A Master Rubens Experience - Belgium

TRAVEL SCHEDULE

• Day 1 – Brussels - Rubens as a Diplomat
  
  • Personalized city discovery and introduction to the European quarter.  
  • Discover the Royal Museum of Fine Arts
  • Lunch at the Musical Instruments Museum. Precious Art Deco building with 1200 extraordinary instruments.
  • Discover the  remains of Coudenberg, one of the most beautiful palaces of Europe and one of Charles V’s main residences. Located under the current Royal Palace.
  • Tram Experience for dinner in Brussels
  • Accommodation in a 3*, 4* or 5* hotel in Brussels

• Day 2 – Leuven – Rubens as an intellectual
  
  • Personalized city discovery including the Baroc market Place
  • Discover the Leuven University + its library (Rubens’ painting ‘De four Philosophers’ portraiting the intellectual humanist Justus Lipsius and Peter Paul Rubens together, adding a link to the Zeitgeits Vesalius)
  • Drink at the Europe’s longest bar
  • Discover the Abbey in the park in Heverlee (near Leuven)
  • Dinner at Via Via Herverlee
  • Accommodation in a 3*, 4* or 5* hotel in Brussels

• Day 3 – Elewijt, Mechelen & Antwerp - Rubens as a Bon Vivant
  
  • Excursion to Elewijt for a walk or biking journey around Rubens’ Castle
  • Lunch and personalized city discovery of Mechelen, including the Church of the Beguinage, Greater Beguinage and its garden,
  • Climbing the tower of Saint Rumbold "The Guild of the big crossbow"
  • In the afternoon to Antwerp for a personalized discovery of the MAS museum, passing the ancient warehouses all the way to the old city center. This discovery will introduce to the city by the taste and history of beer in Antwerp. Did Rubens drink much beer?
  • Admire the night lights of the river Scheldt on the rooftop of the Museum MAS
  • Accommodation in a 3*, 4* or 5* hotel in Antwerp

• Day 4 -  Antwerp - Rubens as an artist and entrepreneur
  
  • Personalized city discovery in Antwerp passing highlights such as the Central Station, the City Hall, the Cathedral, Rubens’ Statue, “ ’t Steen’”, the Carolus Boromeus Church, Antwerps Diamonds
  • Discover the Rubens’ house and garden, his cementary chapel, the Rockoxhouse
  • During the entire city discovery we will emphasize on Dodoens’ influence through his flowers which reappear everywhere.
  • Discovery of Plantin Moretus Museum and/or Fashion Museum and/or Photo Museum
  • Accommodation in a 3*, 4* or 5* hotel in Antwerp

• Day 5 – Ghent & Bruges – Rubens in Ghent & Bruges
  
  • Ghent by boat
  • Discover the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Bavo Cathedral and the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb
  • Personalized discovery of Bruges by horse, boat and by foot
  • Accommodation in a 3*, 4* or 5* hotel in Bruges