{"id":21099,"date":"2014-04-17T20:37:58","date_gmt":"2014-04-17T20:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/livevoyagereports.com\/?page_id=3370"},"modified":"2017-01-06T02:47:14","modified_gmt":"2017-01-06T09:47:14","slug":"day-9-brussels","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/live-voyage-reports\/taucks-ms-inspire-belgium-holland\/day-9-brussels\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 9 – Brussels"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wrapping up our Tauck adventure in Brussels<\/h3>\n
\"Today,<\/a>

Today, we leave the ms Inspire behind and spend our last day with Tauck in Brussels, Belgium. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Aaron Saunders, Live Voyage Reports<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Today, guests disembarked Tauck<\/b>\u2019s beautiful new ms Inspire<\/i><\/b> <\/b>in the port of Maastricht as the cruise portion of our Belgium & Holland in Spring<\/i><\/b> <\/i>itinerary draws to a close. But there\u2019s still one more full day of touring ahead of us, as we travel to Brussels <\/b>and the Hotel Amigo<\/b>.<\/p>\n

There were many goodbyes to the fabulous crew of the Inspire<\/em>, and to our Tauck Cruise Director Steve, who will stay with the ship and welcome the next group of guests onboard as she turns and heads north back to Amsterdam.<\/p>\n

\"Steam<\/a>

Steam rises off the ms Inspire’s inviting hot tub this morning in Maastricht. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"The<\/a>

The stern of the ms Inspire this morning in Maastricht. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Luggage was collected for us from outside of our rooms and brought separately to Brussels, while we disembarked and boarded three motorcoaches for the three-hour drive to the city.<\/p>\n

About 90 minutes into our drive, we stopped at a truck stop along the highway (a TEXACO, ironically enough) for a bathroom break and a stretch of the legs. Next door was the swankiest Ibis hotel I\u2019ve ever seen, and it was nice to get out and have a little stroll.<\/p>\n

\"Heading<\/a>

Heading back to the coaches after a quick pit-stop en-route to Brussels. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Pit-stops<\/a>

Pit-stops are always a good chance to get a few snacks for the road – though I’m not sure what exactly is going on here! Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

I heard a few guests were told by the gas station\u2019s management to not take photographs inside with their iPhones, though I waltzed in with a DSLR and no one said anything to me. It\u2019s an odd policy for a place that sells beer and porn side-by-side newspapers and potato chips. Speaking of, if you\u2019re here, try the Paprika-flavoured potato chips. They\u2019re great.<\/p>\n

\"Stopping<\/a>

Stopping en-route to view the Atomium, constructed for the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

In Brussels, we battled traffic like I have never seen before. When I think of popular European cities that are busy even during the ‘off-season’, I think of places like London, Paris and Rome. But Brussels is every bit as busy as Paris, with throngs of tourists disembarking from motorcoaches at every turn. There’s also absolutely tons of traffic.<\/p>\n

The Hotel Amigo<\/strong> is very Tauck. It’s elegantly decorated, but in an understated, unobtrusive fashion. It has 154 guest rooms and 19 suites that are universally spacious, along with the inviting Bar Amigo and Bocconi Restaurant.<\/p>\n

\"Welcome<\/a>

Welcome to the Hotel Amigo, the final point in our cruise-tour with Tauck. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

My room was more spacious than I was expecting – always a good thing. Complimentary bottled sparkling and still water were also a nice touch, as was the wi-fi internet access. By the time I got to my room, my luggage was already there waiting for me. But I wouldn’t be doing much in my room today other than changing and sleeping: I had a whole city to explore!<\/p>\n

\"My<\/a>

My room at the Hotel Amigo was well-appointed. But, I have to admit – I miss my Loft Stateroom! Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Brussels is, as you might have heard,\u00a0 full of chocolate \u2013 though not all of it is Belgian. Flipping over the wares in most stores showed chocolates that were made in France, and a few had even been imported from the UK. It\u2019s a good lesson to always look at the back of the label to find out where your souvenirs are actually made.<\/p>\n

\"Chocolate,<\/a>

Chocolate, chocolate – everywhere! Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

If you\u2019re in the market for good Belgian chocolates, I\u2019d personally recommend Pierre Marcolini<\/b>. The boxes they come in alone are pretty swank, and the prices are very reasonable for real<\/i> Belgian chocolate. \u00a0They\u2019ve got a shop in the picturesque Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert<\/i> five minutes from Tauck\u2019s Hotel Amigo.<\/p>\n

\"Strolling<\/a>

Strolling through the Galleries Royales Saint-Hubert in Brussels. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Opened in 1847, the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is similar in concept and design to other 19th<\/sup>-century shopping arcades in Europe, like the Galleria Umberto<\/i> in Naples and its famous counterpart, Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle II<\/i> in Milan. Spanning two city blocks and separated by a single street in the middle, it\u2019s a fun place to walk through, and definitely the place to be if you\u2019re after chocolates. Or, Tintin<\/i>. The famous French children\u2019s character is well represented here.<\/p>\n

\"Tourists<\/a>

Tourists stroll through Brussel’s Grand Square. The Hotel Amigo was just one block away. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

The only issue I have with Brussels \u2013 apart from the traffic \u2013 is how shockingly rude some of the citizens here are. I discovered that when, along with four other Tauck guests, we dined at a local restaurant-pub just off the main square.<\/p>\n

