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Culture and Traditions of Belgium

Let us introduce you to the amazing diversity of Jackie's native country. From our home base in Namur, the heart of Belgium, Jackie will escort you on day trips to help you discover not only the delicious specialties like chocolate, beer, waffles, French fries and mussels but also Belgian traditions (lace making, diamond polishing, village festivals) and wonderful sceneries and architecture.

From the lowlands of Flanders to the rolling hills of Ardennes, from sandy beaches and windmills of the North to the deep, green forests of the South, you will enjoy the wonders of this small country.

Day 1: Arrival

We will pick you up at the Brussels airport, early in the afternoon. Upon your arrival to our country home, you'll relax and enjoy a champagne reception with authentic local finger foods and drinks. In the evening, you will enjoy a traditional sumptuous buffet prepared especially for you.

Day 2: Bastogne, the Historical Ardennes

In order to commemorate the last German offensive and the historical siege of the city of Bastogne, the Bastogne Historical Center has installed in its star-shaped building, two reconstruction scenes, an American one and a German one, which allow visitors to relive, with realism and a lot of details, moments of the battle and the soldiers's daily life.

All the exhibited equipment, vehicles, weapons and uniforms are authentic and belonged to the American and German divisions, which were involved in the battle. The movie was produced from unique archives and from the best extracts of films shot during the Battle of the Bulge by the Germans as well as by the Americans. This exceptional document plunges you into the very heart of the offensive.

We will also visit the Mardasson monument that stands as a token of gratitude by the Belgian population for the liberation of the country by the American Army and the allies. By erecting this monument they wanted to remember the young Americans who came to liberate Belgium at the cost of their own lives.

We will also walk through Bastogne where genuine WWII tanks can still be seen on the streets.

Day 3: The Royal city of Brussels and Chocolate Tasting

It was in Brussels in 1912 that the first praline was made by filling an empty chocolate shell with a rich, intense center. Although the technique has been copied all over Europe, Belgium's chocolate emporia (over 2000 specialty Belgian chocolate shops) are still the place to taste the very best of the real thing. In spite of all the cheap chocolate bars in the world, Belgian connoisseurs will accept only the finest, purest chocolate.

Olfactory and tasty delights are on the program. A visit to the chocolate museum in Brussels will include the demonstration of a chocolate master and the possibility of sampling various chocolate delights.

Brussels, the bilingual capital of Belgium, is renowned for its architecture (medieval, Gothic, Art Nouveau and Art Déco), the Grand Place, the royal palace, its pubs and its expensive boutiques. The Grand Place, (an old market square surrounded by buildings from 16th - 18th centuries) with its Golden Gothic facades is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe.

Have lunch in the "Rue des Bouchers" where restaurants cook French fries and mussels 300 different ways.

Brussels is also the home of the world-famous Manneken Pis statue. At the moment he has a wardrobe of more than 600 costumes (including an Elvis Presley and a Mickey Mouse costume).

Day 4: Biking Along the Canals and Traditional Village Festival

Morning:
There is nothing quite like biking through Belgium with its contrasting landscape of flatlands in Flanders and rolling hills in Wallonia. We will take an easy bike ride along romantic canals between quaint towns, outdoor cafés and incredible restaurants.

Afternoon:
Centuries of tradition make for great festivals. Belgium is home to hundreds of festivals, pageants and carnivals throughout the year. In fact, it would be difficult to find a time in Belgium when there isn't some kind of organized revelry taking place. A feeling of belonging together and conviviality are essential characteristics of Belgian folklore and traditions. The summer celebrations are occasions to showcase this heritage which is internationally recognized and locally still very much alive: food, music, bands, costumes will wind their way through the streets.

Far from the tourist areas, you will have a chance to meet the locals in Haccourt, the tiny village Jackie once called home: admire the picturesque costume parade, enjoy the joyful music bands and food stands with French fries and beers, all in typical Belgian style.

Day 5: Bruges, the Venice of the North

© Toerisme Brugge

This splendid medieval city is one of Belgium's crown jewels and is largely considered one of the most beautiful towns in Europe. In no other European city are the look and feel of medieval times so present as here in this city close to the North Sea.

The historic downtown of Bruges has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. In 2002, Bruges was designated the 'cultural capital of Europe'.

We cannot visit Bruges without a boat ride on the peaceful canals with delightful views of medieval Flemish mansions.

We will also visit the "Diamantmuseum Brugge", the only diamond museum in the world performing daily diamond polishing demonstrations. We will attend the demonstration performed with antique manufacturing equipment, as it was done at the beginning of this century. You will have the opportunity to buy fine diamond jewelry at different prices.

Enjoy a walk in a car-free environment in the most perfectly preserved medieval town in Europe: from the quaint Beguinage quarters to the impressive Grand Place or the various art museums displaying the famous Flemish paintings.

Admire the sculpture "Madonna and Child" in The Church of Our Lady (the Europe's highest brick tower): it is believed to be the only Michelangelo's sculptures to have left Italy within his lifetime.

We will spend the night in a hotel by the beach (30 min from Bruges). At night, you will be rocked by the soothing sound of the North sea.

Day 6: The Famous Dune Beaches by the North Sea Shoreline

All along the sandy beaches of Belgium, a boardwalk is alive with outdoor cafes, shops, bikers, rollerbladers and strange vehicles known as cuistax (ask the locals what it means!). That will be the perfect time for ice cream, a Belgian waffle, a beer at the beach café or to ride the cuistax or a bike on the boardwalk.

We will also attend the annual Sand Sculptures Festival: the sculpture can be a castle, a human, animal, plant or a fantasy form. You will be amazed how gorgeous some sand sculptures can be.

Day 7: Beer Tasting

Morning:
A tour of Belgium would not be complete without tasting the equally famous Belgian beer. Belgium is a top visit for beer fanatics from all over the world. No fewer than four hundred different types of Belgian beers do pose an "embarrass du choix": Try the local beers of Brussels Gueuze or fruit beer (cherry beer, raspberry beer, peach beer ) or a wonderful Trappist beer, made in one of the Abbeys of Belgium. Be careful when drinking a Trappist beer. These beers tend to be very strong (between 8 and 11.5 percent of alcohol !!).

You will experience the art of brewing as well as the taste of Belgian beers during our guided tour of a family-owned brewery in Namur.

Afternoon:
After relaxing by the swimming pool at the guesthouse, we will take a gentle hike with Alain, the guesthouse owner, an ornithologist and naturalist who will be pleased to provide explanations on the local fauna and flora. He and his wife paint kitchen décor on ceramic wall tiles. The guesthouse is decorated with their work.

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast, we will drive you to the Brussels airport.

Accommodations

For a description of the guesthouse, visit our Accommodations page.

Dates

August 22-29, 2008 (women only)

Rate

$2,590 per person (land cost)

Includes

Brussels airport pick-up and drop-off
A champagne and hors-d'oeuvres reception
6 nights at our Belgian farmhouse
1 night in a hotel by the North Sea
All breakfasts and 5 dinners
Transportation in a comfortable van
A personal bilingual chauffeur/guide throughout the week
Cold soft drinks, bottled water and snacks during day trips
Wine and local product tasting
Entrance fees to all sites on the tour
Cold soft drinks, bottled water and snacks during day trips
A free Paris planner for a self guided visit in Paris: suggestions of hotels, restaurants and places to visit

Excludes

Flights to and from Belgium
Lunches
2 dinners
Optional activities (those not described in the itinerary)
Personal expenses and tipping

Don't be a tourist, be our guest. Discover France another way.