Holland and Belgium
Explore the quaint historic cities of Holland and Belgium on a touring holiday. Particularly stunning in the Spring are the gardens and tulip fields of Holland, often explored on tours alongside iconic windmills and the entrancing city of Amsterdam. Or discover the famous chocolate, diamonds and beer of Belgium, with visits to Bruges, Antwerp and Brussels.
Finding & Loading Tours
- 11 Nights - Amsterdam to Paris
- Tour Only from £2,486
The tring-tring of Dutch bicycles launches your Europe adventure, from picture-perfect Amsterdam and vine-clad hills along the Rhine with its medieval castles, to the open-air museum that is Rome.
- 14 Nights - Amsterdam to Budapest
- Fly Cruise from £2,895
Includes return flights from the UK. Travelmarvel's 15 day affordable river cruise will showcase the best of 5 historic European countries, with wonderful scenery around every corner.
- 14 Nights - Budapest to Amsterdam
- Fly Cruise from £2,895
Includes return flights from the UK. Join Travelmarvel for 15 day fantastic days cruising from Budapest to Amsterdam aboard Travelmarvel Jewel or Diamond on this affordable river cruise.
- 13 Nights - Rome to Amsterdam
- Tour Only from £3,172
Just as Rome was the foundation for modern civilisation, so too is it the ideal start for this superb journey. Spend three days in this ancient city, visiting the Vatican Museums before they are opened to the public.
- 14 Nights - Amsterdam to Budapest
- Fly Tour from £3,895
Includes return flights from the UK. Cruise in luxury down the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers from Amsterdam to Budapest taking in the iconic attractions and charming secrets of Europe's heartland.
- 14 Nights - Budapest to Amsterdam
- Fly Tour from £3,895
Includes return flights from the UK. Unpack once, relax and experience the waterways of Europe in five start luxury as you cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam exploring the villages and cities along the way.
- 14 Nights - Vienna to Amsterdam
- Fly Tour from £4,295
Includes return flights from the UK. Enjoy a luxury river cruise from Vienna to Amsterdam, where you can experience the magic of the festive season. Visit Vienna’s Christmas Markets and delight in a special private festive concert at the regal City Palace.
- 6 Nights - Amsterdam to London
- Tour Only from £1,350
Delve into the landscapes of Europe, from Amsterdam's gabled façades and lush Burgundy vineyards, to the sophistication of Paris and the mystical White Cliffs of Dover.
- 8 Nights - St Johann to Brussels
- Rail Tour from £1,545
Explore the mighty Austrian Alps on this wonderful holiday to one of Europe's most scenic and alluring countries. From our base in the enchanting Tyrolean town of St Johann, we discover the majesty of this Alpine wonderland.
Five-Star Tulips Cruise (Fly & Cruise)
- 7 Nights - Amsterdam and Back
- Fly Cruise from £1,795
Discover the magnificent floral displays of the Keukenhof Gardens and enjoy a talk onboard ship from television personality Charlie Dimmock on this wonderfully diverse cruise on the enchanting Belgian and Dutch waterways. On this tour we uncover the beautiful historic cities of Amsterdam, Ghent and Antwerp as well as the Battlefields of Ypres, the spectacular Keukenhof tulips and the Hoorn-Medemblik steam train.
Discover Holland and Belgium
A land of canals and castles, Holland has also produced some of the world’s most famous artists, from Van Gogh to Rembrandt, whose works can be seen in world-renowned museums throughout the country. Kinderdijk is a beautiful landscape of marshes and waterways with 19 iconic Dutch windmills dating back to the 18th century which preserve a vanished way of life.
More than a quarter of Holland is below sea level, with rows of polders (areas of drained land) bisected by drainage ditches and canals creating an iconic landscape and miles of dunes protecting the long coastline. In springtime Holland really shines, with tulips, hyacinths and daffodils blooming in majestic gardens like Keukenhof where over 7 million flowers explode in a kaleidoscope of colours between March and May. The world-renowned Flower Bulb Region is where tulip farmers grow their flowers; the colourful fields provide breathtaking vistas every year.
Although small, Belgium has played an important part in European history since the Middle Ages and is today home to the headquarters for NATO and the EU. In more modern times Belgium was partially occupied during World War I, and Flanders is a moving place to explore its legacy, with war cemeteries, memorials, museums and iconic battlefields.
