Heart of Belgium & Holland in 11 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything went smoothly. Followed the promised itinerary. Group and tour manager were amiable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking into Keukenhof Garden in full bloom. It was spectacular and breathtakingly beautiful!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We started in Belgium and met our INCREDIBLE tour guide Thomas. He was FABULOUS!! Thomas made Belgium and Amsterdam come alive. His historical information and our itinerary was fantastic. The food, the cities, the traveling through the countrysides made the experience so joyful. And, our tour group had no grumps or problem people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were SO MANY!!! I think the museums in Amsterdam were my favorites but I was overwhelmed when I saw and understood the great gravity that went into creating the artificial damn in Rotterdam. The engineering, creativity, and promise to the people saying the flood of 1953 was not going to happen again. That structure was amazing and is being constructed in the US in NY, LA, and FL."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Hi Uncle Ricky! This was my 7th Rick Steves tour and it was a blast! Our Tour Guide Thomas was totally awesome. He provided great advice on how to make the most of the trip. The hotels were so nice with great central locations, many right on the canals. Restaurants were fun and the food was delicious and beautifully presented. And our Tour Group? The Best! I’d go on, but you’ve limited my review to only 500 Characters! I’d gladly take this tour again tomorrow if I could! Wonderful experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"WOW Moments include so many great experiences. Interacting with the fun and interesting local guides including Mieke, Kristin, Danielle, Maximillian, Elmer and Robert. The nighttime view from my beautiful hotel room in Ghent. Strolling through all of the historic, scenic and architecturally beautiful places. Biking in Bruges. The Fields of Tulips. Chatting with the locals. Waffles and beer and frites and mussels. And the chocolate? Don’t even get me started on the many amazing chocolate shops."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour and add participants were very nice people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Keukenhof tulip garden in full bloom."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Beautiful Belgium and Holland. Amazing architecture and landscape. So lovely in the spring. Thomas was a wonderful guide. So knowledgeable, helpful, kind and thoughtful. It really was fun traveling with him. We seem to always have interesting tour mates on the RS tours as well. We absolutely loved this beautiful tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The flower garden in Holland. It was amazing in mid-April. Also the beautiful architecture and canals in these lovely countries."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Thomas was an excellent guide and we had a very congenial tour group. We especially enjoyed the canal boat rides and the architecture. And we gained a better understanding of the importance of both Belgium and the Netherlands in exploration, trade, culture and technology throughout history. In our free time we visited the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam which was a highlight for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Delta Works project to control flooding was really interesting. And the tulips were beautiful!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Couldn't have asked for a better experience overall. The entire tour was spectacular, from our tour guide Jody, to the other tour members, to the local guides, to the food, to the hotels, to all the sights along the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many "wow" moments, but my favorite was the beautiful tulips at Keukenhof. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well planned! Got to see everything I wanted.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The canal oat ride in Brugge and the Kirkenhof Gardens!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Jodi was absolutely GREAT in every respect!!!!! Hotels were lovely, breakfasts wonderful, choice of sights excellent, lunches and dinner well-chosen, bus driver was very good. From comments, I think the whole group would have liked more time at Keukenhof Garden; that's the reason many of them chose these tour dates. LOVED the small towns; they are the REAL thing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Keukenhof (again!) and the American Cemetery at Flanders Fields."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It could not have been nicer. The weather cooperated, the Guide was magnificent and the locations interesting and informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me there was two "Wow" moments. One was the stained glass in the Ghent chapel that housed the Ghent Altarpiece and the other was Michelangelo's Madonna and Child."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very enjoyable tour. Good use was made of the time. Saw many wonderful things.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taking a photo on a street in Amsterdam of a young bride riding on the back of her groom's bicycle. She saluted me with her bouquet! I felt a sweet connection to them on this special day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Jody, was terrific; the people on the tour were fun, easy going, and kind; and the places we saw were varied and wonderful. I knew little about Belgium before and I learned so much and loved the country! Ghent, Bruges, and Flanders Field were fantastic stops. (Had a day/night in Brussels on our own before.) I had been to Amsterdam, but Rotterdam was new to me and was a wonderful surprise of a city. Keukenhof Gardens blew me away and we were lucky to be there when tulips were in bloom!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Very hard to decide as there were several. Seeing the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb and learning its history was one. This one's personal: Watching my husband (a Vietnam veteran) raise the flag at the American Cemetery in Flanders Field was another. Walking through Keukenhof Gardens with tulips in full bloom was another. Visiting Rijksmuseum was another highlight."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved Ghent and Belgian foods! The six churches ave. beautiful at sunset!! Loved our quirky room at the Harmony Hotel with its low beams! Opened windows to beautiful pink sky and birds chirping -a great way to start the day! Enjoyed Rotterdam New York Hotel and interesting Waterworks .Fun Ypres farm visit.The keukonhorf tulips were amazing!! Enjoyed our group and Peter’s bus driving! We loved our guide Jody-so entertaining and efficient!! So thankful for an eye opening trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The colorful tulips!! The castle sighting in Ghent!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour guide, Jody was really good at her job. She always seems to be trying to improve all aspects of her job Great yours but maybe Hoorn and Rotterdam could be reconfigured or replaced by maybe extra day in Amsterdam or Bruges

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing ww1 trenches and lunch on farmers farm were memorable. All private guides were enthusiastic. Surge Dam was super piece of engineering All side trips like candy, ale brewery,group meals were super organized and so simple for us to follow"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

RS Tours are simply the best! Everything was planned so well. We were able to learn about some of the coolest cities in the world (in this case: Bruges, Ghent, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and more), saw the top sights, ate the best local food, and stayed at the hippest hotels! Our guide, Jody, was a real gem (so passionate, organized, energetic, fun, and knowledgeable)....in a word, amazing! The combination of group activities and time on our own struck the perfect balance! Well done!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing each city for the first time was definitely a WOW moment. I particularly loved seeing the art stolen during WWII being back in their original place (The Ghent Altarpiece and Bruges Madonna). WOW moments happened so often that it is hard to pick just a few, but I also LOVED seeing all of the art by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh...incredible! The Anne Frank House was an emotional experience. Eating the food and drinking the beer in Belgium and the Netherlands was also a WOW!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well planned and everything went very smoothly. We enjoyed the balance of group time and the free time to choose our activities. Our guide was very pleasant and helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Keukenhof Gardens were spectacular. We also thought the Anne Frank house experience was very moving."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour experience was fun, informative, and comfortable. It was a good mix of structured tours and meals and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Simply walking around Amsterdam, looking at the architecture, the canals, the bikes whizzing past, and the art was a well moment that continued for several days."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Not a tour person but I was surprised at how much I loved the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Kuekenhof Garden! OMG amazing"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the hotels, most sites, free time allotted, and our guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"WW1 Related historic sites."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful and fun guide, Ellen, and everything flowed smoothly. Our group was prompt and sociable. I really like the ratio of planned time and free time so you can satisfy your own interests but make sure you see the highlights of a city.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Flanders Fields in Belgium"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a lovely time throughout the entire tour. We loved our guide Ellyn. Great overnight accommodations, the perfect amount of free time. Loved the museum cards to use during our free time. Roland was an excellent driver. Very well organized and informative guides along the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lunch at the working farm! The entire history of all the places we stopped. Ghent and Bruges were our favorite towns. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was a wonderful introduction to Belgium and the Netherlands's. I so enjoyed vibrant Ghent and Bruges with their preserved medieval architecture. And the canals. Also the pace of these two medieval cities as opposed to the hustle and bicycle bustle of a more modern Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The canal tour in Ghent provided a different view of the city and captured both the the preserved architecture and history for me!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was fun and educational as we have come to expect from a Rick Steves' tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Flanders Fields and especially the trenches."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I have been on several Rick Steves tours, and this is my favorite.The hotels were fine and great locations in the historic districts. My husband and I were probably the oldest in the group, but we could keep up. Our guide, Tim, made history interesting. He really knows his stuff! He also is very personable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many highlights on this tour, but if I choose one it would be walking in the rooms that Anne Frank hid in from the Nazis."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a wonderful tour! The cities and towns we toured with the historical and beautiful sites were all amazing, loved the culture, the people, the food. Tour Guide Tim was Top Notch!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are so many Wow moments, but to choose one it would be The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb in Ghent."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was the perfect blend of guided touring and free time. I felt it was a very immersive cultural experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ann Frank house"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The places we visited had incredible architecture. The hotels were the best we have experienced on other Rick Steve's tours. Everyone should experience the Heavenly hotel. What a masterful job of design and construction at the Heavenly. Ruby our guide was very helpful and informative. Providing us with transit passes on the free time was also a nice touch.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Maeslant water management structure was unbelievable. The engineering and construction was awe inspiring. The guide however could have been better. He was a student and was not a great presenter. The garden center with all the flowers was also a marvel. This is a must stop on the trip."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Fascinating countries and very good itinerary. Hotels were varied and wonderful. Group was congenial. Would have liked less free time and at least one more group meal. Disappointed that Bruges and Amsterdam regs did not allow our guide to guide. Came away with tremendous admiration for the Dutch engineering ability and the Belgian and Netherlanders amazing dedication to the bicycle.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had perfect weather to bask in the overwhelmingly gorgeous tulip and spring bulb display. 9.3 miles of trails! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour experiencing the countries of Belgium and the Netherlands! Variety of experiences with excellent local guides. Ruby was an excellent tour leader who was knowledgeable, cheerful, and helpful. She took the time to care for group members with special concerns. We enjoyed the hotels in excellent locations and experiencing the local meals and treats. We appreciate the free time to visit other places too- we visited Delft, Haarlem, the Hague, and others. Thank you for a great trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Favorite experience was going to Keukenhof on a nice day and seeing the beautiful flowers and tulip fields. We enjoyed the art museums and the churches we visited. The canal cruises and city walks were refreshing and informative. I liked the waffles, Dutch pancakes, chocolates, and cherry beer. The variety of experiences was amazing- city/country, ancient/modern, cemeteries, Deltaworks, music, textiles, beer, licorice, cheese, and chocolate. We also had a warm, diverse, and responsible group "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was perfectly organized and proceeded joyfully through our itinerary. The usual 'merry band of travelers" made the trip fun and there was never a dull moment. Medieval Ghent and Bruges were stunning; the Neetherlands was a learniing experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Flanders Field cemeteries and battlefields were deeply moving. I read a lot about the Ypres Salient before the trip so this made the experience even better. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Another great Rick Steves Tour! Carefully curated experiences, outstanding hotels, and great fellow travelers. Our guide, Ruby, and driver, Celesta, were the best! We really enjoyed learning about this part of Europe. The sights we saw were very memorable, enjoyable, and educational.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many memorable experiences. Bruges was everything we hoped for and more! Keukenhof Gardens has to be seen to be believed. Sleeping in a converted church! The Anne Frank House was incredibly moving and thought provoking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Belgium and the Netherlands were absolutely beautiful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had two WOW moments. First the Keukenhof gardens. The garden was in full bloom! The other was the Maeslant Barrier. What a phenomenal feat of engineering!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I like meeting people on the tour and the hotel clerks, taxi drivers and waiters. The hotels were all unique with beautiful views. The towns were quaint with windmills. I’d like to visit in a less crowded season.!The tulips and all flowers were blooming. The garden paths were wide and smooth , a welcome relief from brick and cobblestons streets. I prefer quiet towns. I’m surprised so many of our group climbed to the roof of a brewery. I met the king’s friends in the bar lounge instead .

