Touring Europe By Rail 2019

B ruges , G ent & F landers S team

N E W T O U R

An action packed short-break to St Niklaas in the heart of Flanders, well positioned for our excursions to Bruges, Gent and Antwerp. Bruges is a delight with its pretty canals, squares and belfries. Gent is a similarly beautiful city and we discover it the best way - by boat. In Antwerp, the ‘diamond capital’, we take a tour on a vintage tram and, of course, we include some steam at Maldegem Steam Centre.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

★ ★ Steam at the Maldegem Steam Centre ★ ★ Tour, tasting and welcome dinner at a local brewery ★ ★ Visit Antwerp, the ‘diamond capital’ ★ ★ Ride one of Antwerp’s vintage trams on a privately chartered tour ★ ★ Enjoy delightful Bruges ★ ★ Tour and tasting at the Halve Maan brewery ★ ★ Get to know Gent from the water on our included canal cruise

Fares From £695

Also included in your Tour Fare:

★ ★ Breakfasts and evening meals provided throughout ★ ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

DAY 1 Our journey begins at London St Pancras International, travelling by Eurostar to Brussels Midi. Here we change trains for St Niklaas , where we spend four nights at the centrally located Ibis Hotel. This evening we visit a local brewery for a tour and tasting of their beers before our first dinner together in a nearby restaurant. (D) DAY 2 Today we make the short rail journey to Antwerp , a charming city renowned as the world capital for diamonds. Antwerp also has a rich cultural past as the home of great artists, such as Rubens, and boasts a stunning cathedral and town hall. Antwerp is also home to the Flemish Tram Museum and we have booked a private ride on one of their vintage trams . Back in St Niklaas we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) DAY 3 Heading westwards across Flanders by train to Bruges , one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Our stroll to the stunning medieval centre is punctuated with a visit to

Bruges

© Pauline Felstead © Pauline Felstead

5 DAYS

De Halve Maan Brewery for a tour and taste of Brugse Zot Blond. The afternoon is then free for you to lose yourself amidst the myriad of canals, quaint streets and squares, taking in the relaxed atmosphere of the Markt square and maybe partaking in the region’s other speciality – chocolate. (B,D) DAY 4 Today we experience Flanders steam at the Maldegem Steam Centre , which houses the largest collection of steam locomotives in Flanders, operating on the standard gauge line between Maldegem and Eeklo, 10 km away, on the former line towards Gent. In the other direction, a shorter narrow-gauge track has been preserved on the former line towards Bruges. If timetables allow we will experience both gauges before travelling onwards to the gorgeous city of Gent, where we cruise the city’s waterways and enjoy a farewell evening meal in a local restaurant. (B,D) DAY 5 After a little free time this morning to sightsee in St Niklaas which boasts Belgium’s largest market square, we travel by train to Brussels Midi, where we join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras. (B)

DEPARTS

Thursday 27 June 2019 Thursday 8 August 2019 Thursday 12 September 2019

FARE From London St Pancras International: Standard Class rail travel to/from St Niklaas, including £695 Standard Eurostar Single Traveller Supplement £125 4 nights’ bed, breakfast evening meal

Eurostar and rail travel to St Niklaas and return All transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager GUARANTEED FARE

HOTEL

Ibis Hotel St Niklaas The Ibis Hotel is situated in the historic heart of St Niklaas within walking distance of all the Market Square and station. Its facilities include a popular and welcoming bar. The modern rooms are equipped with television, telephone and hairdryer.

Gent

Maldegem Steam Centre

Halve Maan Brewery

Bruges

Book now – online at www.railtrail.co.uk or telephone: 01538 382323

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