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Odyssey offers easy, convenient, and relaxed escorted across Western Europe and beyond. We explore Belgium, Luxembourg and France’s fairy-tale natural beauty, its ancient Roman, and Imperial heritage, its World Heritage Sites, and world famous cities, all with some truly all waiting to be explored on one of Odyssey’s small group .
This Western Europe treasures and gardens small group tour combines visits to France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Germany. During the 26 days, we will discover a selection of the finest gardens and chateaux in Europe. Your knowledge is extended by professional guides who share their studies of the culture and history of the places visited. Along the way we will cruise through spectacular and dramatic landscapes and sample local cuisine.
Beginning in Paris and ending in Amsterdam, the trip visits France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, stopping in nine key places along the way. A short tour version is also offered.
Our group adventure begins in Paris. We enjoy a tour of the Parisian arrondissements (rounded off areas or boroughs) by both foot and bus and explore the Seine and the historic districts of the Left and Right Banks. Then, we visit the Bagatelle Gardens, a landscaped garden dating back to the 18th century. Now a botanical garden of the city of Paris, it is famous for its rose garden and annual international roses contest held since 1907. We stop to view the famous Parc Andrew Citroen, a 35 acre park built on the site of the Citroen factory.
Our next stop on our journey is Giverney, where we explore Monet's house and garden. We also visit the important heritage site of Les Andelys. The towns of Great and Little Andelys grew towards each other over centuries to form the present town. In the Middle Ages, Richard the Lionheart (the Duke of Normandy and the King of England) built the Chateau Gaillard on a cliff to protect the country of Normandy from the French Crown. We also visit the arboretum of Harcourt, which ranges over 25 acres and boasts a botanical collection of around 500 species, with the oldest specimens dating back to 200 years. The arboretum, created in 1810, surrounds a vast medieval fortress; the outer wall, moats, and facades of which are still visible.
We will visit Honfleur, one of the pivots of the Celtic Arc extending from Normandy through the west of England and Scotland. The origin of the name Honfleur comes from its Scandinavian landowner "Honna" followed by "flow" which in the Nordic language meant "cove or small estuary." The word eventually became "fjord" in Scandinavian, while in French it evolved into "fleur", which can be found in the name of many small Norman towns: Barfleur, Harfleur, and Honfleur. As early as the 11th century, Honfleur was one of the most important towns in the dukedom of Normandy.
We base ourselves for several nights in Abbeville, an ideal launching point for the natural wonders of the Normandy coast. We make a day tour to Rouen, where we see the Notre Dame Cathedral immortalised by Monet, and take in a memorial service in Villers-Bretonneux, which saw the greatest sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand troops during World War I.
Other highlights of this European tour includes a cruise around the harbour of Rotterdam as well as the Moselle River. We visit the famous windmills of Kinderdijk. We also sample some of the best Belgian chocolates and visit De Kruidhof, the largest herb garden in the Netherlands. You will have the chance to make a walking tour through the Bagatelle Rose Gardens, and the Gardens of Annevoie and Keukenhof. Our destinations also include several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, for example the royal palaces built by the Prince-Bishop of Cologne in Brühl, Germany.
Note: This tour was previously known as "Odyssey through the Low Countries or Treasures of Western Europe."
Western Europe treasures and gardens cultural tour is one of more than 70 small group escorted tour offered by Odyssey Traveller each year. These small group tours visit many of Europe's must-see sights and are suited to both senior and mature couples and solo travellers. Our guided tours cater to a range of clients, from relaxed river cruises to mountain hikes. Whatever your travel style, it's likely that we'll have a tour that will suit you.
Garden lovers will be interested in some of our articles: 'Monet's Giverny Garden' and 'The Origins of Dutch Tulip Bulbs'.
To learn more, click here to find out about Odyssey's garden tours! We also offer several multi-country tours devoted to tracing gardens and other cultural sites across Western Europe.
For more details, click the ‘Top 5’ or ‘Itinerary’ buttons above! If you’re keen to experience this tour, please call or send an email. Or, to book, simply fill in the form on the right hand side of this page.
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