Day 1 - Travel via your preferred sea crossing to the Novotel Namur in Wepion located right on the river Meuse.
Day 2 - Annevoie Gardens & Dinant
This morning take the short journey to Annevoie for your included visit to
the refined 18th century water gardens. No machinery or pumps are used to make
the displays of graceful fountains and waterfalls that babble as you pass.
Continue to charming Dinant, beautifully situated on the River Meuse. Dominating
the town is the mighty citadel, built in the 11th century to overlook and control
the Meuse valley. Visit this fortress either by steep cable car ride or the
420-step stairway carved into the rock. Another must see is the bronze onion
domed cathedral of Notre Dame, built as a Romanesque church at the end of the
12th century. Time permitting take a round boat trip down the river, admiring
the pretty countryside as you go; a relaxing way to finish the day.
Day 3 - Durbuy & Han-sur-Lesse
Caves
Travel to the Topiary Park in Durbuy this morning. After admiring the
box hedging, cut into an array of clever shapes stroll over to the medieval
village. Most of the houses are built with the typical grey stone of the Ardennes
and in the milder months colourful flowers are displayed from the window boxes.
Continue after lunch to the caves of Han-sur -Lesse. A train will take you
to the entrance where the guide is waiting to accompany you through some of
the most impressive caverns in Europe. You will be led through 1.5 miles of
caverns and finally you will board a boat and emerge via an underground river.
Please note: People with walking difficulties should make themselves known
before boarding the train. There are many steps within the caves so some may
prefer to wait outside or take the train back again and spend time in the town.
Day
4 - Namur & Chateau de Modave
Visit Namur this morning, driving first up
to the citadel where a guide will give you a short introduction to Namur and
then escort you around the Parfumerie. Drive down to the town for some free time
to explore and shop, perhaps find a brasserie for lunch. Continue to Chateau
de Modave. Several castles have been built on this spot subsequently, but the
current building dates back to the late 17th century. The castle is in the middle
of a nature reserve and has about twenty richly decorated and furnished rooms.
Day 5 - Depart for the journey home via short sea crossing.