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I met a young student couple from Spain whose grandfather was the doctor of King Juan Carlos. One of their grandmothers danced with the king before he was the king. I am glad RickbSteves encouraged us to be bold and outgoing. I am not bold enough crossing the busy streets yet. I was almost hit by a tram in Amsterdam and Nearly struck by a bike at the dike !"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide was wonderful. As I get older (79) I a more concerned about my ability to do the more physically challenging activities and Ruby encouraged me and helped me. She is wonderful. There are some things I think you should add to the tour: the historic church in Dinant, Belgium, Otterlo museum, St. Michaels church, and Pottery in Delft. EU parliament ?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"WW1 cemeteries , Gardens at Keukenhof, Storm surge barrier, Rijes muour guide was amazing, Amsterdam canal cruse, travel card in Amsterdam.Chocolate tour in BelgiumBeer tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a good time. The walking is harder than it was on our first tour 19 years ago. The accomodations were excellent, the group meals were good. And the tour leader (Ruby) was fantastic. Just a beautiful human being.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the storm defense system in Rotterdam was amazing. The Dutch have gone all in to defend their country from climate change, and it looks like what they are doing makes sense and will work."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I did a lot, saw a lot and most importantly learned a lot. It was a wonderful tour, with many moments of fun but also many moments of reflection and thought about the world. So very enjoyable with great tour mates.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved seeing all the flowers, but my biggest "wow" moment would be Flanders Field and seeing all the cemeteries. It did my heart good seeing the pristine care these graves from WW1 still receive. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a great mix of historical sites (some somewhat sobering), great architecture, art and scenery. Jody did an outstanding job leading the tour. She is very knowledgeable in all aspects of the tour sites and is just plain a lot of fun leading the group. The local guides through each location were also outstanding as usual. We have travelled with other groups and the Rick Steves guides in all cases are significantly better that seen on other tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Several, but Flanders Fields, Kuekenhof and the Anne Frank house would top the list."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very well guided tour with the usual Rick Steve's tour experience seeing things I'd never see otherwise. The tours of Flanders fields and the farm, the chocolate shop demonstration and the Maeslant storm surge barrier are examples. Our tour guides were all very knowledgeable, attentive, and enjoyed guiding the tour. I learned a lot about both Belgium and The Netherlands, their similarities and differences. The hotels were all located in easy to find locations and comfortable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The day in Flanders Fields, from the cemetery visits to the farm house visit and the barn full of found on the farm land WWI weapons and paraphernalia, Sanctuary Wood Museum Hill 62, and Ypres helped bring the scale of the war to me. The cloudy, very windy, and sometimes rainy day added to understanding of how difficult life would have been for the participants on a daily basis. The American cemetery guide and the Flanders Field guide were both very interesting and knowledgeable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was A+, from our wonderful guide Jody, the distinctive and sometimes quirky (in a good way) hotels, the excellent group meals and the knowledgeable local guides. I really appreciated the balance between group tours and free time. My fellow travelers, many that had done numerous Rick Steves Tours, added to the overall enjoyment.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Keukenhof Gardens! Even though the tulips were not yet in full bloom, the greenhouse gave us a glimpse of what it would be in a few weeks. I was so glad we had plenty of time to wander and didn’t feel rushed. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Once again enjoyed every minute! The great variety of planned days, as well as the generous free time allowing us to explore at our own pace & interests. The local guides, our lovely & talented guide Jodi, and s as great group of fellow travellers made it all just perfect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the an Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, Our tour of Flanders, the great guide, Eric, and farmhouse lunch in the home of a family who continue to find WW1 artifacts on their. land. Exquisite tulips. This trip was just packed with such great variety. Loved it all! Spent one warm-ish sunny afternoon sharing beers at an outdoor cafe with an ex-pat British man and 2 young women from Germany. One of the nicest “down time” experiences too. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was another wonderful RSE tour! Jody enhanced the experience with her knowledge, passion and joyful personality. The local guides were also informative and passionate. Everyone in our group was friendly and enthusiastic. There was limited bus time as compared to some other tours and our driver, René, joined our group for meals and a few activities. I came away with a better understanding of the Flemish/Dutch culture, and an appreciation for the ingenuity and artistic talent of the people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Among my favorites are seeing the artwork of the masters and strolling through the Keukenhof Gardens on a sunny day! There were also a couple of "wows" expressed when seeing our hotel accommodations."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 7th Rick Steves tour and as usual, it was great and truly memrable. Jody, our lead guide was exceptional, as well as all of the local guides at our major stops. I came away with a wealth of knowledge and history of Belgium and The Netherlands that I’m a little ashamed I never knew before. We also met many interesting people and made many new friends on this tour, which is an added bonus on a tour like this.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As a retired civil engineer, touring the huge and impressive flood control structure outside of Rotterdam was a special wow ment, since we have nothing of that scale in the US.Dutch ingenuity at its best!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was organized, thoughtful and we saw places we would not have considered going to on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Raising the American flag at Flanders Field, going to the flower garden Keukenhof, the great food and company"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful experience all around! Well planned and thought out, it ha both organized and free time, and the guides were all fabulous!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many…..learning about the dikes, Ann Frank house, city tours, Flanders Fields, all of it was informative and enjoyable!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first Rick Steves tour and it was fabulous. Top quality experiences and a wonderful guide. I will definitely be booking another RS tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All the beautiful colors and flowers at Keukenhof was my “wow” moment. One of many highlights of the tour"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was exactly as indicated on the itinerary, so no surprises. The logistics were well planned and guided. The hotels were very nice as were the included meals, the guide and driver were excellent, and we enjoyed meeting new people. Having said that, we did not enjoy our time in Rotterdam (just another big city) and spending the night in Hoorn rather than going directly to Amsterdam was a waste of valuable time. Amsterdam has so much to offer and our allotted time there was too brief.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two: the Keukenhof and the Anne Frank house "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ellen was a terrific guide. So caring, so knowledgeable, so friendly. Just a delight! The tour participants were a pleasure to be with. A really good group of people. We saw and learned so much, and had fun doing it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Flanders field was an overwhelming experience. The walking tour in Rotterdam was fabulous. It was like an architectural tour, with one interesting stop after another. All that being said, Amrsterdam was the star. A beautiful city, great to walk around, with outstanding museums. Really enjoyed it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I went for the art and architecture and this tour rivals any in those categories. Our guide was not only tall she rescued the tour by filling in at the last minute-thank you Ellen, a true RS Guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"On a Rotterdam tram a woman offered her seat to me. Am I getting old or are the Dutch people super kind. I think the latter. Van Eyck and the Flemish Masters were a real highlight."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything about this tour was enjoyable -- the itinerary, guides, fellow travelers, hotels, and meals. Ellen did a great job keeping us on track, informed, and entertained.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our day at Flanders Fields was outstanding - I did not expect it to be so engaging and informative. I also loved the walking tour of Rotterdam and all of our time in Amsterdam. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent as always

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mote a sobering moment, is seeing the WWI cemeteries."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great tour where I enjoyed exploring 2 countries I was unfamiliar with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the presentation from the Bruges chocolatier at Pralinette's chocolate shop. I learned so much and it was wonderful to try the different kinds of treats they prepared. She was so entertaining and I have a deeper appreciation for artisian chocolate."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Interesting itinerary, great guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We really liked Bruges, Belgium. The WW1 history was eye opening. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

For our first Rick Steves Tour, we were pleasantly surprised at how easy, informative, comfortable, accommodating and fun this was! We will definitely plan another RS tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many but I think the accommodations were a lovely surprise. Always well-located, comfortable and the included breakfasts were such a comfort. As much as the cities...we were always looking forward to 'where will home be tonight?'. Great selections!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was fabulous--our first RS tour and it won't he our last. Going to book another one soon.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting and touring Ghent and the Flanders countryside."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was outstanding. I learned so much and enjoyed all the contrasts--from the medieval streets of Bruges and Ghent to the modern harbor of Rotterdam and the mind-boggling Deltaworks, and the hustle of Amsterdam.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing on top of the Deltaworks barrier, looking out over the North Sea, hearing the crash of the waves and feeling the strong winds blowing around us--it w. as an awe-inspiring moment and it filled me with respect for the Dutch people. Taking on such an immense and important task, and just dealing with it--I was so impressed. (If only our country could do the same.)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

classic Rick Steves tour. everything taken care of, wonderful experiences

Favorite "WOW" moment

"architecture of Bruges, beautiful "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A thoroughly enjoyable trip led by our excellent tour guide, Ruby, who provided a wealth of knowledge, fun, and surprise treats (like Dutch licorice!) We learned a great deal about the history and cultures of the cities we visited -- all beautiful and interesting. The museums in Bruges, new to me, were a pleasure to discover, while the museums of Amsterdam were, as always, outstanding. In addition, I very much appreciated visiting Flanders Fields, the windmill and the Majeslaant storm barrier.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The town of Hoorn was a picture-perfect Dutch Wow! and our stay there -- at an impressive former church turned hotel -- was the best. Other wows include the gentle beauty of Ghent and Bruges; their canals in morning light and at sunset were so lovely. And a final wow shoutout to the Belgian and Dutch people I encountered along the way who were, uniformly, friendly and exceptionally polite. Dankjewel!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I wasn't sure what to expect. Of all the locations we were to visit, only Amsterdam was really well known to me. This proved to be the best thing, because it made every experience new and fresh. From learning about the problematic past of the East India Company in Hoorn to learning of the Belgian appreciation for beer, every turn was a lesson in appreciating the history and culture of a slice of Europe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment happened when we visited the cemeteries of Ypres. Hearing of the fighting that took place there during World War I from books can be impactful, but actually standing on the ground they fought over, reading the names on the headstones, touching the remnants of the battlefield. That left a deep impression on me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It always amazes me just how much can be seen on a Rick Steve's tour. Things you couldn't even think of seeing on this trip such as: Tulip\flowers auction, Storm Barrier, Brewery tours, WWI cemeteries, etc... just simple stops along the way....

