History & Heritage of the Belgian Ardennes

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 – Namur

Board our private executive coach at your designated pick up points – take the cross Channel ferry from your preferred port – continue to Namur and check in to the 3* Ibis Styles Hotel.  

Day 2 – Fortress of Sedan & Bouillon Castle

The Fortress of Sedan, completed in 1424 by Evrard de La Marck, the first Prince of Sedan, is the largest medieval fortress in Europe – with its stunning vaulted rooms and maze of underground galleries, Bouillon Castle overlooking the River Semois is one of the oldest and most impressive feudal buildings in Belgium.

Day 3 – Durbuy & Topiary Park

Durbuy is the smallest city in the world and during a walking guided tour there is the opportunity to taste local products including cheese, beer, charcuterie, pralines and jam – the Topiary Park at Durbuy covers one hectare and is home to over 250 plants and clipped hedges depicting animal and human figures.

Day 4 – Caves of Han & Bastogne War Museum

Guided tour of the Caves of Han begins with a nostalgic tram journey to the entrance of one of the most beautiful caves in Europe with highlights of the caves being the gigantic Hall of the Dome and the Hall of the Draperies – the Bastogne War Museum focuses on the Second World War from its origins up to autumn 1944, specifically focusing on the Battle of the Bulge.

Day 5 – La-Roche-en-Ardenne guided tour

A guided tour of La-Roche-en- Ardenne on board the Petit Train this morning contemplates the Battle of the Bulge which during a heavy bombing of the city between 21st December 1944 and 11th January 1945 resulted in the death of 114 people and the destruction of 350 houses – afternoon at leisure in La- Roche-en-Ardenne where you may choose to explore the remains of the feudal castle dating back to the 9th century.

Day 6 – Gardens of Annevoie

The classical Gardens of Annevoie, designed and laid out between 1758 and 1776 by Charles-Alexis de Montpellier, blend French 17th century rigour with English fantasy and Italian charm and are widely regarded as one of the best gardens in Belgium – continue for our Channel crossing back to the UK and then return to our original departure points with comfort stops en route.

Tour Features

Half board accommodation

All excursions & guided tours included

Professional tour manager

Executive coach throughout

Return P&O Ferries Channel crossings

One free place per 10 paying passengers

Namur

Fortress of Sedan

Bouillon Castle

Durbuy

Topiary Park

Caves of Han - guided tour

Bastogne War Museum

La-Roche-en-Ardenne - guided tour

Gardens of Annevoie

Hotel

Five nights on half board basis at the 3* Ibis Styles Hotel on the outskirts of Namur. Facilities at the hotel include a restaurant and bar. All rooms are en suite.

Tailor-make this tour

Your tailor made tour

Here are some more suggested places of interest:

  • Canal du Centre - cruise on the Canal followed by a visit to the UNESCO listed Hydraulic Boat Lifts built at the beginning of the 19th century
  • Château de Jehay - distinguished by its famous checkerboard patterned walls, the Château is a stunning, rare example of Mosane Renaissance style from the mid-16th century
  • Caves of Remouchamps - first opened to the public in 1912, the hall was occupied by Palaeolithic hunters 8,000 years ago and a boat trip glides without a sound along a winding subterranean river

Tour Reviews

Reviews for History & Heritage of the Belgian Ardennes

Date of tour: September 2015

An excellent trip. We have all come back enthused and refreshed, though many are saying they can’t remember which cathedral goes with which town! It was a very packed visit, but it was a taster of the locations. The journeys both ways were good. The driver was excellent friendly and unfazed and his driving was smooth and efficient. Terence, our tour manager, was his usual excellent self. The hotel was excellent and enjoyed by everyone. It was well situated and the evening meal was good. The staff were very friendly helpful and accommodating. The breakfasts were superb especially with a fresh orange squeezing machine! All in all one of our best trips, and the patience and efficient support of Becca in your office was key.

JB, Bishop’s Cleeve

Date of tour: September 2013

Thank you for wonderfully organised trip last week. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute and saw a good deal that I had not seen before. I do hope that you did not feel in any daunted by the presence of someone who had lived in Antwerp for five years. All the credit is due to you but you were backed up by a great team. The coach arrangements were superb. Paul could not have been more obliging. The local guides were excellent too. I thought they all struck the right note in the galleries of talking in some detail about a few paintings, rather than rushing us through at three or four pictures per minute! I liked the hotel very much but found the attitude of the bar staff disappointing. Once again, thank you for all you did to make everything go well.

RK, Leamington Spa

Date of tour: June 2012

We got back from our Flemish Art Tour and Floriade trip on Friday evening and I must say that a wonderful time was had by all! All the arrangements went without a hitch: the Club Class on the ferry was a great success, our coach driver was patient and most caring of our safety and the hotel was lovely too. We enjoyed all we saw – we could have done with more time at Lille but I’m not sure how we could have fitted that in. I wanted to thank you very, very much for all the time and planning you put into our tour - overall it worked a treat and our party had a thoroughly good time.

MF, Bristol

Call us on
020 7064 4970
to tailor this tour
for your group

Tailor make your group tour

Remember this is just our suggestion. Every one of our tours is exclusively for your group and your group alone so each one can be tailor made to suit the interests and profile of your members. You could:

  • travel by Eurostar
  • stay at a 4* hotel
  • with less dinners included
  • for more (or fewer) days
  • include different excursions 
  • bring a specialist lecturer
  • include all entrance fees & gratuities

 

Call us on
020 7064 4970
to tailor make the perfect tour
for your group