01943 605999
The Belgian Ardennes
This tailor-made package includes executive coach travel throughout the holiday and from three nights’ accommodation on a half board basis at a 3* or 4* hotel in the Ardennes to suit your group’s requirements. The content of your preferred itinerary will be discussed with you at the time of enquiry.
- Our suggested itinerary could include:
- Visit to Tournai
- Dinant with a River Cruise & Cable Car Ride
- The Castle & Gardens of Annevoie
- La Roche en Ardennes & the Pottery
- A guided tour of the Battle of the Bulge
- Durbuy & the Topiary Park
- Tourist Tramway of the Aisne & a Belgian Chocolate Maker
- The Distillery of Biercee with an Ardennes Style Lunch
- Group Organiser benefits
- No single room supplements (selected tours only)
To tailor-make your tour or for a personalised quotation call 01943 605999.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - Enroute stop in Tournai, a UNESCO and World Heritage site, whose history dates back to Roman Times. Situated on the Schelde river, in 432AD it became the capital of the Frankish Empire and the city’s importance grew as it became the centre of the cloth industry, based on wool imported from England. Nowadays, Tournai is the tourist and cultural capital of its region and is known as the Cité des Cinq Clochers (the town of the five towers). The romanesque and gothic architectural styles can be seen in the dramatic Basilica and Belfry, which dominate the city centre.
Day 2 - Dinant is pretty riverside town in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes. A 45 minute boat cruise on the river Meuse is a relaxing way to spend a little time. The skyline of Dinant is dominated by its two main buildings: the Citadel, which overlooks the town from a 100m cliff, and the Cathedral of Notre Dame, outsized against the surrounding structures and capped by a bronze onion dome. A cable car ride to Dinant’s military fortress, where there is a museum of Armaments and you will have a spectacular view of the Meuse. The Castle & Gardens of Annevoie which was constructed in the 1620’s and was heavily modified in 1775 when the spectacular water gardens were established. The gardens feature over twenty ornamental ponds and lakes fed by approximately fifty water jets and waterfalls, and are widely regarded as some of the best, not only in Belgium, but also in the whole of Europe.
Day 3 - La Roche en Ardennes is known as the ‘Jewel of the Ardennes’.It has a fascinating past with a wealth of history & legends as well as a very good museum relating to the Battle of the Bulging WWII there was fierce fighting in the Ardennes Offensive in December 1944 which destroyed 90% of the town, injuring many and killing 114 inhabitants and this museum tells a very personal story relating to the inhabitants of the town at this time. At the Gres de La Roche Pottery you can learn about the history of the La Roche stoneware.Experience the ancient techniques, the sensations, emotions and odours which marked the lives of the baker, the butcher, the apothecary, the monks - and also the lords of La Roche and their serfs. You can also visit the unique Potter's workshop, with holographic projections. A guided coach tour of the area known for the ‘Battle of the Bulge’. Despite the silence of the school history books, in the Second World War, British troops played a very important role in helping to free the Belgian Ardennes in September 1944 & the Battle of the Bulge was not solely a US troop victory. You will learn about the British and Commonwealth soldiers, who returned to liberate the Ardennes for the second time as well as many other fascinating facts.
Day 4 - Durbuy is known as the ‘Smallest town on Earth’ and is also one of the prettiest. The old town dates from the 17th century and has many narrow & cobbled streets which wind between the ancient houses. Durbuy is nowadays renowned for it’s excellent food and is also home to a stunning Topiary Park which has a unique collection in Europeof clipped box tree where there are more than 250 figures and some of the plants are more than 120 years old. The Tramway Touristique of the Aisne takes you back in time, as like in the 19th century, you will ride in either open or closed carriages, depending on the weather. The tramway follows the Aisne River allowing you the opportunity to admire and relax amongst the ‘authentic nature’ of the Ardennes. The Artisan Chocolate-maker, Defroidmont manufactures traditional products of the highest quality and uses 100% cocoa butter. You will get to see the whole chocolate making process and you can taste and purchase products also.
Day 5 - The Distillerie du Biercee is unique in Belgium,You will discover the secrets of distillation and how 10 kg of fresh fruit are transformed into one bottle of eau-de-vie or liqueur. You will see the Distiller's room with its collection of ancient stills, tools and old books and see a video presentation before sampling one or two of the products in the splendid Ferme de la Cour. A typical Ardennes style lunch can be pre-booked here also.
With all packages we supply a tailor-made flyer to assist in the promotion of your group holiday, along with a booking form which provides us with all the details we require from each participant.
