Between Windmills, Diamonds & Royal Palaces (Netherlands - Belgium )

Day 1 - AMSTERDAM

Arrival in the Netherlands, a country of windmills, tulips and the colorful flowers and home of the great painter Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890), and the philosopher Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466-1536). Meeting with guide and transfer to Amsterdam, city of 165 canals, 1281 bridges, 2,500 houseboats, the house closer in the world (1 m wide), museums e. .... Arrival at the hotel, accommodation in rooms reserved. Overnight.

Day 2 - AMSTERDAM

Breakfast. Meeting with the guide and panoramic tour of the city: Founded in 1275 on a hundred islands in the old town retains its ancient channels which makes it one of the most fascinating cities in Europe. The elegant buildings facing the water were the property of merchants enriched by the East India Company, and processing of diamonds, among which we remember the "Cullinan" (the biggest diamond in the world) and the "Koh-I-Noor" (which was cut for the British crown jewels in 1852). We admire the Dam, the Central Square, the Royal Palace, the Vondel Park and the Town Hall, etc,.  Return to the hotel. Overnight.

Day 3 - AMSTERDAM / ZAANDAM / THE HIGH DAM / VOLENDAM / AMSTERDAM

Breakfast. Departure with the guide to Zaandam, a village famous for the presence of several windmills and for its factories Dutch clogs. Continuation to the High Dam Afsluitdijk, the first colossal work of engineering built to tear the high land to sea to prevent flooding: Built between 1927 and 1933, the dam is 32 km long, 90 m wide and reaches a height of 7.25 m above the sea level. Connect Noord-Holland to Friesland. The Afsluitdijk is the most important of hydraulic Zuiderzee project, which has separated the inlet of the Zuiderzee from the North Sea, turning it into a freshwater lake (the IJsselmeer) and allowing the water to rescue the territories that today constitute the Flevoland. Short stop and continue to Volendam, the village seems picture-perfect with windmills, houses of fishermen from the roof peak and people in costumes typical of the area. To walk through the narrow alleys and small houses will give you the impression that they have entered into a framework. Next trip is the island of Marken, connected  to the coast, and treated equally authentic. Continue for a visit to a typical farm which produced the famous Dutch cheese, and tasting of the same and is also possible to buy them. In the evening, back at the hotel. Overnight.

Distances:
Amsterdam - Zaandam = 22 Km
Zaandam - Dam Afsluitdijk = 78 Km
Dam Afsluidijk - Volendam = 68 Km
Volendam - Amsterdam = 22 Km

Day 4 - AMSTERDAM / DELFT / BRUSSELS

Breakfast. Departure for Belgium, a country rich in museums and art cities and the birthplace of the great surrealist painter René Magritte (1898-1967) and inventor of the saxophone, Adolphe Sax (1814-1894). Stop in Delft, Holland town, famous for its blue porcelain from the drawings, the tall bell tower (109 m) and the houses overlooking the canals. Departure to Brussels, famous for the chocolate capital of European Union and considered as a venue for important European political bodies like the European Union, the European Commission and the Council. The city also hosts the headquarters of NATO. In the evening arrival at the hotel in Brussels. Accommodation in the reserved rooms. Overnight.

Distances:
Amsterdam - Delft = 60 Km
Delft - Brussels = 175km

Day 5 - BRUSSELS

Breakfast. Meeting with guide and panoramic tour of Brussels, is an architectural and cultural heritage, where the lower town is built around the Grand Place which is its heart: the palaces of the corporations and several dazzling facades, the home of King and the surrounding Town Hall giving power to the square the most beautiful square in Europe. Behind the town hall, in the rue de l'Etuve, we meet the most famous citizen of Brussels. And here that has always peed since 1691, the Manneken Pis. In addition to collegiate Royal Borough of Saint Michael and Gudula meet the courthouse and the park connecting Warande told the Parliament Palace with the Real Palace. We must reach the district of Laken, where the great annual fairs are held in the Exhibition Park to see the Atomium Built in 1958, represents an iron crystal molecule magnified 165 billion times, a symbol of the city. Specialties include the famous Belgian chocolates, lace, chocolate, crystal and diamonds. Overnight.

Day 6 - BRUSSELS / BRUGES / GENT / BRUSSELS

Breakfast. Meeting with the guide and departure to Bruges. Bruges, the capital of West Flanders. The medieval city center was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. The downtown is still the original, never having been destroyed by war or major fires. Without a doubt, remains one of the most picturesque and attractive in Europe. The past is palpable on the canals and streets, in churches and palaces, in many facades restored and museums full of art. But it is also a living city, modern and romantic at the same time. Visit the old town and the beautiful Plaza Place. Proceeding to Gent was the capital of Flanders, often rival, Bruges, and the birthplace of Charles V. No other Flemish city can boast a greater number of historic buildings as Gent palaces built between the twelfth and seventeenth century flank and overlook the river Leie reflected the beautiful silhouettes hours Gothic Renaissance hours. In the cathedral of St. Bavo, where he was baptized in 1500 the Emperor Charles V, has exposed the famous painting of the brothers Van Eyck, The Adoration of the Lamb Monk, with as many as 284 figures. Tour of the old town and the Cathedral of Saint Bavo. Return to the hotel in Brussels. Overnight

Distances:
Brussels - Bruges = 102 Km
Bruges - Gent = 55 Km
Gent - Brussels = 59km

Day 7 - BRUSSELS / ANTWERPEN

Breakfast. Departure to Antwerp, one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium, and where he spent most of his life, until his death, the great painter Rubens (1577-1640). Meeting with the guide and panoramic tour of the city. Embedding it inside one of the most beautiful historical centers of the world as the Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady. It is considered the world capital of the diamond trade, where you can not miss to visit the museum most glittering of the world: the Diamond Museum. Late afternoon arrival at the hotel. Accommodation in the reserved rooms. Overnight.

Distances: Brussels - Antwerp = 45 Km

Day 8 - DEPARTURE

Breakfast. Transfer to Amsterdam airport and departure. End of our services

Distances: Antwerpen - Amsterdam Apt = 160 Km