Belgium, easily accessible from the UK and perfect for a short break,
is a land of contrasts. The bustling cosmopolitan city of
Brussells,
the great port of
Antwerp,
the medieval gem that is
Bruges,
are perhaps best known, but
Mons,
Tournai,
Ghent,
Liege and
Ypres
all have something to offer. The flat lands of the north give way to rolling hills
and woods which in turn rise to the lovely and unspoilt Ardennes region, perfect
for walking cycling and canoeing amongst deep valleys and wooded hilltops. In the
far south east is the lovely Duchy of
Luxembourg,
where the hills of the Ardennes extend to the outskirts of the city, which is well
worth visiting in itself.
Map of Eastern Belgium
Towns and places of interest in Belgium and Luxembourg:
Click the place names to book hotels at great prices.
The
Ardennes comprise almost half of Belgium. Beautiful wooded hillsides plunge
into deep ravines riddled with caves. Small towns and villages shelter under steep
hillsides. Rivers wind their way through undulating countryside. Wonderful walks
are everywhere, never difficult but always rewarding. Canoeing, boating and mountain-biking
are popular, and cross-country skiing in winter.
Namur
is the gateway to the very lovely western Ardennes. The town is dominated by a magnificent
citadel - reached by cable car - posesses some good museums, and the narrow streets
close to the river house some excellent restaurants and lively bars. Near the town
is the Abbaye de Floreffe. Travel by boat from Namur to
Dinant,
surrounded by steep cliffs and with a citadel of its own. Enjoy the wild scenery
of the nearby river Lesse by canoe, or visit
Rochefort,
situated amongst perhaps the most beautiful scenery in the Ardennes with ample opportunity
for walking, canoeing and mountain-biking.
La
Roche-en-Ardennes is a beautiful and romantic town, topped by a ruined castle
and surrounded by hills. Good restaurants and bars make this an excellent base for
the wonderful countryside around, where all levels of walking, mountain-biking and
canoeing take place. Further southwest is
St
Hubert, deep in the forest and an excellent centre for easy walking. Visit
the nearby Euro Space Centre and the Parc a Gibier animal park.
Bouillon,
close to the French border, has a superb castle, an interesting museum, several
decent restaurants, and is a great centre for exploring the wild and lovely Semois
valley and wooded hills. The forests and hills continue all the way to the border
with Luxembourg.
Liege
is a large industrial city but is the gateway to the eastern Ardennes, the main
town being
Stavelot,
with pretty streets and an abbey. Here also is
Spa,
supposedly the first health resort in the world. Further east is the Hautes Fagnes,
a wild and open heathland plateau.
Luxembourg is more than just its city. The rocky hills of the Ardennes extend
into the Duchy, and there are more than 130 chateaux and castles. The scenery is
lovely, ranging from the Ardennes to the gentler slopes of the river Moselle
in the southeast, flanked with vineyards. Luxembourg city enjoys a spectacular setting,
straddling the green gorges of two rivers. Visit the Old Town on the upper plateau
and enjoy the sturdy ruins of its fortifications. Descend by elevator or steps to
the valley floor. Eat at the many good restaurants and take in the lively clubs
and bars.