A Journey through the Netherlands, Belgium & France: Canals, Champagne & Culture

An overnight flight carries you toward Europe, where daily life still turns around centuries-old traditions. Ahead, waterways, working landscapes, historic streets, and celebrated vineyards shape your path through the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.

Narrow canals, arched bridges, and bicycle-lined streets set the rhythm as you arrive in Amsterdam. Check into your historic hotel* that anchors you in the city for the next three nights. With arrival times varying, the afternoon unfolds at your pace – wander nearby neighborhoods, pause at a café, or follow the canals wherever they lead. As evening settles in, get your first taste of Dutch hospitality at a welcome dinner.

This morning, see Amsterdam from its most natural vantage point — the water. A private canal cruise carries you beneath arched bridges and past classic canal houses that frame daily life. Back on land, a walking tour with a local guide adds context, history, and lived perspective. Later, a conversation with a local offers insight into the city’s progressive, often thought-provoking cultural landscape. By around 1:00 p.m., the rest of the day opens up for independent exploration.

Today is yours to shape in Amsterdam. Spend it inside the Van Gogh Museum** or reflect on history at the Anne Frank House.** Or, choose an optional excursion to Delft,*** hometown of Johannes Vermeer, for a guided walk and a visit to the Royal Delft earthenware factory. Check out the hand-painted blue motifs that have been crafted since the 16th century and try painting a tile yourself. Share a meal this evening during an Impact Moment at A Beautiful Mess, a restaurant supporting refugees building new lives in the Netherlands. Savor Middle Eastern and North African flavors from locally sourced ingredients. This is more than a meal; it’s a connected experience that makes a difference.