Netherlands, Belgium & France featuring the Floriade Expo 2022

From iconic Dutch windmills and cozy Belgian streets to the world-renowned Champagne region and the “City of Light,” experience the essence of 3 European countries. Connect with deeply rooted cultures as you make your way through the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.

Narrow canals, stone bridges, and bike-brimmed lanes – this is Amsterdam, the lively starting point of your journey. Check into your boutique hotel, located in the heart of the city center and your home for the next 3 nights. Get a taste of the local flavors and meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.

See the city the way it’s truly meant to be seen – by canal. On your private boat, cruise under sloping bridges and pass by quintessential Dutch houses. This afternoon, visit the Floriade Expo 2022, a once-in-a-decade international garden and horticultural exhibition whose theme is "Growing Green Cities." As the day draws to a close, meet with a local for a chat about the city’s progressive and often controversial culture. The evening is yours.

This morning it’s your choice! Hop on the train to The Hague and visit the Mauritshuis, home to iconic paintings of the Dutch Golden Age and the renowned Girl with a Pearl Earring -OR- bike the countryside with a local guide, riding through villages as you take in the charming scenery and history. No matter how you spend your day, come together for an Impact Moment at a local brewery that employs individuals that face obstacles in the workplace. Then, make the evening your own with Diner’s Choice, selecting the perfect spot for dinner from a “menu” of restaurants.

Cross the Dutch Cheese Valley for a visit to a nearby dairy farm in Gouda, famous for its namesake cheese. Get a taste of this celebrated product while learning about the aging process from a local expert. Head through the countryside to Kinderdijk (UNESCO), where iconic Dutch windmills spin slowly over the marshy landscape. Step into a storybook when you end your day in Bruges, settling in for the next 2 nights.

This morning, wander the cobblestone streets of Bruges while you get familiar with this cozy Belgian town during an orientation walk. The remainder of the day is yours. Perhaps you’ll embark on an optional tour of Bruges, where you’ll cruise through fairytale canals before connecting with local traditions – tasting Belgian chocolate and learning about the intricate craft of lace making. After a day at leisure, embark on a tasting tour of Bruges. Start with Belgium’s most quintessential beverage and some small bites at a historic family-run brewery. Your culinary campaign continues at a local restaurant that fuses the best of French and local specialties.

Enjoy a day in Brussels, the bustling capital of Belgium and the base of the European Union. Meander alongside 19th-century facades and medieval towers as you get a local’s perspective on the city. After some free time to explore, trade your waffles for wine as you enter Reims, set in the heart of France’s illustrious Champagne region. Settle into your city-centric boutique hotel before dining your way through French cuisine with a 5-course tasting menu and glass of champagne.

Discover Reims, uncovering the city’s Celtic roots and Gothic architecture. Step into Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral, gazing up at a sea of colorful stained glass. Cityscapes give way to vineyard rows as you make your way along the Route du Champagne, learning about this world-famous artisan production. Peer at the sprawling mansions on the Avenue de Champagne en route to Épernay, where you’ll have free time to explore followed by a tour and tasting at a nearby maison du champagne.

Say bonjour to Paris, a hub of innovative cuisine and artistic culture. Experience this creative flare in the Montmarte neighborhood, where hip bohemia meets heaven-seeking basilicas. Make the most of your free time before settling into your one-of-a-kind abode in the 2nd arrondissement. Explore your new neighborhood until the sun fades and the “City of Light” debuts its sparkling grandeur. Spin the wheels of time from the backseat of a retro car, cruising through the chic boulevards and peering up at the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe from the car’s open roof.

Let the art scene leave its impression on you with a Claude Monet inspired choice on tour! Experience Monet in the city at the Musee D’Orsay, a former railway station that now houses the world’s best impressionist art -OR- visit Monet’s countryside home at Giverny with a local guide, where you’ll see the source for the artist’s inspiration, including the setting for his iconic Waterlilies. This evening, experience Paris’ nightlife during an optional dinner at the dynamic Paradis Latin* cabaret show, featuring champagne, can-can dancers, and endless excitement.

Today’s your day to experience Paris however you please. Hop on Le Métro like a local, skirting your way to each iconic neighborhood and district. Perhaps you’ll spend your morning at the legendary Louvre, an otherworldly glass pyramid home to Da Vinci’s elusive Mona Lisa. End the day with a hands-on cooking class, mastering Parisian classics before dining on your creations at a farewell dinner.

Say au revoir to Europe as you depart for home.