Sunday September 15 - Friday September 20, 2019
About The Trip
From world-famous mussels, white wine & chocolate to stunning cultural & artistic heritage in the recently dubbed Capital of Cool, join VinePair this September for 6 days of immersion featuring the very Best of Belgium.
Brussels' vibrant artistic & gastronomic scene makes it one of Europe's true unsung heroes. With dazzling Art Nouveau architecture, creative culinary pop-ups and the smell of waffles in the air, it's easy to feel like a kid again in the Continent's coziest capital city. Located just 40 minutes from Brussels in Flemish-speaking Flanders, Antwerp has a cultural & fashion scene second to none and a beer culture like nowhere else on the planet. Recently dubbed the Capital of Cool, its re-vamped historic harbor, brand new city brewery, award-winning brasseries and miles of riverside bike lanes make it one of Europe's truly best kept secrets.
Traveling to Belgium with VinePair grants guests behind the scenes access across the country's food, drinks & cultural scene with private tastings, expert led tours, remarkable UNESCO World Heritage sites, countryside bike rides, dinner in a 15th century courtyard and more. Our travel partner and cultural expert, Tailored Tours, is a creative travel studio based in Barcelona, Spain, specialized in curating unique cultural experiences with access to one of kind spaces and personalities across Spain, Italy, France & Belgium.
On this 5 night, 6 day journey offered exclusively for VinePair readers, guests will have the opportunity to taste select draught beers found only in Belgium. However, you don't have to be a beer aficionado to have the trip of a lifetime! Put down a $500 deposit by June 15 to secure your spot at a reduced total price of $2,000. All prices are per person.
Tour Highlights
· Dinner in a 15th courtyard in Antwerp's oldest quarter
· Private visit to the city's oldest genever (precursor of gin) bars
· Visit to one of Flanders' premiere breweries for tasting & lunch
· Bike ride along the River Schelde (with stops for mussels & white wine)
· Expert led walk through historical Antwerp, including visit to UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral, among the most dazzling in Europe
· Expert led beer, chocolate & cheese pairings
· VinePair's Insider Tips on what's hot
· Wonderful travel companions & VinePair staff
· Professional photographer who will capture amazing moments and distribute photos each day
· Free time to visit world-class museums (Magritte & the Surrealists; The Rubens Museum) and explore some of the best design, cafés & bookstores in Europe.
· Accommodations in both Brussels and Antwerp are design-forward boutique hotels. In Brussels we'll be staying in the trendy Saint-Gilles district and in Antwerp our hotel overlooks the city's main square and impressive Gothic Cathedral.
travel with VinePair
Expert Guides
Your tour leaders are Jonathan Lerner, expert insider and the founder of Tailored Tours Bareclona and Cat Wolinski, Senior Staff Writer of VinePair.
Insider Access
We've designed a journey that features the best of food, beer & culture in Brussels, Antwerp and beyond. You'll have access to top bars, award-winning breweries, and centuries old cultural highlights.
Intimate Group Touring
Along with your two expert guides, you'll be traveling with no more than 20 VinePair readers. Oh, and a professional photographer will be joining us, capturing unforgettable moments and distributing digital images at the end of each day.
The Best Price$2,250 $2000 — Put down a deposit of $500 by June 15th to ensure discounted pricing. $2,250 for deposits placed after June 15th.
Tour Itinerary
Welcome Dinner in Historic Antwerp
Day 1 - Sunday Sept 15 - Antwerp
Meet at hotel in Antwerp for Welcome by VinePair followed by dinner and premium Belgian beer flight in a 15th century courtyard, among the oldest in the city. Following dinner we will head over for a tasting in Antwerp's oldest genever bar still run by local father & son.
Summer Ride and Riverside Lunch
Day 2 - Monday September 16 - Antwerp
Guided bike ride through Antwerp's trendy harbor and along the banks of the Schelde River with stunning views of the city's skyline. Lunch on the banks of the Schelde Riverh.
Free time to amble Antwerp's labyrinth medieval quarter, full of design shops, cafés, amazing chocolatiers, bookstores & more. VinePair's Insider Tips will share our favorite places in the city not to be missed.
Option to join VinePair for dinner on historic Kloosterstraat in one of Antwerp's beloved local restaurants followed by some optional bar hopping.
