Great Belgium Beer Tour

Great Belgium Beer Tour

10 days – 9 nights

Brussels, Achel, Buggenhout, Bruges, West Vlaanderen, Pas-de-Calais, Province of Hainaut, Drie Fonteinen, Chimay, Bouillon, Meuse, Charmois, Stenay, Rarecourt, Orval, Bastogne, Houffalize

Fun, Beer & Wine, Gastronomy, Culture, History

This program may be operated for individual or for groups

Suggested Itinerary - Call us to customize this tour

Day 1: Brussels

Upon arrival at Brussels airport you’ll be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Brussels. The rest of the day is free. An optional dinner can be arranged for this evening.

Day 2: Brussels, Achel

First stop is the Trappist Abbey at Achel in Belgium to try some of their beers and also see the small brewery surrounded by glass. Lunch stop is at another Trappist monastery, Westmalle - watch a short film about the Trappist monastic way of life and enjoy their fine cheese washed down with some beer. Overnight. [B/L]

Day 3: Achel, Buggenhout, Bruges

Drive to Bosteels Brewery in Buggenhout in East Flanders for a tour of this amazing brewery followed by some of their excellent beer, Kwak and Triple Karmeliet on draught. Drive to Bruges. The rest of the day is yours to discover and stroll around this amazing historic town, rightly recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Later a beer dinner at Den Dyver, probably Belgium‘s premier restaurant for beer cuisine. Overnight. [B/D]

Day 4: Bruges, West Vlaanderen, Pas-de-Calais

Leave Bruges travelling across West Vlaanderen (West Flanders), an area steeped in history as well as some of the most diverse selection of beers in Belgium. After visiting Hill 62 and the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres, go onto Westvleteren Trappist Abbey to experience the beers, renowned for the label ’Best Beer in the World’. Great cheese as well. Have lunch at the Rohardushof, a typical Flanders cafe serving traditional Vlaams food. Then go over the border via Watou and into the Pas-de-Calais (French Flanders) region in France, famous for its Bière de Garde. Overnight. [B/L]

Day 5: Pas-de-Calais, Province of Hainaut, Brussels

Today go out of France and into the Province of Hainaut and to the brewery famous for its Saison beer, Brasserie Dupont. Have a tour here as well as some beer and excellent cheese after which go onto Roeselare and the renowned Rodenbach Brewery for a tour and tasting of the beers. Part of Belgium‘s history and probably the largest collection of oak barrels in the world. The ‘sweet and sour beers are pretty much unique in the world! Continue to Brussels. Overnight. [B]

Day 6: Brussels

Tour begins with a short walk to discover the heart of medieval Brussels in the famous Grand Place, with its world-famous Market Square. Next, see the beautiful St. Michael's Cathedral, the Congress Column, the Heysel district with the world-famous Atomium, the Chinese Pavilion and the Japanese Tower. Passing the Royal Residence, you'll return to the city center to see the Sablon district with its countless antique dealer shops. Tour continues with a drive to the magnificent Palace of Justice and fashionable Louise Square. Passing the stately Royal Square, the Royal Palace and the Houses of Parliament, you'll arrive in the Cinquantenaire district, with its Triumphal Arch, exceptional museums and splendid Art Nouveau houses particular highlights of this part of Brussels. You will also find yourself at the very heart of the European Union as you drive in front of the imposing EU buildings housing the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers. Overnight. [B]

Day 7: Brussels, Drie Fonteinen, Chimay, Bouillon

Leave the city as the tour continues through the rest of Wallonia. First stop today is Drie Fonteinen, an authentic beer brewery, great beers, great look around the brewery! Drive takes you to 4th Trappist monastery at Chimay where you will have a look around the Abbey and the grounds after which we go to the Auberge de Poteaupre for some beer, cheese and some lunch. After that go ahead to Bouillon - an ancient town, again nestled between hills on a curve of a river, famous for its castle and the original crusader, Godfrey of Bouillon. Overnight. [B/L]

Day 8: Bouillon, Meuse, Charmois, Stenay, Rarecourt

Travel into the region of the Upper Meuse river known as Pays de Meuse. Visit a beer museum, a chateau brewery, through the WW1 battlegrounds and to a farm brewery and finally back to Verdun. First stop is the Chateau Charmois, a gorgeous Chateau with a micro-brewery in the old converted cow shed. Then head up the road to the European Beer Museum in Stenay, an interesting museum dedicated to beer, also have lunch here washed down with a few of the local beers. A drive across the scenic landscape of Lorraine and reach the area well known from WW1 and the Battle of Verdun. Stop at the destroyed village of Vauquois after which head onto the Rarecourt farm brewery situated on the edge of this gorgeous village. This is an amazing farm brewery. Overnight. [B]

