Tour Code: 26BNL
Tour Manager: Himel Chowdhury
Group Size: 8 - 14
Activity level: Moderate

We explore the Belgian cities of Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp with visits to the historic buildings, European Union for the Deaf and much more with en-route to Amsterdam, the “Venice of the North” of Netherlands to be guided by local deaf Belgian and Dutch in sign language.

Monday, May 18
Arrive in Brussels, the EU’s capital city, with a transfer to our hotel and meet your tour leader. Have lunch and thereafter, a light tour of the Atomium and Mini-Europe during the afternoon with the local tour guide. Have orientation meeting during welcome dinner in an old restaurant with classic Belgian cuisines before a good night’s sleep. Sleep in Brussels for 4 nights.

Tuesday, May 19
A morning visit to the EUD (European Union for the Deaf) with a tour guide by Deaf Director of EUD. After lunch, another local deaf guide in Brussels to visit the streets of Government buildings, Belgian Royal Palace, Kunstberg Garden, Manneken Pis, Grand Place in Market Square and much more.

Wednesday, May 20
After breakfast, visiting the beautiful town of Bruges, the capital of West Flanders in the North-West Belgium with a local deaf tour guide by seeing its canals, cobbled streets, and the historic buildings, eat copious amounts of Belgian Chocolate and Waffles with an addition of 2,000 beers and much more.

Thursday, May 21
A day trip to Ghent, including to the world’s most coveted masterpiece painting, “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”, at the St. Bavo’s Cathedral of the Counts and St. Michael’s Bridge. An evening dinner at a deaf-owned restaurant.

Friday, May 22
Check out the hotel and transfer to Antwerp, another fantastic city up in the North of Belgium, in a region called Flanders and the Antwerp Harbor – a real hidden gem of Europe and not just because it’s the diamond trade capital of the world and discover a lot more history and culture to get into today by seeing how Europe from the 1600s meets a modern version of itself. Sleep in Antwerp for 3 nights.

Saturday, May 23
Spend all day starting from Antwerp Central Station to an old town of Grote Markt, Vlaeykensgang Alley, Cathedral of Our Lady & Elfde Gebod and much more.

Sunday, May 24
Check out the Plantin-Moretus Museum – Christophe Platin, the first industrial printer from his home around 1550 and afterwards, head over to one of Antwerp’s beautiful public squares – Groenplaats (Green Square) for lunch. After lunch, head over to The Rubens House, a famous Baroque painter who lived in a 16th-17th centuries townhouse. Stop by at Meir Street Shopping while taking a break at Wapper Square and thereafter The Chocolate Line and The Antwerp Diamond District.

Monday, May 25
After breakfast, morning transfer to Amsterdam. After lunch, hop on a cruise from the city center and enjoy its charms shimmering on the water to explore the quaint canals of Amsterdam by getting to know the city’s history from its humble medieval beginnings to the economic and cultural boom times of The Golden Age and then head over to the Dam Square with overlooking at the Royal Palace and Nieuwe Kerk. Then, visit the famous Red-Light District afterwards. Sleep in Amsterdam for 6 nights.

Tuesday, May 26
Explore Amsterdam on a walkabout all day and see: Anne Frank Museum. Afterwards, visiting the Tulip Museum, in a little basement that does a wonderful job of telling the history of tulips in the Netherlands and the infamous tulip craze that rocked the Dutch economy. Visit the bio/flea market at Noordermarkt. Then, wandering around Jordaan neighborhood where an old working-class residential neighborhood that hip, the most overlooked part of Amsterdam, to see a few secrets of de Jordaan that you might not see otherwise. After lunch, walk around in de Negen straatjes (The Nine Streets) to explore the charm and style that Amsterdam is famous for in one of the city’s loveliest shopping districts and have free time for shopping. After that visit the Amsterdam History Museum that features a very thorough history of Amsterdam, showing the growth and construction of the city over time.

Wednesday, May 27
A day trip to Rotterdam by seeing the difference between the modern city of Rotterdam and the old city of Amsterdam. Visit Marvel at the views from the Euromast, Museumpark and explore Delfshaven. Have lunch at Markthal. Afterwards, visit Rotterdam Cathedral, the Cube Houses, the Oude Haven and lastly, see the view from Erasmus bridge before catching a train back to Amsterdam.

Thursday, May 28
A day trip to Zaanse Schans, by train. Visit the museum Zaanse Schans, the windmills and Zaanse Museum. Have lunch at restaurant De Hoop on d' Swarte Walvis in the Zaanse Schans area). After lunch, go by bus/train to Zaandam city to walk around OR go to Amsterdam for an afternoon free time.

Friday, May 29
Visit Jewish History Museum/Resistance Museum (VerzetsMuseum a new museum which is lovely too to visit) while browsing around through the Jewish Quarter covers the life of the Dutch Resistance during World War II. Afterwards, walk past the old Deaf School which was open during World War and many Deaf Jewish children

never came back with a visit to a memorial monument for those Deaf Jewish children. Have lunch at Waterlooplein while visiting the market. After lunch, have free time on shopping at Kalverstraat to explore the charm and style that Amsterdam is famous for in one of the city’s loveliest shopping districts.

Saturday, May 30
Visit the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum on a sign language tour by the deaf local tour guide. In the afternoon, visit Heineken Brewery with the deaf local tour guide and then visit the local Deaf Club and have a Farewell dinner.

Sunday, May 31
Depart from Amsterdam International Airport for USA or take TGV train to your next respective destination.

Updated as of December 23, 2024

Himel, raised and currently resides in East London, United Kingdom.  A true Brit, multi-lingual, with extensive networking around the world, thanks to his countless travels throughout his lifetime.  His favorite countries are Turkey, Cambodia, USA and Argentina.

• 13 nights in 3-4star accommodations.

• 15 meals: Breakfast (13), Dinner (2)

• Services of a deaf Tour Leader on call 24 hours a day.

• Services of local deaf guides.

• All transportation expenses.

• All city and/or tourist taxes. 

• All admission fees for attractions and museums mentioned in the itinerary.

• Informative travel preparation packet.

• $100 Repeat Customer Discount per person on your next regular tour.

• Domestic and/or international airfares.

• Airport transfers at beginning and end of tour.

• All other meals not mentioned in the itinerary and personal expenses.

• Travel Insurance.

• All types of transit and tourist visas (if applicable) - e.g. ETIAS.

• Tips for your Tour Leader, Tour Assistant(s) and/or Local Guides

• Tour begins in Brussels, Belgium and ends in Amsterdam, Netherlands..

• Tour will be confirmed when we meet the minimum number of participants

• When the tour is confirmed, additional deposits or payments may be required

• Significant walking is expected during the tour, and moderate physical fitness is required

• Hands On Travel recommends purchasing a travel insurance plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected

• Last but not least, please read Hands On Travel's Terms & Conditions.

We're here to help you plan the perfect adventure! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:

Email: himel@handson.travel

With this tour confirmation, your $500 deposit is now non-refundable in any event you need to back out. However, it may be transferable to a future tour.