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Ardennes Sooner or later, Belgians will complain to you about how flat their country is. This despite the fact that many vacationers who this country often find rich pastoral beauty in the unending verdant plains, in the same way that the great Flemish painters did. Nevertheless, if you do need a break from the unrelenting evenness, it is finally broken up by the breathtaking hills of the Ardennes in the southern, eastern part of Belgium.
Marked by rolling, grassy hills and mysterious wooded alleys, the Dutch Ardennes in Belgium provide a unique and romantic getaway for the city dwellers of Brussels, Paris and Antwerp, as well as travelers from around the world seeking a sanctuary of peaceful relaxation and intriguing adventure. Indeed, the craggy, wending landscape raises picturesque hills out of the earth also opens up a series of pristine lakes and wide rivers. It’s a perfect destination for travel sports like canoeing – the Ourthe and Lesse rivers are popular among those who like to canoe in the summertime, although try to avoid the weekends, if you can.
For those who like exploring caves, the Han Sur Lesse is one of the largest and most widely known caves for tourists in the Ardennes, although this volcanic region has a virtually limitless expanse of terrain that could have the free-range cave explorer coming back to the Ardennes for years without ever tiring of it. Rock climbers rejoice in the boundless limestone cliffs cropping up over the rivers of the Ardennes, although because of its crowds and overuse, you’ll want to avoid the Freyr. Finding the unknown, undiscovered cliffs is really a synch, although you’ll feel like a pro for doing so. Up on the roads, cyclists are a fundamental part of the landscape – and for good reason: the stern, frequent uphill challenges are accompanied by exhilarating, downhill stretches. Off the road, mountain biking through the woods offers an equally playful and rugged experience.
Yet for all the vigorous activity (or hardcore, riverside relaxation) during the day, one of the most attractive features of the Ardennes is figuring out where to stay for the night. Indeed, lodging in the Ardennes offers all the quaintness of Europe as cottages and farmhouses rent out room for seasonal travelers. The more adventurous can camp in the many campgrounds or opportune spots along the road, and those with something more luxurious in mind will do well at any of the Ardennes chateaus refitted as hotels. |
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