Little Trains and Boats 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 near Dinant.  After check-in there will be time to relax before enjoying dinner together.

Durbuy Village and Scenic Tramway

Durbuy is known as ‘the smallest town in the World’ and a delight to discover.  Stroll along the narrow, flower-bedecked and cobbled streets lined by old stone houses where the Halle aux Bles (half timbered market hall) is located.  See the magnificent Topiary Gardens before heading to the medieval town of La Roche-en-Ardenne which has plenty to offer including the Battle of the Ardenne museum, an iconic memorial site, a wildlife park, a local stoneware museum and the ruins of a feudal castle.  After some free time and lunch (maybe sample the local Ardenne Ham) continue to the nearby small village of Erezée.

Departing from the train station which also has a cafeteria and museum, vehicles from the past, some of which are a hundred years old, will take you a journey on the Aisne Tourist Tramway through the Ardennes landscapes (round trip journey takes approximately 1 hour).

If time allows on the return journey to the hotel, why not make an optional stop La Chouffe Brewery for a beer tasting (details on request).

Dinner at the hotel this evening.

Dinant Cruise and Three Valleys Railway

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 viewed from a relaxing cruise on the River Meuse.  Back in Dinant, there will be free time to explore, stroll along the riverside where there are plenty of cafes and restaurants, and get some lunch.  Maybe visit the small museum dedicated to Adolph Sax who was born in Dinant and was the inventor of the saxophone (free entry).  Also worth visiting is the Patisserie Jacobs to try the local cookies which have been baked by the same family for many generations.

Continue to the impressive Three Valleys Railway Museum in Treignes which has an extensive collection of locomotives, carriages and railway memorabilia.  There is also a small cafe and shop and ample free coach parking.  Embark on a nostalgic steam train ride through the valleys to Mariembourg where the coach will be waiting.

Before returning to the hotel there may be time to have a optional beer tasting at Fagnes Brewery.  Visit the ‘old brewery’ dating back to 1858 and free entry to the new brewery.  Optional guided tours also possible – details on request.

Dinner is at the hotel this evening.

Giant Boat Lift, Historic Cruise and the Valley of the Birds Railway

Strepy is one of the world’s biggest, tallest and historical boat lifts which opened in 2002.  This mighty structure sitting in the middle of the Ardennes countryside is truly spectacular and it connects two different levels of the Canal du Centre with a height difference of 240ft . Visit the Waterways Museum followed by a 2 hour scenic cruise, sailing through one of the four 19th century UNESCO locks and visit the lock engine room.

After the visit, continue to Rebecq for a ride on a ‘rustic’ heritage train. A 1.5 hour journey follows the River Senne, through the ‘Valley of the Birds’ where you will get views of the towering viaduct of Five Bridges.  The train will stop en-route for coffee and biscuits served in an engine shed!

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.

Return to the UK

Depart after breakfast and travel to Calais or Dunkerque and take the ferry across to the UK, and home.

Three Valleys Steam Railway Festival (September)

Why not coincide this tour with the Three Valleys Steam Railway Festival in September.  Steam locomotives operate non-stop between Mariembourg and Treignes from 10.00 – 20.00 hours during the weekend of the festival.  There are various activities such as model railway exhibition, music, blacksmith and farrier demonstrations and much more during this fun weekend!