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Overview Itinerary Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

Christmas Markets of Amsterdam, Luxembourg & Brussels

with Bruges extension

Duration: 10 or 12 days
Group size: 15-38

Celebrate the yuletide in three charming cities.

Wander past historic landmarks, meandering canals, and gabled houses as you marvel at the storybook atmosphere of Christmas markets in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium. Immerse yourself in the winter festivities as you delve into Amsterdam’s laid-back culture, stroll along Luxembourg’s cobbled streets, and explore Brussels, the unofficial capital of Europe.

Your tour package includes

8 nights in handpicked hotels
8 breakfasts
3 dinners with beer or wine
2 beer tastings & 1 wine tasting
3 guided sightseeing tours

Included highlights

Christmas markets from Amsterdam to Brussels
Amsterdam’s canals
Dam Square
Van Gogh Museum
Maastricht

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Amsterdam today.

Amsterdam3 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Amsterdam

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Amsterdam! Meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Amsterdam & Christmas market visit

Included meal: Breakfast

Today’s panoramic sightseeing tour introduces you to Amsterdam’s iconic canals and unique character.

• Walk through Bloemenmarkt, the city’s famous floating flower market, and pass by Begijnhof Chapel

• Stroll by the canals and bridges, taking in the houseboats that dot the banks

• View Dam Square, home of many landmarks including the neoclassical Royal Palace, the 15th-century New Church, and the National Monument

• Enter the Van Gogh Museum to admire the largest collection of Vincent Van Gogh’s masterpieces, including the famous Sunflowers

• Make your way to Amstelveen to visit the Winter Village Christmas market, where stalls sell everything from seasonal food to handmade crafts

Canal Cruise & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 4: Free day in Amsterdam

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a full free day exploring Amsterdam on your own or add an excursion.

A Day in Charming Delft

Excursion (additional cost)

Luxembourg Region2 nights

Day 5: Luxembourg Region via Maastricht

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel south to the mountainous province of Limburg. Stop in its capital, Maastricht, where your Tour Director will show you the Old City walls. Then, enjoy free time to take in the festive spirit at the Vrijthof Square Christmas market, which is home to an illuminated Ferris wheel and ice skating rink. After exploring the many stalls, cross into the tiny principality of Luxembourg, where you'll sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Day 6: Guided tour of Luxembourg City & Christmas market visit

Included meal: Breakfast

A local guide leads today’s tour of Luxembourg City, the country’s capital.

• Enter the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial

• View the World War II Monument to National Unity in the New Town

• See the Citadel of the Holy Spirit, Notre-Dame Cathedral and Grand Ducal Palace

• Travel through the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site

• Enjoy the best of the season as you stroll through festive Christmas markets in the main square, where you’ll stop for a mulled wine tasting at a market stall

Enjoy a free afternoon in the Luxembourg region or add an excursion.

Historic Germany: A Day in Trier

Excursion (additional cost)

Brussels3 nights

Day 7: Brussels via Bastogne

Included meal: Breakfast

Travel north through the forested Ardennes on your way to Brussels.

• Visit the Bastogne War Museum, which pays tribute to the American soldiers who defended Belgium in World War II during the Battle of the Bulge

• Stop in Purnode for a guided sightseeing tour of the Brasserie du Bocq brewery and a beer tasting

Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Brussels & Christmas market visit

Included meal: Breakfast

Join a local guide for a panoramic tour of Brussels, the unofficial capital of Europe and headquarters of the European Union.

• Drive past the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, a Gothic church dating back to the Middle Ages

• Pass by Brussels Park, the Royal Palace and the Palais de Justice, the largest court building in Brussels

• Stroll through the city’s historic center, stopping at the Grand-Place market for a chocolate tasting

• Take free time to view the Manneken-Pis statue before exploring Brussels’ Christmas markets, where the season comes to life amid soaring Christmas trees and quaint chalets

Enjoy a free evening in Brussels or add an excursion.

Belgian Chocolate Workshop & Beer Tasting

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 9: Free day in Brussels

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Spend the day at your leisure in Brussels or add an excursion.

Say goodbye to your group at a farewell dinner this evening.

A Day in Ghent: Tasting Tour & Canal Cruise

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 10: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue your tour in the city of Bruges.

Extension to Bruges

From its winding canals to its medieval architecture, there’s no denying Bruges’ storybook appeal. Stroll down cobbled streets, visit a bustling market, stop into a chocolate shop (or two), and experience the city’s fairytale charm up close.

Bruges2 nights

Day 10: Transfer to Bruges

Included meal: Breakfast

Travel to Bruges, where you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take in the sights, sounds and flavors of this charming city. Get an overview on a panoramic tour of its most famous sites.

• See Burg Square and the Church of Our Lady

• Enjoy the view at romantic Minnewater, the “Lake of Love”

• Visit the Beguinage, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to Benedictine nuns

• Pop into some of the many chocolate shops for tastings

• Step inside the 14th-century City Hall, which is built in the Gothic style and is distinguished as one of the oldest city halls in the Benelux region

This evening, walk through the famous Bruges Christmas Market with your Tour Director, followed by free time to enjoy the festivities on your own.

Day 11: Free day in Bruges

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a day exploring the city as you wish or add an excursion.

This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

A Day in Antwerp

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 12: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport in Brussels for your flight home.

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Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Thon Hotel Bristol Stephanie

This colorful hotel is located in the Châtelain neighborhood. Guests enjoy a restaurant, a bar, and a sauna. Nearby, you’ll find the Royal Palace, Ave...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

This tour visits the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 1 hour daily across moderately uneven terrain, including cobblestone streets and paved roads, with few hills or stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own luggage at times.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Amsterdam and depart from Brussels. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

Winters in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium are generally cold. To ensure you’re comfortable for outdoor sightseeing and Christmas market visits, we recommend packing a warm coat, hat, and gloves, as well as rainwear.
We also suggest packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can easily be layered.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes, sneakers, or winter boots is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to any of the countries on this tour.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

In the Netherlands, simply prepared meat and fish dishes, substantial soups, and hearty stews are local staples. Snack food traditionally features fish—you might try maatje, raw green herring served with onions—but pancakes, french fries, doughnuts, and waffles are just as plentiful.
In Luxembourg, the culinary influences are mostly Germanic. Smoked sausages, hams, and hearty stews are popular.
In Belgium, seafood is of a very high quality, and mussels steamed in white wine are a favorite. Patisseries offer decadent pastries and cakes, and you won’t want to miss indulging in favorites like french fries, handmade chocolate, locally brewed Abbey-style beer and, of course, Belgian waffles.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Electricity

The Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Time zones

The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium are one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the euro on this tour.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks, as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an optional excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.