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many beautiful moments and places it's hard to name just one. I'd say it was the Rijksmuseum which for a big museum was not overwhelming and you could see a great deal of amazing paintings by Rembrandt, who is my favorite..."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall experience was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"too many to list"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ruby was the perfect guide - knowledgeable, warm, professional, funny, available. Really worked hard to insure that I had vegan meals & vegan snacks - not easy in Belgium. Felt well taken care of & respected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not sure I could pick a specific moment - there were many to choose from. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved seeing the Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier. A true WOW!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

we really enjoyed our first Rick Steves trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"hard to pick just one, but enjoying a Belgian beer or two on the warm sunny evenings evenings we were lucky to have in Ghent and Bruges tops the list!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour leader. Great food& plentiful food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Local tour guides, especially Yoreh was fantastic, very knowledgeable about WWII history. Also. Local guide at cemetery in Flanders. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

enjoyed the variety of all the activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the cathedrals in Ghent, the tour of the Belgium chocolatier and the grain windmill"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We did not have much knowledge regarding the towns we visited so were delighted to experience quaint cobblestone streets, chocolatiers, canals, and the wonderful food. Our tour guide Ellen, and assistant Yoreh, were just great- very knowledgeable and fun. Having the photographer Addie was a great benefit.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick one- Flanders Field was sobering, the Maeslant storm surge talk was fascinating, the flower auction, windmills, all were one of a kind."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Only way to travel! High adventure, low stress! The tour guides provided the information about Belgium and the Netherlands that made the tour so meaningful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose! Maybe the walkabouts with the local tour guides."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guides and interesting travel companions made for a wonderful experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I expected to see the art and canals and culture of these countries. (👍). I was very surprised at Rotterdam and the sea gates in the Netherlands so these would be my “wow” moments. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every thing was great. Wonderful guides, comfortable hotels in scenic locations, and so many interesting sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Architecture in Ghent. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved having Ellen and Yoehri (not sure if I'm spelling this right) as our tour manager and "trainee/city guide" in Rotterdam. This was a much more relaxed tour-exactly what we needed this year. Seeing the Ghent alter piece and the Michelangelo "Madonna and Child" in Bruges was truly amazing. We loved the chocolate class and the tour of the rose farm. We really enjoyed visiting Horn and staying at the Heavenly Hotel. The food on the entire tour was great. We enjoyed each of the hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Flanders Field American Cemetery: A beautifully maintained place for the 368 soldiers buried there and remembrance for the 43 still missing. Hearing that every year, even 100+ years later, the local school kids adopt a soldier and retell their stories on Memorial Day during a service at the cemetery. Thank you to the Belgium people for continuing to honor our soldiers. I will remember this each year on Memorial Day. A great visit stop for this tour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is an area of the world that gets little attention and I didn't know very much about so it seemed like a perfect place to visit. From start to finish our guide, Nico, led our group expertly through Belgium and the Netherlands and made these countries "come alive." Being a Belgian and having guided this tour and other RS tours in Europe, he was very knowledgeable about the history and culture of these places. The tour was a great mix of history, art, architecture, food and beer!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably just meandering through the ancient and idyllic streets and along the canals of Ghent, Bruges, Delft, Haarlem and Amsterdam. The artwork and architecture was also glorious."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed the Heart of Belgium and Holland tour. The destinations and experiences were a perfect balance of old and new, big cities and smaller towns. I appreciated that the tour had adequate unscheduled time that allowed for independent adventures to neighboring towns. Our guide, Nico Favoreel, was fantastic. He brought the area to life with his vast experience and easy-going style in a way that we never could have done as independent travelers. The local guides were also excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had expected to be wowed by the beauty, architecture, and art of Belgium and the Netherlands, which I was. What I didn't expect was to be fascinated by the Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier and the mesmerizing Aalsmeer Flower Auction. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my husband’s and my 4th Rick Steves tour. The Heart of Belgium and Holland Tour exceeded our expectations. We found the cities and towns beautiful, the citizens welcoming and kind, and the tour itself very educational. Our guide, Nico really impressed us with his efforts to make sure everyone felt comfortable and taken care of. The members of the group were great, looking out for one another, getting along well and coming together early to form a cohesive group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My husband’s was seeing the WWI military cemeteries. The stark contrast between Flanders Field American Cemetery and the German’s Langemark cemetery’s was sobering and so very sad. Tyne Cot Cemetery (Commonwealth) was also sad and sobering. Much food for thought in today’s political climate. My favourite “wow”was seeing Rotterdam. I didn’t expect to like the post modern buildings but was awed by many of them, e.g. the yellow cube houses, Depot Boijmans, and Markthal. Loved the Port of Rotterdam!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our sixth RS tour. Each was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to just select one. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Heart of Belgium & Holland tour was fantastic, in no small part due to the exceptional talent and leadership of our guide Nico. He shared so much knowledge and enthusiasm for his homeland - we loved him. Add to that the picture-perfect cities of Ghent, Bruges, Amsterdam, and others - all incredible. The combination of canals, narrow-cobblestone streets, and centuries old homes and buildings made for beautiful settings and great fun, even when just relaxing by a canal for an hour or two.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to mention - we did not want to leave the picturesque settings of Ghent and Bruges, the North Sea Deltaworks and the Maeslant storm surge barrier were amazing feats of engineering, the Alsmeer Flower Auction is beyond comprehension had we not seen it with our own eyes, the Depot of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam was a unique structure containing amazing art, Flanders Fields and the Anne Frank House were so thought-provoking, and the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam astounding. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We truly enjoyed the sights and the knowledge of our guide, Nico. But the best was the group of fellow travelers. Rick Steve’s tours attract a certain demographic that we found delightful to travel with. We have taken several other brands of small group tours throughout the world and this group was by far the most enjoyable. We attribute that to the RS pre-trip preparation and the “No Grumps” policy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sheer size and activity of the Aalsmeer Flower auction."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Was a great tour, went as advertised. Perfect guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think the flower market, totally unexpected."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Compared to other travel experiences, I would describe the tour as serene! We enjoyed the pace and variety of things to see and do. The tour group size was perfect; we really were a band of merry travelers!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed the picturesque city of Bruges, Belgium the most. I can still hear the horses clip clopping on the cobble stones. I also enjoyed the flower distribution center as well."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Nico was the best guide I've ever had. I would not want to tour Belgium without Nico. He is from Belgium and knows it intimately. However, he is also well-educated, which gives him some objectivity, too. He is entertaining with a good sense of humor. Nico is an excellent teacher, always looking out for the entire group, while caring for individuals, as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to say, as there were many for me. I would say, Brugge, itself, was a "wow" moment for me. The entire old city is a UNESCO world heritage site. Another big "wow" moment was the flower auction. I was blown away by it, and so was everyone in our group. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 6th RS tour and it was one of our best. I love these tours because of the mix of fun and serious learning.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Who knew a visit to a flower market in Rotterdam would be so astonishing to someone who wanted most to visit Amsterdam’s museums. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Nico, our Rick Steves guide was excellent, always caring for his group of Travellers, having things organised & offering many suggestions for free days! We enjoyed the history of Belgium very much. Ghent & Bruges were highlights, however, the WW1 history of Belgium pleasantly surprised us including Rotterdam & its horrific events and having to be rebuilt. Amsterdam was nice with its canals but we found it at times dirty after late night revelers left the streets with strewn rubbish.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"WW1 Cemetries in Flanders Fields were humbling, quite overwhelming & created deep respect. Wow! Aalsmeer flower auction market size & logistics & colour was an unbelievable experience. Wow! Visiting the Dutch Maeslantkering "storm surge barrier" outside Rotterdam was just amazing, touring the site was fantastic. Ghent was our favourite town overall, the beautiful canals, places to eat & ease to get around. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enthralling to time travel through each day, traversing richly innovative centuries from medieval to modern, connecting dots back to the future, via quirky architectural amalgams, masterworks of painting at the limits of perception, enduring feats of engineering for a common existential good (from Langedijk to Maeslantkering storm surge barrier, windmills to wind farms, canals to high speed bikes), beer biology, chocolate chemistry, black pepper and spindeled lace, nutmeg, stroopwafels and bulbs

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Nico is wow! He was our fun, generous (ever ready with lots of snacks, fun cultural facts, cool linguistic insights, humorous stories and practical tips), fearless (particularly around bike traffic) Flemish leader who greeted us in Ghent, Belgium and guided us across the entire eleven days of our tour. He, together with all of the insightful, engaging local guides, and Werner, our bus driver, and all of our other co-travelers, made the trip terrific! We were lucky to join a great group!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was an absolute blast—I couldn’t get enough of the canals winding through every city! It was the perfect mix of storybook charm and vibrant energy. As a New Yorker, I loved the “city fix” of Rotterdam and Amsterdam with so much to see, do, and eat. And Nico—what a guide! Funny, thoughtful, organized, and full of heart. He kept things fun with happy hours, local treats, and even a beer and chocolate raffle. Every day felt special and memorable throughout the trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything was wow! The Alsmeer Flower Auction was a dream for a flower lover. Bruges felt like a fairy tale, and the full free day (a first on my 5th RS tour!) was such a treat—biking, museum-hopping, waffle-eating, and beer-sipping. Rotterdam's modern vibe mixed with intense WWI history and the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen were all fascinating. Amsterdam was the perfect endcap—loved popping into boutiques and relaxing by the canals, soaking in the boats and people passing by. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Was a wonderful experience from beginning to end. Ruby, Sjeng and the guides were all very approachable, informative, and well versed in the subjects they were guiding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"2 of them... Seeing some actual WWI trenches were sobering and amazing. Hard to imagine being in Ypres while those were in use. Also, seeing the art "Depot" in Rotterdam and touring through it was the highlight in a city where all the modern architecture was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We learned a lot about Belgium and the Netherlands, how they recovered from the wars, how they handle the sea and how they’ve maintained their history and architecture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to mention but standouts were the beauty of canal-laced Bruges and how they’ve built the water works to manage the sea. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Interesting sites; very well organized; terrific tour guide and local guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"seeing in person the beautiful architecture of each of the cities"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed everything about the tour. Ruby, our Rick Steves guide was amazing. She genuinely cared about everyone in her group and she enjoyed spending her free time with us as well. We’re already looking forward to our next Rick Steves Tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Surprisingly for me, the most amazing thing on this tour was the visit to the FloraHolland flower distribution center. Everything about the tour was fantastic, but the close up look to this facility was definitely worth it. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best tour experience ever! It being our first RS tour, and based only on stories from friends, I had anticipated something special. This tour, from beginning to end, including transportation, hotels, meals, itinerary and, of course guides, far exceeded all my expectations. We are already thinking about our next RS experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many “wow” moments it’s hard to narrow it down to one favorite. The Gent tour was a great start to the tour. The pace and laid back feeling to the city was a good warm up! St. Bavo’s was amazing; also a fun first dinner out with our wonderful group of new friends. Flanders Fields contrasted the horrors of WWI to the peaceful resting place of so many. The tour of flower warehouse/auction; Hoorn, Bruges and Amsterdam -fantastic each in their own way. Rotterdam was a bit overwhelming."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved this tour, lots of plans but lots of free time too

