Amsterdam, Bruges & Paris for Solo Travelers
10 days | 12 days with Paris extension |
- Group size
- 15–28 travelers
- Activity level
Experience the canals, cuisine, and couture of three cultural capitals—solo, but not alone.
The Netherlands’ canals and windmills. Belgium’s beers and chocolates. France’s palaces and museums. Whatever your reason for visiting this corner of Western Europe, you’ll be spoiled for choice. And with all the comforts of guided group travel supporting you, you can make the most of your time abroad. Join fellow solo travelers and roll from bohemian Amsterdam to glitzy Paris, stopping to explore the medieval core of Bruges along the way. And don’t forget the Ile de la Cite: Opt into our Paris extension, and you’ll be talking about your tour of Notre-Dame for years to come.
Your tour package includes
- 8 nights in handpicked hotels
- 8 breakfasts
- 3 dinners with beer or wine
- 4 sightseeing tours
- Expert Tour Director & local guides
- Private deluxe motor coach
- 3 boat rides
Included highlights
- Amsterdam canal cruise
- Kinderdijk windmills
- Bruges boat ride
- Bruges chocolate tasting
- Eiffel Tower photo stop
- Place de la Concorde
Itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day
Board your overnight flight to Amsterdam today.
Amsterdam3 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Amsterdam
Included meal: Welcome dinner
Welcome to the Netherlands! Settle in at your hotel, then meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at an intro mixer. Afterward, sit down as a group for an included dinner, served with beer or wine, and continue getting to know one another as you eat.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Amsterdam
Included meal: Breakfast
Amsterdam’s grachten, or canals, are a global icon and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They crisscross the city for more than 60 miles—and today, you’ll take to their waters with a local guide for your first proper look at the Venice of the North.
- Cruise by icons like the Dutch National Opera & Ballet building and beneath the Magere Brug—the famous “Skinny Bridge” that spans the River Amstel. You’ll also float by the Jodenbuurt, the former Jewish Quarter, and reflect on the city’s long association with Jewish culture.
- See the Dancing Houses, leaning structures painted in flashes of vibrant color, and keep an eye out for flower bikes. More than 300 of these bloom-bedecked cycles can be found around the city, decorated and placed by an American expat known simply as “the Flower Bike Man.”
- Disembark your cruise near the Rijksmuseum, the national art collection populated with the works of Dutch masters like Vermeer, Van Gogh, and Rembrandt.
From there, the choice is yours: Either enter the Rijksmuseum and spend a free afternoon perusing its massive exhibitions, or join us on one of two optional excursions. For a handful of magical weeks each spring, the Keukenhof’s famous tulips burst to life, and you can see this beloved garden painted in its seasonal splendor by tacking our optional outing onto your itinerary. Not visiting during that time? Not to worry. Amsterdam’s home to the largest collection of Van Gogh’s artwork and letters in the world, and our off-season excursion dives into the pieces and places that colored the famed painter’s life.
Please note: The Keukenhof Garden optional excursion will only be offered from late March through mid-May. The Van Gogh’s Amsterdam: Museum & Eastern Docklands optional excursion will replace it out of season.
Day 4: Free day in Amsterdam
Included meal: Breakfast
You’ll start and end the day in Amsterdam, but how will you fill the gaps in between? To visit another iconic Dutch city, add our optional excursion to Delft to your itinerary. Medieval architecture, postcard-perfect waterways, eponymous pottery—it has the lot.
Alternatively, hang back in town and treat yourself to some of the Netherlands’ favorite snacks. Stroopwafels (two wafer-thin cookies glued together with a sweet syrup) and frietjes (thick-cut, double-fried potatoes served with a dollop of your favorite sauce) both pair well with an ambling canal walk.
Bruges3 nights
Day 5: Bruges via Kinderdijk
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
More than a photo op, the UNESCO-listed windmills of Kinderdijk once served a vital purpose—keeping their hometown above water. These 19 mills, built in the 18th century, helped drain the lowlands that hold Kinderdijk. Though they’ve since been decommissioned, these engineering marvels remain among the Netherlands’ most popular attractions.
Board a boat and cruise Kinderdijk’s canals, closely passing those famous windmills, before returning to dry land for free time in town. Afterward, drive to Bruges, Belgium, where you’ll have the opportunity to freshen up prior to an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Bruges
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting
Like Amsterdam to the north, Bruges invokes Venice with its latticed canal network. But with its immaculately preserved medieval architecture and reputation as a foodie’s paradise, Belgium’s cultural capital more than stands on its own. Today, join a local guide for an immersive tour of the city.
- Wander through Burg—a former fortress that now functions as Bruges’ main square—before stopping outside the Belfort. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this medieval bell tower has stood, in one form or another, since 1240, making it an enduring symbol of the city.
