December 2-9, 2024

Belgian Holiday Markets

S.S. Victoria - UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISES

the run down

Deposit Due: ASAP to reserve your stateroom
Final Payment Due: August 4, 2024
Travel Dates: December 2-9, 2024

when + important dates

8 Days - 2 Countries
This trip is perfect for those who have been to the classic markets of Germany and are looking for something new, for anyone looking to explore a different side of Belgium than most tourists see or for those excited to lean into a holiday extravaganza for their next winter season.

where + What

Reach out to your preferred Lisell Travel advisor.
If you are not currently working with a member of the Lisell Travel team, contact Joy by email: BGEtravel@lisell.com or phone: 214-476-3216

how to book

about the trip

There’s no more magical way to enjoy the holiday season than with a visit to a Christmas market. And on an all-inclusive, luxury river cruise, you can wander the stalls of many such markets in one trip, encountering the delights of each city’s unique rendition along the way. The holiday season in Belgium is something truly special. Not only will each city have its own quintessential Christmas setup, with rows of stalls offering handcrafted gifts and delicious wintertime treats, but they’ll also surround these markets with enchanting festivals, ice skating rinks, elaborate light displays, Ferris wheels and more characterize the holiday season in towns across Belgium.

Bordered by the bigger tourism magnets France, Germany and the Netherlands, Belgium is a small country bursting with cultural impact and well worthy of being the highlight of any European trip—whether it’s your first time on the continent or your tenth. Chocolates, french fries, specialty spirits and beers are amongst the many things this stretch of the Earth is known for doing well, and you’ll get to experience it all during Belgium’s most festive time of the year.

Visit Christmas towns unlike any other in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands—such as Brussels, Bruges and Aachen, where the markets are often named amongst the best in Europe. Discover why as you sip vin chaud and the world’s most delicious cups of hot chocolate between bites of warm liege waffles and spiced gingerbread.

Belgian Holiday Markets

Indulge in all of the classic delights of a European Christmas with unique Belgian charm.

Day-to-day itinerary

Day 1: Brussels

Arrive at Brussels Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer, or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

Day 2: Brussels

Brussels, the capital of Belgium, offers a treasure trove of historic architecture, along with a rich culinary tradition—chocolate!—and a vibrant culinary capital. Food lovers will be lured by the divine aromas drifting from the many holiday market stalls, while others will be attracted to the city’s enchanting architecture and elaborate Christmas displays.

Day 3: Ghent

Day 4: Hasselt

Today, you’ll explore the trendy-yet-quaint town of Hasselt. A blend of city interest—with plenty of cafés, shopping and the area’s largest Christmas market—and an easygoing, small-town atmosphere, the mostly car-free Hasselt is a charming place to explore on foot. It is also, as you can discover at one of the tasting booths in the market, known as the unofficial capital of Belgium’s famous spirit, Jenever.

Day 5: Maastricht

Venture into the Netherlands to visit Maastricht, known as one of the most beautiful and romantic cities of Holland and loved for its convivial lifestyle and historic center, which has long played a strategic role in European politics. Not only will you explore this city’s Christmas market, but you will also have the opportunity to head into Germany to visit the famous Aachen Christmas Market.

Day 6: Antwerp

Discover an eclectic mix of historic and modern in Belgium’s “Second City,” Antwerp, a town where well-preserved medieval buildings are interspersed with artful modern architecture. After your included explorations today, you may find your final Christmas market for this journey centered in Antwerp’s Old Town, lighting up nostalgic facades and the local castle to create the perfect backdrop for this festive event. Please note that Antwerp’s Christmas Market will not be open during the December 2 sailing of this itinerary.

Day 7: Antwerp

You’ll find a penchant for all things high quality in the country’s biggest port city. Diamonds, art, fashion, and more compete for attention here, so you’re sure to find just the thing to make your time in Antwerp memorable.

Day 8: Brussels

Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer, or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Brussels Airport for your flight home.

TRIP details

What's included

Dining

All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks and mineral water

Excursions

6 days of excursions, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks

Accommodations

7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the elegant S.S. Victoria
Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, high thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
Free Internet and Wi-Fi access

Experiences

3 countries: Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany
2 UNESCO World Heritage sites
Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture
Group Transfers are included on arrival and departure days (please see terms and conditions for transfer guidelines)
Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour
Captivating onboard local entertainment

FLights

Depending on your travel plans, you have a few options for your flights. Uniworld offers competitive airfare from most major gateways in the United States. You also have the option to make your own flight arrangements using points, miles, status with your preferred airline or booking method.

Payments

A deposit of 10% of the reservation is required to secure your room.
The remaining balance is due by August 4, 2024.
Reservations must be secured with a MasterCard or VISA credit card.

Cancellation Policy

Click HERE to read the full Terms & Conditions for 2024 Uniworld sailings. We understand that things may happen and you may need to cancel your trip. Please note that all payments are non-refundable. We believe that your upcoming trip is a significant investment. For this reason, we strongly recommend comprehensive travel protection. If you choose to decline this valuable coverage, you are assuming any financial loss associated with your travel arrangements.

DO I NEED A PASSPORT?

All members of your travel party, regardless of age, need a valid passport for international trips. Please be aware that a passport BOOK is mandatory for air travel. Passport Cards are not accepted.

If you already have a passport, take a moment to check its expiration date to ensure it will be valid for your upcoming journey. Additionally, it's recommended by the U.S. State Department to have at least 6 months of validity remaining on your passport after your return trip date.

For detailed information on the passport application process, you can visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Who do i contact for more information?

Reach out to your preferred Lisell Travel advisor.
If you are not currently working with a member of the Lisell Travel team, contact Joy Ferguson (see contact details below).
Email: BGEtravel@lisell.com
Phone: 214-476-3216

Urgent & important passport information

A passport is required. Current passport process time is up to 8 weeks.

If you do not have a passport yet, this doesn’t allow much time for a hiccup. I strongly recommend that you get your passport applications submitted NOW!

If you have a passport, check your expiration date NOW!

Do not wait, do not pass go, because there is NO get out of jail free card on this thing! DO NOT get a Passport card because it is cheaper. That only works for travel by car, crossing the borders to Mexico and Canada.
YOU NEED THE BOOK!

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