Hanseatic League
An Article on the early trading of Germany and the Baltic states by an Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983 with small group educational tours for senior couples and mature solo travellers who are curious.
Odyssey Traveller small group tour explores Paris, Honfleur and Abbeville in France, Bruges in Belgium and then Luxemborg. Travelling with like minded people to discover some of the finest gardens of Europe, like Claude Monet’s garden in Giverny. We also take in a memorial service in Villers-Bretonneux, which saw the greatest sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand troops during World War I.
This small group escorted educational tour combines visits to France, Belgium, Luxemborg, the Netherlands, and Germany. During the 26 days, we will discover a selection of the finest gardens and chateaux in Europe. Our destinations also include several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, for example the royal palaces built by the Prince-Bishop of Cologne in Brühl, Germany.
For the senior couple or mature solo traveler seeking a small group educational tour focussed on exploring and learning with like minded people in Europe.
Most of us have already experienced the grandeur of classic galleries such as the Louvre and the National Gallery. Travel with like-minded people in a small group tour and be surprised by the lesser-known but equally wonderful smaller art galleries across Northwest Europe.
Incredible food, drink and scenery await in decadent Belgium. Chocolate, waffles, and beer are among the top indulgences that Belgians have mastered. Add to these delectable delights the rich art, architecture, and comic books that Belgians are famous for. Brussels, the capital city, boasts of beautifully ornate buildings, from the medieval Guild Houses on the the Grote Markt (Grand Place), through the 19th century Royal Palace, to the modern headquarters of the European Union. In the Middle Ages, the port city of Ghent was one of the most prosperous cities in Europe – and still has the architecture to confirm it. Stay in Bruges and take in the fairy-tale old town, with its canals, medieval houses, and eerie Basilica of the Holy Blood. And in Ypres, pay respect to those who gave their lives in World War I at the Menin Gate. For a travel experience you won’t forget, join Odyssey Traveller as we take in the history, culture, and decadent cuisine of Belgium.
An Article on the early trading of Germany and the Baltic states by an Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983 with small group educational tours for senior couples and mature solo travellers who are curious.
Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. Belgium has an excellent train network, with train services running across the length of the country. Given the extent of the rail network, the bus services in Belgium generally cover shorter distances, with buses often used to connect train stations with other rail lines.
In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our longstay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.
Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.
Belgium covers an area of 30,528 square kilometres, and has three main geographical regions: the coastal plain in the north west, the central plateau, and the Ardennes uplands in the south-east. The terrain of Belgium is largely flat in the centre of the country, with the terrain gradually rising into the hills and forests of the Ardennes region. Three major rivers flow through Belgium and into the North Sea: the Scheldt, the Meuse, and the Yser.
Belgium has a temperate maritime climate, with mild summers and cool winters. Depending on when you intend to travel, check the weather reports and dress accordingly.
There are 13 properties in Belgium listed on the World Heritage List. You can view the listed properties here: (https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/be). Belgium’s listed properties include:
Belfries of Belgium, distinctive buildings which have been recognised as being an important symbols of civic independence in regional Flanders
Stoclet House, a landmark building constructed in the Art Nouveau style
Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai, an outstanding example of medieval Gothic architecture.
The unique history and culture of Belgium is captured through its many colourful festivals and events. One of the more eye-catching events in the year is the Procession of the Holy Blood. First held in Bruges in 1150 AD, the religious festival centres around the relic of the Holy Blood paraded through the streets of Bruges alongside 1,500 costumed townspeople. Past events of national importance are commemorated through large events, none more spectacularly so than the annual Battle of Waterloo re-enactment. Every June, the Battle of Waterloo is re-enacted by hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of participants clothed in elaborate costumes and equipped with Napoleonic-era props. A few festivals in Belgium take a turn toward the peculiar, particularly the Kattenstoet festival in Ypres. Originally stemming from gruesome medieval tales of townsfolk throwing cats from towers, today the city holds a parade in honour of its feline friends, the culimination of which is toy cats being thrown from the city hall tower.
