A FLANDERS (BELGIUM) ITINERARY - an extensive and ambitious cruise across Flanders


DAY ONE—A chauffeured car will come to your hotel in Brussels from where it is but a short drive to Golden Odyssey moored in the beautiful Flemish town of Mechelen where, after a champagne reception on board and settling into your staterooms, this thirteenth century town awaits a walking exploration. Perhaps you will be favored to enjoy a concert from the town carillon, since Mechelen is the home of the world famous school of the “beiardeeren”or bell ringers, before returning to aperitifs and leisurely dining aboard for your first taste of Golden Odyssey cuisine.

DAY TWO— Breakfast and lunch while underway to the fascinating and historic old city of Ghent, where we will arrive late in the afternoon, having had a long lazy cruise up the Schelde River. We wend our way through the city, and moor at our lovely green mooring place, on the banks of the River Leie, the “Golden River”, so called because of its associations with flax and the riches of Gent. There will be time for a stroll into the town to whet your appetite for further exploration on the morrow. Cocktails, a marvellous dinner, perhaps a glass of cognac in the spa pool before bed, or, if you are ambitious, a taste of nightlife in Gent.

DAY THREE— Awaken to a new day; feed the ducks that will come to visit, and, after breakfast, an exploration of the vibrant and historic city of Gent, whose origin is seventh century, and offers such rich and diverse panoply of incomparable architectural vistas that the senses reel. This even before one has time to begin to take in the wonderful shops, taverns, art, and other attractions. One absolute must is viewing the van Eyck altarpiece, which has been drawing visitors to Ghent for over five hundred years. It is located in one of the chapels of St. Bavos Cathedral in the heart of the old city, and is the most beautiful medieval Flemish painting in Belgium, if not the world. Some guests elect to spend the remainder of their cruise here, so rich is the city in sights and pleasures. At the very least it requires an entire day. Take advantage of the wonderful shops here, from fine art and antiquities to chocolate, from monastery-brewed beer to handmade lace and tapestries.

DAY FOUR—After breakfasting in a leisurely fashion, perhaps a side trip down the beautiful River Leie for lunch at St. Maartens Latem, or in a waterside pub, or a trip to Ooidonk Castle, one of the finest in Belgium, or simply remain in the old city of Ghent exploring and shopping, getting a glimpse of Flemish life and culture. You will find the people warm and friendly, and most speak English or French, as well as Flemish. The choice is yours.

DAY FIVE—Sated, if not overwhelmed by the sights of Ghent, we are underway early for a cruise down the Ghent-Ostend Canal. Lunching aboard, we arrive late afternoon at a mooring near the windmills of Bruges. Met at the quayside by horse drawn carriages, you will be driven on a trip back in time. Almost nothing disturbs the medieval atmosphere of this gem in the crown of Flemish cities. In the sixteenth century, Hadrianus Borlandus, Professor of Rhetoric at Leuven University wrote, “The cities of Ghent, Antwerp, Brussels, Leuven, and Mechelen are beautiful, but they are nothing in comparison to Bruges”. After Venice, it was the finest and richest city in Europe, if not the world. It is from here that we can, if you wish, arrange to have you driven to Knokke-Heist or Ostend, to gamble away the night in one of the famous casinos.

DAY SIX— A day spent in enjoying this incomparable town will be an appropriate leave-taking of the delights of Flanders, perhaps finding that special piece of art, enjoying a few glasses of convent-brewed beer; perhaps taking another carriage ride through the town. A sinfully indolent picnic with delicious food and wines on a grassy riverbank is almost always an option.

DAY SEVEN— After breakfasting, we will return you overland to your hotel in Brussels or to the airport, whatever arrangements you have made with us. It is to be noted that the above is only a sample of the many itineraries, which may be tailored to the interests of your party. There is the River Leie, whose verdant banks meander through the countryside that made famous the Latem School of painting, which grew from St. Maartens Latem, near Ghent. Nearby is the spectacular Ooidonk castle, a beautiful reminder of the Spanish occupation of ages past. For contemporary art lovers the active art scene in the bustling city of Antwerp is as famous as its diamond merchants and haute couture. A limousine ride to Knokke-Heist on the seacoast will put you in play in the renowned casino, decorated with paintings of Magritte. The ancient city of Leuven, with its incomparable Stadhuis, or city hall. The battlefields of two wars and their moving memorials of the tens of thousands who died in Flanders fields are not far away, Ballooning and sand yachting are two of the more esoteric sports available in the province of West Flanders. If antique hunting is your interest, this area is full of an overwhelming selection of antique shops, from kitsch to matchless antiquities, as well as some fine Oriental carpet shops. A week or ten days on a slow boat is a perfect adjunct to an extended Continental vacation. The choices are yours to make. It is a wonderful region of Europe, a virtually undiscovered treasure trove, and only the beginning of our European Odyssey.