What Holland and Belgium may lack in size, they more than make up for in events, attractions and reasons to visit. Often overlooked in favor of the more traditional European destinations like Italy, France and Spain, these two countries offer travelers a unique blend of history, cutting edge contemporary culture, world class museums, natural beauty and did I mention the sensational food and the astounding number and variety of delicious beers? You can help minimize any currency fluctuations by purchasing your accommodation as part of a package and paying for your entire vacation in green backs or you can choose to wing it and stay at smaller off the beaten track inns and bed and breakfasts.
Gate1 Travel (tel. 800/682-3333; www.gate1travel.com) has a number of cut-price quick getaway packages to Holland and Belgium as well as some longer tours, rail or car rental packages and cruises.
For an introductory taste of Belgium try the "Five-day Brussels Value Vacation" priced from $549 per person based on double occupancy. The trip departs on Tuesdays in November and December 2006 (Nov 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30; December 7 and 14) and in 2007 each Tuesday from January 4, to March 22. The December 21, 2006 departure is prices at $659. This package includes round-trip flights from New York or Boston to Brussels, airline fuel surcharges, three nights' accommodations at the centrally located three-star Ibis off Grand Place Hotel and breakfast daily. Add approximately $59 to $97 from Chicago, $47 to $85 from Miami, and $165 to $188 from Los Angeles.
The six-day "Thanksgiving in Amsterdam" package is priced from $599 with departures available on November 20, 21 and 22, 2006. Included is round-trip airfare from New York or Boston to Amsterdam, airline fuel surcharges, four nights' accommodations at the three-star Ibis Westcorner and breakfast daily.
The seven-day "New Year in Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris" is priced at $1,139 per person if booked by May 31, 2006 ($1,339 if booked after that). It departs on December 27, 2006 and includes flights from New York to Amsterdam and from Paris back to New York, airline fuel surcharges, five nights' accommodations (two at the Novotel in Amsterdam, one at the Hilton Brussels City in Brussels and two at the Mercure Paris Tour Eiffel Suffren, in Paris -- including new Year's Eve), all transfers, breakfast daily, sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach and the services of English-speaking tour escort/manager throughout.
The peak tulip season for this year has been and gone so if you've always dreamed of seeing the Netherlands during its most famous season, you'll need to book early (by July 28, 2006) to ensure your place for next year. Gate1 has a nine day Holland and Belgium River Cruise that visits Amsterdam, Volendam, Edam, Enkhuizen, Nijmegen, Antwerp, Ghent, Dordrecht, Schoonhoven and Utrecht. The package includes round-trip flights from New York to Amsterdam (other departure cities available), airline fuel surcharges, seven nights' accommodations in a superior first class outside cabin aboard the MS Johann Strauss, all transfers, all meals on cruise, shore excursions, services of a cruise director throughout, entrance fees, gala welcome and farewell dinners and a visit to the renowned Keukenhof Gardens with its breathtaking fields of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. This trip departs on March 30 and April 6, 13 and 20, 2007 and is priced from $1,839 (or $1,399 for land only) for the March date and goes up to $2,139.
The fall is a magnificent time of the year to visit Europe -- airfare prices go down, so do hotel rates and most importantly the tourist numbers are reduced and you can experience a lot more for less. 1800 Fly Europe (tel. 800/359-3876; www.1800flyeurope.com) has discounted fall airfares for departures from September 13 to October 31, 2006. Sample midweek fares include the following. The first price listed is to Amsterdam and the second price listed is to Brussels.
- New York $510 -- $485
- Boston $520 -- $503
- Chicago $610 -- $556
- Miami $610 -- $558
- Dallas $635 -- $606
A fuel surcharge of up to $140 is included in all of these prices but taxes and fees are additional.
Go Today (tel. 800/227-3235; www.go-today.com) has an "Amsterdam and Brussels Special" for travel this fall from September 7 to October 31, 2006. Priced from $999 plus taxes, it includes round-trip airfare, airline surcharges, six nights' accommodatiosn (three at the Avenue Hotel in Amsterdam and three at the Vendome in Brussels), second class Thalys train ticket between the two cities, continental breakfast daily and all hotel service charges and taxes. Add $20 from Boston, $80 from Atlanta, $90 from Chicago or Miami and $220 from Los Angeles or San Francisco. This trip is also available during the summer months from $1,279 to $1,299. Purchase deadline is June 15, 2006.
If where you stay isn't as important as having the freedom to drive around and plan your own itinerary, then the Go Today fly drive packages may be the perfect solution. Their "Holland Fly and Drive" package is priced from $539 (often the airfare alone can cost this much or more) or if you are traveling in a group of four the price is even lower -- just $479 per person. These prices are for departures from November 1 to December 15, 2006 and from January 4 to March 7, 2006. The package includes round-trip airfare to Amsterdam from Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, airline surcharges seven-day Hertz car rental (a manual Mini), local taxes and unlimited mileage. Just because the package is named "Holland Fly and Drive" doesn't mean you are limited to staying within one country -- with distances so short, especially between Belgium and Holland, you'll probably be able to cover both these countries, and perhaps others during your one week journey. Add $20 from Boston or New York, $70 from Washington DC, $90 from Detroit and $110 from Dallas. Purchase deadline is June 15, 2006.
For more information about these inviting European destinations visit www.visitbelgium.com and www.visitholland.com.
Ever been to Belgium or Holland or thinking about going? Check out our Europe Message Boards to join in discussions with fellow Frommer's travelers.