We ordered five beers and I did my best to communicate in both French and English (French is most widely spoken in Brussels as opposed to Dutch), but the grouchy-looking man who was serving us was having none of it. He brought our beers after much humming and hawing, then disappeared.<\/p>\n

\"Enjoying<\/a>

Enjoying a fantastic Belgian beer – a Kwak – at the better of our two lunchtime establishments. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

An hour passes, and we\u2019ve long since finished our respective pints. We\u2019re anxious to order some food, so we attempt to get the waiters attention. At every opportunity, he ices us out completely \u2013 even when one member of our party got up, strode across the room and asked if we could order. The answer: a shrug of the shoulders, followed by a walk away.<\/p>\n

Fifteen more minutes pass, and we\u2019ve had enough. Two people stay behind and pay the tab while the rest of us go one street over to another pub.<\/p>\n

\"Because<\/a>

Because of the city’s French influence, Tintin is everywhere… Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"...along<\/a>

…along with my favorite French chocolate & biscuit store! Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Here\u2019s the kicker: the second pub, called Manneken, <\/b>was much nicer in terms of d\u00e9cor and food, and the young waitress and waiter serving us couldn\u2019t have been happier or nicer. So you just never know. A few shopkeepers were nice and conversational, but most were simply indifferent, which was in stark contrast to the rest of Belgium and the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

But that\u2019s the beauty of travel: you fall in love with places you\u2019ve never been to, and learn there are others that don\u2019t really do it for you. Such is life.<\/p>\n

\"Pre-dinner<\/a>

Pre-dinner drinks were on Tauck at the Hotel Amigo tonight. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Tonight, we had one last dinner together along with our Tauck guides Joeri, Yenner and Zsofia. Cocktails were served promptly in the lobby of the Hotel Amigo at 6p.m., and dinner followed at 7p.m. in a private dining room off the Lobby Bar. As part of Tauck\u2019s all-inclusive policy, even at the hotel, all drinks with dinner and the cocktail hour were provided complimentary to guests.<\/p>\n

It was a wonderful way to wrap up this journey that we have all been a part of for the past week and a half. Everyone met as strangers last Monday in Amsterdam, but now leave as friends.<\/p>\n

\"Tauck<\/a>

Tauck Directors Joeri, Yenner and Zsofia bid us farewell during our final dinner at the Hotel Amigo. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

As my second Tauck river cruise comes to a close, I\u2019m more certain than ever that the company is one-of-a-kind. Arthur Tauck, Sr. founded the company in the mid 1920\u2019s, and much has changed since then. The world is a very different place now \u2013 one of uncertainty, change, and quite often, fear.<\/p>\n

If Arthur Tauck Sr. wouldn\u2019t recognize the world around him, he would no doubt recognize today\u2019s Tauck, for it embodies every one of the principles he set out to offer: a friendly, convivial group of likeminded people coming together to see the world.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Tauck continues to expand and grow, and the launch of the gorgeous ms Inspire<\/i> and her sister, ms Savor <\/i>in June, are part of that expansion. But it\u2019s the personal touch with Tauck that makes all the difference, from the guides, staff and directors who give up their personal time to go location scouting for new itineraries to the company\u2019s attention to detail at every turn.<\/p>\n

In a world without pause, Tauck really does make every moment count. And that\u2019s endlessly special.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Tauck's MS Inspire - Belgium & Holland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
DAY<\/B><\/td>PORT<\/B><\/td>ACTIVITIES<\/B><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 7, 2014<\/a><\/td>Amsterdam, Netherlands<\/td>Arrive Amsterdam; Embark Tauck's new ms Inspire<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 8<\/a><\/td>Amsterdam, Netherlands<\/td>Private river cruise through Amsterdam's Canals; visit the Rijksmuseum; tour Keukenhof Gardens<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 9<\/a><\/td>Hoorn, Netherlands \/ Enkhuizen, Netherlands<\/td>Walking tour of Hoorn or visit to Alkmaar. Walking tour of Enkhuizen & open-air Zuiderzee Museum.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 10<\/a><\/td>Arnhem, Netherlands<\/td>Choice of tours - De Hoge Veluwe National Park exploration with Vincent Van Gogh at the Kroller-Muller Museum, or tour sites associated with the WWII airborne assault on Arnhem. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 11<\/a><\/td>Rotterdam, Netherlands<\/td>Tour of Rotterdam & its museums, or optional excursion to the historic city of Delft. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 12<\/a><\/td>Veere, Netherlands \/ Middleburg, Netherlands. <\/td>Exploration of Veere or excursion to Neeltje Jans Delta Works to learn about the country's storm surge barriers. In Middleburg, enjoy time exploring on own.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 13<\/a><\/td>Antwerp, Belgium \/ Ypres<\/td>Orientation walking tour through Antwerp's historic city center & visit the Red Star Line museum. After lunch, Tauck Exclusive tour to Flanders to observe the centennial of World War I with dinner and a private visit to the In Flanders Fields museum. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 14<\/a><\/td>Antwerp, Belgium \/ Hasselt, Belgium \/ Maastricht, Netherlands<\/td>Drive to Margraten to see the Netherlands American Cemetery. Tauck Exclusive Lunch at Chateau Neercanne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guided visit to Maastricht & free time in the Old Town.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 15<\/a><\/td>Brussels, Belgium<\/td>Disembark ms Inspire & travel to Brussels for a full day of sightseeing. Overnight at the Hotel Amigo.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 16<\/td>Brussels, Belgium<\/td>Onward journey home.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n