Great Central European Route: Netherlands, Germany, and Austria
Brussels
11 days
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Itinerary
- Arrival in Brussels and transfer from the airport to the hotel. Rest of the day free to explore the city at your own pace. Bed and breakfast at the Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre, Park Inn by Radisson Brussels Midi, or similar.
- After breakfast, we will begin a tour of Brussels, exploring some of its most iconic sights. The panoramic drive will include the European Union institutions district, the Cinquantenaire Park, and the Atomium—an icon of the 1958 World's Fair and one of the city's greatest symbols. We will also see the imposing Palace of Justice, one of Brussels' most monumental buildings, and continue to the elegant Grand Sablon Square, surrounded by historic buildings and sophisticated cafes. We will walk to see the famous Manneken Pis statue, one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. The tour will ultimately lead us to the spectacular Grand Place, the historic heart of Brussels, where we can admire the extraordinary architecture of its guild houses and soak up the atmosphere. In the afternoon, we will have free time to continue discovering the city at our own pace. Bed and breakfast at the Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre, Park Inn by Radisson Brussels Midi, or similar.
- After breakfast, we will head to Ghent, Belgium's third-largest city and one of its most prominent historic centers. Ghent is home to the impressive St. Bavo's Cathedral, a symbol of the city that houses the famous masterpiece The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers. We will also see the Graslei (Grass Quay), an old port area that retains the charm of the medieval guilds that marked the city's commercial golden age. A key city in the Middle Ages, Ghent was one of Europe's main commercial hubs thanks to its textile industry and canal network. We will have free time for lunch in Ghent, and in the afternoon, we will continue to Bruges, known as the Venice of the North and considered one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities. We will walk along its cobblestone streets, pass the Basilica of the Holy Blood, visit the Market Square, and admire its picturesque canals. In the evening, you can enjoy the local cuisine and sample some typical Belgian chocolate specialties. Bed and breakfast at the Novotel Bruges Centrum or similar.
- After breakfast, we will leave Bruges and head toward Antwerp, known as the Diamond City because a massive portion of the world's uncut diamonds passes through its markets. We will make a short stop at the Grote Markt, the city's central square, surrounded by guild halls and dominated by the majestic Cathedral of Our Lady, a symbol of Antwerp's historic splendor. This brief visit will allow you to get a taste of its lively urban atmosphere and commercial heritage. Next, we will continue to The Hague, the third most populous city in the Netherlands and the seat of government and parliament. We will take a brief panoramic tour, seeing highlights like the Binnenhof, the Peace Palace, and the International Criminal Court, reflecting the city's role as an international legal and political center. After this visit, we will continue until we reach Amsterdam. Bed and breakfast at the Leonardo Royal Amsterdam, Hampton by Hilton Amsterdam (Arena Boulevard), or similar.
- We will begin the day with a tour of Amsterdam, one of the most charming cities in the Netherlands. We will start our walking tour of the historic center in the Amsterdam Centraal Station area, where we will admire Dam Square—the city's nerve center—with the majestic 17th-century Royal Palace as a backdrop. We will also visit the Flower Market, famous for its colorful stalls and its well-known tradition linked to tulips. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a cruise along Amsterdam's iconic canals, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from where you can appreciate its gabled houses, historic bridges, and vibrant urban life. After the cruise, we will have free time to explore the city at our own pace. We recommend visiting one of its famous museums or strolling through its historic neighborhoods. Bed and breakfast at the Leonardo Royal Amsterdam, Hampton by Hilton Amsterdam (Arena Boulevard), or similar.
- After breakfast, we will leave Amsterdam and head towards Germany, crossing through the center of the Netherlands. We will make a short stop in Nijmegen, the oldest city in the country, located on the banks of the Waal River, where we can stroll through its center and the Grote Markt square with its traditional buildings and lively terraces. We will continue toward Cologne. In the afternoon, we will include a rewarding boat trip on the Rhine River to contemplate the city from another perspective, admiring its skyline dominated by Cologne Cathedral—the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, housing the relics of the Three Magi. We will also see the Great St. Martin Church, the modern Kranhäuser, and bridges like the Hohenzollernbrücke. Next, we will take a panoramic tour combined with walking routes around the Cathedral and the old town (Altstadt), with its cobblestone streets and colorful houses. To complete the experience, we recommend tasting a Kölsch beer in a typical tavern (Brauhäuser). Free time before transferring to the hotel. Bed and breakfast at the Courtyard by Marriott Cologne, Cologne Marriott Hotel, Art Hotel Köln, Radisson Blu Hotel Bonn, or similar.
