Step into an extraordinary legal and cultural adventure with longtime Nanda Journeys leader Richard Peña, who has guided over 21 international journeys and inspired countless professionals along the way. This immersive Rule of Law Journey through Belgium and The Netherlands invites you to engage directly with international courts, European Union institutions, and leading legal minds while earning MCLE credits. Alongside these professional exchanges, you’ll savor rich cultural experiences—from exploring medieval Bruges and iconic windmills to sampling world-class Belgian chocolate and beer. With Richard’s unparalleled expertise, global perspective, and passion for justice, this is more than a trip—it’s an opportunity to broaden your professional horizons, forge meaningful global connections, and experience Europe through the eyes of a true legal trailblazer.

Depart from JFK and make your way to Amsterdam.

Journey Purpose: Focus on Rule of Law and Conflict Resolution

Earn MCLE Credits: Enhance your professional expertise by earning MCLE credits, applied for through the State Bar of Texas, while immersing in a global perspective on the rule of law.

Engage with Experts'  : Discuss the rule of law with Belgium and Dutch legal professionals at an international law firm in Brussels, government officials, and organizations like Eurojust. The European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation coordinates investigations of serious cross-border crime in Europe and beyond.

International Criminal Court (ICC): Connect with court representatives from the ICC to not only see the facilities but learn about their important role in trying the gravest crimes of concern to the international community. If permitted attend a hearing.

Learn from Academics: Gain insights from top law professors from a local university in Amsterdam like Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Faculty of Law.

Focus on Community & Culture

Accompanying guest program – alternate activities will be provided for guests who do not wish to attend the professional meetings.

Explore the charming town of Delft: visit Royal Delft to see their famous blue pottery.

Visit the city of Kinderdijk famous for its windmills: explore the UNESCO world heritage windmill site including a boat tour to see how this town which is below sea level has been able to survive

A Choco-Story Museum visit to see how the famous Belgium chocolate is made..

A day trip to explore Ghent and Bruges includes entrances to Belfry of Ghent and a boat canal cruise.

Enjoy some free time in the Hague to explore or relax.

Upon arrival at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the group will be met and transferred for check-in at your lovely local hotel or bag drop depending on flight time. Lunch on your own if not provided in route.

The group will enjoy a half day guided city orientation tour to view the main sights and get acclimated. This will be either via public transport and or on foot where it makes sense

Meet with your fellow travelers and national guide for a welcome and orientation meeting.

Immediately following enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Park Plaza Victoria (or similar)

Included meals: Dinner

Please Note: Breakfast is included daily at your hotels.

Professional members of the group will head to a morning meeting with a facility like Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam or similar. You will hear from faculty about international criminal law in Belgium and will have time to chat about education and training for lawyers and judges in Belgium.

Accompanying guests: This morning guests will head to the Van Gogh Museum for a tour. Explore Vincent van Gogh's masterpieces in the museum's permanent exhibition. See his development as an artist in the museum galleries. Get to know his ideas and ambitions and step into Van Gogh's world. This exhibit includes the famous Sunflowers, The Bedroom and Almond Blossom paintings. Note there are times in the program where guests will utilize public transport with a local guide.

After lunch at a local restaurant, the group will transfer to Delft for some time to explore the charming town with your guide. For those interested visit Royal Delft to see their famous blue pottery.

Continue from there to The Hague for a guided tour of the capital city of South Holland. Check in at your local hotel and overnight. Dinner is on your own.

Overnight: Plaza Premium den Haag (or similar) 

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch

This morning, we will request a meeting with representatives from the International Criminal Court, to include a guided visit and meeting with staff members for a  presentation on the functioning of the ICC followed by attending a hearing at ICC if permitted and depending what is on the schedule this day. Guests will be welcomed to attend or enjoy some free time.

The Court's founding treaty, called the Rome Statute, grants the ICC jurisdiction over four main crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression including use of armed forces by a State against the sovereignty, integrity or independence of that state. 

After some time to grab lunch on your own, head to an organization like Eurojust, an agency of the EU dealing with judicial cooperation in criminal matters. The European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation coordinates investigations of serious cross-border crime in Europe and beyond. As the EU’s hub for judicial cooperation, Eurojust delivers hands-on support to national authorities by promoting the exchange of information, developing prosecutorial strategies, facilitating the use of judicial cooperation tools, and implementing joint actions.

Accompanying guests: Guests will head out today for half day guided visit to Mauritshuis Museum and the Madurodam (Mini-Holland). The Mauritshuis is in the center of The Hague, the historical and political heart of the Netherlands. A small world-class museum with a formidable collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings from the 17th century; the golden age of this type of art. The museum consists of two striking historical buildings: the Mauritshuis, a city palace on the Plein in The Hague and the Prince William V Gallery at the Buitenhof. In the afternoon enjoy some free time at leisure to explore the beach area of Scheveningen or relax at your hotel.

Dinner will be provided this evening.

Overnight: Plaza Premium den Haag (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner

This morning professional members will visit The Hague Peace Palace visitors center for a guided tour of the library. The Peace Palace Library is the foremost international law library serving the international community. Based in The Hague, the Library plays an essential role in the functioning of international judicial organs and is recognized within the community for its excellent legal information services.

Later this morning meet with a representative from the International Court of Justice for a presentation on the work of the courts (subject to confirmation). The Court is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It was established by the United Nations Charter, which was signed in 1945 in San Francisco (United States), and began work in 1946 in the Peace Palace.

Accompanying guests: Guests will tour the Escher Museum to discover the artist Maurits Cornelis Escher, a man who never lost his fascination with the wonderful world around him. The Netherlands’ most famous printmaker enthralls people young and old with his imaginative worlds in which illusion and amazement are put center stage. Next enjoy a 1.5-hour cruise for a scenic introduction to The Hague. Highlights include the vibrant neighborhoods of Het Lint, Chinatown, and Schilderswijk; the royal area around Mauritskade with views of the Royal Stables; the charming Art Nouveau architecture in Buurtschap 2005; and the modern city center with its distinct skyline and government buildings

The group will have some free time this afternoon after a provided lunch. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Overnight: Plaza Premium den Haag (or similar) 

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, head to Kinderdijk where the group will have entrance to the UNESCO world heritage windmill site. For over 700 years, the dikes, windmills, and pumping stations of Kinderdijk have kept the towns feet dry. Your visit today will include a boat tour, step inside the museum windmills, and discover the personal stories of the millers. Take a dive into the tale of the town’s centuries-old struggle with the water. The history of Kinderdijk shows how the Netherlands managed to survive below sea level for so long.

After a provided lunch head to Rotterdam to check into your local hotel.
 

Dinner is on your own this evening. 

Overnight: Room Mate Bruno (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast and hotel check-out, make your way to the train station for your journey to Brussels, Belgium.

Lunch is on your own this afternoon.

Arrive in Brussels and enjoy a half day guided tour of the city that will include entrance to the Choco-Story Museum, Belgium’s first. Immerse yourself in the gourmet world of cocoa and chocolate. From the cocoa bean to the famous Belgian praline: discover all the secrets of the brown gold during a tour. This will include a demonstration by a master chocolatier who shows you how pralines are made by hand (tastings usually included).

Check into your local hotel and overnight.

Dinner will be provided this evening at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Pillows City Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Professional members will head out this morning to meet with your local colleagues. We will request a visit to NATO Headquarters - subject to availability and confirmation as well as security checks and granting of the needed visitor's passes. Roughly 4,000 people work at NATO Headquarters on a full-time basis. Of these, some 2,000 are members of national delegations and supporting staff members of national military representatives to NATO.

After a provided lunch visit the European Commission or similar. The Commission is the executive body of the European Union. Its main roles include proposing new laws and policies, monitoring their implementation and managing the EU budget. Under the leadership of its President, the Commission's work is steered by a group of 27 Commissioners, known as 'the College'. Together they take decisions on the Commission's political and strategic direction.

Accompanying guests: Head out today to take part in a waffle workshop. This 90-minute class will start with a short introduction to the famous Belgium waffle. Split into teams and start cooking (eating as much as you make). Later enjoy a guided tour of the walls of comics. The comic books walls are one of the most unique things about the city. This incredible street art was commissioned by the city and makes for a fund walk to look at the murals.

Dinner is on your own this evening.

Overnight: Pillows City Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch

This morning a visit will be requested to European Parliament Hemicycle, the vibrant heart of European democracy, where Members of the European Parliament gather during plenary sessions to hold the largest and most important debates. It also provides the setting for historic votes that change the way people live across the European Union. Next visit the Parlamentarium where Multimedia guides lead visitors to the heart of the European Parliament, explaining the path towards European cooperation, how Parliament works and what they are doing to meet today’s challenges.

Accompanying guests: Enjoy some free time this morning to explore independently. You might head over to Mont des Arts, a scenic urban garden offering panoramic views and located near several key museums, including the Royal Museums of Fine Arts. Spend the afternoon exploring with the group.

After lunch, the group will head out for the afternoon with your local guide. First stop is a Belgium Beers World Experience, where travelers will explore the history, diversity, and craftsmanship behind Belgian beer, guided by local experts. The experience includes an overview of brewing techniques, an introduction to different beer styles (including Trappist, Abbey, Lambic, and craft varieties), and interactive tastings of several regional beers

Next stop is to see one of Belgium’s most iconic landmarks, the Atomium. Originally built for the 1958 World Expo, it represents an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times and offers panoramic views from its spheres. The interior includes exhibitions on design, science, and Expo history, with escalators and light installations connecting each pod — it’s a unique mix of architecture, science, and futurism.

Head back to the hotel to relax. Dinner is on your own this evening. 

Overnight: Pillows City Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast take off to visit Ghent and Bruges with entrances to Belfry of Ghent and a boat canal cruise. The Belfry is the middle tower in the famous row of three, between St Bavo’s Cathedral and St Nicholas’ Church. A fiery dragon guards the historic heart of the city.

Lunch is on your own today before you return to Brussels for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Pillows City Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast a group transfer will be provided for your return to the airport today for your flight home. Arrival same day back in the U.S.

Distinguished Legal Leader

Past President: State Bar of Texas, American Bar Foundation, Austin Bar Association

Honored as a Trailblazer by the American Bar Association & Texas Bar Journal

Recipient of the ABA Spirit of Excellence Award & 2024 NCBP Fellows Award

Global Experience

Led U.S. lawyer delegations to 15+ countries, including Egypt, South Africa, Colombia & India

Chaired international conferences on the Rule of Law

Eisenhower Achievement Award recipient for outstanding leadership

Accomplished & Inspiring

AV Preeminent-rated attorney licensed in Texas, Illinois & Colorado

Vietnam veteran & co-author of Last Plane Out of Saigon

Committed to justice, diversity, and building global legal connections

There is so much more to know about Richard, read his full bio HERE

Read Blogs of some of Richards Past Delegations HERE

Review and download Booking Terms & Conditions HERE