Amsterdam at Christmastime

Festive Bruges & Amsterdam

Our tour starts where there cannot be many settings more beautiful at Christmas time than Bruges. With its cobbled streets, historic buildings and horse drawn carriages plodding by. Beautiful medieval squares lit with colourful lights, pleasant shopping in the magically decorated streets, skating on the ice rink on the Grote Markt, or just enjoy the atmosphere in many of the restaurants and cafes with good food and hot chocolate – and this is just the start.

We continue to a camping site on the outskirts of Amsterdam and close to the Metro Line and during your stay you will have a “Travel Card” to help move around the capital with ease.

A Private Two-Hour Canal Cruise has been arranged, including a hot & cold buffet with drinks and a local Guide who will point out the sights of Amsterdam as we cruise along.

In the dark winter months, Amsterdam is transformed into a beautiful open light museum as part of the Amsterdam Light Festival. Modern artists from all over the world make spectacular light artworks that can be found in the city centre and can be seen via a walking and a canal route.

You will have plenty of time to visit several of the Christmas Markets, Museums, take a coffee and soak-up the wonderful atmosphere of this time of year. Not forgetting Dinner in the Historic 1488 City Gates restaurant

Day One – Saturday 6^th December
We meet at our first campsite on the outskirts of Bruges, Belgium. This evening we take a short 5min walk to a local restaurant for a “Welcome Dinner”.

Day Two – Sunday 7^th December
Time to visit Bruges at your own pace, in the late afternoon the Christmas Market and the towns illuminations start to light up the night.

Day Three – Monday 8^th December
Our travel today takes us to the campsite on the outskirts of Amsterdam 165 miles

Day Four – Tuesday 9^th December
Relaxing start to the day and late morning we travel by the local Tram into Amsterdam to board our Private Canal Cruise along with our local tour guide to help bring to life Amsterdam from the waterways. The boat is heated so you will not get cold while we all enjoy a delicious on-board buffet featuring many hot & cold speciality dishes accompanied with drinks throughout. Later in this cruise we will start to experience the Festival of Lights, along the route you will see multiple works of art by various artists, designers, and architects that were created especially for the festival.

Day Five – Wednesday 10^th December
Free day to explore Amsterdam.  Museumplein is one place to head for where there is plenty to explore with the main feature being the ice skating rink, there is a little wooden bridge raised over it and you can enjoy the amazing view of the Rijksmuseum in all its festive glory. On both sides of the rink, you will find plenty of Christmas Market stalls.
Surrounding the Dam Square area, walk past the Bijenkorf luxury mall to enjoy the grand window displays or hop in for a quick tour of the premises, there are many beautiful toys and displays inside the store. Check out the Schelterma bookstore and the Magna Plaza mall.
Most museums will be open, if the Van Gogh, Anne Frank or the Rijksmuseum are on your “to do” list then these are best booked via the internet well in advance.

Day Six – Thursday 11^th December
Returning into Amsterdam you can complete part of the Festival of Light walking route and then enjoy our arranged group dinner in St. Anthony’s Gate, a magnificent historical building originally built in 1488 and illuminated by 300 candles.

Day Seven – Friday 12^th December
We will start our return journey towards Calais and tonight we have been granted special permission to stay overnight at the eighteenth-century Chateau de Cocove, where this evening we will enjoy our farewell dinner in the Chateau’s fine gastronomic restaurant.  At the end of the evening, it’s no more than a few steps back to our motorhome beds. Note, there are no facilities available. 225 miles

Day Eight – Saturday 13^th December
Our tour ends this morning. It is only a short drive back to the port at Calais for those returning home and there you will be able to make your final purchases for the festive season. 20 miles

PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people = £849 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £1159

DEPOSIT £300

INCLUDED IN PRICE

• 6 Campsite nights with electric hook-ups
• 1 night at Chateau de Cocove with no facilities
• Dinner in a Restaurant near the Bruges campsite with drinks
• Amsterdam Travel Card for 72 hours on Tram/Metro and Bus
• Private Two-hour Canal Cruise around Amsterdam
• Speciality hot and cold buffet with wine, beer, soft drinks, tea and coffee
• Dinner in St. Anthony’s Gate Restaurant with drinks
• Farewell Dinner, including drinks
• Tour information pack with suggested routes & GPS co-ordinates
• Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome

This tour starts in Bruges, but if you would like to travel at the same time as the Tour Directors on the outward journey, please book the optional tour package so that everything can be arranged on your behalf

OPTIONAL PACKAGE

• Meet at Dover Docks on the morning of Friday 5^th
• Return Dover/Calais Ferry with Flexible Ticket + Club Class Lounge
• One additional campsite night with electric in Bruges
• Tour information pack with suggested routes & GPS co-ordinates
• Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome

OPTIONAL PACKAGE PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people @ £249 per person
Motorhome with 1 person @ £439