Luxury Tour of Belgium & Luxembourg: Bruges, Brussels, Spa & Urspelt - 14 Days

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

Welcome to Brussels, Belgium's capital! Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer 1.5 hours to Hotel Dukes' Palace in Bruges, often called the "Venice of the North" for its picturesque canals. 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. 

Day 2: Day Trip to Damme on the Lamme Goedzak

Leave the city behind for the day as you 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, you'll arrive in the historic city of Damme, renowned for its well-preserved architecture, cobblestone streets, and serene canals. 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 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 

Start your day with a visit to Choco-Story Bruges for a private chocolate workshop with a master chocolatier. 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 chocolatier temper the chocolate, fill the molds, and coat the chocolate with a shiny finish before making your own pralines. You can take everything you make home with you to savor the experience. 

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 Brussels, Explore the Capital at Your Own Pace

Say goodbye to Bruges this morning as you transfer 1.5 hours back to Brussels to discover the capital. When you arrive, check in at 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 (beef stew made with beer).

Day 5: Private Tour of Brussels with a Local 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 outside of this 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 6: Guided Beer Walk in Brussels

Explore more of Brussels today, this time on a guided beer walk. Beer has been an integral part of Belgian culture since the Middle Ages, where 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.

Your guide will teach you more about the heritage and culture of beer as you make your way to five or so hotspots around the historic center. 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 7: Transfer to Spa, Check in at Manoir de Lébioles

Trade the capital for the lush hills of the Ardennes region this morning as you transfer two hours to Spa. 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 rest of the day is free, so you can unwind at the on-site spa, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the garden, or sit down for a meal at the fine-dining restaurant serving gourmet cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients.

Day 8: Visit the Castle of Reinhardstein, Enjoy a Free Afternoon

Set off on a 45-minute transfer to the Castle of Reinhardstein, a 14th-century fortress overlooking the Warche Valley. When you arrive, you'll join a tour of the beautifully 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. 

Once you've thoroughly explored the castle and its surroundings, transfer back to your hotel and enjoy a free afternoon. If you want to do a bit of sightseeing, visit Parc de Sept Heures, an elegant park offering wide paths, vibrant flowerbeds, and ornate fountains. Originally established in the 18th century as a promenade for Spa's visitors, the park maintains a sense of historic charm with its graceful trees and shaded walkways. Pack a picnic to enjoy in the park or visit one of the nearby cafés for a coffee and a bite to eat.

Day 9: Relax at Thermes de Spa

Enjoy a day of relaxation at Thermes de Spa, a modern wellness center offering panoramic views of the Ardennes forest. 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, while a lifeguard uses a Tibetan bowl to distribute energy and movement vibrations.

You can also pay an additional fee for treatments like massages, facials, scrubs, manicures, and pedicures. When you get hungry, visit Panoramic 325, the spa's on-site restaurant offering salads, sandwiches, and desserts. The spa has everything you need, so you'll easily be able to spend the whole day here.

Day 10: Day of Leisure at Manoir de Lébioles

Today is free for you to take advantage of Manoir de Lébioles' facilities or explore more of Spa on your own. If you want to stay at the hotel, consider a leisurely stroll through the beautifully landscaped gardens or curl up with a book in the cozy library. When you get hungry, enjoy a three-course lunch at the fine-dining restaurant. Then, book a coaching session or play a relaxed match at the on-site tennis court.

If tennis isn't your sport, the hotel can arrange for you to go golfing, horse riding, mountain biking, and even skiing for those visiting in the winter. After all that activity, unwind in the hotel's spa, featuring amenities like a steam bath, massage shower, vitality pool, and ice fountain. 

Day 11: Transfer to Urspelt (Luxembourg), Check in at Château d'Urspelt

Bid farewell to Spa and Belgium this morning as you transfer one hour to Urspelt, situated in Luxembourg's Ardennes region. This quaint village is home to less than 200 inhabitants, so it's main attraction is your accommodation, Château d'Urspelt, a luxurious hotel within a completely restored 18th-century castle. As you step inside to check in, you'll see ornate furnishings, cozy lounges, and inviting dining areas. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the area or relax at the hotel.

If you choose to stay at the hotel, you can access the wellness area for an additional fee. It features an immersed cave pool, a relaxation room, two hammams, two private saunas, a whirlpool, a flotation tank, a salt wall, and a fitness room. You can also book treatments like massages, facials, and scrubs. For dinner, visit the on-site French restaurant and indulge in dishes like roasted foie gras, venison stew, and lobster with wild rice.

Day 12: Private Tour of Clervaux's Castle, Church & Abbey

Discover Luxembourg's rich medieval heritage on today's private tour of Clervaux Castle, just five minutes away in the neighboring town of Clervaux. It was originally built in the 12th century but has been meticulously restored since it was damaged during World War II. Explore the stone walls, towers, courtyard, and terraces, where you can get panoramic views of the town and surrounding valley. Then, peruse the exhibitions, like "The Family of Man," a UNESCO-listed photography collection featuring over 500 images celebrating human experience and diversity curated by Edward Steichen.

After wandering through the castle, continue to the Church of Saints-Côme-et-Damien, with its twin towers and ornate architecture, before making your way to the Abbaye de Clervaux. This Benedictine abbey, built in the early 20th century, is known for its serene atmosphere, neo-Romanesque architecture, and peaceful setting amid the Ardennes forest. If you time your visit right, you can attend one of the monks' daily services, when they recite prayers, chant psalms, and perform religious rituals. 

Day 13: Enjoy a Free Day at Château d'Urspelt

Your penultimate day in Luxembourg is free for you to spend as you wish. Relax at the hotel pool, play a round of golf at Golf de Clervaux, or rent a bike and discover more of the Ardennes. If you opt for a bike ride, follow the quiet country roads through scenic farmland, along winding rivers, and over gentle hills. Consider a stop in the nearby village of Munshausen, known for its traditional Luxembourgish architecture and tranquil ambience. Return to the hotel in time for a gourmet dinner, choosing between two or three courses and an a la carte selection. 

Day 14: Depart Luxembourg

After two weeks of indulging in Belgian chocolate, savoring gourmet meals, and staying in elegant hotels across Belgium and Luxembourg, it's time to head home. Check out and meet your driver outside the hotel for a one-hour transfer to the airport. Get one more glimpse of the lush countryside's rolling hills and agricultural fields before approaching the city. When you arrive, head straight to the airport to catch your flight home. Safe travels!