Day 1   Departure North America

            Embark your transatlantic flight.

 

Day 2   Amsterdam

AM        Arrival at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, voted best airport in Europe and best duty free shopping center in the world multiple times. Transportation to Amsterdam (approx. 30 minutes) 
Get inspired by visiting The Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes), one of the city's most
delightful shopping areas located in the heart of Amsterdam's canal district. Just two
minutes walk from the Royal Palace in the Dam Square; these picturesque streets
straddle the 17th Century canals from the Singel to the Prinsengracht. Browse the
countless designer boutiques, art galleries, jewellers, gift shops and specialty stores
are located here, and there are plenty of great bars, cafes and restaurants to refresh
you along the way.

PM        Situated on one of Jordaan’s 9 Streets, Envy is best described as a ‘delicatessen bar.’ It belongs to the same owners as Supperclub, Wine bar Vyne, and fish restaurant Nevy. Inspired by Italian butcher shops that do much more than selling meat, the restaurant presents exclusive delicacies and innovative bites such as venison cutlets with Jerusalem artichoke.

            End the day with a visit to Museum of Bags and Purses, a quirky gem of a museum for handbag aficionados and fashion lovers alike. The museum displays the history of the Western handbag from the late Middle Ages right up to the present, and provides a fascinating picture of how the bag has changed over the centuries in terms of function, form, material and decoration. Pieces on display include the requisite Chanel, Hermès and Louis Vuitton as well as designs by Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, and Lulu Guinness.

EVE       Welcome Dinner at Envy

 

Day 3   Amsterdam

AM        After Breakfast, head over to the infamous Red Light district of Amsterdam and discover high-level fashion and design! Take the Red Light Fashion tour and have the chance to view the work of designers like the multidisciplinary Bas Kosters to Jan Taminiau’s glamorous couture and Daryl van Wouw’s design street wear. The offerings of Red Light Fashion are extremely varied and therefore also very Dutch.

PM        Lunch at Bridges: The Michelin-starred chef, Aurélien Poirot, creates dishes that bridge cultures and

            traditions. Continue exploring Amsterdam while gallery hopping:

The Frozen Fountain

In 1985, founder Dick Dankers opened The Frozen Fountain, a shop selling and featuring contemporary furniture and home accessories. The Frozen Fountain maintains close contacts with designers from the various art academies in the Holland and abroad, thus ensuring a collection that is dynamic and varied.

Moooi Gallery

Since 2001, Moooi has inspired and seduced the world with innovative interior designs. Founders Marcel Wanders and Casper Vissers decided to change the already existing brand Wanders Wonders to Moooi, which means beautiful in Dutch (with an extra “o” added to stress that the products are extra beautiful!).

EVE       End the day with a visit to Droog Design Amsterdam followed by Dinner at the “Hoofdstad Brasserie” in the beautiful Hotel De L’Europe. The hotel's exquisite original Rondeel Building, a city-designated landmark, just re-opened its doors following extensive renovations that now fuse timeless design elements with 21st-century comforts.

 

Day 4   Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Antwerp

AM        After breakfast visit The Fashion Museum housed in the Wyndham Apollo Hotel in Amsterdam, the capital of Holland and the center of the Dutch fashion industry. The museum showcases fashion designers from many countries.

Afterwards, head to Eindhoven. Eindhoven plays a very important role in the world of design. Young designers from home and abroad come here to study at the famous Design Academy. Visit the design academy to catch a glimpse of what is going on there and to learn more about the alumni and their accomplishments.

PM        Head to Antwerp and start off by visiting MOMU-The Fashion Museum of Antwerp.     

Day 5   Antwerp

 

AM        Antwerp has a lot of fashion kudos. Recently, the New York Times dubbed Antwerp as a ‘fashionista’s

            paradise’.  Go shopping in Antwerp by taking one of the 5 Antwerp Fashion Walks. For each fashion

            district, an itinerary has been laid out and is indicated on a street map.  If you would rather make your

            own way, check out these go-to stores for fashionistas:

 

RA: This store, which also has a small café attached to it, provides budding designers with a platform to show and sell their wares. (special mention by The New York Times)

Graanmarkt 13: Shopping at Graanmarkt 13 feels like shopping at someone’s house. Spend time going through the original selection of brands and objects. For a delicious lunch, head to the trendy restaurant in the basement.

Cocodrillo: Two elegant stores, one for men and one for women, across the street from each other. Brands include reputed international names and Belgian designs.

Huis Boon:

Dries Van Noten: Enter his fashion palace (Modepaleis) and discover his exquisite prints and ethnically inspired clothes that have a timeless elegance.

Walter: This multi-brand store of Walter Van Beirendonck is as much an attraction as the clothes that are sold.

Tim Van Steenbergen: one of the up and coming Belgian designers. A talent to watch. Crossing over into eyewear and shoe design, the theatre, even the opera.

Maison Anna Heylen:  Designer Anna Heylen welcomes her guests in her elegant warehouse, dating from 1904, in the historical city centre. During a small group tour, you’ll discover he entire design process from sketch to a colection piece ready to be worn. 73Euro/person (on a basis of 15 persons). Duration: one hour.

THEO – designer eyewear. Recently, George Michael picked up a pair of their sunglasses.

 

If you want some more tips, book the services of your own personal shopper, Tanguy Ottomer (www.tanguyottomer.com)

 

 

EVE       Dinner at trendy Restaurant Appelmans. With the design of Jo Peeters, which has maintained the identity of the 19th century premises, and with lighting designed by Maarten Van Severen, we have attempted to create a beautiful, modern and accessible brasserie, where everyone can feel at home. The name Appelmans is derived from the name of the master builder of Our Lady's Cathedral.

 

Day 6   Brussels

 

AM        Depart for Brussels

Revered for centuries for its lace, cloth and tapestry workshops, Brussels’ history set the tone that inspired today’s independent designers. Designers are attracted to the cultural diversity and the open-mindedness of the city. Along the cobble-stoned streets of the Dansaert District you can explore the ateliers of both emerging and established designers. A good place to start is Stijl, a store that showcases the best in Belgian design, which was opened in 1984 by Sonja Noel, an event that laid the foundation for what was to come in Brussels' fashion scene.  For lunch: try any of the little restaurants (including the very first Pain Quotidien!) along the Dansaertstraat or the adjacent Place Sainte-Catherine.

 

 

PM        After lunch, head to Galeries Royales Saint Hubert for more shopping in this covered passageway, roofed in glass, stung with an Italian Renaissance architectural influence.  Born from the bones of 14th century shopping arcades, this marketplace was meant for strolling. It still boasts its original inscribed motto “Omnibus Omnia”—or “everything for everyone”. Accordingly, find furniture shops, leather goods, book stores, shoe stores and well-established design royalty like Kaat Tilley, Mer du Nord and The House Delvaux.  Founded in 1829, Delvaux is the oldest fine leather luxury goods company in the world. To this day, Delvaux remains family-owned, precisely because it protects the values of quality, exclusivity and ultimate sophistication.  For diehard Delvaux fans, visit the Arsenal, the main atelier of Delvaux located in the Etterbeek section of Brussels.  The Rue des Chartreux (Kartuizerstraat) has both cool vintage stores and the newest designers. Don’t miss the shop ‘Hunting and Collecting.’   For personal shopping assistance, contact Linda Van Waesberge at 32 475 84 17 54. 

 

 

EVE       Have farewell dinner at “Bonsoir Clara” on the Rue Dansaert.

 

Day 7   Departure

After breakfast departure for Brussels airport for your flight back home.

 

This tour can be operated out of Brussels airport as well.