Page 16 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

14  INTRODUCING BEL GIUM AND L UXEMBOURG

Two Weeks in Belgium Park (p125), an area of low-lying
and Luxembourg dunes and tidal ponds favoured
by migratory birds.
• Arriving Arrive at Bruges
station by interna tional Day 3: The Battlefields of
train or local service from Western Flanders
Brussels. Depart from Drive back along the coast to
Brussels by air or by train. Koksijde (p127), taking in the
A car and driver are ruins of the 12th-century Ter
essential for this trip. Doest abbey, before heading
• Book ahead In summer, to Ypres (p128), which makes a
many of the top-range hotels good base for a trip to Flanders‘s
in Belgium, especially in the World War I battlefields. While in
countryside, are full at week- town, visit the In Flanders Fields
ends. Hence, it is advisable Museum (p128) as well as the
to reserve in advance. Menin Gate (p128), a moving
tribute to the fallen soldiers.
Afterwards, drive out of town Rows of grave stones at the Tyne Cot
Day 1: Bruges to see the impressive Memorial Cemetery near Ypres
One of Europe’s greatest medieval at Passchendale (p131), the large
towns, Bruges (pp112–121) Commonwealth Cemetery at charming streets and squares –
warrants a full day’s exploration. Tyne Cot (p130) and Hill 62 especially the Grand Place
Begin at the town’s main square, (p131) – where original trenches (p184) – is a joy.
the Markt (p112), which is lined are preserved.
with fine houses and overlooked Day 5: Tournai to Charleroi
by the majestic Belfort (p112). To extend your trip… Travel east from Tournai to
Next, check out the Stadhuis Spend two days in Ypres visit the three great Wallonian
(p113) – thought to be the oldest (p128) to explore the monu- châteaux: the Château de
Town Hall in Belgium – before ments, museums and ceme- Beloeil (p190), Château d’Attre
heading for the Groeninge teries across the World War I (p189) and the Château de
Museum (pp118–119), home to Battlefields (pp130–31). Seneffe (p191). Spend the rest
a fantastic collec tion of art by of the day finding out about
early Flemish and Dutch masters. Belgium’s industrial past, with
Day 4: Into Wallonia Charleroi (p191) as your base.
Day 2: Along the North Drive east to Kortrijk (p129) to Pop in at the Le Bois du Cazier
Sea Coast see a fine collection of paintings (p191), a fascinating industrial
Head north towards Knokke- in the Broelmuseum (p129), heritage centre, before visiting
Heist (p124), which is among the housed in an 18th-century the Écomusée Regional du
most chic of Belgium’s coastal mansion. Next, head south into Centre (p192) that tells the story
resorts. Start off with a leisurely Wallonia to the town of Tournai of coal mining in Belgium.
amble down its promenade, (pp184–8), one of Belgium’s oldest
packed with great boutiques settlements. The main attraction Day 6: Waterloo to Namur
and restaurants. Later, visit the here is the superb Cathédrale Leave Charleroi early and drive
Sincfala Museum (p124) to learn Notre-Dame (pp186–7), whose to Waterloo (pp200–201), site
about the history of the Zwin treasury hosts a magnificent of the famous battle in 1815.
region. Devote the afternoon collection of religious art. Stop by the excellent Battlefield
to exploring the Zwin Natuur But simply strolling the town’s Visitors’ Centre, 3 km (2 miles)
southeast of the town, and,
later, climb to the top of the
Butte du Lion (p201) memorial
to survey the entire battlefield.
From Waterloo, head southeast
to Namur (pp206–207) to see its
impressive Citadelle (p206) and
the Baroque Église St-Loup (p207).
Stop by the Musée Provincial des
Arts Anciens (p206) to browse
through its collection of sculp-
tures, armour and paintings.
Day 7: The Meuse Valley
Head south from Namur along
the Meuse Valley to Dinant
Imposing Wallonian Château de Beloeil overlooking the artificial lake (p209), home to an impressive
For practical information on travelling around Belgium & Luxembourg, see pp324–5

010-015_EW_Belgium.indd 14 18/10/16 3:00 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Country itinerary template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.1)
Date 21st March 2014
Size 125mm x 217mm