Middelburg - Breda - Brewery La Trappe Trappist

Route: Hague - Middelburg - Breda - Brewery La Trappe Trappist - Hague
Duration: 10 h
Firstly we will explore Middelburg, the capital of the province of Zeeland and one of the oldest towns in the Netherlands which possibly dates back to the late 8th century or early 9th century. It is one of the three fortified cities in the then island of Walcheren with the purpose of guarding the island from Viking raids. A monastery was constructed on the site, which continued to be an active Catholic ground until the Reformation period. It was built in the 10th century and further constructions were made until the Middle Ages. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the ley points of trade and commerce between the cities of Flanders and England for cloth industries and and acted as a transshipment center for French wares. Its status and prominence continued until the 13th and 14 centuries. When the Low Countries gained their freedom from the Spanish Habsburg rulers in the Eighty Years’ War, they formed a Protestant state, The Netherlands. Now here you will find 1100 large and small monuments that breathe the atmosphere and the wealth of the past. The mighty abbey (abdij),the impressive city hall and the fabulous warehouses, that date back to the time when Middelburg was second in the East India Company to Amsterdam. With the guide you will go on a journey of discovery, where you will see the city hall, the Damplein(Square)and the Lange Jan tower.  Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Abdij (Our Dear Lady Abbey) – An abbey compound which has a 207-step tower called Lange Jan or Tall John, two churches, the Koorkerk ( Choir Church) and Nieuwe Kerk ( New Church), and the Zeeland Museum.   Kuiperspoort – The most picturesque area in the city. It is home to the most scenic and breathtaking brick architecture in town. Aside from these beautiful buildings and constructions, there are also a lot of restaurants and cafes in Middelburg where you can rest and relax before or after exploring the wondrous city. Our next stop will be at Breda which is a wonderful fun-loving city in the southern part of Holland. Where you can visit the historic monuments dating from the Nassau era, such as a Great Church, Begijnhof and Breda Castle. Breda is historic city  and offers to you discover the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church of our Lady) is the most important monument and a landmark of Breda that can be admired from almost every place in the city. Breda has been voted best city centre in the Netherlands, with plenty of pavement cafes, trendy restaurants and excellent shopping. The so-called ´Spanjaardsgat´ reminds visitors of the time Breda was in hands of the Spaniards. The Breda Castle shows the historical relation between Breda and the home of Oranje Nassau. The ancestors of the Dutch Royal Family, the Nassaus, were of great importance for the city. Also you will see leading monuments in Brabant – in addition to St. John’s Cathedral, Heeswijk Castle and the Markiezenhof. Not only are the forefathers of the Dutch Royal Family laid to rest in the Nassau Church of the Netherlands, but during a viewing of this beautiful church you will also be able to admire some wonderful artworks. Our next stop will be at  the La Trappe’s abbey and brewery not only have a rich history, they are also profoundly beautiful buildings. During a 45-minute tour through the brewery you will see all the aspects of the production process and all the characteristic buildings on the abbey premises. You will watch a short movie of about 15 minutes that will teach you everything about life in the monastery and the history of the brewery. At the end, you can taste  delicious Trappist beers. After we will return to Hague.
Price: Per person