Page 308 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

306  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Horse riding through the undulating landscape at Oostduinkerke
Golf obtained from the Ministry of are also available at Tessenderlo,
There are several excellent golf Environment to climb in the near Diest (see p166–7).
courses in Belgium, such as the best-known area – Müllerthal,
Royal Zoute Club in Knokke. near Berdorf (see p254).
For Wallonia, these are listed by Skiing
the Association Francophone When winter coats the higher
de Golf Belge. The governing Horse Riding and parts of the Ardennes with snow,
body of the sport is the Royal Horse Racing Belgians reach for their skis. There
Belgian Golf Federation. There is plenty of opportunity are several centres geared up for
Luxembourg has six major golf for riding in both these countries, this sport. Some have lifts for
courses, including Golf-Club with stables scattered all over downhill skiing, but cross-country
Grand-Ducal, 7 km (4 miles) the region. Many rural B&Bs skiing is the primary pursuit. The
from the capital city. Information provide riding facilities, and main ski areas are in the east and
is available from the Fédération some can even stable their south: around Spa, in the Cantons
Luxembourgeoise de Golf. guests’ horses. There is a good de l’Est and in the Hautes Fagnes.
network of accommodation Tobogganing, snow-shoeing and
linked by routes for riders. This is skidooing are popular at
Tennis run by L’Association Wallonne Bastogne, Martelange, Bouillon
Belgium’s two former great de Tourisme Equestre. Other and St-Hubert. In Luxembourg,
tennis stars, Justine Henin and important riding associations cross-country skiing is found in
Kim Clijsters, have made this are the Fédération Belge des the north, at places such as
game particularly popular, and Sports Equestres, Fédération Weiswampach, Asselborn and
there are numerous outdoor Francophone d’Equitation and Hosingen. Ardenne Tourisme
and indoor courts throughout Fédération Luxembourgeoise has a website with information
the country. The top-ranking de Sports Equestres. on snow conditions.
Proximus Diamond Games, an Horse racing takes place at
international ladies tournament, Oostende – the Hippodrome
takes place in Antwerp in Wellington hosts the Grand Ice-Skating
February. The umbrella organiza- Prix Prince Rose in July. The During very cold winters, the
tions for tennis in Belgium and Great Flanders Steeple Chase canals and ponds freeze over,
Luxembourg are the Fédération takes place at Waregem in and become ideal for skating.
Royale Belge de Tennis and the August. The Hippodrome de In December, towns such as
Fédération Luxembourgeoise Wallonie at Mons is also a key Brussels, Antwerp and Bruges,
de Tennis respectively. racing venue. The Jockey Club create ice rinks in their central
de Belgique has details. squares as part of their
Christmas market attractions.
Rock-Climbing Skaters can also go to indoor
The rivers of the Ardennes have Railbikes rinks year-round, for example
carved out some dramatic gorges, Old Western comedy films fea- at Namur, Charleroi or Liège.
with the result that rock-climbing ture wheeled handcars moved
and mountaineering (alpinisme by pumping a pivoted double
in French) present rewarding handle. Visitors can now do the Motor-Racing
challenges. The best sites are in same with pedal-powered rail- Formula 1 Grand Prix motor racing
the valleys of the rivers Meuse bikes (draisines in French) on takes place at the circuit in Spa-
and Ourthe: the Club Alpin Belge some disused railway lines. These Francorchamps (see p228). This is
provides information. Pot-holing, family-sized Railbikes of the considered by many aficionados
another hill pursuit, is overseen by Molignée can be rented near to be one of the most challenging
the Union Belge de Spéléologie. Maredsous (see p210), for circuits tracks. The race is held over a
In Luxembourg, a permit must be of up to 14 km (8 miles). Railbikes weekend in early September.

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm