Ready for the next singles
travel European adventure? We went to Amsterdam and Brugge back in 2008 so it's been quiteawhile.
On that trip we included Ireland as well but this time we
are making our 3rd destination Germany. This is a wonderful
itinerary that we're sure you're going to enjoy.
We will start out in Amsterdam
for 4 nights. This is the most multi-cultural, multi-dimensional city in Europe. You're in the Netherlands now
baby and everyone will find this city 
extremely
beautiful and interesting. Sure, there's a reputation for
an open attitude and permissiveness, but in addition it's
quaint, colorful and extremely scenic. Some of the
tours that we planned on our 2008 trip was a visit to the
red light district, a really great bicycling tour, we went
to the Anne Frank house, made a day of the hop on/ off canal
bus which took us to the Rijksmuseum. We organized a
candelight and wine dinner cruise on the canal and of course
we visited the Van Gogh Museum. Since it will be spring
in Holland you can expect to see plenty of flowers all over.
We will set up a bus tour that will allow us to see and
admire many of the key sites of Holland including a visit
to the the world's biggest flower auction in Aalsmeer and
to visit Delft,
Rotterdam,
The
Hague and Madurodam.
From
there our trip will continue to Germany and specifically
to the town of Mainz located in the middle section of the
Rhine River. The
bus ride is only about 4-hours with some great stops
planned along the way. This is considered the very best
scenery on the rhine. Not only is the city itself beautiful
and historic,
it is also the perfect starting place to enjoy some day
cruises on the Rhine. Mainz is known for its old town,
with half-timbered houses and medieval market squares. In
the center, the Marktbrunnen is a Renaissance fountain with
red columns. Nearby, a distinctive octagonal tower tops
the Romanesque Mainz Cathedral, built of deep red sandstone.
The Gutenberg Museum honors the inventor of the printing
press with exhibits, including 2 of his original bibles.
In the evenings, one thing is plain to see: Mainz is Germany's
wine capital. Rheinhessen is the country's largest winegrowing
region, and a generation of young vintners are proving that
they have what it takes to achieve extraordinary feats year
after year. Locals enjoy the fruits of the winegrowers'
labours in cosy bars and taverns with pious names like Collection
Box and Confessional.Oh yes, I can certainly see us spending
a couple of days going from town to town without being locked
into a set itinerary on a full board cruise ship. This has
been on my bucket list! 
Our trip continues south
to Bruges,Belgium. Our bus ride is less than 5-hours that
will take us through some amazing scenery. Belgium is home
of many artists, museums, fine chocolate and some
of the best beer in the world. Sandwiched between
France, Germany and the Netherlands, Belgium is often called
the Essence of Europe - both multicultural and multilingual.
Within the span of one day you can take a cruise down a
canal in Bruges, hunt for diamonds in Antwerp,
enjoy waffles on the beach in Oostende, frolic in a festival in Binche, get lost in a castle in Namur,
discover antiques at an outdoor market in Liege, and explore
a fine art museum in Brussels. A dense train network connects
all of Belgium and makes navigation simple and comfortable
for travelers. While some tour groups might stay in the
capital of Brussels, Bruges, known as the "Venice
of the north" and located just an hour train ride away, is more beautiful and will make
a more enjoyable stop (we will tour Brussels
in route). We'll have 3 nights to discover,stroll,
relax and tour this city that many have made their favorite.
We will be supplying links in our email updates where you
will be able to see for yourself how adorable this town
is. This may be the highlight of your trip.
One
of the tours that we took on our 2008 trip that I plan to
repeat was a one-hour ferry ride to Damme. Once you arrive
in Damme, you will find a charming small city with numerous
delightful restaurants, surrounded by medieval buildings
such as the Town hall, the windmill, the Church of Our Lady
and the St. John's hospital. It is impossible to imagine
a visit to the historic and picturesque cities of Bruges
and Damme without a passage on the Lamme Goedzak Paddler.
Plus, we'll be home
on Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend giving you a day to
rest up before heading back to work! Costs were still being
finalized at press time. We are making every effort to put
our group up in quality hotels at an affordable price. For
Bruges, we are booked at the 4-star NH Bruges which
will be awesome. One of the finer and best located hotels
in this town. Cost of $3,389 plus departure taxes (running
$358 at the time of this posting). Deposit of $200
to sign up. Early signups always get the better rooms.
