Culture and Traditions of Belgium
You can choose the cultural
tour or the painting tour:
Cultural Tour
40% off on the August trip
Let us introduce you to the amazing diversity of Jackie's native
country.
We 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,
cookie making, village festivals) and wonderful sceneries and
architecture.
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© ToerismeBrugge -
cel fotografie Stad Brugge |
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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 and Visit of Durbuy
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We will pick you up at the Brussels airport and we will drive
you to your home in Durbuy, the smallest town in the world,
where you will be able to relax.
We will take a walk in this charming town, listed one of the
most beautiful towns in Belgium. After a welcome reception and
orientation meeting, you will have your first Belgian dinner.
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Day 2: Battle of the Bulge and Meeting with a Survivor
Morning: Battle of the Bulge Museum
We will visit the museum of the Bulge at the Bastogne Historical
Center which will allow you to relive, with realism and a lot
of details, moments of the battle and of the American soldiers's
daily life.
We will also watch a movie shot during the Battle of the Bulge.
It will plunge you into the very heart of the offensive.
We will then visit the Mardasson monument, a token of gratitude
from the Belgian population to the American Army and the allies.
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Afternoon: American Cemetery and Meeting with a Woman Survivor of
WWII
We will visit the biggest American cemetery in Belgium. The 90-acre
cemetery contains the graves of 5,329 of US soldiers, many of whom died
in the 1944 Ardennes winter offensive (Battle of the Bulge).
After
this emotional visit, we will spend some time with a woman, survivor
of the war, who will open her house to us. She will share with us moving
stories about her life during the battle, over a cup of coffee and cakes.
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Day 3: Cookie Workshop and Local Festival
Morning: Cookie Making Workshop
Speculoos are very popular Belgian cookies. A pastry chef
will teach you all the secrets on how to make delicious speculoos
and then each of you willl make some speculoos under his supervision.
The classroom is located in a bread museum, in a castle that
we will visit while the speculoos are baking in the oven. This
is a journey back in time; a mill from the 18th century, hundreds
of speculoos and bread molds, etc...
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Afternoon: Local Festival
Belgium is home to hundreds of festivals, pageants and carnivals throughout
the year. A feeling of belonging together and conviviality are essential
characteristics of Belgian folklore and traditions.
Far from the tourist areas, you will have a chance to meet the locals
in Hermalle, the tiny village Jackie once called home: food, music,
bands, costumes will wind their way through the streets.
Day 4: Chocolate Tasting and Citadel of Dinant
Morning: Chocolate Tasting
On that day, we will leave our guesthouse in Durbuy and head off
for the one near Brugge. On the way, we will stop by a local chocolate
maker.
It was in Belgium that the first praline was made by filling an
empty chocolate shell with a rich, intense center. Olfactory and
tasty delights are on the program. The chocolate master will make
pralines in front of us and we will then sample various chocolate
delights. |
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Afternoon: Citadel of Dinant
Immerse yourself in History in the citadel perched high over the Meuse
valley. The museum and its reconstructions take you back in time to
see what life was like under the shadow of these walls: under Louis
XIV and during WWI.
After your visit, the cable-car will take you to the center of Dinant.
Alternatively,
you may choose to walk down the incredible 408-step stairway carved
into the rocks !
Make sure to try the "couques", the cookie from Dinant.
Evening:
We will settle down in our new home for the rest of the week, in the
cute village of Damme, next to Brugges in the West of Belgium.
Day 5: Bruges, the Venice of the North
We will take a boat from our village to Bruges. That is a very scenic
drive along the canals and mills.
© 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 will take a guided 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.
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Afternoon: Free time to explore more of Bruges. There
is so much to do!
Bruges is the capital of lace. Visit the workshop of lace
making or take a boat ride on the peaceful canals with delightful
views of medieval Flemish mansions.
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Visit one of the various art museums displaying the famous
Flemish paintings, the first 13th century hospital, the Church
of Our Lady (the Europe's highest brick tower) with the sculpture
"Madonna and Child", the only Michelangelo's sculptures
to have left Italy within his lifetime or simply have a drink
at the terrace of a cafe, watching people go by.
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Day 6: Mills and Dune Beaches by the North Sea
Morning: Mills in Damme
Free time. Damme is one of the cutest village in Belgium.
You can rent a bike (very easy bike ride) or walk from the guesthouse
to Damme along romantic canals, barges, between quaint towns,
outdoor cafés and mills.
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Afternoon: Sand 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 have dinner by the beach to see the sunset.
Day 7: The Royal City of Brussels
Morning: Guided
Walk in the Heart of 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. |
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Afternoon: Free Time for shopping
or museums
Since this is your last day, you will probably have some shopping to
do. You can find everything in Brussels, from cheap shops to luxurious
boutiques. If you are not a shopper, there are plenty of museums to
choose from. You can also buy some chocolates at the famous Newhaus
chocolate maker regarded as number one in Belgium.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, we will drive you to Brussels airport.
For more pictures, visit
our photogallery and for travel stories from our guests with pictures
and info about Belgium, visit
our blog.
Accommodations
Two luxury guesthouses: one in Wallonia and one in the Flanders
Both accommodations are very charming, quaint and luxurious at the
same time.
The guesthouse in Wallonia is situated in the picturesque village
of Warre, on the heights of Durbuy, the smallest town in the world.
Around the ancient farmhouse and its outbuildings, meadows and woodland
fall away towards the river over more than 37 acres. Each bedroom
has its full bathroom and a TV.
The guesthouse in Flanders is only 7 miles from Brugges. The quaint
guesthouse has a beautiful sun room where we will take our breakfasts
and a big living room with a grand piano. It has 11 rooms, each with
radio and TV, and full bathroom. You will be able to relax either
in the open air swimming pool or in the hot tub.
Dates & Rates
- August 14-21, 2009 for the Painting
trip
- August 22-29, 2009 for the cultural trip:
Special promo: 40% off: $2,100
instead of $3,490 (8 guests) +$450 for single room
Email us
Includes
- Brussels airport pick-up and drop-off
- A welcome reception
- 3 nights at our guesthouse in Wallonia
- 4 nights at our guesthouse in Damme
- All breakfasts and 3 dinners
- Transportation in a comfortable van
- A personal bilingual chauffeur/guide throughout the week
- Cold soft drinks, bottled water and snacks during day trips
- Entrance fees to all sites on the tour
Excludes
- Flights to and from Belgium
- Lunches
- 4 dinners
- Optional activities (those not described in the itinerary)
- Personal expenses and tipping
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