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EThames Weekend Trip to Holland and Belgium
Friday 10th – Sunday 12th March 2010

£149 EThames Students £189 Non Ethames

(inclusive of return travel, 2 nights hotel accommodation, breakfast and evening meals at the hotel, free bar at the hotel, guided coach tour of Amsterdam, trip to Brugges in Belgium)

The price does not include the cost of a Schengen Visa.

Please note: It can take 3 - 4 weeks for a Schengen Visa to be processed for students from Nigeria, Bangladesh and Pakistan, so apply early.

This weekend is designed to allow you to stay in the lovely Dutch village of Monnickendam only 25 minutes drive from the heart of Amsterdam. The coach tour will not only let you explore the buzz of Amsterdam but also allow you to take in the other side of Holland. There will also be an excursion to Brugges in Belgium. Breakfast and  evening meals are included in this fantastic lakeside hotel package and a free bar is available on both nights including soft drinks,  beer, wine, gin and brandy!

Tour Includes:
Luxury coach travel
Return cross channel ferry crossings
2 nights B&B hotel accommodation, all rooms ensuite in the lovely  Dutch village of Monnickendam (only 25 minutes from Amsterdam).
Breakfast and 3 course evening meals provided at the hotel, plus a free bar from  20.30hrs – 23.00hrs.
Guided Coach Tour of Amsterdam  and excursion to Brugge in Belgium
Plenty of free time to explore
Services of  a Tour Representative throughout the weekend

DAY ONE
06.00hrs London pick  up
09.55hrs Dover to Calais ferry crossing.
12.30hrs Upon arrival into Calais, we commence our onward journey through France, Belgium and the Netherlands, arriving at our hotel at approximately 18.00hrs.

A cheese and clog factory is alongside our lakeside hotel for those of you interested in these Dutch products.

The evening is at leisure in Monnickendam.

A 3 course evening meal and salad buffet will be provided for our group. The free bar is in action from 20.30hrs until 23.00hrs which includes beer, wine, Dutch gin and brandy! Soft drinks are also available.
For those of you who can't wait Amsterdam is not too far away for a night out! Buses regularly pick up outside our hotel if you want to head in to town to paint the town red!

DAY TWO
09.00hrs After breakfast we depart the hotel for our guided tour of Amsterdam. The rest of the day is at leisure in Amsterdam.

Optional: A one hour canal boat cruise. (this is an optional trip at extra cost  which will be organized by the Tour Representative).

18.30hrs Meet our coach for the return journey to Monnickendam where an evening meal and free bar are in operation again for our group.
The rest of the evening is at leisure.

DAY THREE
09.00hrs We depart from the hotel, and begin the journey south to Belgium where we stop off in the medieval city of Brugge.
12.00hrs Approximate arrival time in Brugge. We have time to discover this fantastic town which is famous for its architecture, lace and chocolate.
16.00hrs We depart Brugge for our return journey to Calais.
18.50hrs Calais to Dover ferry crossing.
23.00hrs Approximate time of arrival into central London.
About Monnickendam, Amsterdam and Brugge...
Monnickendam:

This city is on the coast of the lake IJsselmeer in Northern Holland. When you see the coastal view, it is easy to see that Monnickendam is known for its smoked fish. Get a different view of Holland in this quieter town before traveling to Amsterdam. Relax and enjoy a three course meal and open bar!

Amsterdam: 
The name Amsterdam is made up of the Dutch words Amstel and dam, which means litterally dam on the river Amstel. Amsterdam was one of the most important ports in the Dutch Golden Age, and the River Amstel is a large part of the charm of this Dutch captial and largest city of the Netherlands. Nowadays, Amsterdam combines art, history and culture in the 5th largest tourist attraction in Europe.
The Dam is a popular site for all with a relaxing canal ride, art museums housing large collections of Dutch art, or for the more liberal crowd, many discoteques and coffee shops. A trip to Amsterdam is merited just to see the canals that were the result of intricate city planning back in the 17th century!

Brugge:
This city is made up of winding cobblestone streets as well and narrow cannals which gave the city the prestigious award of the "European City of Culture" in 2002. Also known as Bruges, this city has most of its medieval architecture intact thus has been a World Heritage Site since 2000. Brugge is known for its lace, and many beers include the name of the city. The Flemish painter Jan Van Eyck was born in Brugge as well.

For more information please contact:

Sally Bennett
International Office
EThames Graduate School
6th Floor Arodene house
41-55 Perth Road, Ilford, Essex, IG2 6BX
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8518 1296
sally@etgs.org.uk