T +44 (0) 1243 868080
F +44 (0) 1243 871667
Opening Hours
Monday - Friday
8.30am - 5.30pm
Saturday
8.30am - 4.00pm
(Exc. Bank Holidays)
- 01 January 1970
- Days
- £
Ref · Single room supplement NIL
MS Botticelli
(France)
Built in 2004 and part of the CroisiEurope fleet of river cruisers, the Botticelli has spacious air-conditioned en suite cabins with large picture window, TV, radio, hairdryer, and safe. Facilities on board include lounge-bar with dance floor, dining room, gift shop and a large sundeck with deckchairs. There is not a lift and main deck cabins are accessed down stairs.
ITINERARY
Day 1 We pick you up by taxi from your door, join the coach and travel to Dover for the morning Channel crossing. A stop at Bruges Christmas Market is planned where you can shop, sightsee or even ice skate in the main square. We board the MS Botticelli in Brussels at 6pm and after settling in, there will be a cocktail and presentation of the crew before dinner. The evening is free whilst berthed in Brussels.
Day 2 A morning guided tour of Brussels passing by royal castles, villas, the Chinese Pavilion and the Japanese Tower. We will also see the Atomium, the Sablon Quarter and the European Quarter. We continue the tour on foot visiting Grand Place to see the splendid Guild Houses and the City Hall. We lunch on board before transferring by coach to the Christmas market, where the chalets run by various local and international craftsmen can be enjoyed in the festive ambience of the town. Dinner on board.
Day 3 Christmas Eve; During the night the boat departs for Antwerp arriving at around 8am. After breakfast on board, there is an optional walking tour of the city. See the City Hall and the imposing houses of the tradesmen’s guilds, and have a chance to visit the Cathedral of Our Lady which is home to extraordinary works of art. Back on board for lunch we cruise to Ghent through the afternoon. This evening is the Christmas Eve Dinner followed by Midnight Mass in Ghent (optional). Back on board there is mulled wine and possibly a visit by Father Christmas!
Day 4 Christmas Day; Happy Christmas! An optional walking tour of Ghent on Christmas morning. The historic heart of the city has numerous remains from the Middle Ages, the tradesmen’s guilds on Herb Quay and Corn Quay and in Saint Bavo’s Cathedral you can see the famous ‘Mystic Lamb’ Alterpiece. After lunch on board we depart for Brussels. Dinner and a Gala Evening on board. We sail at night.
Day 5 We disembark in Brussels at 9am after breakfast. We make our way to the port of Calais, taking the afternoon sailing to Dover where we travel by coach and taxi to our homes.