The ABC's - Architecture, Beer & Culture
Day 3 - Tuesday September 17 - Antwerp
Expert led walk through fascinating historical Antwerp. Once one of the richest cities in all of Europe, Antwerp's history is full of incredible stories. From the Vikings to medieval guild houses, from World War II to the incredible fashion & design hub it is today, Antwerp is guaranteed to impress. The tour will end with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral where you can view several of Peter Paul Rubens masterpieces.
Join VinePair for lunch or free afternoon.
Visit to De Konick, Antwerp city's brewery for a visit & tasting, followed by optional dinner at a nearby legendary Antwerp brasserie.
Private Tasting & Welcome to Brussels
Day 4 - Wednesday September 18 - Brussels
Board the bus as we head to one of Flanders' premiere breweries for a private tasting & lunch.
Following the brewery we head to Brussels
Expert led tasting in one of Brussels' most iconic bars, Moeder Lambic. Option to join VinePair for dinner in a typical Bruxellois brasserie.
Charming, Hungry & Thirsty Brussels
Day 5 - Thursday September 19 - Brussels
A local expert will lead an entertaining walk through Brussels old city with highlights including Art Nouveau architecture, street art, the famous Mannekin Pis, history, culture & a few tasty surprises..
Option to join VinePair for lunch.
Free time in the afternoon to explore the Grand Place, one of Europe's most charming squares and wander through Brussels beautiful city center.
VinePair will host an exclusive beer event in one of the coolest spaces in town featuring local saison, trappiste, crafts & more.
Farewell dinner in surprise location.
Breakfast Send Off
Day 6 - Friday September 20 - Brussels
Breakfast & good-byes.
essential information
The Tour
Minimum Participants 10
Maximum Participants 20
Early Booking Price $2,000
Full Price $2,250
Arrival Date September 15
Departure Date September 20
Key Dates
Discount Pricing Deadline June 15
Full Price Deadline July 15
Deposit ($500) Deadline July 15
Final Payment Due August 1
Inclusions
Design Forward Hotels ✔
2 Dinners & 2 Lunches ✔
Bar, Brewery, & Genever Tastings ✔
Expert Tour Guides ✔
VinePair's Insider Tips on Belgium ✔
Entrance fees For All Included Visits & Activities ✔
Gratuities To Hotel Staff & Drivers ✔
Local Transportation ✔
Pro Photographer & Images ✔
Not Included
Travel Insurance (strongly recommended) and other Personal Expenses.
Planning Your Travel
Note that the trip begins in Antwerp and ends in Brussels. When planning your travel, we recommend flying into Brussels Zaventem International Airport (BRU) no later than 2PM on Sunday September 15. Frequent daily train service links Brussels Airport to Antwerp, only 35 minute away. We will be meeting at our Antwerp hotel at 5PM. For any travel questions please feel free to contact us.
Book Now
Ready to join us? Reserve your spot with a $500 deposit (per person). Got some questions? Just reach out to [email protected] and we'll be in touch ASAP.
Place your deposit safely and securely. Let us know how many people will be joining us in Belgium...
VinePair and Tailored Tours partnered in October to present Barcelona & the Catalan Wine Country. See a recap of our trip here!
Andrea Gallagher
October 2018
Friends and I spent four days with VinePair and Tailored Tours exploring Barcelona, regional wineries, extraordinary restaurants, amazing architecture and important cultural sites. Jonathan and Luke introduced 20 diverse tourists to this beautiful, busy city, making us feel like friends not customers. Their deep knowledge of the city, coupled with their relationships with the community - their friends and neighbors love them - got us behind the scenes and up close throughout the entire tour. Jose was a special added bonus - his photos provide special memories, and his kindness will not be forgotten. Any visit to Barcelona should include time with Tailored Tours - as much time as possible! Thanks for the spectacular time and for the intro to vermouth!
John McAleavey
October 2018
Jon, Luke, Maddalena, and José are some of the best people that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Their walking tour is second to none, with a wonderful combination of knowledge, passion, and personality. There was nowhere we could go without some one passing on a cheerful greeting, and it is obvious what this city means to them. Over the four days with them, I genuinely felt at home and welcomed in a way I would never have expected from a stranger. These are special people that I will always go out of my way to connect with again.
Lee Fogarty
October 2018
I spent almost a week with friends and family on a wine tour in Barcelona with VinePair. Jonathan and Luke were our guides presenting an intimate, fun, creative and cultural introduction to a city they know and love. Having Jose there to take exquisite pictures of our experiences was a wonderful addition leaving us with spectacular views and memories. The atmosphere was warm and fun, and ended too quickly. It was an awesome and delightful experience that I would encourage everyone to choose.