Discover the rich art history of the Low Countries by exploring renowned galleries and museums across Belgium and The Netherlands.

At a Glance

  • Experience the expanse of European art history with visits to Brussels’ Royal Museum of Fine Arts and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
  • Witness the architectural wonders of the Gothic and Baroque periods visiting the towns of Bruges and Antwerp
  • Enhance your appreciation of art with insightful talks from your tour leader, architectural history specialist Thomas Abbott
  • Encounter the rhythm of life in the Low Countries as Spring unfolds in glorious colour across the countryside

Experience everything from the sublime to the surreal at Brussels’ Royal Museum of Fine Arts. Learn about the rise, fall and resurrection of Bruges before continuing to Antwerp, home of the legendary Flemish Baroque artist, Peter Paul Rubens, and visit the newly reopened Royal Museum of Fine Arts.

Finally, explore Amsterdam and wonder at the treasures of the Van Gogh Museum, before uncovering the history of Dutch art from the Middle Ages to the modern day at the magnificent Rijksmuseum.

Along the way, marvel at the exquisite architecture of the region and behold the natural beauties of the Low Countries as Spring breathes into full bloom.

 

This tour is part of the World Art Tours program organised by the Art Gallery Society of NSW in partnership with Renaissance Tours.

Dates

15 – 24 April 2024 (10 days)

Tour leader

Thomas Abbott

Tour Status

Available

Book now

Itinerary

Arrive in Brussels on suggested flights and make your own way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements including travel insurance (a condition of travel), private hotel transfer, accommodation before or after the tour and a room category upgrade.

At 18:00, attend a welcome briefing and talk by your tour leader, Thomas Abbott, followed by a welcome dinner.

(D)

Following a morning talk by Thomas, enjoy a walking tour of the historic centre of Brussels and discover the Grand Place, a historic central square surrounded by opulent Baroque and Gothic guild houses.

After lunch, visit Belgium’s Royal Museums of Fine Arts, which trace the history of the visual arts – painting, sculpture and drawing – from the fifteenth to the twenty-first centuries.

Continue to the Magritte Museum, housed in the five-level neo-classical Hotel Altenloh, dedicated to the world of the Belgian surrealist artist, René Magritte.

(BL)

This morning, depart Brussels to the city of Ghent to discover the Church of St Nicholas, one of the most beautiful examples of the Scheldt Gothic style – an impressive mixture of Romanesque and Flemish styles. At the Cathedral of St Bavo, marvel at the celebrated altarpiece The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. This so-called Ghent Altarpiece was painted in 1432 by Flemish artists Hubert and Jan Van Eyck and represents a European revolution in the optics of painting.

After lunch, enjoy a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts and explore its extensive collection of European painting and sculpture, from the Middle Ages to the present. Old Masters such as Bosch, Rubens and Van Dyck hang alongside Impressionists, Surrealists and Modernists such as Rodin, Magritte and Ensor.

(BL)

Today, enjoy a day trip to the city of Bruges. Thanks to its port, this splendid medieval city was at one time a major commercial city. During a morning walking and canal tour of the historic centre, learn about the rise, fall and resurrection of Bruges, a city that glittered in Northern Europe with as much power and panache as Venice once did in the Mediterranean.

Visit the Groeningemuseum, offering a varied overview of the history of Belgian art. Admire its impressive collection of works by Van Eyck and masterpieces from Flemish Expressionism and post-war modern art.

After lunch, discover the Hans Memling Museum, housed in the large medieval complex of St John’s Hospital, and admire celebrated works by the Flemish artist that include his renowned wooden ‘Shrine of St Ursula’. Then, return to Ghent in the late afternoon.

(BL)

This morning, depart Ghent to Antwerp. Located on the banks of the River Scheldt and once Europe’s largest port, Antwerp is renowned as being the diamond capital of the world.

Arrive in Antwerp and explore the newly reopened Royal Museum of Fine Arts, displaying a world-class art collection of Flemish primitives and expressionists, including major works by Rubens and Henri De Braekeleer.

In the afternoon, visit the Museum Mayer van den Bergh. Housing a unique collection of Belgian art, the museum includes works by Pieter Bruegel the Elder assembled by the nineteenth-century collector Fritz Mayer.

(BL)

Following a morning talk by Thomas, enjoy a walking tour of the city with a visit to the towering Cathedral of Our Lady. A masterpiece of Gothic architecture and the largest church in the Benelux, it preserves four magnificent Rubens altarpieces.

Enjoy lunch in the Old Town and the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

(BL)

This morning, travel from Antwerp to The Hague, located on the North Sea coast. Explore the Mauritshuis museum, home to some of the best of Golden Age paintings by the most important Dutch and Flemish artists, including Vermeer and Rembrandt.

In the afternoon, visit the Kunstmuseum, which boasts the world’s largest collection of works by Mondrian, known for his use of red, blue and yellow shapes.

Continue to Amsterdam, arriving in the late afternoon.

(B)

Enjoy a morning walking tour of Amsterdam and admire the traditional seventeenth-century merchants’ houses and numerous bridges, observing the daily life of houseboats along the canals.

Continue with a visit to the world-renowned Rijksmuseum, which offers an excellent overview of Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages onwards, and of major aspects of European and Asian art.

In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to the Van Gogh Museum, featuring the world’s largest collection of works by Vincent Van Gogh and his contemporaries. The museum houses more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings and 700 of his letters, including masterpieces such as Sunflowers and The Potato Eaters, and a number of self-portraits

(BL)

This morning, discover the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam’s answer to MoMA or the Pompidou Centre. This museum of modern and contemporary art displays a rotating selection of works by Picasso, Matisse, Mondrian, Van Gogh, Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama and more, plus an exuberant Karel Appel mural.

Then, enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure to continue your exploration of Amsterdam at your own pace.

Tonight, celebrate the conclusion of the tour with a special farewell dinner with Thomas and fellow travellers.

(BD)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast.

For those returning home today, make your way to the airport for suggested flights to Australia or New Zealand. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour, private airport transfers and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)

Prices

Per person, twin-share

AUD 8,250

Single supplement

AUD 1,850

Deposit per person (at time of booking)

AUD 2,500

Final payment due

15 February 2024

Room category upgrade available on request; please enquire with us.

Tour price includes

  • Accommodation in 4-star hotels with breakfast daily (B)
  • Meals as per itinerary (L = Lunch, D = Dinner), including drinks with dinners
  • Comprehensive sightseeing, including local guides and entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Transportation throughout on comfortable, air-conditioned coaches
  • Lectures and talks with your tour leader, Thomas Abbott
  • Gratuities for local guides, drivers and wait staff
  • Hotel porterage (one piece per person)

Tour price does not include

  • International airfares (please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)
  • Airport/hotel transfers on arrival and departure
  • Items of a personal nature (e.g. telephone, laundry, room service, minibar, taxis etc.)
  • Airport porterage
  • Travel insurance (a condition of travel; please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)

Hotel

Your hotels
Brussels – Brussels Marriott Grand Place****
Ghent – NH Ghent Belfort****
Antwerp – Radisson Blu Astrid****
Amsterdam – Park Centraal Amsterdam****

N.B. Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.

More Details

Tour code: AG2403

Fitness level: Above Moderate
Please see Terms & Conditions for fitness level definitions here.

Suggested airline: Qantas/Emirates
Please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for current airfares and flight reservations.

Visa
Australian and New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa to visit Belgium and The Netherlands.

Download booking form here.

Map

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