Day 9: Rarecourt, Orval, Bastogne, Houffalize

Start the day with a visit to the Zone Rouge area near Verdun with the chance to visit some WW1 battle sites. Then have a scenic drive through this region and then up into the Belgian Ardennes and the amazing Trappist monastery of Orval, probably the most historical of Belgium‘s 6 monastic breweries. See some serious history here, all the way from the early 1000‘s, the French Revolution and to its expansion from 1926 after donations from the De Harenne family secured its future. History is of little significance without the present and you soon find yourselves sitting down in the L‘Auberge Guardian for some Orval beer and excellent cheese. The drive continues to Bastogne where you can visit the largest American memorial in Europe, the Mardasson Memorial just outside the town. There is also the Bastogne Historical Centre (WW2). Then take the back roads to Houffalize and along the way see remnants of the severe fighting during Christmas of December 1944. Afterwards check into the 300-year old converted forgery La Vieille Forge, Mont. In the evening have a beer dinner- a 3-course meal cooked with beer. Overnight. [B/D]

Day 10: Houffalize, Brussels, USA

Depending on your flight schedule transfer to Paris airport (around 1:30 hours) to board your flight back to the USA. [B]

[B] = Breakfast

Tour includes

Private arrival and departure transfers
Assistance at airports
9 nights’ accommodation:
- Brussels – 3 nights
- Achel – 1 night
- Bruges – 1 night
- Pas-de-Calais – 1 night
- Bouillon – 1 night
- Rarecourt – 1 night
- Houffalize – 1 night
Meals:
- Breakfast daily
- 3 lunches
- 2 dinners
Visits of:
- Minnewater Bruges
- Beguinage In Bruges
- View of the Church Of Our Lady Bruges
- Trappist Abbey in Westmalle
- Bouillon Medieval Castle
- St. Michaels Cathedral Brussels
- Triumphal Arch Brussels
- Trappist Abbey in Chimay
- Godfrey of Bouillon Castle
- Chateau Charmois
- Beer Museum in Stenay
- Trappist monastery of Orval
- Mardasson Memorial
English speaking driver guide for individuals and families or courier guide for groups
Transport for A/C vehicle
Entrance fees for all sites visited
Hotel taxes
Porterage at airport and hotels

Optional Inclusions

International or Domestic airfares
Any taxes and surcharges relating to airfares
Lunches and dinners
Travel insurance
Wi-Fi at hotels

Not included in tour

Optional tours and activities
All alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
Other meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Extras and gratuities
Early check-in, late check-out (Most hotels begin check-in around 2:00pm).
Expenses of personal nature
Any service not specifically listed under "included"

Hotels

Category	Hotel Name	Tripadvisor
Superior Tourist Class
Achel	Villa Christina	4
Bruges	Bourgoensch Hof	4
Pas-de-Calais	Hotel Meurice	4
Bouillon	Le Ti 'Bout de Refuge	4.5
Rarecourt	Le Chantoiseau	4.5
Houffalize	Auberge du Relais Postal
First Class
Achel (Weert)	Hostellerie Munten	4
Bruges	Grand Hotel Casselbergh	4.5
Pas-de-Calais	La Matelote	4
Bouillon	De la Poste - Relais Napoleon III	4
Rarecourt (Verdun)	Les Jardins du Mess	5
Houffalize	Vayamundo	4
Deluxe
Achel (Maaseik)	Villa Reynaert	5
Bruges	Dukes' Palace	4.5
Pas-de-Calais	Chateau Cocove	4
Bouillon	Panorama	4.5
Rarecourt (Verdun)	Les Jardins du Mess	5
Houffalize	Vayamundo	4

Hotels will be confirmed at time of booking

Prices

Tour Prices:

These programs can be customized for individuals and groups.

Changes to this program may be requested by phone (1855-55-TOURS) or using the web FIT Quote Request

Airfare

We also be glad to add the necessary airfare from your gateway so you take advantage of our special discounted leisure fares

Program

You may add or remove;

- Trip days
- Cities and sites
- Meals
Other options
- The program was designed with private services however, we may substitute shared sightseeing where available
- If you prefer deluxe services we may operate this program including private driver, private guide and concierge service.

Quotation

Once we have designed the program the way you want we'll give you a quote within 2 business days.

Tour Code: BE02BRU20VT

Options

Lunches and dinners can be arranged for individuals, families and groups at top restaurants or any restaurant requested by you.
We can revise the itinerary to spend more time and provide more depth in those areas that you are interested on.
Any other changes to the itinerary will be accommodated depending on the facilities available in the area.

Group Quotations

If you wish to use these programs for your group or as the basis for a customized journey please either call us (1-855-55-TOURS or use the web Group Quote Request.
In either case our specialists will work with to refine all the details and they will get you a quote with 2 business days. Quotes may be obtained for the air and land portions of just for the lad journey.
Booking both air and land with us will represent savings for you because of our buying power and longtime relationship with the airlines.
We will also may have the choice between regular fares and special leisure fares not available to the public.

Great Belgium Beer Tour

Great Belgium Beer Tour

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