BENELUX 6 DAYS EASTER – HOLY SPIRIT

Flight to Brussels. Arrival at the central artery of the European Union! With the intense pulse of its bureaucratic dynamics, but also the hip face that magnetizes trendsetters, Brussels precedes us by showing off historical and architectural monuments that have been registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Grand Place square and the futuristic Atomium, built in 1958, with its nine steel spheres joined together by beams and forming the model of an iron crystal, give us a first sample of the city's writing that promises dynamic continuity. And if the bronze statue of Manneken Pis with the little boy urinating is the city's trademark, the Heysel Stadium/Mini Europe, the sights of Europe in miniature 1/12, the Royal Palaces of Laken, the homonymous Royal Temple, the Japanese Tower and the Chinese Pagoda, the Stock Exchange, the Grand Sablon Square with the homonymous Gothic Church of Our Lady, the National Conservatory, the Palace of Justice, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Royal Square with the Royal Palaces, the European Parliament and the Arc de Triomphe will convince us that the city, beyond its institutional role, is full of emblematic monuments. In the afternoon, you can enjoy free time in the city. Known for its gastronomy and, in particular, its wonderful seafood dishes, you will certainly dine well at one of the numerous restaurants in Brussels.

The city of Bruges looks as if it has sprung from a heavy leather-bound book with medieval engravings. Today, it is the first stop on our tour. It cannot be a coincidence that its historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A series of medieval and Renaissance sights such as the “Church of Our Lady” with its brick bell tower reaching 122.3 m., one of the tallest brick buildings in the world, as well as the sculpture of the “Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus”, attributed to Michelangelo (the only work of his art found outside Italy while he was alive) give off an atmosphere that makes the city unique. However, the biggest highlight here is none other than the 13th-century bell tower. It houses a mechanism of 48 bells, which is operated by a special operator who regularly gives concerts. Furthermore, the park with the "Lake of Love", the oldest hospital in Europe of St. John, the much-photographed bridge of St. Boniface, the Church of Our Lady, the Palace of the Lords, the Arends Gardens, the College of Europe, the first Stock Exchange in the world, are points of decipherment of the historic center. The same spirit governs our next stop. And if one foot of Ghent is immersed in the industries that surround it, such as the Volvo and Honda factories, the other steps into a reservoir of art and culture. Thus, in the Cathedral of St. Boniface, the visitor can admire works by Ruben, Hieronymus Bosch, as well as the magnificent triptych attributed to the Van Eyck brothers. An exquisite knight's castle gives the city its mark, which during the Middle Ages was a major trading port. Like Bruges, Ghent is endowed with a very beautiful historic center with characteristic buildings of medieval and Renaissance architecture that are impeccably preserved. Nothing disturbs the zen of the city, let alone horns, since car traffic is prohibited here.

After breakfast, follow us on a full-day excursion to nearby Luxembourg. Through vast gorges we cross the Ardennes with its lush forests, picturesque villages and majestic castles. The Belgian city of Dinant, where we will stop for a while, seems to emerge from the high cliffs that jut out next to the Meuse River. Next stop is picturesque Namur. The national motto of the inhabitants of the tiny country of Luxembourg is “Mir wëlle bleiwe wat mir sinn” which means: We wish to remain what we are. And how could it not be, since they live in the country with the highest per capita income and of course, in a (tax) paradise of culture and beauty. At the confluence of the Alzette and Petrice rivers, our final destination is famous for its wide variety of restaurants, awarded with Michelin stars. At the same time, in the old medieval city surrounded by suburbs and industries, the Roman fortification, the Cathedral of Our Lady, the Ducal Palace and other monuments are preserved. Return to Brussels late in the afternoon.

Crossing the imaginary border between Belgium and the Netherlands, we make our first stop in Rotterdam. Full of student life thanks to the Erasmus University, the city will captivate us with its ultra-modern architecture, its futuristic character and its modern vibes. If the city of Delft owes its fame to anything, it is the art of pottery, carpet making, but above all, the famous faience technique, i.e. the enameling of ceramics with the special blue color. Even today, the elegant works of local faience craftsmen magnetize tourists and merchants and constitute a constant value in the local economy of the city. Next stop is the administrative capital The Hague with the Dutch Parliament, the International Court of Justice and the beautiful aristocratic mansions. All foreign embassies and government ministries are located here, as well as the Supreme Court and many organizations. We continue to Keukenhof Park, an amazing place with tulips, hyacinths and beautiful flowers with such bright colors that they will leave you amazed. A large lake prevails inside the park, which in addition to the beautiful flowers has many trees and plants in its area. This is a park that remains open for two months a year, in spring, in a wonderful natural environment and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. Arrival in Amsterdam. Vermeer, Rembrandt, Van Gogh. Admittedly, the next city we arrive in is full of myths and heavy art names that sign its cultural identity. At the same time, the wonderful canals, the sophisticated restaurants, the small cafes and the vintage shops from which you will uncover true fashion treasures are offered for endless urban wanderings. Amsterdam has one of the largest historical centers in Europe, dating back to the 17th century, the Dutch Golden Age. Along the canals are many beautiful houses and mansions, most of which are homes, offices and public buildings.

The traditional Rembrandt's Mill on the banks of the river and the impressive Arena Stadium are some of the sights that we will enjoy on our direct panoramic tour in and out of the historic city center. In addition, during the visit we will make to a diamond cutting workshop we will admire the skilled craftsmen processing the precious stones in a unique way! Then, for those who wish to do so optionally, the Dutch countryside generously offers the painting frame which will give perspective to our today's visit to the traditional villages of Zaanse Schans & Volendam. The Polders and the small canals that we see give us the opportunity to learn about the way these areas are irrigated. At Zaanse Schans with its traditional windmills we will visit the famous wooden shoe factory, while at the picturesque port of Volendam we will watch a short film (in Greek) on the theme of "Holland and Water". During the wonderful excursion with the local cooler we will also visit a local, traditional cheese factory, where "the little Dutchwoman" dressed in her traditional costume will explain to us the way in which cheese has been made for hundreds of years. As tasting is the beginning of every tasty and non-food journey, tasting is essential! The evening is free for walks in a city whose mosaic is made up of all kinds of tesserae of different ethnicities. Moreover, the great religious tolerance in Amsterdam combined with its commercial character was the main reason why people flocked here during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, creating one of the most famous multinational hubs in the world. Don't forget to visit one of the many excellent museums. The illuminated bridges and the sparkling canals also offer an ideal backdrop for wonderful photo shoots! Of course, there is also the "red light" part of the city, De Wallen, as well as the numerous coffee shops that are a constant value for any tourist tour of Amsterdam.

Transfer to the airport for our return to Greece, believing that we will keep alive within us this wonderful journey filled with images and flavors of European culture.