The Treasures of North - Through two extraordinary countries: Belgium and The Netherlands Cruise on MS Lafayette from Brussels

Brussels

The City of Brussels is the largest municipality of the Brussels-Capital Region, and the official capital of Belgium. At first, the City of Brussels was simply defined, being the area within the second walls of Brussels, the modern-day small ring. As the city grew, the surrounding villages grew as well, eventually growing into a contiguous city, though the local governments retained control of their area.

Brussels

The City of Brussels is the largest municipality of the Brussels-Capital Region, and the official capital of Belgium. At first, the City of Brussels was simply defined, being the area within the second walls of Brussels, the modern-day small ring. As the city grew, the surrounding villages grew as well, eventually growing into a contiguous city, though the local governments retained control of their area.

Antwerp (Belgium)

Antwerp is a city and municipality in Belgium and the capital of the Antwerp province of Flanders. However the Brussels-Capital Region is considered as the largest Belgian city internationally. Antwerp is located on the right (eastern) bank of the river Scheldt, which is linked to the North Sea by the Westerschelde estuary. The city has one of the largest seaports in Europe. Antwerp has long been an important city in the Low Countries both economically and culturally, especially before the Spanish Fury (1576) in the period of the Dutch Revolt. Antwerp is the largest city, a bustling old port, it boasts a very large medieval district, beautiful baroque churches and late nineteenth century streets. Many artists (like Rubens and Vincent van Gogh) lived and worked here, hence the presence of Belgium's main museums. It is an important fashion centre and is renowned for its diamond trading

Antwerp (Belgium)

Antwerp is a city and municipality in Belgium and the capital of the Antwerp province of Flanders. However the Brussels-Capital Region is considered as the largest Belgian city internationally. Antwerp is located on the right (eastern) bank of the river Scheldt, which is linked to the North Sea by the Westerschelde estuary. The city has one of the largest seaports in Europe. Antwerp has long been an important city in the Low Countries both economically and culturally, especially before the Spanish Fury (1576) in the period of the Dutch Revolt. Antwerp is the largest city, a bustling old port, it boasts a very large medieval district, beautiful baroque churches and late nineteenth century streets. Many artists (like Rubens and Vincent van Gogh) lived and worked here, hence the presence of Belgium's main museums. It is an important fashion centre and is renowned for its diamond trading

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is located about a half-hour away from The Hague and an hour from Amsterdam, and has the largest port in Europe, with the rivers Meuse and Rhine providing excellent access to Basel, Switzerland and into France. This city is known for its Erasmus University and the cutting-edge architecture as the large congress and concert building called De Doelen, many well known museums. Rotterdam has its own orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra with its world famous musical director Valery Gergiev, plus many theatres that includes the new Luxor theatre and movie theatres. Rotterdam has also a lively cultural life (the Ahoy complex located in the south of the city hosts pop concerts and all sorts of music, poetry and cinema festivals, exhibitions, tennis tournaments and other activities). Northwest of Rotterdam you will find the major zoo called Diegaarde Blijdorp complete with a walkthrough sea aquarium called Oceanjum.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is located about a half-hour away from The Hague and an hour from Amsterdam, and has the largest port in Europe, with the rivers Meuse and Rhine providing excellent access to Basel, Switzerland and into France. This city is known for its Erasmus University and the cutting-edge architecture as the large congress and concert building called De Doelen, many well known museums. Rotterdam has its own orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra with its world famous musical director Valery Gergiev, plus many theatres that includes the new Luxor theatre and movie theatres. Rotterdam has also a lively cultural life (the Ahoy complex located in the south of the city hosts pop concerts and all sorts of music, poetry and cinema festivals, exhibitions, tennis tournaments and other activities). Northwest of Rotterdam you will find the major zoo called Diegaarde Blijdorp complete with a walkthrough sea aquarium called Oceanjum.

Utrecht

Utrecht is an active and vital city, the autenthic heart of Holland. Constructed around the Dom tower, visible from all the point of the old city. Utrecht has original canals with terraces and cafes. It counts with hundreds of monuments. The Rietveld Schröder house, Dick Bruna's House, theCatharijneconvent,the Centraal Museum, the Museum Speelklok, the Wilhelminapark, the Lepelenburg oark or the botanical gardens are some of the cultural and natural places to visit.

Amsterdam

Cycling is a quintessentially Dutch means of getting around the “Postcard City”. You can catch all the sights on a bike by booking a guided tour. Lose yourself in a maze of canals that encircle the city. Visit the flea markets to discover the multi-ethnic spirit of Amsterdam. Some of Amsterdams main attractions, includes its historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Hermitage Amsterdam, Anne Frank House, Amsterdam Museum, its red-light district, and its many cannabis coffee shops.

Amsterdam

Cycling is a quintessentially Dutch means of getting around the “Postcard City”. You can catch all the sights on a bike by booking a guided tour. Lose yourself in a maze of canals that encircle the city. Visit the flea markets to discover the multi-ethnic spirit of Amsterdam. Some of Amsterdams main attractions, includes its historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Hermitage Amsterdam, Anne Frank House, Amsterdam Museum, its red-light district, and its many cannabis coffee shops.

Amsterdam

Cycling is a quintessentially Dutch means of getting around the “Postcard City”. You can catch all the sights on a bike by booking a guided tour. Lose yourself in a maze of canals that encircle the city. Visit the flea markets to discover the multi-ethnic spirit of Amsterdam. Some of Amsterdams main attractions, includes its historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Hermitage Amsterdam, Anne Frank House, Amsterdam Museum, its red-light district, and its many cannabis coffee shops.

Brussels

The City of Brussels is the largest municipality of the Brussels-Capital Region, and the official capital of Belgium. At first, the City of Brussels was simply defined, being the area within the second walls of Brussels, the modern-day small ring. As the city grew, the surrounding villages grew as well, eventually growing into a contiguous city, though the local governments retained control of their area.