Luxury Tour of Belgium: Bruges, Spa & Brussels - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Brussels, Transfer to Bruges, Explore at Leisure

Welcome to Belgium! Touch down in the capital, Brussels, and meet your driver outside the airport for a 1.5-hour transfer to Hotel Dukes' Palace in Bruges, often called the "Venice of the North" for its intricate canal system. Check into your 5-star hotel, housed in a 15th-century ducal palace, and settle into your elegant room featuring a marble bathroom, historic frescoes, and first-class cotton sheets. Stay in and enjoy the amenities, like the pristine garden or luxurious spa, or venture out to explore the city at your own pace.

One of the best ways to see the city is from the water, so consider a boat tour of the serene canals. Glide past medieval buildings adorned with ivy and colorful flowers, keeping an eye out for landmarks like the Belfry of Bruges, a historic bell tower, and the Church of Our Lady, home to Michelangelo's famous sculpture, the Madonna and Child. After the canal cruise, wander through the UNESCO-listed historic center for a closer look at the medieval architecture or head to a bar to try the city's signature beer, Brugse Zot. 

Day 2: Day Trip to Damme on the Lamme Goedzak

Discover more of the Flanders region with a day trip to Damme, a picturesque city known for its well-preserved architecture, cobblestone streets, and serene canals. To get there, board the Lamme Goedzak, a nostalgic riverboat named after a character from Charles De Coster's novel, "The Legend of Thyl Ulenspiegel and Lamme Goedzak." As you glide slowly along the picturesque canals, keep an eye out for historic windmills and quaint farmhouses. After 35 minutes, disembark and enjoy some free time to explore the city at your own pace.

A good place to start is the historic center lined with medieval architecture. Stop at the town hall featuring intricate stained glass windows depicting the city's storied past and Our Lady Ascension Church with its brick facade and towering spire. If you want to learn more about the city's cultural heritage, visit the Uilenspiegel Museum, dedicated to the character Till Eulenspiegel, a German trickster known for his clever pranks and humorous tales. After exploring the fascinating collection of artifacts, illustrations, and interactive displays, return to Bruges on the riverboat.

Day 3: Chocolate Workshop at Choco-Story Bruges or Day Trip to Ghent 

One of the most popular culinary delights in Belgium is its high-quality chocolate, which you'll discover how to make today during a private workshop. Head to Choco-Story Bruges and learn about the fascinating history of chocolate, from its ancient origins to its modern-day artistry. Then, discover the intricate process involved in creating pralines (chocolate shells typically filled with ganache, cream, fruit, or caramel). Observe the master chocolatier temper the chocolate, fill the molds, and coat the hardened chocolate with a shiny finish before making your own pralines. 

If you don't have much of a sweet tooth, opt for a day trip to the vibrant city of Ghent instead. After the one-hour transfer, meet your guide for a walk through the city. As you wander through the cobbled streets and alongside serene canals, you'll pass landmarks like St. Bavo's Cathedral. This massive Gothic church is home to the world-renowned altarpiece, "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb," painted by the Van Eyck brothers. Admire the church from the outside or pay a small fee to discover the interior and iconic altarpiece.

Day 4: Transfer to Spa, Check in at Manoir de Lébioles

Say goodbye to Bruges and Flanders this morning as you meet your private driver for a 2.5-3-hour transfer to Spa in the lush hills of the Ardennes region. This historic town is believed to be the birthplace of the word "spa" as it's famous for its mineral springs and wellness culture. When you arrive, check in at Manoir de Lébioles, a luxurious 19th-century manor house with beautifully manicured grounds and tastefully decorated interiors. The hotel only has 16 suites, so personalized attention and an exclusive atmosphere are guaranteed.

Spend the rest of the day unwinding at the on-site spa or enjoying a leisurely stroll through the garden. If you want to do a bit of sightseeing, consider a visit to the Casino de Spa, established in 1763, making it one of the world's first modern casinos. Choose from a diverse selection of classic games, including roulette, blackjack, and poker, or try your luck at the slots. Return to the hotel in time for dinner at the fine-dining restaurant serving gourmet cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients.