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, loved Brugge, loved Horne. Each had wonderful things to recommend it!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Such a wonderful time as usual with rick Steve's tour. We had such a wonderful group this time. I

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don't really have a particular wow moment. I thoroughly enjoyed this tour and exploring citiesthat would have never been on my radar. I would say wow to it all; my tour mates ,Ellen, Beer, chocolate and wonderful city guides. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a fantastic tour! Ellen was an amazing Guide, and all the local guides were such great resources and informative for where we were. I love hearing the stories and experiences from Mieke and Yoreh growing up in Ghent and Rotterdam, learning about the Waterworks project and the storm surge, seeing art thru the eyes of an art expert like Sanne and getting to learn about Flanders field and the storied history. The group and hotel were all amazing. I'd take this tour again, 100%.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wow moment was all the architecture and seeing and learning about why the minor variations exists between Belgium and the Netherlands. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour, our third Rick Steves tour, was exactly what we wanted it to be. The hotels were perfectly situated, and the tour stops were thoughtful representations of what makes Belgium and the Netherlands special. Our tour guide, Ellen, was insightful and patient, and as usual, the other members of the tour were delightful travel companions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking tour of Rotterdam, a great demonstration of the value of visiting less-crowded “second” cities. Also, our visit to the new Fenix art museum about immigration, in Rotterdam. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our 7th Rick Steves tour and like the previous ones, Rick Steves group puts on an outstanding tour. The size of the tour group, the very kind and knowledgeable guides, the thoughtful mix of scheduled visits including art and history and modern life, the comfortable centrally located hotels, the great food, the scheduled free time for travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Entering the work floor of the Aalsmeer Flower Auction was awe inspiring. Also locating the De Garre brew pub down a tiny alley in Bruges and drinking some of their wonderful Belgian beer. Viewing and tasting the beautiful and delicious chocolate candy creations at our chocolate tasting visit in Bruges."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very good guidance, very good food, world-class Trappist beer and canal-centric charming scenery; (what’s not to like?)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I actually had two such events of equal stature: (1) casually asking about the elusive (accessible by lottery only) Trappist beer, Westvleteren, at a retail beer shop in Brugges - only to find that they had won the lottery! Said beer is worthy of its reputation; an empty bottle now has pride of place on our fireplace mantle; and (2) finding that our hotel in Hoorn was a decommissioned Reformation-era Protestant house of worship. Last time I slept so well in a church was as a mere lad long ago. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Heart of Belgium and Holland tour was excellent. Ellen our guide was awesome as was our tour group!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to Royal FloraHolland was amazing. That facility is huge filled with every flower that you can think of. The logistics of the operation is just hard to believe."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good hotels in prime locations. Main tour guide excellent, and city guides very good. Sites visited were well chosen to give insight into the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing up into a windmill and learning how it works."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The entire tour was excellent -- from our group guide, Ruby to all the local guides who helped me better understand the customs, history and current challenges of Belgium and Holland. The hotels were all well-located and very charming with great breakfasts to start the day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a couple. These included 1) the two canal boat trips; 2) the day in Belgium when we visited the three cemeteries and the WWI trenches. Visiting the American cemetery was extremely moving as we saw local people placing American flags on each grave and we were offered paper poppies to wear. 3) On our free Saturday afternoon in Bruges, we visited the Lace Center (not part of the tour, but close to our hotel), where I had a chance to make some bobbin lace. 4) Visiting Pralinette."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed traveling with a great bunch of mature amiable fellow RS-ers and seeing a nice variety of sights and sites. Accommodations were very nice, and our guide, Ruby, was helpful, informative, gracious and got long well with us bunch of old farts.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really don't do "favorites" well. I enjoyed walking through all the various old central cities, Bruges, Delft, etc.with their old buildings and networks of canals. The variety of other interesting sites - museums, flower market, and windy wet Rotterdam made nice contrasts and filled the bill."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

IT was quite good mainly because of Ruby our guide and the people in our group, everyone was friendly, inclusive, and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hotels New York in Rotterdam and the church hotel in Hoorn, they were jaw dropping and spectacular."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the start I knew this was a well thought out tour led by a delightful, skilled and knowledgeable person, Ruby. Our group enhanced the overall experience. The itinerary was well paced, on time, and provided a good balance of planned time and on your own time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Flanders Field Cemetery moved me. I was impressed and pleased that our government maintained this monument to the lives of Americans who served and died there gallantly amidst one of the most brutal fighting in the history of warfare. So respectful. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour, Great Guide - good balance between organized activities and free time. Once again - local guides were all great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ghent was a great place to kick off the tour. Just a fantastic place to get lost in. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved that I was able to simply show up and immerse myself in Belgium and the Netherlands. I floated from one new sight, fact, food taste, and local interaction to another. All uninterrupted by any administrative, timing or transportation issues. I felt that I was "in the moment" every moment.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I never drink beer. Never. Too bitter an aftertaste. But I did as our guide Ruby suggested and ordered a blonde brew with lunch when my wife and I were on our own. WOW! Their beer was everything the beer at home is not. I loved it! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had an amazing tour guide! She was professional, yet very friendly and outgoing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Talking to a Belgian man who had adopted the graves of two American soldiers killed in WW1. When I thanked him for putting flowers on the graves of these men, he spoke with me at length. He has done quite a bit of research on the families of the men whose graves he adopted, and in fact is in contact with one of them. He actually went to his car to get his research to show me. I was overwhelmed with his kindness."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I have loved all three Rick Steves tours my wife and I have taken, but this was my favorite. The history and the arts we experienced were extraordinary. So was our guide, Ruby, and our driver, Rob. They set the tone for the tour and it could not have been better. We also had a fun tour group who all enjoyed each other and made the experience exceptional. I credit Ruby, in particular, with making sure the tour was the best it could be.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The day we went to Ypres and the American, British, and German cemeteries honoring those who fought in World War I. Both the Flanders Field American cemetery administrator, Jari, and the local guide for Ypres generally, Jaques, impressed me with their passion and devotion to preserving the memory of those who fought and died on that hallowed ground. I was so moved by Jari's presentation, I sent him an email after we visited with him and asked him to share my appreciation with the cemetery staff."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 5th Rick Steves tour and it was very enjoyable. Tim was a great guide with an infectious personality and our group bonded well on this trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We enjoyed both Ghent and Bruges. Both were very walkable and scenic cities."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This trip was an unexpected pleasure. Our tour group was fun, friendly, and we bonded well. Our main guide Tim was outstanding...personable, easy-going, and very knowledgeable regarding the history and culture of the area. The Hotels and local guides were also exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Numerous "wow" moments on this trip...Strolling Keukenhof, biking to Damme and around Bruges, seeing the Van Gogh Museum!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent overall tour guide and local daily guides were terrific, too. Hotels were very good and so well located for getting around in the various towns we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the day tour of Gent by Mieke (she exudes her great love of her town) the Maelslant Storm Surge Barrier tour was fascinating and the hotel in Hoorn was an eye popping experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was outstanding. The sites are so charming and beautiful that they sell themselves. What was just as remarkable and closed the loop was the input of our guide, Tim. He provided excellent factual and historical details and more importantly offered great insight into the cultures of each site and country. He is wise beyond his years.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"TNTC"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyable tour of Belgium and Holland with our knowledgable guide Tim. City guides were engaging and experts in their local history. Our group of fellow travelers bonded from the first dinner which made the tour even more memorable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Impossible to narrow it down to just one wow moment. I enjoyed the gardens at Keukenhof; the architecture in the medieval cities of Ghent & Bruges; our visit to a local chocolatier in Bruges; and the bustling market in Rotterdam."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tim was a great guide, and the local guides were great as well and the meals were fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many but I would have to say that the Water Snood Museum and the Chocolate factory tour in Bruges were tops as well as the beauty of the city canals in Ghent and Bruges."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First time traveling with RS and enjoyed every minute- immersive experiences, great guide, lovely fellow travelers

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to count"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great guide… very compatible tour group… excellent local guides…relaxed itinerary

