Belgium

The Atomium symbolizes an iron crystal, magnified 165 billion times, referring to the power of nuclear energy that in 1958 was intended for peaceful use. Today it carries on the debate of 1958: What kind of future do we want for tomorrow? It was not intended that the Atomium survive beyond the 1958 World Fair but its popularity soon made it a key landmark, first in Brussels, and then internationally. It has become one of the icons of Brussels, and since its inspired restoration in 2006, it is referred to as the most Belgian of monuments. The panorama alone is worth a trip to the Atomium. Thanks to its location on a naturally elevated plateau on the outskirts of town, the Atomium offers the only true 360-degree panoramic view of the 19 municipalities of Brussels. The permanent exhibition, Atomium, tells the history of this pavilion. This year there are also two temporary exhibitions. The first, ID#2021, is an immersive experience. Discover an exciting sound and light digital creation. The second, View from My Window, consists of a selection of more than 400 photographs depicting a Belgian success story that started with a Facebook group initiated in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic. The audio-visual installations, prints, webcams, and time-lapses give you an insight into the perspectives of the individuals involved. At 95 meters above ground in the top sphere of the monument, the Atomium Restaurant offers an extraordinary experience. Whether you choose Belgian specialties or seasonal dishes, Alexandre Masson revisits tradition, with the clouds at hand.

Take a boat close to the amazing Castle of the Counts to discover the most beautiful places of Ghent. A guide will take you through the fascinating history of medieval Ghent and its historical buildings and architecture on this 50-minute tour. Enjoy the famous three towers of Ghent, various medieval churches and monasteries, the birthplace of Charles V of Spain, majestic guild halls, a breathtaking castle, and much more! Hear the stories behind these magnificent monuments. Your tour is guided in English, Dutch, and French. There are also illustrated translations into German, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Japanese available on board.

Discover Europe's most popular attractions in miniature. Encounter monuments from across the continent recreated down to the smallest detail. See a 4-meter high Big Ben, and 13-meter tall Eiffel tower, with all attractions recreated at a scale of 1 to 25. Be amazed at the eruption of Vesuvius and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Watch the launch of Ariane V and marvel at many other working models. Both young and old will enjoy spending a couple of hours exploring Mini-Europe. Experience also a fascinating and interactive Spirit of Europe exhibit that takes you through the history of the European Union, its place in the world. A catalog brimming with interesting anecdotes is included with the purchase of an adult ticket.

See the highlights and hidden pearls Ghent has to offer on a river cruise. Learn about the city's history from your local guide. Start in the beautiful medieval harbor of Ghent. Board the boat and meet your tour guide. Sail along the River Leie as you take in the sites of the city. Admire the three famous towers of Ghent: St Bavo's Cathedral, the Belfry of Ghent, and St Nicholas Church. See medieval churches and monasteries as you are taken back in time by your guide. Take in the Prinsenhof, the Princes' Court where Charles V of Spain was born. Marvel at majestic guildhalls and the medieval Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts) before heading back to dry land.

Visit the world's largest collection of works by René Magritte. Enjoy access to more than 230 works and archives of the famous surrealist artist. View oil paintings, sketches, and sculptures, as well as posters, photographs and films made by Magritte himself. After viewing the surrealist masterpieces, take a relaxing break at the on site café and restaurant. Stop by the shop for an impressive selection of posters, postcards, gifts and books.

Experience the diverse and vibrant nightlife scene of Brussels with a fun and friendly guide, and taste some refreshing beers and great cocktails at discounted prices. Avoid the usual tourist bars and make new friends from around the world as you crawl from venue to venue over 3 hours. Get a wristband at the start of the night that gets you discounted drinks, including €1 beers at local pubs. Enjoy a welcome beer to start the evening, and then make your way to 4 of the best bars and clubs in town. Dance the night away at the last club, where the DJ spins top tunes every night. Benefit from free entry, a happy hour which lasts all night and a late closing time of 6:00 AM.

Immerse yourself in Belgium's rich chocolate-making traditions with this interactive workshop.  Under the guidance of an expert chocolatier, learn how to make chocolate lollipops and mendiants, a traditional French confection. At the end of the lesson, savor the rewards of your efforts, or feel free to take your chocolates home with you. Finish your workshop with a self-guided visit to the chocolate museum. Inside, admire a wide range of interactive exhibitions which will bring to life the 4000-year-old history of chocolate in words, pictures, and flavors. Admire a private collection of artifacts with over 1000 objects housed in the museum.

See the sights at your own pace and save money with a shuttle transfer service from the cruise terminal at Zeebrugge to the historic heart of Bruges. Avail of a quick transfer service that runs from the port to the city every 30 minutes in the morning and back to the port every 30 minutes in the afternoon. Take the worry out of your transportation needs during a cruise stopover in the pretty city of Bruges. Simply take the free port shuttle service to the gate, and then walk down to the bus departure point for embarkation. Get dropped off just a few minutes walk from the historic city center of Bruges.

Get an overview of the fascinating city of Brussels, with a tour through the medieval and Baroque city, the industrial city, the bourgeois city, and on to modern Brussels. This tour ensures you get to see all the parts of this multi-faceted city. With your informative tour guide, learn about the city’s museums, where the best bars and local beers are, and where to buy the best chocolate at a reasonable price. Your guide will also answer any practical questions you might have about restaurants, attractions, nightlife, or even just getting around on public transport. During your walking tour of the city, the tour will be split into two different areas: the Upper City and Lower City. The tour is structured this way to help you better understand the origins and historic development of Brussels.  During your tour of the Lower City, you will see highlights such as The Grand Palace, The Everard t'Serclaes monument on Charles Buls street, The Manneken Pis and Grands Carmes street, Marché au Charbon street, Anspach Boulevard, The covering of the Senne, Riches Claires street and Grande Île street and The Saint-Géry island amongst many others.  Whilst perusing through the Upper city, you'll notice a very different style. During this portion of the tour you will see landmarks such as The Grand Place, the power of merchants, The Galeries Royales St Hubert, The Mort Subite, The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula (visit inside: stained glass windows, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, the pulpit), The Royal Park, the Royal Palace, the Royal Square and The Palace of Coudenberg amongst many others.

Explore Bruges on a walking tour with a local guide. Join a boat cruise along the canals to see the sites from the water. Meet your guide in the Markt for a guided tour of the city. Discover the narrowest street, the beautiful 12th-century basilica, and the golden statues on the impressive courthouse. Next, explore the fish market surrounded by 126 columns. Then, embark on the second part of the tour. Board your boat at the quay for a cruise along the canals. Sail beside ivy-covered facades and under bridges as you learn about the beautiful sites from your captain. Admire the old trading houses at the former harbor and the Beguinage. After half an hour on the water, head to the secret garden of an almshouse, where you will be surprised by the beauty of picturesque Bruges.