8.5 Belgian architecture

Type of Tours: Tours for groups

Since the early Middle Ages, when the first Flemish towns began to fortify themselves against the Vikings, Belgian architecture has changed through the ages with the influences from all over Europe. From this diversity, new and unique styles arose everywhere in the country thanks to the genius of its architects.

1st day Brussels

  • AM: The visit will start with a panoramic of first the famous Atomium and the Royal Residence before the Cinquantenaire Park with its neo-classical triumphal arch and interesting museums. We are then just next to the European district with its modern institutions: the Consilium, the Commission and the Parliament. From there we move onto the nearby city centre to discover Brussels park, the Royal Palace, the Sablon squares with the gothic Notre Dame church, the Law Court, the St. Hubert Galleries, the St. Michel Cathedral, Manneken-pis and of course the heart of the city: the marvellous Grand Place with its guilds’ houses,.
  • PM: The sightseeing continues, focusing on the Art Nouveau style. We start in the Louisa/Saint Gilles district, birthplace of Art Nouveau in Brussels. Your guide will explain the reasons for this trend in Belgium and especially in Brussels. He will show you the amazing creations of the great architect Victor Horta: the Hotel Tassel, the Hotel Solvay, and his own house (the Horta Museum), the epitomes of this architectural genre until the turning point with Art Deco.

Optional possibility to visit the Horta Museum with your guide.
Accommodation in Brussels.

2nd day Gent – Bruges

  • AM: Half-day sightseeing on foot in Gent to discover the native land of Charles V, the Belfry, the City Hall, St Nicolas Church, the St Michel bridge and St Bavo’s Cathedral with its world-famous Mystical Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers.
  • PM: The excursion will continue to Bruges to discover the Grote Markt, the Belfry and Halles, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the City Hall, the Beguinage, the Lake of Love and to enjoy a one-hour canal cruise.
    Accommodation in Brussels.

3rd day Antwerp

  • AM: Visit to the town centre to discover the first European skyscraper, the Grand Place, the Town Hall, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Rubens’ house and the St Charles Borromeo baroque church.
  • PM: The afternoon will be filled with city sightseeing and a walk to the Cogels-Osylei aria with typical Art Nouveau houses before we visit the Mayer van den Bergh Museum, the private house of an incredible art collector.
    Accommodation in Brussels.

4th day Ardennes

  • AM: Full-day sightseeing of the castles of the Ardennes. First stop is Namur and the wonderful Annevoie garden then onto Dinant with its unique church and scenery before we reach the smallest and cutest Belgian town: Durbuy.
  • PM: Visit to Modave castle, of which parts date back to the 13th century. Around twenty richly decorated and furnished rooms are open to the public with sculptures, paintings, tapestries and furniture.
    Accommodation in Brussels.

5th day Mechelen – Brussels

  • AM: Half-day sightseeing around the historical city of Mechelen, the political capital of the Netherlands in the 16th century: St. Rombout’s cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, the St. John church, the Town Hall…
  • PM: Back to Brussels, with the last afternoon free for shopping or to enjoying your personal interests in the city.

Lunches and dinners are selected according the proposals.
Guides and assistants can accompany all transfers and sightseeing.
Changes to location of accommodation are possible.

All services are only available upon request and upon availability.