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Happy hours with our guide and many tour members"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My 19th tour, really one of my favorites. Our guide, Tim, is an outstanding leader. Very knowledgeable about Belgium and the Netherlands history and culture- from medieval through the present rebuilding of Rotterdam. We sampled regional treats, and explored back streets and canals, the traditional architecture, beautiful gardens, chocolate and beer.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would call it more unexpected - the beautiful quaint town of Brugge, the unusual modern building styles in Rotterdam as well as the street art. The sobering visit to the Ann Frank House. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my second Rick Steves tour and again it was another great trip. Our tour guide Tim was fantastic! He was very knowledgable and very attentive. All the guides we had were very enthusiastic and loved their jobs. Overall a very well oiled machine! Also met some great people on the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't pick just one but really enjoyed Bruges and the bike ride along the canal to Damme. Modern Rotterdam was great! I loved the diversity of the trip as a whole, getting a feel of the quaint towns of Ghent and Bruges and City life of Rotterdam, and history along the way. Loved Amsterdam and so much to see!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We always have great tour guides, but Tim really was fabulous. This was our first time to visit this part of Europe and we learned so much by listening to him. The combination of cities and villages included on this tour gave us a well rounded view of the region.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to choose only one but I can narrow it down to the lovely tulips at Keukenhof, the amazing Maeslant storm surge barrier, and of course, seeing all of the original paintings of Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Vermeer and others!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tim was the best of 9 tour guides we have had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Ghent altar piece."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our trip couldn't have been better. The group members, meals, hotels, cities, sights, experiences and local guides were all up to the excellent "Rick Steves" standards. Our own guide Tim rates an A+. .His friendliness and approachability made us easily fall into a happy and cohesive group. He simply made everything fun and brought out the most interesting aspects of the sights and of both modern and historical cultures. Belgium and the Netherlands were easy to love.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow--what a difficult decision. Our day in the WW1 battlefields was extraordinary-- local guide Andre brought the times back to life. In Rotterdam the knowledge and enthusiasm of local guide Yoreh made me appreciate the architecture and city planning in a way that I would not have seen it on my own. The Deltaworks storm surge barrier.was an impressive engineering feat, especially as narrated with the wry humor of our guide. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a Great Tour. Everyone in our group got along Great, as well as everyone was very friendly. Ellen our tour guide did an excellent job. Also the other guides that they had along the way were very knowledgeable. What a fantastic way to visit Belgium and the Netherlands.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had two Wow moments. The first one was seeing the Cathedral which contain the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. The second one was seeing the Oosterscheldekering and Hoek Van Holland waterways."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was very good, which is why I have now taken seven Rick Steves tours. Hotels were well-located; meals, where provided, were good; the local guides were excellent; our bus driver was great; and the tour group was very congenial. I learned a lot, even with this being the second time I have taken this particular tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"On my previous Belgium/Netherlands tour, the Mauritshuis in the Hague was closed. This time I got to see its art treasures! The tram pass we received was a big help in getting there. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I thought the hotels were fine, the local tour guides were outstanding, the provided meals were quite good, the bus driver was great, the tour group was was very congenial, and the tour leader was knowledgeable and conscientious. This was a very good experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"On two occasions during the tour, complete strangers jumped in to help us navigate our way. On a very crowded train from Brussels to Ghent, people went out of their way to help us (and our baggage) get off the train in Ghent before it pulled out. On another occasion, a stranger helped my wife and I and two tour group companions to get on the right train from Rotterdam to The Hague. In both cases, folks just saw that we needed help and stepped up. Simple human kindness is still out there."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a great tour overall. We had plenty of time on our own, which was nice. Ellen was a very good guide and I really liked all the expert guides we had along the way. I learned so much more from them about each area.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved all of it but my favorite was Ghent. It had everything for me, a great castle, belfry, St. Bavo’s, canals and it was easy too get around the old town."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

As usual, RS tours are a learning experience first and laidback sightseeing second. Ellen was relaxed and easy to follow.learning how much the Netherlands is overlooked by the rest of us. Riches from the past are enjoyed today.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Flanders field, its area and the (today) such obviously ludicrous actions. While American soldiers were primarily elsewhere my grandfather was in charge of obtaining all the timber for American troops. So I saw at least a tiny portion of where he was. A family friend who was in the first world war later came back as a trial judge at the second Nuremberg trials. ( Judge Wilkens of Seattle). All very sobering."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and I had a great time. As a single, the entire group made me feel welcome from the get go. I learned so much about Belgium and Holland from the old history of Ghent and Bruges to WWI and WWII history. Our tour guide, Ellen, was wonderful as was our bus driver, Patrick. Great food and lively dinners.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment was the visit to Flanders which included the American cemetery, the Commonwealth cemetery, the German cemetery and the German bunkers and the trenches. Though much of WWI has been shown in movies, being there is very impactful and very moving. The fact that in one small town in Belgium on the US Memorial day, young school children sing the US National Anthem as part of their remembrance was particularly inspiring. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Perfectly planned and executed, this tour provides a varied look at Belgium & the Netherlands. From its devastating history as a battleground to medieval Bruges and modern Rotterdam, we were delighted from start to finish.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose, but as an art student, seeing a Michaelangelo, Rembrandts, Vermeers, and Van Goghs all in a few days' time was extraordinary. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well-paced; nice accommodations; good group of guests.

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide, Ellen, was good and shared a lot of info regarding history, language, foods, tours etc with the group. The hotels were comfortable and the included meals good. Our fellow travelers were kind and social. Transportation to the different areas was good, safe and comfortable. The local guides were informative and knowledgeable!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the garden, Keukenhof, and being able to visit Anne Frank’s home. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour and perfect weather!! Nico was amazing, knowledgeable and very caring of all the tour members. John, our driver, was great!! I learned so much about the history of the area and the wonderful culture and people. We had a nice group of travelers as well. Everyday was filled with surprises. There were many moving moments such as the American Cemetery and the Anne Frank house. So much history for these small countries. Such resilience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Flanders Field evoked strong emotions for me, especially learning how the local people "adopt" a grave and celebrate the men who perished there. Of course Keukenhof was amazing! I loved Bruges! Our guide always planned fun activities for our "down" time, which I found really thoughtful. Thank you!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a really great tour. Our guide, Nico, was exceptionally knowledgeable and enthusiastic as were all the local guides. The hotels were comfortable and as usual in central locations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I didn't think I would ever say this, but the Keukenhof Gardens were amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Having traveled to Belgium and Holland as a young child and a teenager, I was familiar with the region prior to the tour. My desire to go again centered around being able to go to Keukenhof to see the tulips. Although the fields around Keukenhof were mostly bare, the gardens themselves were still quite amazing - so goal achieved! As with the other RS Tours I have been on, I learned more than I could have imagined and have a much greater understanding and appreciation for both countries.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Since my reason for choosing this tour was Keukenhof, you would think my "wow" moment would have been there. However, it was actually at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam thanks to our local art history guide, Robert. In college I studied the Dutch Masters & know well of their use of perspective & lighting to achieve their masterpieces of realism. Robert taught us how certain items in each painting were bits of Dutch storytelling. It added a whole new understanding to paintings I have long admired."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Rick Steves' Europe experiences continue to exceed our expectations. This was our third adventure with you and everything, from our guide, Nico, to the itinerary, to the local guides, to the accommodations, everything was excellent!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of both the Tyne Cot Commonwealth Cemetery and the Keukenhof Gardens and our Reichstag Museum guide!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Belgium and the Netherlands are interesting counties and we liked the various cities on the tour. Nico, our guide, was personable and frank about the culture of the two countries and he shared funny and interesting insights. We especially enjoyed Bruges and Rotterdam the hotels were comfortable and in some cases really unique.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The morning visit to the American Cemetery in Flanders. The cemetery grounds were beautiful and the guide did an excellent job sharing select stories about the WW1 American soldiers buried there. WW1 was a seminal event in modern history and all Americans would benefit from seeing this place. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour! Our guide Nicco was outstanding. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. He did everything to make our tour run smooth and be fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Had a great meal in Amsterdam with other members of the tour. We sat right across from the cooks and watched them prepare our meal. Delicious food and great company!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great Itinerary, great hotels, great guide and local guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the battlefields of Flanders was very special. I also especially liked the storm barriers."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a great introduction to the sites and the history of the Low Countries. We enjoyed exploring the medieval cities of Ghent and Bruges as well a modern lively, city like Rotterdam. Tim was an excellent guide as he shared both his enthusiasm and knowledge of this part of the world.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a number of “wow” moments.The beautiful display of tulips in Keukenhof Gardens tops the list. Bruges at sunset was also memorable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It could not have been better!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several; Keukenhof, the windmills of Kinderdijk; the Deltaworks; the WW I Battlefields around Ypres; the Bruges chocolatier; Hoorn; and simply getting to experience each location with the places and interactions with the locals. All PRICELESS!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was amazing. For someone who had no exposure to Belgium and Netherlands, this was a great introduction and immersion into this part of the world.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Horne was a great surprise. We stayed in a refurbished church which was so comfortable and to be there on King's Day was a special treat! It was eye opening to see the 'aftermath' the next morning!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was beyond exception from start to finish. Couldn’t have asked for a better tour group and a better tour guide. Tim is the best guide I’ve ever come across and it made those eleven days that much better.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment had to be the surprise of Rotterdam. We all didn’t know what to expect when we first pulled into Rotterdam but it turned out to be my favorite city. I absolutely loved that city and want to travel back"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our travel guide was GREAT! We had a great mix of free time and structured time. This was our first Rick Steves tour. The tour gave us a wonderful exposure to different parts of Belgium and Netherlands.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rotterdam was a wow experience. The city has so many different types of places to explore from the waterfront to the cube houses. But I also liked the Wow of the church hotel in Hoorn. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an amazing tour. Tim our guide was outstanding and every site we visited was memorable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had two wow moments. Keukenhof had the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen. The American WWI cemetery was a truly moving and heartfelt visit."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The towns and sites we visited were outstanding! The City guides were so informative, so invested in their local history. This made the towns so much more interesting! The food, the atmosphere, the experience was wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rotterdam was fascinating! So vibrant and people, life, work and living was geared towards streamlining existence. They work to find ways to make people’s lives easier! Such positivity. Staying in the Cathedral at Hoorn was pretty epic!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tim was an incredible guide. The entire trip was well organized and planned. The accommodations were perfect. We will be traveling with your company again.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Rijksmuseum"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well-planned and enjoyable tour. This was our fourth RS tour. Tim is an excellent, engaging guide. We liked all the destinations but didn’t particularly enjoy Amsterdam— was crowded and littered but that was partly due to arriving the day after King’s Day celebrations. Think Rotterdam is a good addition- compelling story and interesting architecture. Beautiful water views. Ghent had so much energy! Bruges was a fascinating time capsule.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the trenches from World War I. It made history very real. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Thoroughly enjoyed the tour. This was on my bucket list and so glad we finally got the chance to go on this trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many highlights and diverse stops on this tour all of which make it difficult to pick any one as the highlight."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I learned a lot and saw places and things I would not have on my own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The flood museum and flood control tour at Maeslantkering"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As expected, this was a well-organized, well-paced, outstanding tour. Our guide Thomas was reliable, calm, friendly and knowledgeable, and a delightful person to be around. Tour members were respectful and open and looked out for one another. The hotels were beautiful and comfortable and well-located. In each city, we had wonderful guides who entertained and enlightened us. The itinerary included many must-sees, but also many experiences that are not on the main tourist trail.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is always a difficult question to answer! I actually loved the dynamism of Rotterdam. I didn’t know what to expect from this city, and I was totally wowed. The vitality of the harbor, the playful and diverse architecture, the heartbreaking history and comeback, the food—wonderful surprises everywhere! I also will never forget being inside a working windmill in Bruges. The creaking power of that clever machine that harnessed the wind! And of course, the beauty of the canals and waterways. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Superb guide, and fabulous group of fellow tourists.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Three way tie -- boat rides thru Ghent and Amsterdam, and the WW I sites - especially the Ypres British trenches. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Ruby was an excellent tour manager. The local guides were also excellent, particularly Yoreh in Rotterdam. This tour was a little short; it should be extended by a few days to make a more complete tour experience for those not continuing on to another European destination. I enjoyed the Belgium portion of the tour much more than the Netherlands portion. The overnight in Hoorn was a poor substitute for additional time in Amsterdam. The Keukenhof flower show was spectacular.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the annual flower show in Keukenhof. Even with the Easter weekend crowds we could thoroughly enjoy the amazing displays of flowers. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Educational, stimulating, great mix of history and culture. Excellent support and guidance from Ruby."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great tour group, with an awesome guide, Ruby.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Keukenhof Gardens were definitely a highlight. Also enjoyed the canal boat tours - and the waffles, fries,and chocolate!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a great tour with Ruby, who was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and very happy to give us context for any questions we had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Flanders Fields was very impressive and humbling, especially with what is happening in the US now."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a wonderful trip! From start to finish, we had a spectacular time exploring Belgium and Holland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's really hard to identify just one--while visiting Keukenhof Gardens on a perfect Spring day was simply magical, our time at Flanders Fields was humbling and inspiring. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed learning about the challenges of living in the lowlands and how the people adapted and thrived. The perspective of our Dutch guide, Ruby, provided a lot of perspective and insight in to the culture and heritage of the people. I enjoyed the people I travelled with and felt the group was very cohesive. I enjoyed seeing all the ports and the beautiful ships. As it turns out, I do like beer, in Belgium anyways.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many beautiful sights (including tulips and windmills); however, I can't thank Ruby and Kristen enough for ensuring my moment in Flander's Fields, to honour my Great Uncle, whose name is inscribed at Menin Gate. As far as I know, I am the only family member to visit. He died at the age of 23 so no descendants and people did not fly to places in the 1920's. I really felt Kristen understood what this meant to me, as a local guide to the tragedy of what happened in Flanders Fields. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent Guide (Ruby) , well paced, great group of fellow travelers, wonderful itinerary, great balance of free time and guided tour stops, terrific hotels