Belgium: A History, by Bernard A. Cook
Beautiful Belgium, by Alison Cornford-Matheson
Belgium: Long United, Long Divided, by Samuel Humes and Wilfried Martens
The Great War in Belgium and the Netherlands: Beyond Flanders Fields, by Felicity Rash and Christophe Declercq
The riverways, lakes and coastal waters of Belgium have long been a source of sustenance for Belgians, with moules-frites (mussels) and grey shrimp popular staples of Belgian cuisine. Soups and stews feature prominently in Belgian cooking, with dishes such as waterzooi (fish stew) and carbonadeflamandeor stooflees (steak and ale stew) remaining an integral part of Belgian cuisine. The humble potato has made its mark on Belgian cooking over the years, most famously in the form of frites (fries), though also as its usage as a key ingredient in stoemp (mashed potatoes and vegetables). Of course, no discussion about Belgian food would be complete without mentioning its world-famous waffles and chocolate, both of which hold a special place in the hearts of Belgians. Indeed, the Belgians are so enamoured with making and consuming chocolate that there are over 2,000 chocolatiers operating in Belgium.
Beer has been brewed in Belgium for nearly one thousand years, and as such beer is of national importance in Belgium, with over 200 active breweries in operation in Belgium. If you’re a beer enthusiast, be sure to sample a local variety while in Belgium.
As of writing, smartraveller.gov.au advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling around Belgium due to the possible risk of terrorist attack. Also be advised that bag-snatches and pickpocketing do sometimes occur in Belgian cities, so keep your personal valuables close and pay close attention to your personal security.
Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The electricity supply in Belgium runs at 230V and 50Hz. Belgium uses Type C and Type E electric plugs, so make sure you have the right travel adaptor with you.
Belgium has a single time zone, Central European Standard Time (UTC+1). Daylight savings in Belgium commence on the last Sunday of March, and conclude on the last Sunday of October.
If you’re on an Odyssey tour, we take care of tipping so you don’t need to give it a second thought. However, in your free time, or if travelling independently, it’s essential that you tip an appropriate amount for services. Tipping is not common in Belgium, with service charges often included in bills.
Wifi is widely available in Belgium, and should be freely accessible in most hotels, cafes and restaurants.
Check with your cell phone provider to see whether you’re able to make calls and use data while in Belgium. Many providers will allow you to pay a daily fee that allows you to make calls and check the internet while only being charged your regular rates. However, be certain to inform your provider that you’re heading overseas, because just like a bank they can turn off your service as a result of unusual activity.
Europe’s Ten Best Art Galleries – including Belgium’s Musee de Beaux Arts.
For all the articles Odyssey Traveller has published for mature aged and senior travellers, click through on this link.
Lonely Planet: Ghent – Belgium’s best kept secret.
The Telegraph: Thirty reasons to keep visiting Belgium.
We specialise in educational small group tours for seniors, typically groups between six to 12 people from Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and Britain. Our maximum number of people on a tour is 18 mature aged travellers.We have some 150 tours and offer 300 scheduled departures on offer each year. Odyssey has been offering this style of adventure and educational programs since 1983.
Odyssey Traveller is committed to charitable activities that support the environment and cultural development of Australian and New Zealand communities.
We are also pleased to announce that since 2012, Odyssey has been awarding $10,000 Equity & Merit Cash Scholarships each year. We award scholarships on the basis of academic performance and demonstrated financial need. We award at least one scholarship per year. We’re supported through our educational travel programs, and your participation helps Odyssey achieve its goals. Students can apply for the scholarship by clicking on this link to find out more details.
Every International small group tour taken typically contributes to your membership level in our Loyalty Program for regular travellers. Membership of the alumni starts when you choose to take your first international small group tour with Odyssey Traveller, discounts in tour pricing for direct bookings accrue from your third tour with Odyssey Traveller. To see the discounts and benefits of being a Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond alumni member with us, please see this page.
For more information on Odyssey Traveller and our educational small group tours, visit and explore our website., remember to visit these pages in particular
Alternatively, please call or send an email.
Hey, I'm Mark
CEO of Odyssey Traveller
I send out a weekly Odyssey Traveller newsletter.