SINGLE
SUPPLEMENT (Your own room, otherwise we match you with
a roommate): $1,355
OUR AIR:
Deduct $950 with your own air and you will not pay the departure
tax
FROM LAX:
Flight: United
Airlines 247 Departure:Los Angeles 15MAY/700A Arrival:Newark
Liberty 15MAY/317P
Flight:United Airlines 70 Departure: Newark Liberty 15MAY/555P
Arrival:Amsterdam 16MAY/735A
Flight: United Airlines 998 Departure:Brussels 27MAY/1100A
Arrival:Newark Liberty 27MAY/110P
Flight: United Airlines 751 Departure:Newark Liberty 27MAY/350P
Arrival:Los Angeles 27MAY/645P
FROM SAN DIEGO:
Deduct $140
Flight: United
Airlines 751 Departure:San Diego 15MAY/652A Arrival:Newark
Liberty 15MAY/311P
Flight:United Airlines 70 Departure: Newark Liberty 15MAY/555P
Arrival:Amsterdam 16MAY/735A
Flight: United Airlines 998 Departure:Brussels 27MAY/1100A
Arrival:Newark Liberty 27MAY/110P
Flight: United Airlines 1827 Departure:Newark Liberty 27MAY/515P
Arrival:San Diego 27MAY/816P
FROM NEWARK:
Deduct $325
Flight:United
Airlines 70 Departure: Newark Liberty 15MAY/555P Arrival:Amsterdam
16MAY/735A
Flight: United Airlines 998 Departure:Brussels 27MAY/1100A
Arrival:Newark Liberty 27MAY/110P
INCLUDES:
- Round trip international
air from LAX (other gateways available but could be slightly
more)
- 11-nights
accommodations (double occ.)
- All ground transportation
- Daily Breakfast
DOES
NOT INCLUDE:
- Departure taxes or any
fuel surcharge (currently running $358 but subject to
change).
OUR HOTELS:
Amsterdam
- Radisson Blu
Link to Amsterdam Hotel
reviews on Tripadvisor
Stay downtown
in the city of canals at our 4-star, pet-friendly Radisson
Blu Hotel in Amsterdam. At our doorstep, the historical
monuments of Dam Square await. And if you’re looking
to soak up some culture, the famed Van Gogh Museum and Anne
Frank House are a short stroll away. Surrounded by 2 canals,
our hotel offers easy access to the scenic waterways which
provide a unique and picturesque way to explore the city.
There are also plenty of public transit options within walking
distance, making it an ideal location for a business hotel
in Amsterdam and sightseeing starting point.
Housed in a building
that has seen many uses over the years, the hotel balances
historical charm with modern amenities designed for your
comfort. All 252 guest rooms and suites boast conveniences
such as One Touch Service and free high-speed wireless Internet.
Our hotel is fully accessible; and our facilities include
a fitness room, sauna, solarium, digital reading material
and a variety of concierge services.
Mainz,
Germany - Riverfront Hilton
Hotel
Website
reviews on Tripadvisor
Our
hotel is on the River Rhine, creating breathtaking views
throughout the day. Start your day with a jog along the
water and end it with a drink on the outdoor patio watching
the star light twinkle across the water. Watch the boats,
feel the breeze and hear the sounds of a bustling river.
Stroll along
the tranquil banks of the Rhine and head for the Old Town
(Altstadt) to experience the magnificent architecture of
the city’s Dom cathedral. Take a rest in one of the
many historic taverns and sample some of the area’s
delicious wines and beers.
Each room includes
an HD plasma TV, WiFi and a separate work area. Upgrade
to a river view room for more space and stunning views.
We have upgraded all rooms to deluxe, river views.
Brugge
- NH Brugge
Website
- Reviews on Tripadvisor
The NH Brugge Hotel couldn’t be better placed to
get you acquainted with Bruges – a UNESCO World Heritage
site known as the ‘Venice of the North’. From
our hotel, it’s around 10 minutes’ walk to the
center’s canals, cobbled streets and Medieval sights.
The hotel is a former monastery from the 17th-century, and
is now a classified building. Inside, we’ve a homely
bar for drinks, a restaurant that serves French cuisine
and a gym that’s open daily. In all Standard rooms
you’ll find a work desk, safe and free Wi-Fi.
