Greetings from Europe!
Greetings from Europe! We’ve just parted ways in Amsterdam after attending the Gifted Network Travel Symposium 2024: The Business of Luxury Travel aboard the beautiful Ama Waterways ship AmaMora. Kim stayed in Amsterdam to attend the ASTA River Cruise Expo. Meghann headed to Budapest to enjoy the city for a few days before boarding Ama Waterways’ newest and largest ship, the AmaMagna.
Kim and Meghann in Bruges, Belgium
Who is Gifted Travel Network, and why did we attend the symposium?
Gifted Travel Network (GTN) is our host agency and the “engine” that keeps us running. We firmly believe that they are the best host agency in the business, and their investment in their Travel Advisors and Partners is unparalleled. Every year, they offer us the opportunity to go deep and immerse ourselves in collaboration with one another and our important travel suppliers and partners. This year was no different. We learned that if we can dream it, we can do it. (Around the world on a private jet, perhaps)? We built relationships with new suppliers and had valuable one-on-one time with our tried and true favorites. GTN is proudly endorsed by the event's co-hosts, Forbes Travel Guide, allowing us unparalleled access to hotel general managers to help make your hotel stays as unique as possible.
Cheesing it up with our new friend from the beautiful Sofitel Grand Amsterdam at the Luxury Symposium welcome reception. Every glass had a jewel in the bottom that was tested by a jeweler on site. One had a real diamond, and the winner received a beautiful diamond necklace. (Spoiler alert: neither of us won).
We managed to have a little bit of fun along the way, exploring Kinderdijk Bruges, Ghent, Gouda, and Amsterdam.
Kinderdijk lies below sea level and uses a system of 19 windmills for water management. Millers must be certified to run a mill and are so dedicated to their craft that they live inside the windmills. While the Kinderdijk windmills are specifically for water management, mills serve various purposes, from milling flour to creating oil paints.
Bruges, Belgium, often hailed as the "Venice of the North," enchants visitors with its well-preserved medieval architecture, picturesque canals, and cobblestone streets. This UNESCO World Heritage city boasts many historical sites, including the Belfry of Bruges, a towering 13th-century bell tower with panoramic views, and the Markt, a vibrant square lined with quaint shops and cafes, where we enjoyed beers and hot chocolate. Bruges is an authentic storybook town that feels like something from a fairytale.
The Ghent Altarpiece, also known as the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, is a monumental polyptych panel painting created by Hubert and Jan van Eyck in 1432. Commissioned by Jodocus Vijd and his wife Elisabeth Borluut for the Saint Bavo Cathedral in Ghent, Belgium, this masterpiece of Early Flemish painting is renowned for its intricate detail, use of color, and pioneering techniques in oil paint. Before this painting, most artists still used colored egg yolk as a painting medium. The altarpiece has endured numerous thefts throughout its history and was nearly destroyed during several wars. Now, it resides back in the Bravo Cathedral, which also has a small interpretive center dedicated to the breathtaking piece of art. Recommended viewing: The movie Monuments Men, staring George Clooney, Matt Damon, John Goodman, and Bill Murray, tells the story of the American brigade tasked with finding art stolen by the Nazis during World War II, and the Ghent Altarpiece plays a pivotal role in the movie.
No trip to Gouda would be complete without, well, tasting Gouda! Gouda is a picturesque Dutch town famous for its namesake cheese, the Gouda cheese market, and beautifully preserved medieval architecture, including the Gothic-style St. John’s Church. It's also known for its historical buildings, like the old city hall and the Waag (cheese weighing house), and its canals that add to the town's charming and historic atmosphere. And did we mention you get to eat a lot of cheese?
Besté Favorites:
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As always, if you'd like to book your European adventure, click the consultation link below.
