don’t forget, with Albatross they are always included.

Glorious Ghent

Guided Walking Tour and Canal Cruise

A local guide will take us on a walking tour through this wonderful, historic city to see the major landmarks including the 900-year-old Castle of the Counts, the Graslei and Korenlei (Grass and Corn) riverside quays surrounded by beautifully ornate, gabled merchant’s houses, St Bavo's Cathedral, home to the 15th century ‘Ghent Altarpiece’ and the Belfort (Belfry tower). Late afternoon, we have included a short boat cruise along the canal, followed by dinner in a local restaurant.

Waterloo

Visit the Site of the Battle of Waterloo

We spend the morning discovering the site of the Battle of Waterloo. Entrance is included to all three major attractions that commemorate the final defeat of Napoleon in 1815, including the Lion's Mound and the underground museum filled with colourful uniforms, memorabilia of the time and a brilliant cinematic battle re-enactment.

Ypres

Flanders Fields & the Menin Gate

A fascinating afternoon as we are joined by a specialist military historian to visit the moving and heart-wrenching battlefields, museums and cemeteries commemorating the fallen soldiers from WW1. Later you will have free time to explore the beautiful town of Ypres. Completely flattened in WW1, it has been lovingly re-built, exactly the way it was. In the evening we will join the crowds gathering under the Menin Gate to witness the soulful, sounding of the Last Post, which is still commemorated every night.

Delta Project

3 Massive Dykes

A fascinating journey across three amazing dykes that form Holland’s incredible Delta Project, to marvel at this extraordinary engineering achievement!

Rotterdam

Port Cruise

In the dynamic city of Rotterdam, we cruise along past the cities imposing skyscrapers & innovative art and the sprawling wharves on the banks of this gigantic, modern port – the world’s biggest. Afterwards enjoy free time for lunch in the ultra-modern design Market Hall. The giant curved ceiling is one enormous mural of painted flowers, colourful butterflies, fruit and vegetables.

Papenburg

Meyer Werft Shipbuilding Yards

A mesmerizing experience awaits in these gigantic warehouse workshops where the biggest passenger cruise liners ever made are built. Enjoy a guided visit through the museum and onto the viewing platforms inside to witness the world’s biggest passenger ships, being assembled side by side right in front of you.

Bremen

UNESCO listed Town Hall

Before a relaxing cruise along the River Wesser, to see Bremen’s harbour, parks and archaeological heritage from the water, we enjoy a guided walking tour that takes us to the Market Square, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe, to visit the spectacular UNESCO Heritage listed Town Hall.

Potsdam Palaces

UNESCO Heritage listed palaces

Spend a full day amongst the UNESCO Heritage listed glorious palaces and gardens of Potsdam, including elegant Sanssouci - recognised as an outstanding example of architectural creation and landscaping, Neues Place with its with its newly restored palatial rooms, or Charlottenburg Palace with its opulent grand festival halls and its exceptional French Art collection

Schwerin Castle

The ‘Neuschwanstein of the North’

Enthroned on its own beautiful island and surrounded by parks, gardens and walkways, Schwerin Castle is regarded as one of the most important pieces of Romantic architecture in Europe. We include entrance with an audio guide to this ‘Fairytale Palace’ sitting proudly on a lake, for you to explore at your own pace.

Dates and Prices

* The itinerary and hotels featured are based on 2026 tour departures and may be subject to change. Any questions, please contact our European Tour Specialists for further details.

Your Hotels

Tour Suitability

We visit a number of beautiful towns and sites on foot.

  • In mid-summer, the heat may be energy sapping.
  • There are a number of beautiful towns and sites we visit which require exploring on foot.

Please refer to our Tour Suitability section for more information.

Recommended Tours


You might be interested in these similar tours

Read more about Belgium in News from the Nest

Beautiful Belgium: Photos to inspire your next holiday

Belgium is famous for the unpretentious nature of its local people, an abundance of hearty food and drink, including its world-class chocolate, and historic cities.

Author: Enzina Scarcella

Amazing Castles of Europe

Castles are part of Europe’s magical, rich history. Whether nestled in lush surroundings or perched high in the mountains, there is a castle to suit everyone.

Author: