Belgium, Netherlands, France, Germany Art Tour | Western Europe Art Tour

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.

From A$15,895AUD

Available

Highlights

  1. 1. View the controversial new extension to Amsterdam's Stedelijk Museum of Contemporary Art.
  2. 2. Visit the Van Gogh Museum which showcases more than 200 works by Van Gogh.
  3. 3. Explore the medieval town of Bruges.
  4. 4. Imagine what life was like in 1898 inside a cutting edge Art Nouveau townhouse, at the Horta House in Brussels.
Belgium, Netherlands, France, Germany Art Tour | Western Europe Art Tour itinerary

Departure Dates

Departure Date Price
27 September 2024

Ends 17 October 2024

A$15,895 Twin

A$19,525 Single

Available
Selected
26 September 2025

Ends 16 October 2025

A$16,695 Twin

A$20,495 Single

Available
25 September 2026

Ends 15 October 2026

A$17,250 Twin

A$20,795 Single

Available

Belgium, Netherlands, France, Germany Art Tour | Western Europe Small Group Art Tour

Odyssey offers easy, convenient, and relaxed escorted small group tours across Western Europe and beyond. We explore Belgium, Netherland's France and Germany fairy-tale natural beauty, its Imperial heritage, its World Heritage Sites, and world famous cities with their art galleries, all with some truly spectacular scenery along the way. This and more is all waiting to be explored on one of Odyssey’s small group tours of Europe, designed for the senior traveller, and led by experienced, and enthusiastic like minded people.

Enjoy our small group art tour of Western Europe, designed for the mature couple or solo traveller with a passion for beauty. This tour gives travellers artistic experiences that goes well beyond the main tourist tracks. For those art lovers who have already experienced the grandeur of classic European galleries like the Louvre and the National Gallery, this cultural tour offers something completely different. This is a small group tour of the Dutch Masters, focusing on the lesser-known but equally enchanting smaller art galleries across northwest Europe. For art lovers, this is the type of vacation you would have dreamed about and along with this, you'll be joining a group of like-minded people who want to learn all they can about the wonderful Dutch Masters.

Visiting Galleries in Western Europe

With 21 days of touring, this program is designed to help couples and solo travellers discover the best new artworks and museum pieces in Western Europe. It is also staged around several intimate encounters with the tradition of Western Art and Science.

This art tour for mature travellers begins in Amsterdam and ends in Cologne. In total, the tour stops in nine locations in each of the countries and we stay at each of these locations for an average of two nights.

Important tour stops include

  • Amsterdam,
  • Rotterdam,
  • Antwerp,
  • Bruges,
  • Lille,
  • Brussels,
  • Maastricht,
  • Dusseldorf,
  • and Cologne.

An art tour for mature travellers

The 21 day tour tour begins with four nights in Amsterdam. Some highlights of our time here include an escorted tour with a professional guide of the Rijksmuseum. This museum showcases the best examples of Dutch painting, with a focus on the 15th to 17th centuries. While here, we learn about famous works of Vermeer, Rembrandt and Frans Hals. In the afternoon, we visit the newly-expanded Stedelijk Museum to see its collection of 20th century art and design. Afterwards, we take a sightseeing tour of the famed Amsterdam canals.

In Antwerp, we visit the Museum Aan de Stroom with our local guide. The recently redesigned museum features stunning new architecture and illustrates the history of Antwerp as a worldwide shipping powerhouse, especially in the diamond trade. We then head to the Plantin Moretus Museum, for a tour of the exhibits. While here, we learn about the importance of Christopher Plantin as a Renaissance humanist, book printer, and publisher in the 16th century.

During our time in Lille, an expert introduces us to the Pasteur Institute Museum. We also explore the life and work of the great scientist, who was also Dean of the Lille Faculty of Science. Later, we visit the new Louvre Project in Lens, where we get an insider's view of the brand new satellite of the famous Paris art temple. The museum is housed in a design by celebrated Japanese architects Sanaa.

Other highlights include a visit to the Van Gogh Museum, which showcases more than 200 works by Van Gogh and where you can read about key events in his life. We also gain a fascinating insight into the artist's life at Rembrandt's house in Amsterdam. While in Bruges, we explore an important collection of Flemish painting. Finally, we experience the highlights of the surprising Bonnefanten Contemporary Art Museum, designed by Italian architect Aldo Ross. We finish our European tour in Cologne where we explore the pop art at the Museum Ludwig.

As well as incredible art, this travel experience will give you the chance to see five different European countries and take in the amazing scenery and landscapes each of these unique places has to offer. You can expect diverse culture, cuisine and architecture at each location as well as interesting art that you have not witnessed before. You can expect grand palaces, fortresses and forests in some destinations and quaint villages in others.

About this small group tour

This tour has been designed for the mature aged or senior couple or solo traveller with an interest in great European art, and keen to experience the best small museums and galleries available in the area.

This European program is a small-group tour led by professional guides who are willing to share their knowledge and love of art. The upside for you is you do not need to worry about the planning and the booking once you're on the tour, you simply get to enjoy the art and enjoy a European vacation like no other. You can expect a most memorable trip!

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.

Alternatively, please call or send an email.

Itinerary

21 days

Day 1: Amsterdam

Accommodation: 4 nights at Amsterdam Central Hotel or similar.

When we arrive in Amsterdam, we will come individually to the hotel. Our tour leader will meet us at our hotel for a program orientation and welcome dinner. (D)

Day 2: Amsterdam

Accommodation: Amsterdam Central Hotel or similar.

We start the tour in style with a guided visit to the Rijksmuseum, showcasing the best examples of Dutch painting, with a focus on the 15th to 17th centuries. Here, we learn about the famous works of Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Frans Hals. In the afternoon, we visit the newly expanded Stedelijk Museum and its collection of 20th century art and design. Later on, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the famed Amsterdam canals. (B,D)

Day 3: Amsterdam

Accommodation: Amsterdam Central Hotel or similar.

In the morning, we enjoy a panoramic tour of the main sights of the charming city of Amsterdam. Later we explore the Amsterdam Museum, which illustrates the 1000-year history of the trading capital at the heart of a world. We end the day with a visit to the Rembrandt House Museum.

Day 4: Amsterdam

Accommodation: Amsterdam Central Hotel or similar.

This morning, we visit the iconic Van Gogh Museum, which houses more than 200 of the Dutch impressionist’s works. (B,D)

Day 5: Rotterdam

Accommodation: 1 night at Hotel van Walsum or similar.

After a short drive to Rotterdam, we explore the Boijmans Museum, also known as The Louvre on the River Maas. The Museum showcases works of Bosch, Bruegel, Van Eyck, Rubens, Rembrandt, Magritte, and Dali. We also explore the Maritime Museum, where we learn about the development of Europe’s largest port. (D)

Day 6: Antwerp

Accommodation: 2 nights at Prinse Hotel or similar.

Today we travel to Antwerp, where we visit the Rubens House. This small museum gives visitors the impression that they are sneaking around Rubens’ home whilst he is away for diplomatic talks with English courtiers. (D)

Day 7: Antwerp

Accommodation: Prinse Hotel or similar.

Today we have the opportunity to experience the Museum Aan de Stroom. The recently redesigned museum features stunning new architecture and illustrates the history of Antwerp as a worldwide shipping powerhouse, especially in the diamond trade. Later on, we explore the Plantin Moretus Museum, where we learn about the importance of Christopher Plantin as a Renaissance humanist, book printer, and publisher in the 16th century. (D)

Day 8: Bruges

Accommodation: 3 nights at Hotel Ter Brughe or similar.

Today we travel to Ghent and enjoy a guided panoramic tour of medieval Ghent, the birthplace of Emperor Charles I and once Europe’s second largest city after Paris. After lunch, we continue our journey to Bruges. (D)

Day 9: Bruges

Accommodation: Hotel Ter Brughe or similar.

Located in one of the most perfectly-conserved medieval towns, today we experience the wonders of the Groeninge Museum. Here, we enjoy a guided tour of this important collection of 15th century Flemish painters. This afternoon we explore historic Bruges with our local guide, and discover why this magical and fairy-tale-like city is known as the Venice of the North. (D)

Day 10: Bruges

Accommodation: Hotel Ter Brughe or similar.

We start the day at Old St. John’s Hospital. This 11th century hospital was the first of its kind in Europe. It is home to a unique collection of Flemish primitive art from the 12th to 14th centuries. (B,D)

Day 11: Lille

Accommodation: 2 nights at Best Western Bellevue Hotel or similar.

In the morning, we travel to Lille and learn about Charles de Gaulle on a guided tour of the Churchill of France, where the statesman was born. After lunch, we discover the gem of the Palais des Beaux Arts, one of the first museums built in France, established under the instructions of Napoleon I at the beginning of the 19th century as part of the popularisation of art. Jean-Antoine Chaptal’s decree of 1801 selected fifteen French cities (among which Lille) to receive the works seized from churches and from the territories occupied by the armies of Revolutionary France. The painters Louis Joseph Watteau and François Watteau, known as the “Watteau of Lille”, were heavily involved in the museum’s beginnings – Louis Joseph Watteau made in 1795 the first inventory of the paintings confiscated during the Revolution, whilst his son François was deputy curator of the museum from 1808 to 1823.

(D)

Day 12: Lille

Accommodation: Best Western Bellevue Hotel or similar.

This morning, an expert will introduce us to the Pasteur Institute Museum. Here, we explore the life and work of the great scientist, who was also Dean of the Lille Faculty of Science. We also visit the new Louvre Project in Lens, where we gain an insider’s view of the brand new satellite of the famous Paris art temple, housed in a design by celebrated Japanese architects Sanaa. (D)

Day 13: Brussels

Accommodation: 2 nights at NH Hotel du Grand Salon or similar.

Today we journey to Brussels, where we have the opportunity to familiarise ourselves with the work and life of René Magritte during our visit of the Magritte Museum. René Magritte was arguably the most important surrealist master, and the museum houses many of his most famous works.

The Magritte Museum opened to the public on 30 May 2009 in Brussels. Housed in the five-level neo-classical Hotel Altenloh, on the Place Royale, it displays some 200 original Magritte paintings, drawings and sculptures including The Return, Scheherazade and The Empire of Lights. This multidisciplinary permanent installation is the biggest Magritte archive anywhere and most of the work is directly from the collection of the artist’s widow, Georgette Magritte, and from Irene Hamoir Scutenaire, who was his primary collector. Additionally, the museum includes Magritte’s experiments with photography from 1920 on and the short surrealist films he made from 1956 onwards.

Day 14: Brussels

Accommodation: NH Hotel du Grand Salon or similar.

Today we take the opportunity to increase our knowledge of the Art Nouveau style, which swept Europe at the turn of the 20th century. We attend a lecture at the Horta House, home of the famous architect Victor Horta and a typical example of his groundbreaking work. The museum is housed in Horta’s former house and atelier, Maison & Atelier Horta (1898), in the Brussels municipality of Saint-Gilles. Housed in the Art Nouveau interiors is a permanent display of furniture, utensils and art objects designed by Horta and his contemporaries as well as documents related to his life and time. The museum also organises temporary exhibitions on topics related to Horta and his art. The building is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the major town houses of Victor Horta in Brussels. (B,D)

Day 15: Maastricht

Accommodation: 2 nights at Hotel Beaumont or similar.

This morning, we enjoy a panoramic tour of Brussels. A highlight is the chance to learn about the role of this city as the historic seat of the Dukes of Brabant as well as the present capital of both Belgium and the European Union. We then travel to Maastricht, where we spend the next two nights. (D)

Day 16: Maastricht

Accommodation: Hotel Beaumont or similar.

Today we are joined by an expert to learn about the highlights of the surprising Bonnefanten Contemporary Art Museum, designed by Italian architect Aldo Rossi. The museum was founded in 1884 as the historical and archaeological museum of the Dutch province of Limburg. The name Bonnefanten Museum is derived from the French ‘bons enfants’ (‘good children’), the popular name of a former convent that housed the museum from 1951 until 1978.

In 1995, the museum moved to its present location, a former industrial site named ‘Céramique’. The new building was designed by the Italian architect Aldo Rossi. With its rocket-shaped cupola overlooking the river Maas, it is one of Maastricht’s most prominent modern buildings.

Since 1999, the museum has become exclusively an art museum. The historical and archaeological collections were housed elsewhere. The museum is largely funded by the province of Limburg. (D)

Day 17: Dusseldorf

Accommodation: 2 nights at Hotel Bismarck or similar.

Today we cross into Germany to Dusseldorf, the elegant capital of Germany’s most populous state, Nordrhein Westfalen. We start with a panoramic tour of the city, followed by a guided tour of the Kunstpalast Gallery, which showcases works from the early 18th century to the German avant-garde of today. We also visit the fascinating Ceramic Museum, which features a lovely collection of fine porcelain. (D)

Day 18: Dusseldorf

Accommodation: Hotel Bismarck or similar.

Today we have a free day to stroll along the fashionable Koenigsallee in the historic downtown, also known as the Champs Elysee of Dusseldorf.

Day 19: Cologne

Accommodation: 2 nights at Best Western Brennerscherhof or similar.

Today we travel to Cologne to enjoy a panoramic tour of this 2,000 year old city, which started as an early Roman settlement. We are joined by a local guide for a visit to the impressive Roman Germanic Museum, brimming with many local Roman objects and artefacts. (B,D)

Day 20: Cologne

Accommodation: Best Western Brennerscherhof or similar.

Today a local expert leads us on an exploration of the Museum Ludwig. The museum houses the largest collection of Pop Art outside the USA, as well as an extensive collection of 20th century Russian avant-garde works.

In the evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner with the group. (D)

Day 21: Cologne

After breakfast, we say our farewells and tour draws to a close. (B)

Tour Notes

  • Group size is limited to a maximum of 18 participants.
  • Itineraries may change if flight schedules, site availability, and other inclusions have to be amended prior to departure

Includes / Excludes

What’s included in our Tour

  • 20 nights accommodation
  • 20 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 10 dinners.
  • Transport, entrances and field trips as indicated.
  • Services of local English speaking guides.
  • Service charges and gratuities.
  • Services of a tour leader.
  • Detailed tour information booklet.

What’s not included in our Tour

  • International airfares and departure taxes.
  • Comprehensive travel insurance.
  • Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls and laundry.
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary.
Level 2 - Moderate

Participants must be able to carry their own luggage, climb and descend stairs, be in good health, mobile and able to participate in 3-5 hours of physical activity per day, the equivalent of walking / hiking up to 8 kilometers per day on uneven ground.

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Departure

27 September 2024

Available

Ends 17 October 2024 • 21 days

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Room Type

Single Traveller
A$19,525
Two Travellers
A$15,895 pp

By booking two travellers sharing a room you save $3630 per person.

Payment Type

You can reserve your spot by paying a A$1,000 pp deposit, for full details please see our Terms & Conditions .

Pay Deposit
A$2,000
Pay Full
A$31,790

Prices are per person and valid until 30th December 2024.

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Make it a private tour

If you have a group of 6 friends or more you can book this tour as a private departure, with all the benefits of our small group tours.
Get in touch to find out more.

Easing your journey

Crossing international borders with restrictions

The list of requirements to travel internationally has changed and will continue to change for several years. Odyssey is here to assist you in managing your way through these requirements:

Pre-departure checklist for travelling across International borders.
Support over email or phone available 24/7 for any questions you have.

For more information see our Crossing international borders with restrictions page.

Book With Confidence

If less than 30 days before your tour starts you are unable to travel as a result of Government travel restrictions, Odyssey Traveller will assist you with a date change, provide you with a credit or process a refund for your booking less any non-recoverable costs.

See Terms and conditions for details.

Peace of Mind Travel

The safety of our travellers, tour leader, local guide and support staff has always been our top priority and with the new guidelines for public health and safety for keeping safe for destinations around the world, we’ve developed our plan to give you peace of mind when travelling with us.

See Peace of Mind Travel for details.

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