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tulips at Keukenhof"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Keukenhof"

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves Tour and the last. Having a group of 28 people impacts the travel experience. Typically In the hotels and restaurants, we were the only guests. Being with local people means getting a sense of the culture. Whenever the group went out, we were a mass,surrounded by each other. I missed hearing other languages and interactions. On the plus side, Yody, our guide was outstanding. Her positive attitude, knowledge, sense of fun, and competency made the trip for me.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"On the positive side, we had most afternoons free although we paid for our own lunches and dinners. Read the fine print closely. Brugge was a delight with its canals, historic buildings, museum, and sidewalk cafes. I regret we had only three evening hours in Hoorn which is a charming historic village. Don't miss the unique Amsterdam cookie shop and the museums. The tulip gardens are beyond your wildest imagination."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A wonderful trip offering varied experiences - medieval, 20th century history. Great guides, nice pace, simple travel.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tulips at Keukenhof."

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The UNESCO village of Brugge. Loved the 17th and 18th century buildings and canals. The tour explaining the "golden age" of Brugge was fascinating."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several. Madonna and Child and the lace center in Bruges. Keukenhof, Flanders Field"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We have always loved the Rick Steves' format. No grumps allowed. This was our 6th trip. We enjoyed all the local guides that took us on walks through their cities and shared what it was like to live there, past and present. Since beer and chocolate are our favorite food and beverage, the touring and sampling of these Belgian specialities was a memorable experience. Rotterdam was a nice change from all the old historical middle age buildings. It was Hip and Happening. Keep it on future tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The most moving and WOW moments were visiting the American Cemetery at Flanders (and the graves of the 3 Americans that were killed in WW1), and also Anne Frank's House (Char). Having taught 8th graders this story, it really touched my heart to be there! The WW1&2 history made lasting impressions (Rich). The appreciation for America's help ending 4 brutal years off war in Belgium was everywhere. In Rotterdam, the steadfastness of the Dutch resistance during 1940-45 was impressive and humbling."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I came into this tour not knowing what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised to learn so much about the importance of these countries in the economic development of Central Europe. The cities and towns we visited were charming, especially with the canals, which are everywhere! Of course it was fun to sample the chocolate, beer and waffles. Our hotels were overall very adequate, and always conveniently located. Our guide Jody was very upbeat, and loved sharing stories about the area.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I found the Keukenhof gardens to be overwhelmingly beautiful. I can't even begin to imagine the amount of work that goes into this production, all for such a short period of time. Bruges as a city was also an incredible experience. It truly was a Disneyland type experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were waitlisted for several spring Belgium and Holland tours and were lucky enough to get on a tour led by the amazing Nico! We were able to take a deep dive into the history and culture of these two countries beyond the Belgian chocolate and Dutch tulips. Of course, the chocolate and tulips lived up to their hype:-) Apparently, Belgium/Holland tours are not top choices for Rick Steve tour members but it was only our second RS tour and we think others would enjoy it as much as we did!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is really hard to pick one “wow” moment! Getting to see the tulips at their peak at Keukenhof Gardens and the surrounding tulip fields was awesome and inspiring. But there were also lots of cool discoveries nearly every day. Rotterdam, for example was way more interesting than I was expecting. The local guide did an excellent job piecing together how the city has come to have such fascinating modern architecture. In our free time, we visited the Art Depot which is a must see!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide and so many different experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Enjoyed everything, but was thrilled to see tulips growing in great swaths of colour in the fields plus the amazing Kuekenhof Gardens."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour leader Nico was excellent in keeping the group entertained and learning with humor. Hotels were fantastic. Locations excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Chocolate making Tour in Bruges - pralinette was best individual activity "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Once again Rick Steves delivers a fantastic tour. This was our third RS tour, and we are continually amazed at the preparation for each trip to make such special memories for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tulips and flowers at Keukenhof near Amsterdam were absolutely stunning. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The guide made the difference. Nico’s knowledge and sensitivity to our needs was outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tulips and waffles. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As always, the guides and guests make the difference. We had a great group to travel with and unusually mild weather. We were lucky to have a truly outstanding leader in Nico. He was exhaustively knowledgeable, funny and gave individual attention to everyone in the group. The local guides were all excellent, as well. We especially enjoyed Yuri (sp), who introduced us to Rotterdam with local knowledge and humor. The group meals were all very good, as were the hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed knowing I was in the Belgian lands that gave root to my family. The Flanders Field WWI day was sobering, educational and very worthwhile. We really enjoyed modern, bustling Rotterdam as a counterpoint to the medieval towns we'd been seeing. Keukenhof Gardens were at absolute peak bloom and were stunningly colorful. And, of course, we brought home delicious chocolate from Bruges! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A really enjoyable taste of some of the highlights of these two countries.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow was realizing how many interesting and beautiful spots were available in this fairly small area."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent, we had perfect weather the entire trip. A good blend of old and new. Ghent, Bruges, and Hoorn the old. Rotterdam and Amsterdam the new. Our guide Tim was probably the most knowledgeable I have had on a tour. I am really glad Tim had input for the tour to go to Rotterdam, great city. Hotels very good in great locations. The Heavens Hotel in Hoorn was a big surprise, built inside a cathedral, who knew. The dinners provided were good not great. The WW1 cemeteries were too long.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moments are usually one offs that just happen. There were 2 for me. The Tour de Bruges bike race. The other, in Rotterdam, the Art Depot guided tour, we are in the one of the storage rooms and 2 guys come in and remove a painting which our guide says has never happened during her 12 year tenure. She has never seen that painting so we get a glimpse of something special. Also special, the Surge gate at Rotterdam, the Ghent Alter piece, and the Madonna and child in Bruges, unbelievable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything about the tour just seemed perfect! We were very lucky to have exquisite weather not a single drop of rain. The group was amazing with everyone looking out for each other and I always feel well taken care of with Rick’s tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s a tie between seeing our hotel on the canal in Ghent, watching the swans and realizing that I was really there after wanting to come for so many years AND the lovely peaceful feelings in the wee town of Hoorn which gave me such delight."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour traveling from Ghent to Amsterdam. The hotels we stayed at were in great locations and all had excellent breakfasts. The group dinners all had great food,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The flower gardens were Keukenhof Holland were exquisite! I was amazed at the sheer size of the gardens, the variety of tulips and the displays of orchids. Totally unexpected but definitely a treat."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful and enjoyable tour, with a great group of fellow travelers! Tim was an excellent and fun tour guide, making every activity an adventure! Tim was extremely knowledgeable about the history of all the sites we visited, and we learned so much about the culture and customs of both Belgium and Holland. Thomas was a great apprentice, and our local guides were very interesting and informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me it was just being near the water every where we went and experiencing the different village towns with all the cobblestone streets and interesting buildings! The Keukenhof park was beautiful to visit, as well as visiting the windmills at Kinderkijk. I was touched and humbled by our visit to Flanders Fields."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was perfect from start to finish. We had outstanding tour guides and local guides, a great group of fellow travelers, and perfect weather! I always believed Rick was influential, but weather too?!?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rotterdam definitely wowed me and I think it's because it was the one stop that I didn't think would appeal to me. The city's history, culture, and architecture are so interesting and there are many things to see and do. My instincts told me to spend the free afternoon in Rotterdam, but I stuck to my plan to visit Royal Delft. Next time I'll know better and will stay in Rotterdam. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a great time- excellent guide, and I met fun traveling companions

Favorite "WOW" moment

"all the flowers blooming everywhere. Especially Keukenhof Gardens! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We enjoyed the tour. Wonderful tour guide Tim and apprentice Thomas was always there to help; they made the tour more enjoyable. Tour members were friendly and fun to be with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Beautiful tulips and many other flowers in Keukenhof Gardens. Bruges City Hall diorama showing history of the changing of land due to flooding was very informative. It helps us understand the struggle of people and admire their engineering creativity to mediate the land loss. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well organized, great guides, good restaurant meals, some of the accommodations should be improved

