General
Belgian Beer and Chocolate Experience
This 8 days tour let’s you enjoy some gastronomical highlights of Belgium.
Day 1: Arrival Brussels
Transfer to the hotel and city tour of Brussels upon arrival covering the main highlights of Brussels outside the historical center such as the Atomium, the Royal Palace of Laeken, European Parliament and more. Check-in at your hotel. Lunch.
In the afternoon we will discover the historical center Brussels on foot. We end the afternoon with a visit of a real chocolate manufacturer: demonstration and serveral tastings included.
Dinner in a typical restaurant on the Grand’Place. 3 course Belgian beer menu.
Day 2: Brussels – Ghent
After breakfast by coach to the oldest lambiek brewery in Belgium with introduction, brewing process and tasting of a typical lambiek, gueuze and kriek. Lunch en route.
In the afternoon transfer to Ghent. Cruise on the canals in Ghent (40 min.) Transfer by water taxi to the Gruut brewery in the center of Ghent. After an introduction of the brewery process and tasting, we organise dinner at the brewery, Night in Ghent.
Day 3: Ghent
Guided walk through the historic city centre followed by a chocolate workshop. You will learn everything about Belgian chocolate and how to make your own pralines! Several tastings included and we will also serve you a glass of red wine (red wine and chocolate are a perfect combination). Lunch.
In the afternoon we continue our visit of Ghent the city hall, Vrijdagsmarkt Square, the inner courtyard of House of Alijn, part of the Patershol, the only neighbourhood in Ghent where the original medieval street plan is still intact. The Castle of the Counts, used to be the residence of the Count of Flanders, later on it was used as a courthouse, a jail and even a textile factory. Dinner at the hotel or in the city center (3 course menu). Night in Ghent.
Day 4: Ghent – Oudenaerde – Bruges
Transfer to Oudenaerde and visit of the Liefmans brewery. Here you will discover the traditional Oudenaards oudbruin beers in an authentic historical setting.
In the afternoon transfer to Bruges. The city is called the Venice of the North and the entire city center has been declared UNESCO World Heritage. Visit on foot of the historical centre including the highlights of the Venice of the North. We end the afternoon with a cruise on the canals. Dinner in a restaurant situated along one of the canals. Night in Bruges.
Day 5: Bruges
We continue our visit of Bruges and visit the former financial heart of Bruges; Jan van Eyck-square with impressive houses from the Middle Ages, Huis ter Beurze (first stock exchange) and the Toll House. The Burg, one of the most charming squares in town where we see the gorgeous Gothic City Hall, the basilica of the Holy Blood and the Liberty of Bruges, once the city courthouse, today the Municipal Archives.
We end the morning with a visit of the chocolate museum Chocostory. Lunch.
In the afternoon a pub crawl by horse drawn tram (2 hours). We drive along the windmills and lesser well know parts of Bruges, making 2 stops in typical local cafe’s or pubs along our journey of discovery. In each pub we taste a regional beer. Dinner at own arrangements. Night in Bruges.
Day 6: Bruges – Pipaix – Namur
Transfer to Pipaix. Visit of Brasserie Dubuisson, renowned for its strong Bush beers and Cuvée des Trolls. Tasting and lunch with Belgian specialities at the brewery.
In the afternoon we head further into Wallonia, the French speaking part of Belgium. Transfer to Namur, once arrived we start with a city discovery tour of Namur, encompassing the main highlights in the historical city centre.
Visit of the citadel of Namur. Dinner and night in Namur.
Day 7: Namur – Orval – Bouillon – Dinant – Namur
Transfer to Orval. Visit of the abbey of Orval with a 1000 year history. The museum, brewery, ruins and surrounding of this wold famous Trappist abbey. Lunch is served in the abbey restaurant.
In the afternoon transfer to Bouillon. Free time to visit the chateau fort of Bouillon. Transfer to Dinant. Free time to stroll around a picturesque village overlooking the Meuse River. Transfer back to Namur for dinner at the hotel.
Day 8: Namur – Neerijse – Leuven – Departure
Transfer to Neerijse (close to Leuven). Visit of brewery De Kroon and Biercentrum Delvaux. Lunch is served at the brewery’s restaurant including an exclusive tasting of 3 house beers.
In the afternoon transfer to Leuven, the oldest university town in Belgium and the city where Stella Artois is originated. It is also the home of the world’s largest Brewery AB Inbev. We start with a visit of the Stella Artois brewery. Guided discovery walk through the historic city center of Leuven with its wonderful Town Hall, university library, the beguinage (UNESCO World Heritage).
Transfer back to airport.
Interested in a Belgian Beer and chocolate tour?
For more information, reservations and prices: Give us a call at +31(0)6 498 69 004, sent us an e-mail at info@rotterdamexperience.com or fill in our contactform below.