MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE
A Bike & Barge Cruise Through Belgium & Holland From Bruges to Amsterdam Aboard Magnifique III
September 21–29, 2018 MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE
Dear Traveler,
Please join Museum Travel Alliance from September 21 - 29 , 2018 on Belgium & Holland by Barge Aboard Magnifique III.
Experience the best of Belgium and the Netherlands aboard a brand-new upscale barge. Immerse yourself in Flemish art and architecture in Bruges, Delft, and Amsterdam and learn about traditional craftsmanship from ale brewers, silversmiths, and cheese producers. Discover historic and contemporary architecture in Antwerp and see the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk up close.
We are delighted that this trip will be accompanied by Paula Swart as our lecturer from Smithsonian Journeys. This trip is sponsored by Smithsonian Journeys.
We expect this program to fill quickly. Please call the Museum Travel Alliance at (855) 533-0033 or (212) 302-3251 or email [email protected] to reserve a place on this trip.
We hope you will join us.
Sincerely,
Jim Friedlander President
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS ENJOY a behind-the-scenes look at the World Heritage-listed historical center of Bruges
TAKE optional leisurely bicycle rides along picturesque canals
ENGAGE in enriching presentations from your Smithsonian Journeys Expert
CALL at Antwerp to view the Harbor House, dramatically renovated by Zaha Hadid
VISIT the Rijksmuseum, the World Heritage site of the Kinderdijk windmills, and a traditional brewery
ENJOY a private dinner overlooking the vineyard of a family- owned wine estate Harbor House, Antwerp A Bike & Barge Cruise Through Belgium & Holland From Bruges to Amsterdam Aboard Magnifique III
September 21–29, 2018
Bruges
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21: DEPARTURE Sint-Niklaas, home to Belgium’s largest square and the Depart for Brussels, Belgium. only Mercator Museum in the world. The museum presents a chronological history of cartography from ancient to SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22: BRUSSELS / BRUGES modern times. Join Magnifique IIIin Sint-Amands and Arrive in Brussels and transfer to Bruges, a World Heritage enjoy an evening concert on board. B,L,D site. Enjoy time in this city of sublime architecture and art. Visit the Hans Memling collection and the Groeninge TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25: SINT-AMANDS / Museum, and see Michelangelo’s Madonna & Child in the ANTWERP Church of Our Lady. Pending confirmation, we will meet Step ashore in Antwerp to visit the newly renovated with the city’s mayor. Transfer to Magnifique III and settle Central Station, one of the most beautiful in Europe, into your cabin. Tonight the captain hosts a welcome and view the restored Harbour House, designed by Zaha reception and dinner. R,D Hadid. Continue to the 17thcentury Rubens House to see some of the Flemish painter’s famous works. Experience SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23: BRUGES / GHENT This morning cruise or cycle past canals and small villages Belgium’s celebrated beer culture on a tour of the recently en route to Ghent. Pause to watch the operation of the reopened Antwerp City Brewery. Its iconic De Koninck “Eye,” Belgium’s giant lock system, and picnic alongside brews have been made here for more than 180 years, with the River Lys. In the afternoon a guided walking tour of each variety served in its own special glass. B,L,D Ghent will reveal the fascinating history of this lively city, which in the Middle Ages was one of the largest and WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26: ANTWERP / wealthiest in Europe. B,L,D DORDRECHT, THE NETHERLANDS View the impressive Kreekrak lock system, before biking MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24: GHENT / SINT-AMANDS from Tholen to Willemstad; or go ashore to visit the town Cruise along the Scheldt River to Dendermonde, a small of Yerseke for a tasting lunch of oysters and mussels. city known for its magnificent Flemish buildings. Those Continue to Dordrecht, one of the Netherland’s oldest who wish may continue by bicycle from Dendermonde to cities and best discovered on foot. Walk past its historic Sint-Niklaas. Alternatively, remain in Dendermonde to visit harbors, ancient warehouses, and busy merchant streets. the Church of Our Lady, home to two Van Dyck paintings Visit the Great Church, the Dordrecht Museum, and the and a 12th-century baptismal font of Tournai stone, and 13th-century Augustine monastery. Magnifique IIIremains to see the Cloth Hall on Market Square. Drive to nearby docked in Dordrecht overnight. B,L,D
Harbor House, Antwerp Vecht River. Then join fellow participants and drive to THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27: DORDRECHT / VIANEN Amsterdam for a canal cruise through this historic city. In This morning we cruise to Kinderdijk, a World Heritage the afternoon, visit the Rijksmuseum, the State Treasury site, to see the impressive windmills. Drive to Gouda for of Dutch paintings. Rejoin Magnifique III and celebrate a cheese tastings and talks with local producers. Those memorable voyage at tonight’s farewell dinner. B,L,D who wish to may cycle from Kinderdijk to Schoonhoven for a farm lunch, before reuniting with the rest of the SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 29: AMSTERDAM / RETURN group. In Schoonhoven, a center for silversmiths since the Disembark and transfer to the airport for the flights home. B 17th century, there will be an opportunity to shop and to visit a local craftsman. Follow the Lek River to Vianen An optional three-night postlude in Amsterdam is and rejoin the ship. After dinner, take an evening walk in offered from September 29–October 1, 2018. Vianen, once home to American Revolutionary hero, the Marquis de Lafayette. B,L,D DISCLAIMER: The itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of The Museum Travel Alliance and Arrangements Abroad. For FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28: VIANEN / AMSTERDAM complete details, please carefully read the terms and conditions at This morning you may choose to pedal along the www.museumtravelalliance.com/terms.php.
MAGNIFIQUE III TOP DECK