Beer brewing has been synonymous with Holland and Belgium for over a century. Spend time in two of Holland's main cities - Amsterdam and Maastricht and finish off with a number of days in Brussels. Discover some of the well known breweries such as Heineken, House of Bols and De Halve Maen as well as some lesser well known gems on your journey through both countries. Explore the pedestrian-friendly, vibrant city of Amsterdam - a city built on canals with many bridges, historical merchant houses and art galleries and museums. Enjoy your time in Maastricht - one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, before crossing into Belgium and basing yourselves in the cultural city of Brussels (and visiting a number of breweries en route of course!). Explore the city and visit Bruges - one of Belgium's prettiest cities. Discover the city of Antwerp during your stay - a city with an interesting center with narrow streets and many historical buildings - and home to the well known Duvel brewery. Throughout your itinerary there are options to have a private guide and driver for as much or as little of your trip to best suit your needs.

Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, and the epicentre of the country's finance and culture. Amsterdam's attractions, including its historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, and its red-light district, draw 4.2 million tourists annually. This city fans out south from the Amsterdam Central railway station, which is serviced regularly from the airport. Amsterdam's rich architectural legacies make a stroll through the downtown, or a canal tour, a memorable experience. It is a city of bicycles, families, tidy streets and courteous manners. Quite opposite to the reputation, it's the peace and tranquility that lingers in your memory after departing this city.

 Meet your driver for a private airport transfer to hotel.

A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be presented to you by your driver upon arrival. Alternative arrangements will be made if you do not have a private transfer at the start of your itinerary.

This grand 19th century corner hotel is located in the centre of Amsterdam, 100 metres from the Vondelpark, 400 metres from the Van Gogh Museum, and two kilometres from Centraal Station. The 127 air-conditioned guestrooms are decorated in soft natural shades with matching modern furnishings; all include cable television, minibars, safes, and complimentary Internet. Apollo Museumhotel's modern bar serves cocktails, Dutch beers, and coffees; staff at the front desk can arrange sightseeing excursions.

Overnight at Apollo Museum (3*).

A great way to get around the city of Amsterdam and to see its many sites is with a 24-, 48-, 72- or 96-hours GVB transport ticket which gives you unlimited travel throughout Amsterdam day and night by bus, tram and metro. Stamp your ticket once at the start of your first journey and you are set for the duration of the validation of your ticket.

Discover the world of Heineken and learn about its history, how the beer is produced and bottled, their advertisement strategy and of course the people that drink Heineken. Taste, smell, feel, hear and see why Heineken is one of the most popular beers in the world (includes entrance).

Overnight at Apollo Museum (3*).

Use your Public Transportation Tickets today to get around the city.

Meet your guide this morning to bring you on a tour introducing you to one of the most important industries in the country - alcohol! The first port of call today is the House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience at the Amsterdam Museumplein which offers an interactive way to experience the dazzling world of cocktails and bartending. Discover everything there is to know about Lucas Bols, the World's oldest distilled brand which has been based in Amsterdam since 1575. The tour ends in the revolutionary Mirror Bar, where professional bartenders shake a Bols cocktail based on your own flavor preferences.

Next on today's agenda is the  Brewery ‘t IJ which was founded in 1983 next to the river ‘het IJ’. This brewery only brews biological beer and produces around 250.000 liters of beer annually. Most of this beer is used in the tasting room as opposed to being distributed across the country and beyond. The remainder finds its way into biological and liquor stores in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands. All beers are brewed using traditional methods.

At days end you will be returned to your hotel. (entrances included. Use your city pass if you have it included in your itinerary or local taxis. Please let us know if you would like a private vehicle and driver for this days activities.)

Overnight at Apollo Museum (3*).

Maastricht is located in the southern part of the Dutch province of Limburg, of which it is the capital. The city is widely known as a city of history, culture, local folklore and education and is popular with tourists for shopping and recreation. It is also a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network.

Meet your driver in the lobby of the hotel this morning before departing for Maastricht. En route, you'll get to visit two interesting breweries and have time for lunch at leisure (not included). The Mill Brewery in Bodegraven is located in a historic windmill called De Arkduif and dates back to 1697. This brewery produces a wide range of beers; most of it is brewed only once a year and their brewing style is similar to the ones used by US based micro-breweries.

Enjoy some free time for lunch at the restaurant at the brewery before continuing on towards the town of Arcen where you'll get to visit the Hertog Jan Brewery. The brewery is still in the same place where four fellow brewers started the brewery 100 years ago. From here, you'll be brought to your accommodation in Maastricht. (includes entrances to both breweries).

Located next to the Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Center (MECC) and the Randwyck Railway Station, and directly outside the historical city center, the NH Maastricht (4*) provides a sophisticated gateway for  culture. Guests can appreciate fine art at the nearby Bonnefanten Museum, explore the fascinating St. Pietersberg Caves, or drive 30 minutes to visit the nearby cities of Hasselt, Luik, and Landgraaf--boasting the largest indoor ski resort in the world. Stunning scenery lines the 20-minute drive to Valkenburg and its world-class sauna, Thermae 2000. The NH Maastricht welcomes guests with 275 comfortable rooms. A luxurious health club with sauna, solarium, and fully equipped fitness room provides a complete package of wellness at a discounted rate for hotel guests.The Garden restaurant specializes in succulent breakfasts, lunches, dinners for individuals and groups. Dine a la carte at Seasons, which tempts guests with a varied array of lunch and dinner options. In Bistro/Bar Bizonder, enjoy high tea by day or cocktails by night. 