- Admire the Gothic styling of the Church of Our Lady—home to the Madonna of Bruges, a white marble statue sculpted by Michelangelo—before visiting Ten Wijngaerde, a Benedictine convent recognized by UNESCO for its representation of the Flemish Beguinage movement.
- Pause your walk and pop into a shop for a taste of Belgian chocolate. (No further introduction needed!)
- Learn the tragic legend of the Minnewater—the “Lake of Love” where water nymphs supposedly lived—before wrapping your tour with a leisurely canal cruise.
Once you return to shore, spend the rest of the day at your leisure. To complement your chocolate tasting with another famous sweet, add our optional outing to your itinerary to create your own Belgian waffles and wash them down with local beers. Alternatively, make a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Richly decorated with paintings and stained glass windows, the church hosts a particularly significant relic—a cloth stained with the blood of Christ.
Day 7: Free day in Bruges
Included meal: Breakfast
For a tasteful excursion (in more ways than one), add today’s optional outing to Ghent to your itinerary. From cured hams to creamy mustards, the city serves the delicacies expected of a culinary capital, and you’ll get to bite your way through its sights and delights—capped with a canal cruise for good measure.
If you’d prefer to stay in Bruges, consider visiting a museum: The Groeningemuseum contains six centuries of Belgian art, from Flemish legends to modern masters, while the Lace Centre focuses on another of the city’s creations—dainty Bruges lace.
Paris2 nights
Day 8: Transfer to Paris
Included meal: Breakfast
Today, bid Belgium farewell and roll into northern France, marveling at the panorama of patchwork fields, peaceful villages, and winding rivers unfolding outside your bus window. Soon, you’ll arrive in Paris: To hit the ground running, stretch your legs with a stroll through Montmartre’s art-filled streets and peek into artists’ studios. As you explore, dip into a sandwich shop for the deceptively simple jambon-beurre—a crusty baguette slathered in butter and topped with freshly carved ham.
For a more elevated experience, opt for our evening dinner and Seine River cruise. As the sun sets and the city’s streetlamps begin their nightly twinkle, you’ll see Paris’ monuments in a whole new light.
Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Paris
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Ready to be dazzled by the City of Light? Begin your first full day in France with a tour of its splendid capital, Paris. With a local guide leading the way, you’ll get an overview of its most recognizable landmarks and a feel for the character of its arrondissements. (That’s French for “districts,” and it’s how Parisians refer to the city’s neighborhoods.)
- Drive down the sycamore-lined Avenue des Champs-Elysees—an icon of France that’s lined with majestic monuments, glitzy restaurants, and glamorous storefronts. Continue to its western end and take in the magnificent Arc de Triomphe, originally built to commemorate one of Napoleon’s many conquests. A dozen different avenues spoke from this epic arch, making it Paris’ symbolic heart.
- Pass the 16th-century Pont Neuf, the oldest stone bridge in Paris, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Watching over its arrondissement from an island in the Seine River, this French Gothic masterwork is one of the city’s enduring sights—and after a devastating fire, it’s been reopened to the public.
- Make a photo stop at the Eiffel Tower (you know this one!) before viewing the Palais Garnier opera house and the Place de la Concorde, the city’s grandest square.
- Pass by the I.M. Pei-designed Louvre Pyramid—the grandiose glass gateway to the world’s preeminent art museum. Then, marvel at the Hotel des Invalides: Erected in the 17th century and built to a height of roughly 350 feet, this gold-domed structure is the largest church building in all of Paris and serves as the final resting place of its greatest military leaders.
Tonight, join your groupmates at one of the city’s historic cafes and celebrate a trip well-spent with a farewell dinner, served with beer or wine.
Flight Home
Day 10: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or venture into Paris’ historic heart by extending your trip and visiting the Ile de la Cite.
Paris extension
Paris radiates from the Ile de la Cite—and it arguably holds the greatest concentration of landmarks in a city overflowing with them. Lead with a free day in the City of Light (stepping through museums, strolling down streets, snacking at cafes, it’s up to you), then come together as a group and head to the island for an in-depth look at its monuments, from grand Catholic churches to haunting Revolutionary prisons.
Paris2 nights
Day 10: Free day in Paris
Included meal: Breakfast
Today, seek royal refuge from the city by adding an optional afternoon outing to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles. You’ll encounter gilded walkways, fresco-adorned ceilings, and close to 2,000 acres of immaculate green space—all just a few miles west of Paris.
To continue exploring the city at your own pace, you can visit the National Library of France and its grand, restored reading room, or head underground to learn the secrets of Paris’ legendary catacombs.
