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Air Canada Vacations

The Highlights of Flanders

Overview

Embark on a unique journey through Flanders and indulge in a blend of art, history and culinary delights. Enjoy the convenience of a private car and driver as you seamlessly travel between vibrant cities, creating unforgettable moments along the way.

This itinerary features More Moments activities included with your package.

Format

Guided tour

Locations

  • Brussels
  • Antwerp
  • Ghent
  • Bruges
  • Ypres

Inclusions

  • Round-trip flights to Brussels (if Flight & Hotel package option is chosen)
  • Private airport transfers in Brussels
  • 7 nights of accommodation
  • 7 breakfasts
  • City taxes and VAT
  • Earn and redeem Aeroplan® points

More Moments activities:

    • Walking tour of Brussels’ historic center (3 hours)
    • Walking tour of Antwerp with a local guide (3 hours)
    • Walking tour of Ghent with a local guide (2 hours)
    • Walking tour of Bruges with a local guide (2 hours)
    • Full-day guided tour at the Ypres Salient

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart Canada

Fly to Brussels.

Day 2

Welcome to Brussels

Upon your arrival, you’ll take a private transfer to your hotel and check in. Spend the rest of the day getting to know Brussels at your own pace.

Day 3

Brussels – Sightseeing

After breakfast, you’ll meet your guide to commence your 3-hour tour of Brussels on foot.

More Moments Activities Included

  • Walking tour of Brussels’ Historic Center

    Enjoy a guided walking tour of historic Brussels. During this tour,  you’ll visit the renowned Grand-Place central square, which features splendid guild houses and iconic landmarks like the Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries, the famous Manneken-Pis, the 19th-century Stock Exchange Building, the Mint and its theatre.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 4

Brussels – Antwerp – Brussels: Sightseeing

Today, you’ll explore Antwerp's historic centre with a local guide on a 3-hour walking tour.

(Approximately 58 km)

More Moments Activities Included

  • Walking Tour of Antwerp

    You’ll begin this walking tour with a charming stroll through the medieval cobblestone alley of Vlaeykensgang. You’ll then visit the iconic Grote Markt, where the Brabo Fountain, City Hall and imposing 16th and 17th-century guild houses captivate the eye. You’ll take a moment to explore the Cathedral of Our Lady, a stunning Gothic church housing masterpieces by artists like Peter Paul Rubens and other Flemish masters. You’ll then head through Groenplaats Square towards Meir, Antwerp's main shopping street, filled with landmarks associated with the international fashion industry’s famous “Antwerp Six.” Finally, you’ll continue to walk along Keyserlei towards the Central Station, a late 19th-century eclectic masterpiece affectionately called “The Railway Cathedral” by locals.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 5

Brussels – Ghent – Bruges: Visit

After breakfast, you’ll take your private car to Ghent.  You’ll meet the guide for your 2-hour walking tour of Ghent’s most beautiful historic streets. In the late afternoon, you’ll head to Bruges and check-in at the hotel.

(Approximately 140 km)

More Moments Activities Included

  • Walking Tour of Ghent

    Enjoy Ghent's highlights with a panoramic view of the three towers – the Belfry, Saint Nicolas Church and Saint Bavo’s Cathedral – from a flanking bridge. You’ll then explore Korenmarkt and stop at Saint Nicolas Church and the Belfry with its cloth hall, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. While heading to Vrijdagmarkt, you can admire the City Hall's mix of flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance styles. You’ll pause for a moment at the statue of Jacob van Artevelde, which helped in the revival of Ghent in the 14th century. You’ll even encounter Dulle Griet, a 15th-century cast iron cannon, along the way. You’ll then cross the Lys to explore the inner courtyard of the House of Alijn, now a folklore museum. It’ll be followed by a visit to the Castle of the Counts, a former residence turned courthouse, jail and textile factory. Once your visit is over, you’ll return to Korenlei, passing St. Veerleplein Square and the Old Fish Market via charming alleys with numerous restaurants.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 6

Bruges: Visit

Meet your local guide to begin your 2-hour morning tour of Bruges on foot.

More Moments Activities Included

  • Walking Tour of Bruges

    Explore Bruges' highlights on this city tour, including the iconic Market Square, the historic Burg Square featuring City Hall, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the Fish Market, the scenic Dijver Canal, the Church of Our Lady, Saint Saviour’s Cathedral and The Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 7

Bruges: At Leisure

Spend the day exploring the city or visit the Groeninge Museum for your Flemish art fix.

($) Optional Activities

  • Groeninge Museum

    This museum offers a comprehensive overview of Belgian painters from the 15th century to the present day, and houses an extensive collection of Flemish primitives, including masterpieces by the van Eyck brothers, Rogier van der Weyden, Hugo van der Goes, Hans Memling and Pieter Brueghel The Elder. The modern art section features paintings by prominent artists such as Paul Delvaux, René Magritte, Constant Permeke and Gustave van de Woestijne.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 8

Bruges – Ypres - Bruges: Visit

Spend the day at Ypres Salient, the scene of several battles and a major part of the Western Front during World War I.

(Approximately 80 km)

More Moments Activities Included

  • Guided Tour at the Ypres Salient

    Our guided tour kicks off with visits to significant sites like the Essex Farm, the station where "In Flanders Fields" was written, the Langemark German war cemetery, St. Julien Memorial, the Tyne Cot cemetery and Passchendaele. In the afternoon, stroll from the renowned Ypres Cloth Hall to the Menin Gate and continue the tour to Hill 60, Messines Ridge and Plugstreet, where Winston Churchill served during World War I.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 9

Bruges – Brussels – Return to Canada

After breakfast, you’ll take a private transfer to the airport in Brussels and board your flight home.

(Approximately 105 km)

Meal(s): Breakfast

Accomodations

Where you'll stay

The hotels listed below are presented as examples for your reference only. Hotel accommodation details will be communicated to you or your travel agent prior to departure.

Location

Hotel

Brussels
Hotel Bedford & Congress Centre (or similar)
3
Bruges
Hotel Martin’s Brugge (or similar)
3

Room details

Type of bed(s): 1 double bed or 2 twin beds
Room occupancy: Maximum 2 people (2 adults)
Unless otherwise specified, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.

Important Information

  • Daily service: 

    • January 1 to December 17, 2025.
  • Not included

    • Meals and drinks, unless specified
    • Transfers, unless specified
    • Additional activities and excursions
    • Personal expenses and insurance
  • The More Moments activities/excursions mentioned in the itinerary are all included in the package but may be rescheduled to take place on an earlier or later day, depending on availability and operational day.

    Details regarding excursion meeting points will be indicated on your documents prior to departure.

    Private English or French-speaking guides

  • All transfers and excursions are by private car and driver.

  • The order visited may change due to operational restrictions. The itinerary above is for reference only.