Don’t forget to register as a member first to get 2% member discount and a €10 welcome bonus.
It’s not required to join this trip though!
With 100km of canals, 90 islands and 1200 bridges, Amsterdam is often called the Venice of the North. The entire city centre is one big museum (UNESCO World Heritage) and with is liveliness it is therefore one of Europe’s most attractive cities to visit and live. At just 2,5 hours driving from Brussels, we visit the Dutch capital for the 5th time in January. Amsterdam is always worth visiting, but we choose this particular date as we can witness the spectacular Amsterdam Light Festival that boasts dozens of fascinating and beautiful light sculptures on, above and alongside the many canals.
We leave from Place Schuman at 07h45 by 4* luxury coach, with on-board toilet, DVD system with several flatscreen TVs, AC, comfortable reclining chairs and extra leg space.
We arrive around 11h00 in Amsterdam and start with a walking tour along the city’s highlights, such as Dam Square, the National Monument, Central Station, the Waag, the East-Indian House, the University of Amsterdam, the “ooh-la-la” Red Light District, the National Palace, and the main canals: Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht.
At the end of the tour you are free to do whatever you would like to do. Since Amsterdam has a few world-class museums, we suggest you join one of the two groups going to the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum. The first one (see above) has been reopened in 2013 after a 10-year renovation and is simply exquisite. The famous painting Nightwatch by Rembrandt is on display here, a must-see, as well as many other Dutch masterpieces.
Obviously the second museum is equally worth visiting as it boasts hundreds of paintings, sketches and other works of art by this amazing post-impressionist artist. Whichever museum you choose, you have to make sure to book your ticket early (for entry at 13h00 or 13h30), because often these museums are extremely busy on Saturdays. There are restaurants in both museums, as well as sandwich and fast-food stands on the Museum Square.
Later in the afternoon we meet again for a magnificent 1,5-hour canal cruise by night in a boat that is reserved for Expat Club. During the cruise we will pass by various famous landmarks that are visible from the water. A ticket costs €25,50 and must be reserved in advance.
We only do this tour when its getting dark. Not only will the canal houses be nicely lit, but we will also have a perfect view on the many light sculptures that are on and above the canals. This is namely the last Saturday of the Amsterdam Light Festival, so we’re lucky that we’re here at that moment. It provides a magnificent and mesmerising panoramic view, obviously a great moment to get your camera out of your pocket!
“The Light Festival is WOW” – Oprah Winfrey
After the boat tour we’ll be having dinner in a very good Indonesian restaurant, right on the buzzing Rembrandt Square. The Netherlands is famous for this cuisine due to the many immigrants that moved there after Indonesia’s independence at the end of the 1940’s. The food is characterised by lots of fresh ingredients and its colourful presentation. We’ll be served a superb rice table with several types of vegetables, meats and rice. You’re going to love it. This optional dinner costs €36,50 including 1 drink (wine, beer, soft), appetiser and dessert.
We’ll depart again for Brussels around 21h15 and will be back around 23h45Â at Place Schuman.
Don’t forget to register as a member first to get 2% member discount and a €10 welcome bonus.
It’s not required to join this trip though!
With 100km of canals, 90 islands and 1200 bridges, Amsterdam is often called the Venice of the North. The entire city centre is one big museum (UNESCO World Heritage) and with is liveliness it is therefore one of Europe’s most attractive cities to visit and live. At just 2,5 hours driving from Brussels, we visit the Dutch capital for the 5th time in January. Amsterdam is always worth visiting, but we choose this particular date as we can witness the spectacular Amsterdam Light Festival that boasts dozens of fascinating and beautiful light sculptures on, above and alongside the many canals.
We leave from Place Schuman at 07h45 by 4* luxury coach, with on-board toilet, DVD system with several flatscreen TVs, AC, comfortable reclining chairs and extra leg space.
We arrive around 11h00 in Amsterdam and start with a walking tour along the city’s highlights, such as Dam Square, the National Monument, Central Station, the Waag, the East-Indian House, the University of Amsterdam, the “ooh-la-la” Red Light District, the National Palace, and the main canals: Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht.
At the end of the tour you are free to do whatever you would like to do. Since Amsterdam has a few world-class museums, we suggest you join one of the two groups going to the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum. The first one (see above) has been reopened in 2013 after a 10-year renovation and is simply exquisite. The famous painting Nightwatch by Rembrandt is on display here, a must-see, as well as many other Dutch masterpieces.
Obviously the second museum is equally worth visiting as it boasts hundreds of paintings, sketches and other works of art by this amazing post-impressionist artist. Whichever museum you choose, you have to make sure to book your ticket early (for entry at 13h00 or 13h30), because often these museums are extremely busy on Saturdays. There are restaurants in both museums, as well as sandwich and fast-food stands on the Museum Square.
Later in the afternoon we meet again for a magnificent 1,5-hour canal cruise by night in a boat that is reserved for Expat Club. During the cruise we will pass by various famous landmarks that are visible from the water. A ticket costs €25,50 and must be reserved in advance.
We only do this tour when its getting dark. Not only will the canal houses be nicely lit, but we will also have a perfect view on the many light sculptures that are on and above the canals. This is namely the last Saturday of the Amsterdam Light Festival, so we’re lucky that we’re here at that moment. It provides a magnificent and mesmerising panoramic view, obviously a great moment to get your camera out of your pocket!
“The Light Festival is WOW” – Oprah Winfrey
After the boat tour we’ll be having dinner in a very good Indonesian restaurant, right on the buzzing Rembrandt Square. The Netherlands is famous for this cuisine due to the many immigrants that moved there after Indonesia’s independence at the end of the 1940’s. The food is characterised by lots of fresh ingredients and its colourful presentation. We’ll be served a superb rice table with several types of vegetables, meats and rice. You’re going to love it. This optional dinner costs €36,50 including 1 drink (wine, beer, soft), appetiser and dessert.
We’ll depart again for Brussels around 21h15 and will be back around 23h45Â at Place Schuman.