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Keukenhof Gardens - so glad we arrived early to enjoy the beauty as it is a very busy place"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour guide, Tim, was great. He's personable, knowledgeable and has a genuine love of the area. The local guides were outstanding. The group was great, as always. As a solo traveler, this is my 4th RS tour and every group is welcoming and inclusive. There's always other single travelers to hang with. Liked all the places we visited. This tour was nice because we did not spend a lot of time on the bus.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Maeslant Storm Barrier and tour. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We did a variety of activities covering WWI to Keukenhof Gardens which kept my interest.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not sure there was one wow moment. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a wonderful experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment is when I arrived in Gent, Belgium. It is a beautiful city. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Ellen was wonderful, as were all our local guides. The weather cooperated as well! :-) Loved the old-world charm of Ghent, Bruges, and Amsterdam, and the very modern feel of Rotterdam provided an interesting contrast. The historic cores of Ghent and Bruges were extremely compact and walkable, which allowed us to make great use of our free time to see almost everything we wanted. Was disappointed that there was a mix-up with our lodging in Hoorn, and we had to stay outside of town.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick just one! Belgian beer and chocolate, the Ghent Altarpiece, canals everywhere, the Rijksmuseum! And the day spent visiting Flanders Field and the German and Commonwealth cemeteries was especially moving."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour, Ellen our guide was wonderful. Liked the tours & free time to see sites for ourselves. It is always fun to experience the different hotels on the tour, along with the organized meals. This tour had it all, medieval towns to very modern cities, along with all of the history and of course the amazing tulips.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The WOW moment was Flanders Fields, learned so much about World War I....just gives you the chills while walking through the historic battlefields and cemeteries."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves' Tour and were thrilled with the experience. Everything was professionally and efficiently done from local guides, hotels, bus transportation, and planned experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We visited the Keukenhof gardens and words cannot describe the beauty and abundance of flowers there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first experience with any International tour and also with any form of a Professionally organized tour. This Rick Steve's Tour Belgium and the Netherlands set the bar very high for future travel

Favorite "WOW" moment

"If I must pick one thing it was Ruby our Guide. She made it all come alive for me. From Ghent to Flanders fields to water control systems in the Netherlands every day was something new in a place that felt like home to me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ruby is fantastic, great tour guide and person! I enjoyed the architecture, the history, and the food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"there were so many from the church that is now a hotel, the water system, etc "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall the tour was wonderful, from our great lead guide to the other people on the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The one thing big "wow" was Keukenhof gardens but I think I was saying "wow" multiple times throughout the tour "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a wonderful tour exploring Belgium and the Netherlands, including a visit to Keukenhof Gardens. What a wonderful experience. Belgium beer and chocolates followed with tulips beyond imagination!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Keukenhof Gardens!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned, well located hotels, interesting out of the ordinary tours

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the American cemetery in Belgium"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned more about the countries cultures and history than on any other tour I have taken. The local guides shared details of the connections between the history and daily life. The locations visited provided insight into not just famous landmarks- but the water management issues facing the countries. The bus trips between locations was minimal. And our guide-Ruby- was personable and sincere in her dedication to her job. I would highly recommend this trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was seeing the reflections of the buildings in the canal in Ghent at dusk. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Comfortable and clean accommodations. Tasty group meals (especially farewell dinner). Daily pace easy to maintain. Interesting sites for group events, and plenty of suggestions (and assistance w/directions and important facts) for free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"After brewery tour in Bruges, just sitting around at brewery w/bunch of new tour friends, relaxing, talking and having a beer: life was very, very good at that moment!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Experiencing Belgium and the Netherlands with Ruby was the spring trip of my dreams! Ruby had such great energy, it felt like I was traveling with a friend, and the local guides added such a personal touch to their tours and presentations. It was a well and easy paced tour, and I learned so much about the history of both countries that I never would have experienced on my own. Every day brought a new wow moment, and trying all the tasty treats was an additional highlight!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to choose! I was wowed by Andres and his tour of Flanders Field. I was never a huge history buff, but Andres really brought it to life and lead us on a fascinating journey through the history of WWI. Seeing Keukenhof Gardens in full bloom was another gorgeous wow moment, and wandering through the tulips on a sunny day felt like a Disney movie in real life! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Belgium/Netherlands - led by an energetic, kind, native Hollander with a great spirit! We stayed at adorable inns and one really incredible hotel, we visited places I never even thought to tour (like the Delta Project dykes and dams), we ate staples of the local cuisine, we heard magnificent tales of history and of art!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oesterland and Maesland dams! Engineering feats I had never even heard of"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As expected, what an awesome tour! Hotels were located right in the heart of the cities and were top notch. All of the guides were excited, committed and experts in the tours they led. Our personal guide, Jody, was a delight and an expert as well, especially when we got near her home in The Netherlands. Our fellow travelers began as strangers and ended as friends, and we are still conversing with each other and sharing pictures and videos. Everyone in the group looked out for each other.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to pick just one but I loved Hoorn! The Heavens Hotel was the most amazing place I have ever stayed. What a quaint and friendly town to experience but my suggestion would be to stay at least one more night. There is plenty to do!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Keukenhof"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very organized and the pace was great

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I ;loved learning the history of the area! The Anne Frank exhibit was special to me, "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide Jodie was exceptionally wonderful! It was so nice learning so much about the Netherlands, customs, history and culture from someone who was raised there and lives there.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The quiet friendliness of Hoorn. On our morning walk, every person we passed greeted us. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned, very smooth experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our local guide gave a very good tour of Rotterdam. The lunch and talk about the iron harvest at the farm also a very interesting experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our 5th Rick Steve’s tour. We have come to expect excellent accommodations, experiences and tour guides. The Belgium and Holland tour is by far our favorite. Jody, our tour guide, was well organized and informed, helpful, and simply enjoyable. We understand that this is the first time Rotterdam has been included in the itinerary. Rotterdam took our understanding of the Low Countries beyond wooden shoes and windmills to contemporary understanding of cultures.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The day we visited the Deltaworks was the highlight of a trip full of daily delights. I will always remember our 25 year old water engineer who stated first off. “ The climate is changing and I want to be part of meeting challenges related to climate change.” The next days tour of Rotterdam was equally impressive. Both local tour guides stand out in our minds. The addition of Rotterdam should definitely become permanent. We look forward to our next Rick Steve’s tour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour leader, Jody, fostered the development of the group into a friendly, cohesive group that cared for and took care of each other. As a result, there were no major problems on the trip. Jody's spirit was contagious and infused the group. Everyone felt included and valued. The sites visited were excellent choices, representing important parts of history contemporary issues. Dutch cooperative spirit was on display with the seawater and freshwater control that they are able to maintain.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I will mention two: The seawater surge barrier and the modern city of Rotterdam. The engineering skills of the Dutch are formidable, especially when one considers the soggy mud foundations on which they construct massive skyscrapers. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I’ve been on 6 Rick Steve’s tours. The quality of all have been surperb, however I believe each time the guides seem to be better prepared with knowledge and personality. The addition of local guboides for specialty, was outstanding, information that only locals would know.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The trenches of the WW1 war. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 8th RickSteves tour and as usual there are not enough superlatives to describe the unique centrally located hotels, the excellent enthusiastic local guides, the variety of experiences, and especially our delightful guide, Jody.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is so hard to choose one, but each of our hotels was a "wow" moment. Three were located on a canal and one was a former church creatively renovated to highlight the stained glass!! And all were in the historical center of town, allowing us to wander around the area, and feel "at home" in each place. Each had its own character, and all were lovely."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Pretty tiring- but wonderful. I elected to skip the brewery and then was sorry. I was traveling solo and so appreciative of the room to myself. Thanks for that. At the same time, I would have enjoyed it more with a buddy. I just didn’t know that.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The windmills outside of Rotterdam. Canal boat rides. Learning that European school children are taught about WWI and sing our national anthem every year in remembrance and appreciation. Wow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour had a wonderful guide, Nico, and some of the most fun and interesting people we’ve ever met. We had a blast and so enjoyed every aspect of the tour.These tours encourage and teach the members how to explore and expand on the tour experience and did not disappoint!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many “wow” moments but the still, quiet and introspective moments in the Anne Frank Huis has to be the truly stunning one for this trip."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was wonderful! From the first stop to the last we were thoroughly engaged. Our guide, Nico, is a treasure and we loved his insights along the way. The hotels were well located and most local guides were great although the one in Amsterdam was not very engaging. Everything was well organized and ran efficiently.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment was experiencing Ghent. The location on the canal of our hotel made it so convenient to really enjoy the sights and sounds of this lovely city and all it had to offer."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful trip. Super guide. Fun group. Learned a lot about history, culture, architecture and people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the delta works water management system in the North Sea. Plus the canals in the quaint cities. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our third Rick Steves tour and we signed on to the Belgium/Netherlands tour as an adventure. It was full of surprises and was incredible!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Is it possible to land on ONE favorite "wow" moment? I can list many in this small space. But if I have to name some I guess some moments would be the experience of the Anne Frank House, the Royal Flora Holland visitor center and flower market, the flood management gates and the realization that the American slave trade had an influence on international textile markets (as indicated by the textile museum in Ghent). These are ONLY a few of the golden moments for me on this trip."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first tour ever and was so impressed with how much we learned and were immersed in the culture of each country we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ghent was amazing, especially in the evenings when most of the other tours emptied out of the city. Staying in places for more than one night was definite the biggest plus as we never felt rushed and were able to do and see almost everything we wanted to."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Nico, was outstanding. He made the tour fun and educational at the same time. All of the places we stayed were lovely and the local guides were excellent as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In a tour of mostly subtle pleasures the Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier was definitely a wow moment. The scale of it was amazing, and the local guide provided a lot of insight."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves' tour and I could not have been more pleased. The trip was thoughtfully planned from beginning to end. My main Guide, Nico, was an absolute doll - kind, organized, intelligent. My fellow travelers were also lovely - that was a big issue for me, considering I was traveling alone. I never felt out of place for one moment. I saw things that I will remember fior the rest of my life.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The WW! memorials at Ypres, the Maeslantkering Storm Suge Barrier, the Van Ecyk alter piece. But my top wow moment was the Mauritszhuis Museum in the Hague. This was not part of the tour but it was stunning, nevertheless."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was awesome! Our guide Nico was fantastic ……. he has a great personality, provided lots of valuable information, went above & beyond in providing some additional activities for the group & on an individual level was exceptional in helping to resolve a personal situation. Our group was extremely cohesive and made the tour that much more enjoyable. There was a good blend of group time & personal time. All of site guides & activities couldn’t have been better!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Delta Works system was an unbelievable site to see first-hand & we had an awesome guide who took us through & spend quite a bit of time explaining everything to us ……. it was amazing to see!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour. I was pleased with the organization, pacing (i.e., organized time together and unplanned free time), location and quality of the hotels. The group was made up a pleasantly cohesive group of couples. There were two ‘singles’ – of which I was one. It seemed that the group enjoyed getting to know each other. No negative or insensitive members in this group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the towns of Ghent and Bruges. It was great to see the less visited old sections of town in Ghent and Amsterdam. (Sorry – can’t be more specific than that.)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great sites, great food, and outstanding guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to pick just one"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time touring through the Low Countries. The mix of art, food, historical, and industrial tour experiences was exciting, and our guide was outstanding (as were the local guides).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Vermeer nook at the Rijksmuseum - simply outstanding!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Actually experienced world history in a significant way on this tour, making the tour about learning, not just sightseeing. Being age challenged I was disappointed that Bags were not delivered to hotels and that I had to get a bus a 15 minuted walk away from our hotel for the Airport departure. Past tours have usually provided this service.

