Hidden Gems of the Belgian Ardennes

Depart the UK

Drive to Dover for the short sea ferry crossing to Calais.  Make your way through France and into Belgium. Enjoy your first sight of the rugged and natural Ardennes landscape as you arrive at your hotel for 4 nights.  After check-in there will be time to relax before enjoying dinner in the hotel.

Durbuy and La Roche-en-Ardenne

Visit the picturesque and popular ‘chocolate box’ town of Durbuy, where the shops and cafes are set in narrow, flower bedecked and cobbled streets lined by old stone houses and the Halle aux Blés (corn exchange), a half-timbered market hall.  The imposing castle “Château des Comtes d’Ursel” dominates the town and is located on the opposite banks of the river (castle is closed to the public).  If time allows, maybe take the local tourist train which takes you around the walls of the old town and up to the Belvédère, from where you will be able to admire the unique and wonderful view of the town. (approx.45 minute round trip payable locally)

From Durbuy drive to La Roche, located in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes.  The town’s quaint streets and little shops are overlooked by the ruins of a pretty medieval castle and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Ardennes.  Foodies may be delighted to taste the local specialities, including the renowned Ardennes ham.  For history buffs a visit to the Museum of the Battle of the Bulge, an important war memorial, or the ruins of its feudal castle is a must.

Before returning to the hotel for evening dinner, a visit to the famed Brasserie d’Achouffe brewery can be made for a tour and tasting of the local Chouffe beer. (Groups need to be booked in advance)

Dinant and the Jardins d’Annevoie

Drive to Dinant which is overlooked by the imposing citadel and the cathedral with its onion-shaped dome.   After some free time, embark on a 45-minute relaxing river cruise along the River Meuse and see stunning scenery including the Bayard rock, the Love island, the Bridge St John and the River Lesse.  Dinant was also the birthplace of Adolf Sax, inventor of the saxophone.

After the cruise, continue to the Jardins d’Annevoie. These truly magnificent 17th Century water gardens are full of ornamental lakes, fountains, water jets and cascades, all fed by gravity and without the use of any artificial power. The gardens are regarded as some of the best, not only in Belgium, but also in the whole of Europe.  Explore the gardens at your own pace before returning to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.  (Guided tours of the gardens are possible)

Namur Citadel, Perfume and Historical Train

Drive to Namur and make a visit of the Citadel including a tour of the underground passages.  Nestled among the Citadel’s 16th-century galleries is the Guy Delforge perfume workshop – unique to Northern Europe – where you can discover the world of perfume.  After the visit of the Citadel there is the option of riding a cable car across the river and down to the town (payable locally) or taking the coach.

There will then be some free time for lunch, shopping or sightseeing before continuing to Spontin, a very picturesque village in the Bocq valley renowned for its mineral water, lemonades and syrups.  See the exterior of Spontin Castle, once used as a ‘defensive tower’ with massive walls and a moat with a drawbridge before boarding the Chemin de Fer du Bocq historical train for a scenic journey along the ‘Luxembourg Rail Line’ through the heart of the rugged Ardennes landscape.  Pass through at a leisurely pace along meandering rivers, rolling hills, deep caverns and thick forests .  (Note:  Train routes/schedules and embarkation points may vary – subject to confirmation).

Return to the hotel via Ciney which has been brewing its signature beers since 1450 – take time to stroll around this lovely town at leisure and perhaps try one of the local beers with steak-frites.  Dinner is at the hotel this evening.

Return to the UK

Depart after breakfast and drive to Calais for the short sea ferry crossing to Dover.

• Caves of Han –  explore the underground caves with its amazing creations carved by the River Lisse.
• Freÿr Chateau – located on the banks of the River Meuse based on Versailles
• Chateau de Lavaux – the only Ardennes castle set in open countryside, it hosts three museums.
• Caracole Brewery, Dinant (Alternative to d’Achouffe Brewery on Day 2)
• Hospital Notre Dame A La Rose, Lessines – one of the oldest medieval hospitals in Europe with a baroque chapel, cloister, gardens, sick room, convent and much more….
• Three Valleys Steam Train, Mariembourg – one of the nicest Museum lines in Europe terminating at Treignes
• Hitler’s Bunker – A remembrance site where Adolf Hitler stayed for 3 weeks during the Second World War.
• Waterloo Battlefields 1815 Memorial site
• The Strepy-Thieu Funicular Boat Lift – the largest boat lift in Europe!