Castles & Gardens of the Belgian Ardennes – NEW TOUR

Depart the UK

Drive to Dover and take the ferry crossing to Calais or Dunkerque.  Make your way through France and into Belgium and on to your hotel in Namur. After check-in there will be time to relax before enjoying dinner in the hotel.

Magical Water Gardens and an Ancient Abbey

Regarded as the finest water gardens in Wallonia, Château Annevoie’s magnificent water gardens are full of ornamental lakes, fountains, water jets and cascades which are gravity-fed by a canal running above them without the use of any artificial power. The gardens date from 1770 are a combination of French and English styles all set in the grounds of the Château. Enjoy some time to explore at your own pace and maybe have a drink or take lunch in the Garden Brasserie before leaving.

Continue to the 19th century Maredsous Abbey Monastery where Benedictine Monks still live and work. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful abbeys in Belgium and on a guided tour discover the exceptional architecture and gardens.  See where the bread, cheese and beer is made, stop in the visitor centre and museum and learn about the abbey’s history. A cheese and beer tasting has been included before leaving with the option to make purchases from the on-site shop.  There is also a cafe.

Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Namur Cruise, Perfume and the Citadel Castle Train

Namur is built on the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre Rivers with one of strongest Citadel forts in Europe. Embark on a leisurely guided river cruise where you can admire the town from a different perspective followed by a walking tour of the historical old town.

After some free time for lunch, drive up to the Citadel by coach (alternative cable-car option – payable locally).  A tour of the citadel ramparts by mini-train is included followed by a visit of the Guy Delforge perfumery and workshop.  Discover how the perfumes are made whilst walking through the underground passages and immerse yourself in the history of this exceptional building, located in the heart of the Citadel of Namur.  There is also an on-site shop to make purchases.  Optional beer tastings are also possible at the Citadel (details on request)

Return to the hotel for dinner and evening at leisure.

Dinant Cruise and the Orange Tree Garden

Dinant is a pretty picture-postcard riverside town dominated by the onion-shaped dome of the Collegiate church and also the imposing Citadel overlooking the town and river which can be seen from a leisurely cruise along the River Meuse.  Admire also the giant Charlemague road viaduct and hear the tales of the Bayard Rock. After the cruise enjoy some free time in Dinant.  Perhaps visit the small museum dedicated to Adolph Sax who was born in Dinant and was the inventor of the saxophone (free entry) or the gothic church.  Also worth visiting is the Patisserie Jacobs to try a “couque”, a traditional local hard biscuit, baked by the same family for many generations or take lunch at one of the many riverside cafés and restaurants.

Continue to Château Freÿr, for a guided tour of the interior of the castle which was built in 1571 with Renaissance-style architecture and once hosted Louis XIV of France.  However, the most striking features are the multi-level terraced formal gardens with bubbling fountains, hedge mazes and it’s famous 300 year-old orange trees.  There will be time to explore the gardens before returning to the hotel for dinner.

Optional extra: Visit, tour and tasting at the Caracole Brewery near Dinant where the beer is still brewed in copper tanks heated on a wood fire (details on request).

A Grand Château, Smallest Town and  Topiary Park

The 17th Century Château Modave, first mentioned in 1233, is located on a rocky outcrop near to the town of Huy offering amazing views of the Hoyoux Valley.  On a guided tour of the castle, there are 25 richly decorated and furnished rooms to discover adorned with stucco and 17^th century tapestries together with views over the valley.

After the visit continue to the picturesque and popular ‘smallest town in the world’, Durbuy, where the shops and cafes are set in narrow, flower bedecked and cobbled streets lined by old stone houses.  Enjoy some free time to explore and have some lunch.  Before leaving, make a visit to the largest topiary garden in Europe with over 250 animated cut box trees, which is located in the town centre.

Return to the hotel for our final dinner and evening in Belgium.

Optional extra:   Journey on the De L’Aisne Tramway at Erezee for a romantic one hour leisurely ride through the Ardennes landscapes on a restored heritage tram and carriages (details on request).

Return to the UK

Depart after breakfast and travel to Calais or Dunkerque for the ferry crossing back to the UK.

Annevoie Venetian Costume Festival (May)

Why not coincide this tour with a visit to the Annevoie Gardens Venetian Festival in May.  A sumptuous feast of romance and elegance.  This annual Venetian costume festival adds magic to Wallonia’s 18th century Water Gardens every Spring.  Richly decorated costumes glide magnificently amidst beautiful fountains, water features and green gardens.  Do not forget your camera!