- Departure from Cologne for Bonn, the former capital of Germany and birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven. Upon arrival, we will take a walking tour of the historic center, visiting Münsterplatz with the composer's statue, Bonn Minster (Bonner Münster), and the area around the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus). Admission to the Beethoven House (Beethoven-Haus) is included, the musician's birthplace and now a museum dedicated to his life and work, with time to experience the local atmosphere. We will continue toward Heidelberg, stopping en route for lunch. Upon arrival, we will take a walking tour of the old town (Altstadt), with its cobblestone streets, the Marktplatz, and the Church of the Holy Spirit. Highlights include Heidelberg Castle (Schloss), with views over the Neckar Valley and the famous Great Wine Vat, as well as the Old Bridge (Alte Brücke). We recommend dining at a traditional downtown restaurant. Bed and breakfast at the ATLANTIC Hotel Heidelberg, Heidelberg Marriott Hotel, or similar.
- After breakfast, departure for Bavaria. Arrival in Nuremberg, a key city of the Holy Roman Empire, where we will take a walking tour of its well-preserved medieval old town. We will walk along its walls and towers, visiting St. Lawrence Church, the Market Square (Hauptmarkt) with the Frauenkirche, and the Schöner Brunnen fountain, as well as charming streets like Weißgerbergasse and the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg (Kaiserburg). Free time before continuing. After lunch, departure for Munich. Upon arrival, we will visit the historic center, combining a panoramic drive with a walking tour: Marienplatz with the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) and its carillon, the Frauenkirche, St. Peter's Church, the Residenz, and the Viktualienmarkt. The tour also includes the area around the Hofbräuhaus, an icon of Bavarian beer tradition. Free time. Bed and breakfast at the Holiday Inn Munich - City Centre, Munich Leuchtenbergring, or similar.
- In the morning, we will head toward the Schwangau region in alpine Bavaria, following one of the most iconic landscapes of Germany's famous Romantic Road. We will arrive at Neuschwanstein Castle, built in the 19th century by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, a key figure of German Romanticism, who conceived this project as a refuge inspired by Wagner's operas and medieval ideals. We will visit its decorated rooms and understand the castle's symbolic nature. From nearby, we will get views of the Pöllat Gorge and the Marienbrücke bridge. On the opposite hill, we will see Hohenschwangau Castle, the king's childhood residence, and at the foot of the complex, we will see Lake Alpsee. Afterward, we will continue to Füssen, a town on the banks of the Lech River historically linked to trade and alpine routes. Its old town retains a compact layout with colorful facades, featuring Reichenstrasse, the Hohes Schloss (former residence of the prince-bishops of Augsburg), and the ancient St. Mang's Abbey, of Benedictine origin. In the early afternoon, we will return to Munich. Bed and breakfast at the Holiday Inn Munich - City Centre, Munich Leuchtenbergring, or similar.
- Today, after breakfast, we will take an excursion to Salzburg, a city located in Austria near the German border, known for being the birthplace of W. A. Mozart and for preserving a historic center declared a World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, we will begin a walking tour of the historic center, whose compact layout allows us to easily discover its main monuments and understand the city's evolution. The tour will include the Mirabell Gardens and continue toward the old town with its Baroque architecture and narrow streets. We will walk along Getreidegasse, where Mozart's birthplace is located, to Salzburg Cathedral and Residenzplatz. During the tour, we will see the Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of the largest medieval castles in Europe, and the Salzach River flowing through the city. Free time for lunch and a stroll. Return to Munich in the afternoon. Bed and breakfast at the Holiday Inn Munich - City Centre, Munich Leuchtenbergring, or similar.
- Breakfast. Free day to continue enjoying the city or do some shopping. Transfer to Munich airport from the tour hotel and end of our services.
Included
- Accommodation: 10 nights on a bed and breakfast basis in the mentioned hotels or similar.
- Transfers: Arrival transfers from Brussels airport to the tour hotel. Departure transfer from the tour hotel to Munich airport.
- Admissions and Activities: Amsterdam canal cruise (approximate duration: 75 minutes), Rhine River boat trip in Cologne, admission to the Beethoven House (Beethoven-Haus) in Bonn, and a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle.
- Panoramic Tours: Brussels, The Hague, and Cologne. Walking Tours: Ghent, Bruges, Amsterdam, Bonn, Heidelberg, Nuremberg, Munich (historic center), and Salzburg.
Not included
- Porters: Porter service is not included in the package price; each passenger must handle and transport their own luggage.
Important Notes
- City Tax: The cities included in this itinerary may apply a local tourist tax, intended for the improvement of infrastructure and services at each destination. This amount is already included in the total price of the tour and does not need to be paid additionally at the destination.
- The order of the excursions to Neuschwanstein Castle and Salzburg may be modified based on the availability of castle tours, and both days can be interchanged to ensure the best organization of the itinerary.
