A guide will escort us from the ship to Brussels, approximately a two hour drive, before showing us to the Christmas Market. The guide will remain at a given point to give us additional information about sights and shopping.

During our free time, we can admire the Old Town area with St Hubert Arcades and Butchers' Street with its array of restaurants and cafés. With its Baroque guild houses and Town Hall, the Brussels Grand Place is often called the most beautiful Market Square in the World. We can also meet “Manneken Pis”, Brussels best known statue.

As the year end draws near, the Christmas Markets blossom in many cities and towns in Belgium. The festivities really begin with St Nicholas on December 6th. Shops display Christmas treats such as marzipan, flat hard cakes known as ‘klaasjes’ and ‘speculoos’ – gingerbread moulded in the form of St Nicholas.

No fewer than 220 wooden chalets will be present around the Beurs, the St Katelijneplein and Vismarkt for the Brussels annual European Christmas Market – seen as one of the most original Christmas Markets in Europe. A large array of Christmas goods, craft products and delicacies will be on sale in the beautifully illuminated shopping area. A 48 metre high giant wheel will give fantastic views of the city and over the traditional Christmas tree and decorations on Grote Markt. In addition, an ice skating rink offers fun for young and old.

TOUR NOTES: The coach journey each way is approximately two hours. The walk to and from the meeting point in Brussels will take approximately 20 minutes. We shall have approximately two and a half hours of free time to view sights and visit the Market. Refreshments are not included, but may be purchased at the Christmas Market at our own expense.