Let us introduce you to the amazing diversity of Jackie's (the
founder of this company) native country.
We will escort you on day trips to help you discover not only
the delicious specialties of chocolate, beer, waffles,
French fries and mussels but also the Belgian traditions
of lace making and cookie making. You will
be treated to beautiful scenery and grand architecture.
From the lowlands of Flanders to the rolling hills of Ardennes,
from the 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 and we will drive
you to your home in Dinant, where you will be able to relax.
We will take a walk in this charming town, listed as
one of the most beautiful towns in Belgium. After a
welcome reception and orientation meeting, you will have your
first Belgian dinner.
Day 2: Battle of the Bulge and Meeting with a Survivor
Morning: Battle of the Bulge Museum
T he Battle of the Bulge museum at the Bastogne Historical
Center will allow you to relive moments of the battle
and a day in the life of an American soldier.
The movie shot during the Battle of the Bulge
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.
Afternoon: Meeting a Woman Survivor of WWII
After this emotional visit, we will spend some time with a woman, a
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.
Day 3: Cookie Workshop
Speculoos are very popular Belgian cookies. A pastry chef
will teach you all the secrets of how to make delicious speculoos
and then each of you will make speculoos under
his supervision.
The workshop is located in a bread museum 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, ...
Day 4: Chocolate Tasting and Citadel of Dinant
Morning: Chocolate Tasting
On that day, we will leave our hotel and head off for the one
near Bruges. 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 chocolates are on the program. The chocolate
master will make pralines in front of us and
we will then sample various chocolate delights.
Afternoon: Historical citadel of Dinant and boat ride on the Meuse river
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!
A boat ride on the Meuse river will give you wonderful
views of the city. You'll be able to drive the boat yoruself. Very fun.
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
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 do medieval times feel so present as they
do 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.
Lace is one of the
specialties in Bruges. We will attend a lace making demonstration
by Anya who learnt how to make lace since she was 6.
You will also have some free time to explore more of Bruges.
There is so much to do! Visit one of the various art museums
displaying the famous Flemish paintings, the
first 13th century hospital, the Church of Our Lady with the
sculpture "Madonna and Child," the only one of Michelangelo's
sculptures to have left Italy within his lifetime.
Take a guided tour of the last brewery in Bruges
that, of course, includes a tasting of their beers. Or simply
have a drink at the terrace café and watch people go
by.
We will then take a boat ride on the peaceful canals
with delightful views of medieval Flemish mansions.
Day 6: Mills and Dune Beaches by the North Sea
Morning: Bike or walk the canals to
Holland
This morning is yours to do whatever you like. Damme,
located 3 miles from our hotel, is one of the cutest villages
in Belgium.
You can rent a bike at the hotel for a very easy and
beautiful bike ride (or walk) along romantic canals
with its barges, between quaint towns, outdoor cafés and
wind mills. In less than 45 min, you will be in Holland.
Afternoon: Sand Dune Beaches by the North
Sea Shoreline
All along the sandy beaches of Belgium, the
boardwalk is alive with outdoor cafes, shops, cyclists, 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, a café or a chance 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 Deco).
The royal palace, its pubs and its expensive boutiques are not
to be missed.
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.
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. There are also plenty of museums to visit. Make sure to buy
some chocolates at the famous Newhaus chocolate maker regarded as number
one in Belgium or taste one of the 2000 belgian beers.
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 family-owned hotels: one in Wallonia and one in the Flanders
Both accommodations are very charming, quaint and luxurious at the
same time.
In Wallonia, we will be staying in a 3 star charming hotel, very
comfortably renovated and ideally located in the small village of
Dinant, the heart of Begium. Itis well known for its wonderful restaurant.
The hotel has a dining room, a big living room and a huge garden.
All 12 bedrooms have a private bathroom with TV.
The hotel in Flanders is only 7 miles from Brugges. This charming
hotel 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 flat
screen TV, mini-bar and full bathroom. You will be able to relax either
in the open air swimming pool or in the hot tub.
Watch our video about the accommodations
Dates & Rates
Aug 22-29, 2013: $200 off before
Jan 31st so price is $2,790
After Jan 31st: $2,990 (+ $550 for single room)
Includes
Brussels airport pick-up and drop-off at a specific time
A welcome reception
All nights
All breakfasts and 4 dinners including drinks
Transportation in a comfortable van
A personal bilingual chauffeur/guide throughout the week (born
and raised in Belgium)
Entrance fees to all sites on the tour
Excludes
Flights to and from Belgium
Lunches and 3 dinners (we will go with you for those meals)
Drinks
Optional activities (those not described in the itinerary)
