Historical Highlights Of Southern Belgium And Ardennes

After our pick ups we drive to Dover for our short ferry crossing to Calais. On arrival in Calais we continue through France into Belgium and to Bastogne and our fabulous hotel, located right in the heart of the town.

Today we enjoy a morning visit to stunning Durbuy with its stone houses and cobbled streets, clifftop views over the town and Ourthe River Valley, the half-timbered Halle au Blé and nearby, Confiturerie Saint-Amour produces artisan jams. We also include a visit to the impressive Topiary Park. In the afternoon we visit La Roche-en-Ardenne - a pretty historic town with a ruined castle, picturesque bridges, cobblestone streets and cliff faces on the banks of the River Ourthe.

A morning journey on the famous Three Valleys Steam Railway, travelling to Treignes. On arrival, we visit the excellent Steam Railway Museum which houses trains spanning over 130 years. Go back in time onboard an authentic steam train and travel through the Three Valleys with their incredible landscapes. Starting from Mariembourg, the train goes via Nismes, Olloy-sur-Viroin and Vierves-sur-Viroin to reach Treignes, the last station before the French border where the railway museum is located. In the afternoon we enjoy a relaxing cruise on the River Meuse from Dinant to Freÿr.

Today we offer an optional excursion to the pretty town of Lessines - a small town located in the province of Hainaut in Belgium. Later we enjoy a fabulous guided tour of the medieval Hospital of our Lady of the Rose. Gain an amazing insight into the history of medicine at one of Europe's oldest hospitals. £35

Today focuses on the Battle of Waterloo with a morning visit to the Memorial 1815 Museum, Panorama and Lion Mount. One of the best new museums at Waterloo is the fantastic new underground Visitor Centre adjacent to the Panorama. After time for lunch in Waterloo town visit the Wellington Museum and Hougoumont Farm.

Today, after breakfast we start our journey towards home. En route we stop for some of those all important Belgium Chocolates before returning to Calais and onto the ferry for our return.

Ideally situated in the centre of Bastogne (Arden) in a pleasant and residential area, the Hotel Melba offers you absolute quietness, so that your stay is very pleasant. On top of the setting you will receive comfort from a world-international hotel and efficient service. Private carpark, lift facilities for disabled persons, fitness room, sauna, solarium and a seminar room is at the customers' disposal. Bastogne, Nuts-city, Paris-en-Ardennes, is a dynamic town with 300 shops even open on Sunday. All the ensuite bedrooms feature a flat screen TV, hairdryer, radio, free WiFi, ironing and tea/coffee making facilities.