Belgium and The Netherlands

Recently some of my clients have toured the low land countries: Netherlands and Belgium .  Matt and Deanna Hauser, who took these pictures, traveled by train between Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges, while another couple took a barge cruise along the same route, and yet a third couple explored the region by car.  
And you can take a horse drawn carriage to see the sights in any of the cities.  Definitely my clients have been exploring the low countries by all possible modes of travel!

So: here are lots of pictures to help you imagine your route, taking the same holiday.

Bruges has remained much as it was five hundred years ago.  Since it was an “out of the way” city, it wasn’t bombed in WWII; thus, its architecture remains more intact than that of many northern cities.  Bruges is often called the Venice of the west because of all its canals.  But then, all the cities of this region have lots of canals!
Bruges has many surprising secrets—among them a small Madonna and Child by Michelangelo (unfortunately not pictured here), one of the few of his sculptures to be found outside Italy .   This small gem, in the church of Notre Dame, is well worth a visit.   

Ghent allows no cars in its city center.  You can get about either on two feet or two wheels.  Locals come and go to work on bicycles, but for sightseeing and picture taking you might prefer leisurely walks.

The buildings along the River Leie still retain their handsome 16th and 17th century facades.  Ghent boasts eighteen museums and a hundred churches for you to explore. You might especially want to visit St. Baafskathedrall, seen on the far left in this picture, home to the world-renowned altarpiece painting by Van Eyck, the “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”.
 

Belgium ’s microbreweries make their own beer glasses, each with its own logo and shape.  They’re fun to collect!  Be careful though—some of the beer is 8 percent and will have you dancing on the table and singing in no time.

 

Amsterdam is a very large version of the quaint country towns.  It is home to many wonderful museums, Ann Frank’s home, and a great maze of canals.  I advise you to keep a good map with you! 

 
 

If you’re ready for an individual Low Countries exploration, give me a call to set up a wonderful seven to ten day holiday on your own, by car, train, boat—and intra-city carriage! 

 

 

Harriet H. Ahouse | Independent Travel Consultant
Vista Travel, Inc.
10 Rogers Street
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
617-621-0100 (main) | 617-588-4246 (direct)
888-567-9406 (24-hour service)
e-mail: hahouse@alwaysharriet.com