Overnight at NH Maastricht (4*).

The City of Brussels is the largest municipality and the official capital of Belgium. Main attractions include the Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Gothic town hall in the old centre, the St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral and the Laken Castle with its large greenhouses. Another famous landmark is the Royal Palace. Brussels is known for its local waffle, chocolate, french fries and numerous types of beers. In addition to the regular selection of Belgian beer, the famous lambic style of beer is only brewed in and around Brussels.

Maastricht offers many museums, churches, historical buildings, hidden alleys and spacious squares. You can find any form of architecture here, ranging from Roman excavations to the modern design of the Bonnefantenmuseum. Exhibitions at NAi Maastricht inform you about architecture in the European region around Maastricht. It is a great city with many historical structures and squares, and there’s one place in particular that you cannot miss visiting and that’s ‘het Vrijthof’ -  a beautiful square in the center of the histrical part of town, paved with old cobblestones and surrounded by trees. Many very nice restaurants and cafes encircle the square. This square has attracted people since Medieval times when pilgrims came to see the grave of Saint Servatius, located in the St. Servatius Basilica, a Romanesque cathedral with crypts and treasures.

Another bascilia worth visiting is the Basilica of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek) is a renowned Roman catholic basilica dating back to the 11th century. The main attraction is the miraculous statue of Our Lady, Star of the Sea. Besides the chapel with the statue of Our Lady, there’s much more arts and crafts to be admired. The treasury of the basilica holds a large number of objects of religious arts and crafts. Marvel at the richly embroidered copes and chasubles, relics in beautiful holders, processional banners, church silver and statues.

Maastricht’s main art museum is the Bonnefantenmuseum. This museum holds a mixture of medieval and contemporary art. The structure itself is a great architectonic highlight. Other museums are the Natural History Museum, Architecture Institute Maastricht and Fort St. Pieter.

Depart Maastricht for Brussels, stopping off en route at the Brand Brewery in Wijlre. Enjoy a visit of the brewery, which is a well known brewer in the province of Limburg. The brewery has a rich history going back to the 14th Century. A museum was opened in 2008 with the slogan: feel, smell and taste which may also be interested in discovering. After time at the brewery, you'll be transfered to your accommodation in brussels by your private vehcile and driver. (entrance included).

Located on the Place Rogier, the Hilton Brussels City (4*) is a short walk from the Grand Place and the Bourse and across the road from the main pedestrian shopping district. Quite unique, with plenty of original pieces of furniture and artifacts, different to the usual Hilton product. With its perfect location, this property comes very highly recommended. Amenities include a fitness centre, solarium, and sauna.

Overnight at Hilton Brussels City (4*).

Explore two of Belgium's most beautiful cities by foot today in the company of a professional English speaking guide - Brussels and Bruges. During your guided tour of Brussels you will visit the monumental square; Grand Place, and discover the center with its impressive buildings, churches, the Royal Palace and Manneken Pis.

Late morning, you'll meet up with your driver who will accompany you (along with your guide) to Bruges. The transfer should take approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Visit Bruges in the company of your guide as you explore its romantic canals, medieval buildings and many churches and cathedrals. See the marvelous market square, city hall, the belfry and its halls. The city center is car free, so most of this tour will be done on foot.

Enjoy some free time at leisure to have lunch at your restaurant of choice (not included).

This afternoon, you'll be brought to the Brewery De Halve Maan for a visit of the premises. The homebrewery "De Halve Maen" is the only active family brewery in the centre of Bruges today. Xavier Vanneste, son of Mrs Véronique Maes, restarted the old brewery after a thorough renovation of the remaining installation. He launched this new beer under the name ‘Brugse Zot’ for which a unique recipe has been developed. By the end of 2008, "Straffe Hendrik" a beer once developed and brewed by the Maes' familiy returned to Bruges and is now being brewed, once again, at the brewery "De Halve Maen" according to the original recipe.

At days end you will be returned to your accommodation in Brussels.(includes entrance to De Halve Maen brewery).

Overnight at Hilton Brussels City (4*).

Enjoy a guided shared full day tour to the beautiful towns of Ghent and Bruges. After an hour's drive you will arrive in Ghent, where you visit St. Bavo's Cathedral, home of the world famous 'Mystic Lamb' painting. During the city tour you will see all the important buildings from the Middle Ages, such as the Belfry, St Nicholas' Church and the Earl's Castle. In Bruges, you will visit the Lake of Love and the Beguinage. Afterwards enjoy a walking tour and discover the Church of Our Lady with the statue by Michaelangelo, the Market Square with its belfry and the Holy Blood Chapel.

Overnight at Hilton Brussels City (4*).

Relax on your private airport (Charleroi) transfer with private vehicle and English speaking Driver.

 End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart .