DISCOVERING WALLONIA, THE HEART OF BELGIUM
Halfway between Germanic Europe and Latin Europe, Belgium owes the splendour of its architecture and the diversity of its landscapes to these mixed influences from Flanders to Wallonia. Take a journey through architecture, centuries old forests, historic abbeys and enchanted castles, where the cities contrast with small villages and time seems to have stopped. Wallonia will seduce you not only with its gastronomic specialties, famous breweries and with its religious sites but by its more than 50 sites, which feature in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
DAY 1: ORVAL – BOIS DU CAZIER – MONS
Arrival of the group in Orval and visit of the famous Abbey and tasting of the world famous Trappist beer. Free time for lunch and continuation to Bois du Cazier: an extraordinary and unmissable cultural attraction, which bears witness to the epic of industrial development and production in Belgium. The scene of a great tragedy that occurred in 1956 in the local coal mine, is a site which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage in Wallonia. Continuation to Mons, dinner and accommodation at the hotel.
DAY 2: MONS – TOURNAI
Breakfast at the hotel and visit of Tourna, also called the “city of the 5 bell towers”, thanks to the 5 towers of the Cathedral. Free time for lunch and afternoon dedicated to the visit of Mons, named European Capital of Culture in 2015. It is a traditional city, very much linked to its folklore, but also dynamic and projected towards the future. As you explore Mons, you will discover that the region’s historical heritage is characterised by both the past and the present. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY: WATERLOO – NAMUR – RONCHINNE DOMAIN
After breakfast, departure for Waterloo and guided visit of the Memorial and the Lion Hill.
Beer tasting at the Mont St Jean Farm. Continuation to Namur and afternoon dedicated to the guided visit of the city: romantic enchantment crowned by its Citadel, it was nicknamed “the termite mound of Europe” by Napoleon Bonaparte. Discovering Namur means strolling through charming alleys, entering pretty shops and stopping at delicious typical restaurants. Arrival at the Domaine de Ronchinne, dinner and accommodation at the castle.
DAY 5: LIEGE – CASTLE OF MODAVE
Breakfast and guided tour of Liège, nicknamed “The Burning City” and characterised by the particular charm of its historical and architectural heritage. A charm that can be found at the Perron, the splendid fountain of the Market Square, symbol of the city’s freedom, or in the alleys, streets and old buildings that intersect in the different districts. Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon visit of the castle of Modave and its gardens. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay
DAY 6: DINANT – ANNEVOIE
After breakfast, departure to the picturesque Dinant and guided visit of the city.
Dinant offers its most fascinating image when looking from the Meuse towards the Citadel and the bulbous bell tower of the Collegiate Church of Our Lady. To admire another extraordinary panorama, take the cable car suspended 100 m high that leads to the Citadel. Lunch at leisure. Continue to Annevoie and visit the
18th century water gardens, classified as a major heritage site in Wallonia. At each corner, a new landscape opens up to the eye: dozens of waterfalls, fountains, pools and symmetrical rows of majestic trees. Return to the Domaine de Ronchinne, dinner and accommodation.
DAY 7: HOME JOURNEY
Departure after breakfast and end of our services.