Favorite "WOW" moment

""Wow" moment was seeing the Madonna and Child Michaelangelo sculpture. Truly exquisite and my REASON for taking this tour."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I really enjoyed myself. The pace of the tour was just right and our tour guide was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Adoration of the Sacred Lamb and Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Enjoyed the itinerary, accommodations, meals and company of the tour members. Our driver and guide Ellen were exceptional. The local guides were good as well - Andre at Flanders Field and Robert at Rijksmuseum were exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Really enjoyed the canals, Adoration of the Mystic Lamb in Ghent, the tour of the Maselant storm barrier near Rotterdam, and The Night Watchman at the Rijksmuseum."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I have been on numerous Rick Steves tours and as always this one was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was not any one WOW moment on this tour for me. Everything was very enjoyable. I loved Ghent and Brugge, the wafels, the architecture, the canals, the beer and, oh did I mention the wafels."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Dutch guide, Ellen was wonderful, informative, fun, easy to connect with. A shout out goes especially to these local guides: Thomas (Gent) and Danielle (Brugge). My husband really liked our Flanders Field guide: Andre. We LOVED the varied experiences: from walking the cobblestone streets along the canals: hearing and reading about some of the culture and history of these 2 countries: climbing towers: exploring museums; to practicing the one/two Dutch phrases with local people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"During some of our free time, we went to two Brugge 80th year celebrations of being liberated by the Canadians (Sept 1944). Was able to talk quite awhile to the man who coordinated the major vehicle display, as well as a U.S.101st arirborne camp reenactment.Truly a once in a lifetime experience. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I didn’t feel this was one of better RS tours I’ve been on. The Textile Factory visit was too long. I was also very disappointed in our hotel in Delft, not having a private bathroom was almost a deal breaker for me.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Anne Frank House and Ghent."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall the tour was "very good". The guides were all knowledgeable and friendly. Even our bus driver was great to have a conversation with. I enjoyed all of the people I came into contact with as part of the tour. Only a couple items kept me from rating the overall your as "outstanding". At some locations I felt we were a little rushed. That's to be expected I suppose when there is a lot of ground to cover. The other item was that one of the hotels was sub-par and another was borderline.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "wow" moments that it's hard to choose just one. If I had to pick one it would be the World War 1 cemeteries. We saw a small American cemetery and much larger British and German cemeteries. They were all remarkable. I was struck at how the Belgian people still to this day lovingly look upon the soldiers buried in the Flanders Field American Cemetery."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

A wonderful group and guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking out of my first hotel (after arriving from hours on plane and trains) and looking across the canal to the amazing architecture! Looked like you stepped into a storybook scene!!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour did exactly what the itinerary said it would, plus extra surprises along the way, thanks to our tour guide, Ruby!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Delta Works in the Netherlands was one of my best moments. The engineering is amazing and yet so simple a solution to sea level rise, which is also a big problem where I live in the US."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour guide, Ruby, was awesome. She was very informative, helpful, and friendly. The local/city guides were just as awesome. The hotels were, of course, different from what I am used to. Overall, they were acceptable except for one, which was dirty. Different is ok, dirty is not.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was the Anne Frank House. Visiting the Anne Frank House was one of the major reasons for booking the tour. I loved the chocolate shop demonstration and the brewery tours. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour balances experiences with culture, history, and the unique attributes of Holland and Belgium. The hotels and transportation were exceptional. Our guide Ellen makes every effort to make a connection and be available. Her attention to details surpasses expectations. It was all the little things that makes this tour truly special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stepping into WWI history through Flanders Fields provided solemn wows throughout the morning. A new understanding and appreciation for the soldiers developed."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour of Belgium and the Netherlands was terrific. Just the right amount of expeditions/organized tours and free time. Besides the city tours and guides, the tours of unique places enroute were very good and not places we would have seen on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two: the huge flower distribution center and operation near Amsterdam and Ghent at night with all the lights."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent guide, fun group of travelers

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Reich museum"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves’ tour. I’ve been a long time viewer of Rick Steves' Europe on PBS and was looking forward to an adventure. This tour lived up to my expectations! My tour was incredibly energizing and engaging each day, filled with the history, art, and local food that I was eagerly anticipating. The tour guide set this happy and refreshing tone right from the start, and the group meshed together well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two places really stand out. The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Mauritshuis in The Hague. The Mauritshuis was not an official part of the tour, but like every day our guide gave my group much information and encouragement on great ways to use our free time, and The Hague was right next to Delft. After I returned home I promised myself to return to the Rijksmuseum in the future, allowing 2 entire days in order to include a reservation to spend time in the Cuypers Library. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The flower market was amazing to see how it operates. Also the WWI Flanders Field experiences a reminder of the brutality of that that war. But the windmills and North Sea were neat. There never is just one experience there are always several."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed our tour. It was well paced and had the right amount of free time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was struck by the contrast of industrial / innovative aspects of water management and the beauty of the beach and the canals. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour. We had a great group to share the experience with and Nina was a wonderful guide. As a single traveler I appreciated having others to share the “wow” moments with. Thanks

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really loved so many of the art pieces and our travel through the country side, but the huge Aalsmeer flower market south of Amsterdam certainly deserved being called a ‘Wow” moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed every aspect of the tour, from the organization, the transportation, the Hotels, and of course the guides. Every day began with a delicious breakfast served by friendly hotel staff. Our various local tours were hosted by knowledgeable and fun guides and our overall tour guide was a total delight. She was amazing. So, also was our bus driver - skilled and just like one of the tourists with us!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a lot of great moments. I am always wowed by the friendliness of the local people and the ability to get around the cities, either by the metros, the trains, or the busses. Being surrounded by beautiful architecture, and history helps!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

In general, all guides and hotels were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I liked Amsterdam the best because there was so much to see and do."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was wonderful from start to finish. I so appreciate all the careful advance planning and organization that RS Europe and its staff put into the amazing itinerary. Our spectacular guide, Nina, was on top of every detail, so kind, gracious, and attentive to the needs of everyone in our group. She shared helpful tips, information, and anecdotes that enhanced the experience along the way. Each hotel was unique, centrally located with excellent, caring staff and delicious breakfasts.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Each stop along the way was its own “peak experience.” Some “wow” moments: visiting the WWI memorials (and trenches) in Flanders Fields; seeing artistic masterpieces in museums and churches throughout Belgium and the Netherlands; visiting the Deltaworks and the Maeslant storm surge barrier; the beautiful, peaceful canals. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a very good tour with many interesting people on our tour with us. We all got along quite well and learned more about each other as we went. Our tour guide Nina was so engaging and knowledgeable about all the places we went and our guides in each city were excellent also.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many, how to pick one! I think for me was the astounding amount of people on all manner of bikes and how they were so serious about their ride. I was truly amazed at hearing the number of bikes through the tunnel in Amsterdam per day! 18,000!!! Incredible! The museum above it was my favorite and I could go there every day! The museum about the flood in 1953 was an eye opener. Then going to see one of the massive flood gates was amazing. I also found the flower market a logistics miracle."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was perfect, very interesting with a variety of great experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Several: the amazing flower market, and the charming town of Bruges."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized. Outstanding tour guide Nina was entertaining and informative. Everyone knew the plans for each day and she had great local guides already set up for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Canadian Hill 62 war memorial and lunch at the farm where they continue to find weapons, bombs, etc. I had no idea the clean up continues. And as a Canadian, I felt very proud."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved our guide Nina! Her wit combined with the history and anecdotes of Belgium and Holland really helped us understand the regions and customs!! We enjoyed the museums and canal tours tremendously.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking through Ghent at 10:30 at night and bike riding in Bruges on a Sunday afternoon!!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide Nina was exceptional! The group was good natured and I believe enjoyed each others company. The pace was good, with just enough free time!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I found each location to have it's own 'wow' moment, though I must say the The Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier in Holland was very impressive!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide, Jody, was excellent. She was very knowledgeable and handled a minor emergency that came up with one of my fellow travels very efficiently. The hotel accommodations were excellent. Our bus driver was very helpful during our trip. The meals provided were delicious.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed visiting the Deft Project, the Rijksweg Museum and the Delft workshop."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well organized. The history aspect was so informative. The cities we visited were delightful. Our group was great and our guide outstanding. Even our bus driver was a wonderful addition to our tour! There were so many key moments. The hotels on the canals, the restaurants and specific site visits made this an unforgettable experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How can you identify just one? One experience after another just kept getting better. Flanders Field tour and guide was my greatest WOW!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

excellent

Favorite "WOW" moment

"flower auction"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time on the tour! Our guide, Jody, was terrific, and the overall experience was wonderful. Our tour members got along very well, and each day was a mix of organized activities and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The DeltaWorks were fascinating, and our student guide was informative and inspiring (gives us hope for the future!). The Rijksmuseum was also a wow."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour. Well organized. Excellent guide and driver and local guides. Nice fellow participants. Interesting programs.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Interactions with fellow participants."