Floriade, Brussels & Bruges 2012 

We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar for Brussels. Arriving in the Belgian capital, we transfer to the 4-star Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre, our base for the next four nights. The hotel is ideally located for exploring Brussels. (D)

This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Brussels, by coach and on foot, which includes the main sights in this fascinating city. We begin with a short walk to the famous Grand Place, a historic market square which is regarded as one of the most beautiful in Europe. We continue our tour by coach, taking in city highlights which include St Michael's Cathedral, Congress Column, the Heysel district, the Royal Residence and the Houses of Parliament. Following our tour you are free to continue exploring the city at leisure this afternoon. This evening you are free to dine out in one of the many restaurants that have made this city famous for food. (B)

This morning we travel by train to the fabulous city of Bruges, where we enjoy a guided walking tour and discover the remarkable history and secret nooks and crannies of the city. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at leisure. The city has many museums and art galleries, where you can admire work by Flemish painters. In the Church of our Lady you can view the Madonna and Child, one of Michelangelo's great works of art. You may also wish to climb to the top of the Belfry for a bird's eye view of Bruges. (B,D)

Today we enjoy an excursion by coach to the incredible Floriade World Horticultural Expo in the town of Venlo. Held every ten years in the Netherlands, the Floriade is a breathtaking festival of flowers, plants, vegetables, fruits and much more. We return to Brussels by coach after a full-day at Floriade. (B)

We return to Brussels station this morning to board the Eurostar to London, arriving at St Pancras International, where the tour concludes. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Where shown, these meals, are included in the price of your holiday

Once every 10 years, somewhere in the Netherlands, a town is transformed into a fabulous festival of flowers. Floriade is the World Horticultural Expo and takes place in 2012 in the Dutch town of Venlo. Floriade is not only the world's ultimate fl ower show - spread over 5 themed zones across an enormous 66 hectares - it is also a celebration of plants, vegetables, fruit and produce. Gardeners from all over the world offer you the opportunity to enjoy the most exquisite and exceptional examples of horticulture found anywhere on Earth.