Day 11: Walking tour of Ile de la Cite
Included meal: Breakfast
The cradle of modern Paris, the Ile de la Cite has been settled for more than 2,000 years. This 56-acre island, rising out of the Seine, houses some of France’s most beloved landmarks—and with a local guide in the lead, you’ll stroll its cobbled lanes and graceful bridges to unravel its royal, religious, and revolutionary history.
- Marvel at the blue-and-gold interior of the 13th-century Sainte-Chapelle, the former chapel of the Kings of France. Louis IX personally commissioned this Gothic masterpiece to house his collection of Passion relics; some, including the Crown of Thorns, are now held at Notre-Dame.
- Enter the Conciergerie. Once part of a royal palace, this building gained infamy during the French Revolution: 2,781 people—including Marie Antoinette—were held, tried, and condemned there before being sent to the guillotine.
- Gaze in awe at the interior of Notre-Dame, the instantly recognizable crown jewel of the Ile de la Cite. As you walk along its checkerboard floor, following the lines of its vaulted ceiling, listen to your guide detail the restoration work carried out in the wake of the devastating 2019 fire.
To fill your afternoon and your belly in one fell swoop, join our optional walking tour of Le Marais and savor the flavors of the Seine’s Right Bank. Or, for a slower afternoon, cross to the Left Bank and lounge in the Luxembourg Garden. The centerpiece of the Odeon district, this 57-acre green space abuts the home of the French Senate—the regal Luxembourg Palace.
Finally, come together as a group one last time for a farewell drink and toast to a trip well spent.
Flight Home
Day 12: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Reviews
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Amsterdam - Leonardo Boutique Museumhotel Amsterdam City Center
This charming hotel is located in Amsterdam. Guests enjoy elegantly designed rooms, a cozy lounge bar, and a tranquil garden terrace. Nearby, you'll find the world-renowned Rijksmuseum, the serene Vondelpark, and the historic...

Bruges - Golden Tulip Hotel de' Medici
This charming hotel is located in Bruges, Belgium. Guests enjoy access to a Japanese-style courtyard garden, a health center with sauna and steam bath, and a fitness room for active travelers. Nearby, you'll find the Basilica...
Paris - Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel
This modern hotel is located in Montparnasse. Guests enjoy a fitness center, restaurant, and free Wi-Fi in the lobby. Nearby, you’ll find Luxembourg Gardens, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Catacombs of Paris.
Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare and you’ll get:
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
FAQ
- This tour visits the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
- Beginning in 2026, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
- Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2026, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code BF6.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Amsterdam and depart from Paris.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- When you arrive in Amsterdam, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
This is a moderate physical activity-level tour. You can expect casual walks and plenty of time to explore throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a steadily-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- Some days of included activities in a row (more if you add excursions)
- Most transportation by motor coach and boat
- About 2 hours of bus time daily with some longer transfers
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 2 miles per day- this includes city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
Climate Considerations
- In the summer months, June-September, travelers can expect high temperatures from 70Fs -80Fs and lows from 50Fs-60Fs with occasional extreme heatwaves.
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pacing questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.
- This tour includes various modes of transportation, including boats and motor coaches. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels and airports.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- We recommend packing your Insurance Card (from your primary insurance provider) in your carry on luggage.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
- Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
- All locations visited operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- This tour includes three dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- In the Netherlands, simply prepared meat and fish dishes, substantial soups and hearty stews are local staples. Snack food traditionally features fish—you might try maatje, raw green herring served with onions—but pancakes, french fries, doughnuts, and waffles are just as plentiful.
- In Belgium, seafood is of a very high quality, and mussels steamed in white wine are a favorite. Patisseries offer decadent pastries and cakes, and you won’t want to miss indulging in favorites like fries, handmade chocolate, locally brewed Abbey-style beer, and, of course, Belgian waffles. Please note that Belgian beers vary widely in style and flavor and are often much higher in alcohol content than other European beers.
- For a picnic with French flair, stop at a small grocery store for cheeses, pâtés, cured meats, fresh-baked bread, and fruit. In the cities, sidewalk vendors are known for their steaming crepes, while mouthwatering pastries and hot café au lait beckon from cafes. In restaurants, the prix fixe option is a popular way to enjoy a set three- or four-course menu for a good price.
- Although lunch is generally served from noon until 2pm in France, dinner is served from 7:30pm onward. Those wishing to eat earlier can stop at a cafe, where light entrées and sandwiches are available throughout the afternoon and evening.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and $4USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the euro on this tour.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you don’t already have at least one card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your Tour Director, local guides, and bus drivers.
- To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- All destinations on tour are one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
- When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.
- When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.















































