Belgium is split between the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north and the mainly French-speaking Wallonia region in the south. A touring holiday is ideal to explore the country’s historic cities, rural villages and remote castles. Belgium’s rich and wholesome cuisine includes Belgian chocolate, waffles, moules-frites and the world-famous beers made in monasteries.
Highlights of Holland and Belgium
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Amsterdam, Holland
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and is renowned for its historic bridges crossing the network of Golden Age canals, lined with tall merchant houses. Attractions include the prestigious Rijksmuseum which houses a magnificent collection of works by Dutch masters, the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank’s House and the Hermitage Amsterdam. The atmospheric narrow lanes boast an unparalleled collection of lively bars, coffee houses and interesting shops to explore.
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Volendam, Holland
The quaint old fishing village lakeside town of Volendam is a maze of fishermen's houses, small gabled buildings and authentic wooden shops, and has attracted painters and artists for centuries. Many of the local people still wear traditional Dutch dress, and there is a museum dedicated to Dutch costume and its history. The waterfront is lined with many historic monuments and sculptures, and the harbour with bustling fish market forms the lively heart of the village.
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Delft, Holland
Founded in the 11th century, Delft has a well-preserved historic old town that has changed little since the times of Golden Age artist Johannes Vermeer, who was born in Delft and lived here his whole life. In the 17th century, artisans started to produce the distinctive blue-and-white pottery Delftware which continues to be produced in the city today, and pottery lovers will enjoy visiting the famous Royal Delft earthenware factory. Delft’s fascinating old buildings include the Prinsenhof which houses a collection of Golden Age paintings, the surreal leaning tower of the Oude Kerk and the Nieuwe Kerk which is the most important church in the Netherlands.
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The Hague, Holland
The Hague is the seat of Holland’s parliament, residence of the Dutch royal family and home to the International Court of Justice inside the Peace Palace. The city has a serene, elegant atmosphere with broad tree-lined avenues, verdant gardens and wide beaches just a short walk from the centre. The world-renowned Mauritshuis museum houses Vermeer’s famous painting Girl with a Pearl Earring along with a wonderful collection of Dutch and Flemish art.
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Arnhem, Holland
Arnhem was the site of Operation Market Garden, the World War II battle depicted the film in A Bridge Too Far, and many visitors come here to explore the key locations from the Battle of Arnhem. Just outside Arnhem is the opulent Palais Het Loo and its beautiful tiered gardens, and the Netherlands Open-Air Museum where reconstructed windmills and workshops show how rural Dutch farmers, fishermen and craftsmen used to live and work.
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Keukenhof
Keukenhof is one of Holland’s top attractions and is the world’s largest flower garden, with millions of tulips, daffodils, bluebells and hyacinths blooming in over 70 acres of gardens between March and May. Stroll along the winding paths surrounded by a fusion of vibrant colours and flowery scents. The gardens are surrounded by colourful tulip fields, one of the country’s most photographed landscapes.
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Ghent, Belgium
There is a wealth of medieval architecture in Ghent with over 900 listed buildings lining the narrow canals. One of the world’s most important paintings, Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers, can be seen in the St-Baafskathedraal. Other historic buildings include the 12th-century Castle of the Counts and the medieval guildhouses of the Graslei. A trio of museums showcase the city’s history as well as art ranging from the Old Masters to contemporary collections.
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Bruges, Belgium
Known as the Venice of the North due to its many tranquil waterways, Bruges is one the oldest and prettiest towns in Flanders. Superbly compact, its UNESCO-listed historic centre is made up of narrow cobbled streets, romantic gabled houses and elegant churches. Attractions include the soaring 13th-century Belfry, the Church of Our Lady which houses Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood where a phial said to contain drops of Christ’s blood can be seen in the upper chapelle.
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Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is the administrative centre of the European Union, yet it has much more to offer than just government buildings. The Lower Town is home to the exquisite Grand Place which is framed by beautiful guildhouses and the Town Hall, while the smaller Upper Town has the country’s most important art collection in the Musées Royaux des Beaux Arts. The city is well known for its class cuisine including waffles, frites, Belgian chocolates and beers, many of which are brewed in the city by Trappist monks.
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Ypres, Belgium
Ypres was almost totally destroyed during a series of battles in WWI but is now a place of peace and reflection. The award-winning In Flanders Fields Museum tells the story of the extraordinary lives of soldiers and civilians during the conflict. Nearby are many battlefields from the war including Passchendaele, as well as Tyne Cot, the world’s largest Commonwealth war cemetery. Ypres is also the home of the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing where the Last Post ceremony takes place every evening.
