Amsterdam, Bruges, and France's Discovery

Day 1 – Amsterdam

Welcome to Amsterdam. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your trip manager. Dine on a delightful breakfast or lunch (depending on your time of arrival) at the hotel.

Explore the reclaimed city of lazily meandering canals that create 90-islands that are connected by over 1200 bridges. The grachtenpand houses will enchant you as you wander through the narrow streets with your trip manager. You’ll find Amsterdam to be witty and interlaced with hidden gardens, potent jenever (gin) distilleries, technicolored Dutch homeware and clothing boutiques, art galleries, craft breweries, tulip vendors, and classic restaurants. Perhaps stop and enjoy a gezelligheid in a bruin café, a ‘brown’ café named for its smoke-stained wooden paneling. There is no shortage of art; Vincent Van Gogh has the most extensive collection of the native artist’s work, not to mention Rembrandts and Vermeers in the impressive Rijksmuseum. If you want to feel the wind in your hair, then jump on board an open-air canal boat.

Return to your hotel to rest or explore your immediate surroundings on your own. Later, enjoy a delicious cocktail or two and a three-course Dutch dinner at the hotel.

Day 2 – Amsterdam

Start the day with a traditional Dutch breakfast of appelstroop, hagelslag, cheese, and cold meats on sliced bread.

There is a vast collection of curated exploration that you can choose from, which will allow you to discover Anne Frank House, houseboats, or stroll through the pretty neighborhood of Jordaan. Each Saturday, Lindengracht magically transforms into a large-scale open-air market, where you can find local crafts, produce, flowers, and endless edible goodies. Join the Netherlands ‘ windmills and cultural heritage exploration to uncover the fascinating history of this eccentric city

Day 3 – Amsterdam to Bruges

After another hearty Dutch breakfast, you will travel in first-class luxury on the fabulous Eurostar through the beautiful rolling countryside of the Netherlands and Belgium.

When you arrive in Bruges, you can freshen up in your historic hotel before embarking on a city tour that will take you to the Quay of the Rosary or Rozenhoedkaai. The medieval postcard-worthy exploration allows you to explore the Lake of Love, castle-like buildings, bridges, and ancient wooden docks that reflect in mirror-still waters. Tanners Square, the fish market, perfectly maintained houses, and shops all retain their old resplendent facades. Feast on famous piping hot Belgian Liege waffles, crispy fries, well-crafted beers, and fine chocolates.

Return to your hotel to rest, or you might wish to continue to explore this ancient city on your own or choose one of the curated explorations with your trip manager. Later in the evening, enjoy hearing more tales and the secrets of Bruges while enjoying delicious cocktails and a three-course dinner at your hotel.

Day 4 – Bruges

Start the day with a filling BBB (Belgian Breakfast Brioche), Waterzooi, Belgian fries, Carbonade flamandeor stoofvlees, steak tartare or gratin with chicory, mussels, or more hot Belgian Liege waffles.

Choose to explore Bruges with your map and camera, or choose a curated exploration from the exclusive collection and learn more about this beautiful city with your private guide. They will share with you some of the mysteries and histories that lie within its ancient walls.

Day 5 – Bruges to Paris

After your final tasty Bruges breakfast, you’ll gather your possessions and head to Paris in first-class luxury aboard the French TGV train. Sit back and enjoy the undulating countryside pass you by.

If you feel in the mood to discover and want to explore the heritage and bubbles of the Champagne region, your guide will take you on an unforgettable journey through an exclusive estate, its vineyards, and cellars. You will begin to understand the complexities and discover the meaning of processes such as fermentation, remuage, and disgorgement.

On arrival to Paris, your guide will take you on a remarkable tour of the city and discover the various highlights, well-loved icons, and hidden gems, not to mention uncovering some of the mysterious secrets that the city holds. Your guide will transport you to the Palace of Versailles, where you can explore the entire 700-roomed estate where Louis XIV and Queen Marie Antoinette once resided.

Upon returning to your hotel, you can choose to continue exploring your locale or enjoy a restful evening, a cocktail or two, and a lavish three-course Parisian dinner.

