Between Culture, History & Religion (Belgium - Germany)

Day 1 - BRUSSELS

Arrival in 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). Meeting with the guide and 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. Arrival at the hotel. Accommodation in the reserved rooms. Overnight.

Day 2 - 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 3 - 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 4 - BRUSSELS / BANNEUX / COLOGNE

Breakfast. Departure to Banneux, town near Liege, place of Marian devotion, where is the "Shrine of Our Lady of the Poor." The Virgin appeared for the first time January 15, 1933 to a girl of 8 years old, Mariette Beco, daughter of a poor local family. The Madonna appears on this child seven more times until March 2, 1933 in the small home garden, where the small living in dignity with their parents and 6 other brothers and sisters. The Virgin appears in Marietta as the Madonna of the Poor. Proceeding to Germany: home of the great poet JW Goethe (1745-1832), physicist A. Einstein (1879-1955), philosopher I. Kant (1724-1804), composer L.van Beethoven (1770-1827), writer T. Mann (1875-1955), and the inventor of printing with movable J. Gutenberg (1390-1468). Arrival in Cologne. The city with its 2000 years of history and its unique personality, it attracts millions of visitors each year. Whether it be the triennial music, "Cologne Pride", the fireworks and lights of the "Kölner Lichter" or Christmas markets, it offers in every season, an extensive program of events of all kinds and even invents A fifth season of world-famous: the famous Cologne Carnival. It is also nicknamed the "Cathedral City": it is long 144 meters wide, 86 m. high and 157 m. Arrival at the hotel. Accommodation in the reserved rooms. Overnight.

Distances:
Brussels - Banneux = 122 Km
Banneux - Cologne = 118 Km

Day 5 - COLOGNE

Breakfast. Meeting with the guide and panoramic tour of the city that will conclude with a visit to the famous Cathedral (St. Peter and St. Mary), one of the largest in Europe, already the site of a Roman temple dedicated to Mercury. With the transfer from Milan relics of the Magi by Archbishop Reinald von Dassel, it was decided to build a cathedral more solemn. The first stone was laid on August 15, 1248. Since the beginning of the sixteenth century, however, work was suspended and resumed in 1842. 15 October 1880 Emperor Wilhelm I began the cathedral completed. Time available. Return to the hotel. Overnight.


Day 6 - COLOGNE / XANTEN / KEVELAER

Breakfast. Departure to Xanten, a town located in north-west of Germany near the border with the Netherlands. This small town has one of the Roman archaeological parks of great importance, where there is a Roman amphitheater, which hosts a popular summer festival of opera, classical and contemporary. In Xanten is the Gothic church of San Vittore, which is, after the Cologne Cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches built at that time in Germany. Arrival, meeting with the guide and visit the cathedral. Proceeding to Kevelaer, place of Marian devotion and pilgrimage to 2 million pilgrims every year who come mainly from Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg. Pilgrims arrive in this town, to honor the "Lady of the Afflicted" that has made this place, one of the most important pilgrimage centers of Germany. Arrival at the hotel and accommodations in the reserved rooms. Overnight.

Distances:
Cologne - Xanten = 99 Km
Xanten - Kevelaer = 21 Km


Day 7 - KEVELAER / ANTWERPEN / BRUSSELS

Breakfast. Departure to Antwerpen, 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). Embedding it inside one of the most beautiful historical centers of the world as the Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady. Arrival, meeting with the guide and visit the city. Proceeding to Brussels. Arrive late afternoon at the hotel. Accommodation in the reserved rooms. Overnight.

Distances:
Kevelaer - Antwerpen = 165 Km
Antwerpen - Brussels = 54 Km


Day 8 - DEPARTURE

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport in Brussels. End of our services.