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Tourist information for Eastern Belgium:
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 Ieper 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:
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.
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