Day 5: Visit the Castle of Reinhardstein, Enjoy a Free Afternoon

Leave the city behind for the day as you transfer 45 minutes to the Castle of Reinhardstein, overlooking the Warche Valley in Waimes. When you arrive, join a tour of the well-preserved rooms filled with period furniture, tapestries, and artifacts that reveal stories of knights, nobility, and feudal life. Climb to the top of one of the towers for panoramic views of the valley and the nearby village of Ovifat. After the tour, enjoy some free time to try your hand at archery, go on a leisurely walk to the Cascade de Reinhardstein (Belgium's tallest waterfall), or attend a birds of prey show for an additional fee. 

Day 6: Relax at Thermes de Spa

Spend the day at the Thermes de Spa, a wellness center that blends tradition with contemporary wellness. In addition to the indoor and outdoor thermal baths, the spa has a hammam, sauna, and plenty of relaxation areas for you to unwind. There are activities you can partake in as well, such as the aqua gym, which is an exercise class performed in the water, or a sensory experience where you go weightless on floating supports in the pool, and the lifeguard uses a Tibetan bowl to distribute energy and movement vibrations.

Day 7: Transfer to Brussels, Explore the Capital at Your Own Pace

Now that you've explored a bit of the Flanders and Ardennes regions, it's time to return to the capital. Meet your private driver for a two-hour transfer to the 5-star Juliana Hotel, situated on Place des Martyrs, an 18th-century square known for its neoclassical architecture. Spend the rest of the day relaxing by the indoor swimming pool, taking advantage of the hammam (Turkish bath), or exploring the city on your own. If you want to do a bit of shopping, visit Les Marolles, an eclectic neighborhood filled with antique stores and flea markets.

Art lovers can head to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium a collection of four main institutions, focusing on ancient art, modern art, fin-de-siècle (end of the 19th century) art, and the work of surrealist artist René Magritte. Wander through each museum to admire the extensive collection of art before continuing to the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. The venue frequently hosts concerts and recitals, but you can also book a guided tour of the facilities. In the evening, visit a local restaurant to try dishes like moules-frites (mussels served with crispy fries) or stoofvlees (a beef stew made with beer).

Day 8: Brussels Tour with a Private Guide

Join your private guide on a tour of the city this morning, starting at the Grand Place, the UNESCO-listed central square. Then, head to the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken, built in the late 19th century by King Leopold II. The greenhouses are open to the public for a limited time in spring, but every other time, you can admire the exterior of the Art Nouveau structure. Another landmark that temporarily opens its doors to the public is the Royal Palace of Brussels, as the Belgian monarchy uses it for ceremonial functions and state events throughout the year. 

Day 9: Guided Beer Walk in Brussels

Another beloved culinary delight in Belgium is beer. It has been an integral part of Belgian culture since the Middle Ages, when it was initially brewed in monasteries by monks as a safe alternative to water. Over the years, brewing techniques have evolved, creating unique styles that Belgium is famous for.

Learn more about the heritage and culture of beer as you set off on a guided beer walk. Visit five or so hotspots around the historic center to try a wide range of Belgian beers, like witbier (wheat beer), dubbel (dark ale), or lambic (spontaneously fermented beer flavored with cherries or raspberries). After the three-hour tour, enjoy some free time back at the hotel or take advantage of your final night in the capital with a bit more sightseeing.

Day 10: Depart Brussels

Take advantage of your final few hours in Belgium with some self-guided sightseeing. Consider a visit to the Atomium, an iconic landmark and symbol of the city. It resembles an atom magnified 165 billion times, and houses exhibits showcasing the country's scientific and technological advancements. Climb to the highest sphere, located 335 feet (102 m) above the ground, for one last look at the city.

Then, head to the Musée Magritte to marvel at René Magritte's surrealist artwork. Located in a beautiful 19th-century mansion, the museum holds one of the largest collections of his works in the world, including famous pieces like The Son of Man and The Treachery of Images. When it's time, return to the hotel to meet your driver and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!