Tulips & Windmills

See Antwerp’s dazzling historic quarter up close as you explore by foot. Join your guide for a short walk to the Cathedral of Our Lady, a vision of Gothic beauty, the largest church in Belgium and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of its spires stands 404 feet high. Continue to the historic Old Town along crooked streets to Grote Markt, where the incredible Renaissance Town Hall stands. With both Flemish and Italian influences, it too is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby, you will see the medieval Het Steen castle, built after the Viking incursions as the city’s first stone fortress. At tour’s end, you may spend time pondering the famous Brabo fountain statue, commemorating the legend of how Antwerp got its name.

Explore Brussels, the hub of Belgian culture. Drive to the city with your guide, viewing the Duvel Brewery and Fort Breendonk along the way. After a photo stop at the famed Atomium, you will pass the American pavilion and the Castle of Laeken, home to the royal family. See the Ministry of Finance and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. At the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Royal Square, you will begin to explore by foot. Stroll into the Old City and to the Grand Place, where you will see the City Hall and picturesque guild houses. After free time, drive to the Royal Palace and the European Quarter, where you will see the European Parliament. After passing NATO headquarters, you will return to your ship for lunch.

Savor some of Antwerp’s traditional treats and learn what inspired their distinct creation. Belgians are proud of their cuisine and claim that their dishes are as refined as those of the French, but with portions more akin to larger German-style servings. Each region of Belgium has its own specialties, which often boast a long history with strong cultural ties. Accompany your guide throughout the city, following your nose and satisfying your taste buds along the way. You will experience the fragrant, delectable waffles for which Belgium is most famous and learn about the centuries-old brewing process that has refined Belgium’s many beers. Find out about the Antwerpse Handjes, or Antwerp Hands, before biting into one. And discover the secret behind Belgium’s beloved street food, including its famed frites, or fries, invented not by the French, but by the Belgians.