Beer and Breweries of Belgium and Holland

Beer brewing has been synonymous with Holland and Belgium for over a century. Spend time in Amsterdam and Maastricht and end your journey in Brussels. Discover some of the well-known breweries such as Heineken, House of Bols and De Halve Maen as well as some lesser well-known gems on your journey through both countries. Visit Bruges as well as the city of Antwerp, home to the well-known Duvel brewery. There are options to have a private guide and driver for as much or as little of your trip to best suit your needs

Detailed itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s attractions include its historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, and its red-light district. Amsterdam’s rich architectural legacies make a stroll through the downtown, or a canal tour, a memorable experience. It is a city of bicycles, families, tidy streets and courteous manners. You will be transferred from the airport to your hotel in a private vehicle. A package including a city map and train tickets (if relevant) will be handed to you by your driver.

Day 2: Amsterdam (B)
Stamp your GVB ticket once at the start of your first public transport journey and you are set for the duration of the validation of your ticket. Discover the world of Heineken and learn about its history, how the beer is produced and bottled, their advertisement strategy and of course the people that drink Heineken. Taste, smell, feel, hear and see why Heineken is one of the most popular beers in the world.

Day 3:
Use your Public Transportation Tickets to get around the city. Meet your guide to bring you on a tour to one of the most important industries in the country - alcohol! The first port of call today is the House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience at the Amsterdam Museumplein that offers an interactive way to experience the dazzling world of cocktails and bartending. The tour ends in the revolutionary Mirror Bar, where professional bartenders shake a Bols cocktail based on your own flavour preferences. Next is the Brewery ‘t IJ which was founded in 1983 next to the river ‘het IJ’. This brewery only brews biological beer and produces around 250.000 litres of beer annually. At the end of the day you will be returned to your hotel (use your city pass if you have it included in your itinerary or local taxis).

Day 4: Maastricht (B)
Maastricht is widely known as a city of history, culture, local folklore and education and is popular with tourists for shopping and recreation. Meet your driver at your hotel before departing for Maastricht. En route, you’ll get to visit two interesting breweries. The Mill Brewery in Bodegraven is located in a historic windmill called De Arkduif and dates back to 1697. This brewery produces a wide range of beers; most of it is brewed only once a year and their brewing style is similar to the ones used by US based micro-breweries. After lunch (own expense) at the brewery continue on towards Arcen where you’ll visit the Hertog Jan Brewery. The brewery is still in the same place where four fellow brewers started the brewery 100 years ago. From here, you’ll be brought to your accommodation in Maastricht.

Day 5: Maastricht to Brussels (B)
Depart Maastricht for Brussels, stopping off en route at the Brand Brewery in Wijlre. Visit of the brewery, that is a well known brewer in the province of Limburg. It has a rich history dating back to the 14th Century. After time at the brewery, you’ll be transferred to your accommodation in Brussels in a private chauffeured vehicle. Brussels is the largest municipality and the official capital of Belgium. Main attractions include the Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Gothic town hall in the old centre, the St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral and the Laken Castle with its large greenhouses. Another famous landmark is the Royal Palace. Brussels is known for its local waffle, chocolate, French fries and numerous types of beers. In addition to the regular selection of Belgian beer, the famous lambic style of beer is only brewed in and around Brussels.

Day 6: Brussels (B)
Explore two of Belgium’s most beautiful cities on foot today in the company of a professional English-speaking guide - Brussels and Bruges. Late morning, you’ll meet up with your driver who will accompany you (along with your guide) to Bruges (approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes). Explore its romantic canals, medieval buildings and many churches and cathedrals. See the marvelous market square, city hall, the belfry and its halls. The city centre is car free, so most of this tour will also be done on foot.

In the afternoon, you’ll be brought to the Brewery De Halve Maan for a visit of the premises. The home brewery “De Halve Maen” is the only active family brewery in the centre of Bruges today. By the end of 2008, “Straffe Hendrik” a beer once developed and brewed by the Maes’ familiy returned to Bruges and is now being brewed, once again, at the brewery “De Halve Maen” according to the original recipe. You will be returned to your accommodation in Brussels.

Day 7: Brussels (B)
Enjoy a shared full day tour to the beautiful towns of Ghent and Bruges. After an hour’s drive you arrive in Ghent, where you visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral, home of the world famous ‘Mystic Lamb’ painting. In Bruges, you visit the Lake of Love and the Beguinage. Afterwards you start your walking tour and discover the Church of Our Lady with the statue by Michaelangelo, the Market Square with its belfry and the Holy Blood Chapel. (Includes transportation by coach, guided visit of St. Bavo’s Cathedral, guided tour of Ghent and Bruges).

Day 8: Depart Brussels (B)
A private airport (Charleroi) transfer with an English-speaking driver.

Included:
* Accommodation for 6 nights
* Breakfast daily
* Activities as described in the itinerary
* Transfers
* Entrance to the breweries listed in the itinerary
* Guided tours as described in the itinerary

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