MEDIEVAL BRUGES BRUSSELS

Day 1: Athens/Thessaloniki (Antwerp) – Bruges

The "diamond district" and the catwalks.
Gathering at the airport, direct flight from Athens to the capital of Belgium, and departure by road for our first stop, in Antwerp. Five large refineries on the docks of Antwerp's port give the stamp of the city's industrial profile, the 3rd largest port in Europe and one of the largest worldwide, which is our next stop within the day.
The city with the "diamond district" became a major artistic center in the 17th century, which was based on its famous painting school with excellent representatives such as Rubens and Van Dyck. Today, it owes its cult profile to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, which is one of the most important academies of fashion studies with dominant names in its roster, such as that of the pioneering designer Martin Margiela. In the city center, you will also find the famous biscuits of Antwerp, the Antwerpse Handjes. The dough with a mixture of almond and milk chocolate is its trademark!
In the afternoon, we arrive in Bruges and the hotel where we will stay for three nights is a key point for our excursions.

Day 2: Bruges

«For Whom the Bells Toll»: sculptures and music at the city's belfry!
The city of Bruges seems to have sprung straight out of a heavy leather-bound book with medieval engravings. Today, it is the first stop on our sightseeing tour. It cannot be a coincidence that its historic centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A series of medieval and Renaissance landmarks, such as the Church of Panagia with its brick belfry reaching 122.3 m, and the sculpture of Panagia Vrefokratoros, attributed to Michelangelo (his only work of art found outside Italy while he was still alive), create an atmosphere that makes the city unique. However, the biggest highlight here is the 13th-century Belfry. It houses a mechanism consisting of 48 bells, which is operated by a specialist who gives regular concerts. Additionally, the park with the Lake of Love, the oldest hospital in Europe, the Hospital of Saint John, the heavily photographed Bridge of Saint Boniface, the Lords' Mansion, the College of Europe, the world's first stock exchange, are all points that reveal the secrets of the historic centre. We keep the afternoon free for more strolls in the beautiful city.

3rd Day: Bruges (De Haan – Lille)

From a city to a state of siege, a center of art and culture
Although most of the world is known for Austin, the one that steals the show is the Belgian coastline de Han, which we will visit today. Small and picturesque modern town with Belle Epoque buildings built next to the North Sea.
Visit to Lille, the capital of French Flanders. It was claimed by the Vikings, the Hungarians and the Normans. It was eventually occupied by Louis XIV and has since been a French city. The Gare Lille Flandres railway station, the first stop on our tour, was opened in 1892 but its construction began in 1862, when it was moved in 1860 from Paris and the Gare du Nord station the facade, to become a facade to the Lille station. The Temple of Saint Maurice, near the Gothic flaming station, began construction in the 14th century, but was completed in the 19th century. Its magnificent architecture with its five flat cliffs has ranked it among the historical monuments of France and is our second stop.
We continue to the Theatre Square where Lill's Opera House is located, in the building that took the place of the old theatre, which gave the name to the square. It is the continuation of Charles de Gaulle Square and thus the two together form the main square of Lille, the Grand Place surrounded by 17th and 18th century buildings. Here you will see the impressive old stock exchange built in 1652. It consists of 24 buildings surrounding a common inner courtyard, in which today operates a marketplace of used books, posters, old coins, etc. and . . The new stock exchange from 1921, today's Chamber of Commerce, in a 1910 building is also ranked among the country's historical monuments, while the old fortress has become the Theatre du Nord of Lille. On the other side of the square, the series of 14 uniform buildings built in 1685, now houses on the ground floor cafes and restaurants. A drink, a sweet crepe or the characteristic sweetness of Lille, the marveilleux, here or in her oldest bakery, Meert, we suggest to enjoy in your free time or wander through the narrow streets with the medieval facades of the houses in the old neighborhood and the Rue de Gand or the Place des Oignons. Having completed our visit to Flemish Lille with the French atmosphere, we return to the genuine medieval Bridge.

Day 4: Bruges (Gante) – Brussels

Medieval and Renaissance in an industrial city full of art and culture
During our road trip to Brussels, we will stop in Ghent. If one foot of Ghent is immersed in the industries that surround it, the other foot is immersed in a pool of art and culture. Thus, in the cathedral of Saint Boniface, the visitor can admire works by Rubens, Hieronymus Bosch, as well as the wonderful triptych attributed to the Van Eyck brothers. The excellent Castle of the Knights gives the character of the city that during the medieval period was a major commercial port. Like Bruges, Ghent is also endowed with a very beautiful historic center with characteristic buildings of medieval and Renaissance architecture that are perfectly preserved. Nothing will disturb your "zen", let alone car horns, since car traffic is prohibited here.
Arrival early in the afternoon in Brussels and the futuristic Atomium, built in 1958, with its nine steel spheres connected by beams and forming the model of an iron crystal, gives us a first sample of the city's writing that promises a dynamic continuation.
After we settle in our hotel, our excursion to the European city with bureaucratic dynamics begins! The Grand Place with its iconic landmarks awaits you to explore it through our organized walk, while in the evening you can get a broader taste of the city, this time in one of its numerous restaurants that have put it firmly on the map of the European gastronomic scene.

5th Day: Brussels – Athens/Thessaloniki

"What is this kid doing in this fountain?": Urban stroll in one of the most iconic European squares!
Breakfast is free for a last walk in the capital of Belgium. Flooded with this serenity and with the beautiful images that convey the spirit of European culture, another extremely successful trip of ours comes to an end. We are transferred to Brussels Airport for our return flight to Greece.

Flights with SKY EXPRESS

Athens Brussels 10.45 – 13.05

Brussels Athens 14.05 – 18.05

Hotels

LE BOIS DE BRUGES 4*

DOUBLE TREE BY HILTON BRUSSELS 4*

Daily buffet breakfast

• Two overnight stays in the picturesque medieval town of Bruges
• Accommodation and sightseeing tour in Brussels, the capital of Belgium
• Visit to Ghent with the castle of the knights
• Visit to Antwerp with its important port
• Visit to Lille in Northern France

Experienced tour leader escort