Ardennes
‘Secret Chateaux & Gardens’
Mon 10th – Fri 14th May
5 days - £410
Namur is the Capital of Wallonia and the gateway to the Belgian Ardennes.
We stay in Bouillon and from here we visit such splendid Castles, Castle of Freyr and Les Jardins d’Annevoie, Castle of Beloeil and Castle Lavaux. This area is renowned for forest covered hills and peaceful valleys lined with riverside towns which remain beautifully un-spoilt. The Ardennes is one of Europe’s hidden gems.
Day 1 We depart early morning from your local pick up point and travel to Dover for our short sea crossing to Calais. We continue through France into Belgium to arrive at Bouillon for the next 4 nights.
Day 2 CASTLE OF BELOEIL Today we visit the Castle of Beloeil, a vast stately home of the Princes de Ligne, which began life as a medieval fortress and is now transformed into a beautiful country home. Also housing the finest French-style gardens dating from the 17th Century and measuring 25 hectares from the chateau at one end and a large statue of Neptune at the other. This afternoon we return to Bouillon where you have free time to browse or maybe visit the Castle here (This castle is not included in the price)
Day 3 FULL DAY ANNEVOIE & FREYR We travel towards the River Meuse this morning to visit Les Jardins d’Annevoie – a magnificent water garden consisting of a grand canal, a grotto and some twenty ornamental pools with fifty water jets, fountains and cascades. From here we go to visit Dinant one of the most enchanting small towns in the Ardennes and maybe have some lunch (not included), before travelling a little further south for our second garden visit at the Castle of Freyr. Also on the banks of the River Meuse, it features many orange trees and the gardens are in the style of Le Notre and are surrounded by mazes made of hornbeam hedges. Return to the hotel for the evening.
Day 4 CHATEAU DE LAVAUX We travel to the Castle of Lavaux Co Ste-Anne, a fortified castle dating from the 13th century. The castle is encircled by a moat, complete with round towers, keep, and a drawbridge. This magnificent castle has an impressive collection of stuffed animals, we have included a tour of the castle. Later in the day we visit Han-sur-Lesse there are underground caverns and if time allows you maybe be able to visit the underground grotto with their stalagmites and stalactites. Return to the hotel for the evening.
Day 5 Depart after breakfast for the journey back to Calais, making a stop in Arras on the way to the port. Arriving back in Chelmsford about 8.00pm
Holiday Includes
4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast
Entrance to Castle Beloeil, Freyr, Lavaux & Gardens at Annevoie
Return ferry crossing
Executive coach travel
Excursions as described
Currency Euro
Passports required
Hotel de la Poste, Bouillon ****
Tel: 0032 (0)61 465151
This 4 star hotel originally founded in 1730 is now fully restored but still offers the charm and atmosphere of the past but with all modern conveniences. Famous guests have included Emperor Napoleon III and Emile Zola. Located on the banks of the river Samois in the heart of Bouillon, all bedrooms offer full private facilities and amenities. There is a restaurant with gastronomic kitchen and brassiere.
The famous tourist town of Bouillon lies close to the French border, deep in the south of the Belgian province of Luxembourg. Already worth a visit for its beautiful surroundings around the river Semois, the town is most known for its fortified castle.
Price Per Person £410.00
Single Supplement £60.00
Riverside Room Supp £34.00
Travel Insurance £18.00
IGI Nil