Day 6 – Paris

Start the day with a filling butter and pastry-filled Parisian breakfast. There is so much to explore in this magical city known as the ‘city of light.’ It was one of the first European cities to use gaslighting to illuminate its spectacular monuments and boulevards. Get lost in seemingly undiscovered streets, walk along the famous Champs-Elysées, the banks of the River Seine, or through the cooling shadows of the Eiffel Tower. Immerse yourself into the colorful history of The Arc de Triomphe and Napoleon’s victories, weave your way through over 1000-years of art at the Louvre, and lose yourself in the fairytale Tuileries Gardens. Your trip manager is always at your disposal to recommend you and with a selection of curated explorations.

Day 7 – Paris

Enjoy another Parisian breakfast before exploring the city of romance under your own steam. You can choose from a beautiful collection of curated explorations that will allow you to discover more of the city or the nearby Normandy, Bretagne, and Loire Valley provinces with your trip manager or guide.

Day 8 – Paris to Avignon

Pack your suitcases after your final Parisian breakfast before setting off to Avignon aboard the French TGV in first-class seating. You can watch the beauty of Burgundy and Provence unfurl as you journey south. Deeply wooded forests, rolling verdant hills, Romanesque chapels, medieval towns, lavender fields, and picturesque villages will keep you captivated for a few hours.

The train is ultra-high-speed, so you’ll have time to make a detour to Lyon for a private Bocuse cooking class; wander through Beaune, a pretty town famed for its vineyards and Hospice de Beaune, France’s impressive medieval charity hospital. Hidden beneath the streets is a labyrinth of wine cellars dating back several centuries, where some of the world’s most important wines lay waiting to be savored.

Upon arrival at your hotel, you’ll have time to freshen up before exploring Avignon. Your guide will leave you captivated with stories of the town’s extraordinary history and tales of mystery. Followed by a visit to Europe’s most significant example of gothic architecture, the Pope’s Palace; it was once a fortress and palace and the papal residence during the 14th century. And, unraveling the secrets of Avignon Bridge, the most famous medieval bridge in the south of France and crosses the Rhone; built between 1177 and 1185. You can choose to add on another curated exploration when you arrive back at your hotel or rest before a delicious cocktail and a three-course dinner.

Day 9 – Avignon

Explore this beautiful part of the world and participate in some of the most popular curated explorations that take you through the magical villages of Provence. Learn about the exquisite Marseilles soaps made with pure olive oil, wander in the footsteps of the grandmaster of art Vincent Van Gogh and discover how he developed his use of bold colors and dynamic brushstrokes during his time in Arles. Stroll along the river Gardon and cross the ancient Roman aqueduct bridge Pont-du-Gard or go back in time and see some of the best-preserved figurative cave paintings at Vallon Pont-d’Arc Chauvet Cave.

Day 10 – Avignon to Nice

Today, you’ll discover the hidden gems of Provence. You’ll start in the Luberon Valley and wander through Gordes, the famous hilltop town. Its white stone houses and buildings are built into the mountainside and form ‘calades’ or a labyrinth of pretty meandering streets.

On your way to Nice, you’ll stop at the remarkable lavender fields of Plateau de Valensole. The exploration allows you to understand the benefits of lavender, its heritage, the irresistible scent, and, of course, time to take breathtaking photographs.

You’ll drop off your luggage at your next hotel and have time for a breather before exploring the coastal city of Nice and the blue waters of the Baie des Anges with your trip manager. The city is sheltered by the foothills of the Maritime Alps so that it has a mild climate all year-round.

You can choose if you would like to relax or continue your Nice adventure with a curated exploration from the meticulously crafted collection. In the evening, a tasty dinner and cocktails await at your glorious hotel.

Day 11 – Nice

Nice is an exciting destination, so after breakfast, you can choose to do your own thing, or your trip manager can arrange some exciting activities and curated explorations for you. Certain times of year allow you to take a boat trip and go on a dolphin and whale-watching tour. If you prefer to keep your feet on terra firma, why not visit St. Paul de Vence, Monaco, Cannes, or Italy’s famous Portofino’s regional heritage?

Nice to your next destination or home

You’ll start your last morning with us on a delightful breakfast. You’ll then either head to your next destination or explore the wonders of Nice for the last time.