Belgium Walking & Cultural Adventure

Day One

We meet in the early afternoon in the lobby of our hotel in Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the country’s biggest city. Be prepared for our first walk, an 8.5 kilometer (5.3 mile) stroll through the streets of the city. We’ll see all the major highlights of the city, such as the UNESCO-listed Grand Palace, the silly but historic Manneken Pis statue, and the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. Enroute, we’ll stop at Maison Dandoy, a famous waffle shop operated by the Dandoy family since 1829 – that is almost 100 years of selling the light, crispy treats for which Belgium is known. This evening, we’ll dine in the city center on traditional Belgium cuisine, which often includes those magical frites (French Fries), which are fried once to cook the inside and then fried a second time to create that crispy outside, in the traditional method that makes them oh so delicious.

Walking Distance: 8.5 kilometers or 5.3 miles

Day Two

After breakfast at our hotel we will check out, walk to the train station, and transfer by train to Mechelen. Using the train is how most Europeans typically travel for short and medium distances and we will make use of this convenient mode of transportation, both for convenience and so we can do as the locals do. Arriving in Mechelen, we’ll take the bus two kilometers to our hotel to drop off our luggage and then embark on a 10.2 kilometer (6.3 mile) walk in this town. Never heard of Mechelen? This is one of the reasons we love visiting. Mechelen is a small city full of charm that is typically Belgium. We can climb the St. Rombouts Cathedral tower; sample local cheeses, coffee, and Belgium cookies along the way; and possibly take time to visit the Hof van Busleyden museum if we are so inclined. Dinner tonight is again at a Belgium restaurant in town.

Walking Distance: 10.2 kilometers or 6.3 miles

Day Three

Today we’ll change things up and do a “countryside” walk instead of a city walk. No need to pack as we’ll spend a second night in Mechelen. Instead, after breakfast we’ll transfer by bus to the town of Hombeek and do a walk of 10 – 12 kilometers (about six to seven miles). This will take us through forests and fields, along canals, and past small villages. We’ll be able to grab lunch in one of the local towns. In the afternoon, we’ll return to Mechelen and do a brewery tour at Het Anker followed by dinner in the brewery’s brasserie. One option for dinner is Mechelen’s famous Cuckoo chicken dishes.

Walking Distance: 10 – 12 Kilometers or 6 – 7 Miles

Day Four

Today is another move day so we’ll check out and use public transport (both bus and train) to reach the city of Dendermonde, about an hour’s journey away. Reaching the city, we’ll take a final bus into town to drop off luggage at our downtown hotel. Then it is off to see the town and the countryside. We’ll start with a visit of the gothic town hall, the historic cloth hall, and the belfry tower which we can climb for incredible views of the surrounding area. We’ll stroll along the Schelde river to the Vlassenbroekse Polder, a small village with an old and very cute St. Gertrude church, and continue on in the countryside to Baasrode where we’ll take a bus back to the Dendermonde train station. From the station we’ll walk a final 1.3 kilometers to our hotel, passing more of the essential sights of the city center such as the Kalendijk and the Brussels forts. Tonight you can dine on hearty Flemish stews or river fish dishes if you wish.

Walking Distance: 9 Kilometers or 5.6 Miles

Day Five

Today we’ll relieve ourselves of our luggage as we have it transferred to our next stop, the city of Gent. As our luggage is transferred, we’ll walk the 1.3 kilometers from our hotel to the train station and take the train 25 minutes to one of Belgium’s finest and most renowned cities. Gent (or Ghent) boasts a medieval skyline of towers and spires reflected in canals. Even the station in Gent (Gent-Sint-Pieters) is worth seeing but we’ll continue on from there with a walking of about seven kilometers seeing the highlights of the city. This includes Gravensteen Castle and the stunning St. Bavo’s Cathedral with its Van Eyck masterpiece but just as fun is hanging out in one of the many central squares and watching the Belgium people (and tourists) as they go about their daily business. You’ll have time to explore Gent a bit on your own for lunch or shopping and we’ll also stop to try some of the local delicacies, such as the cuberdon candy.

Walking Distance: 8.3 Kilometers or 5.1 Miles

Day Six

Again we don’t need to check out, so we’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a bit later start today. Once we get going, we’ll take bus number 12 to the town of Drongen, only about 20 minutes away, and walk along the Old Lyss river. We’ll continue our walk through the De Assels and Rasdambeekvallei nature preserves and take time to pass by Borluut Castle. Our walk is essentially two 5.5 kilometer loops connected by a little river ferry in the village of Afsnee. If cutting today’s distance in half sounds appealing, you can easily have a drink and bit while waiting for the group to finish the second loop. Gent is such an amazing city that we’ll be able to feast and celebrate our final night in Belgium by visiting one of the many excellent restaurants for dinner.

Walking Distance: 5.5 / 11 Kilometers or 3.4 / 6.8 Miles

Day Seven:

It is time to say goodbye but let’s make it a “sweet” one with a chocolate tasting at Holy Cow chocolates. Owners Luca and Ellen brew some delicious cocoa-based treats and if they are available we can do a tasting tailored for our group. It is then back to the hotel to check out before departing for your onward journey.