Planning Your Time

Planning Your Time

1 Day: As the regional capital, Namur is the heart of Wallonia. Spend the day meandering through the old city, discovering its charms and treasures—visits to the Musée Félicien Rops, the Musée Archéologique, and the Eglise St-Aubain are musts. Sunset at the Citadelle, followed by dinner at L'Essentiel, is a perfect way to end an enchanting day.

3 Days: Spend Day 1 in Namur as described above. On the following day, either explore the picturesque area in and around Durbuy or leave Namur heading south toward Dinant, stopping at the Jardins d'Annevoie—a horticultural masterpiece—en route. In Dinant you can walk through the historic center, hike to the fort, or venture out, kayaking along the Meuse or climbing the château ruins in nearby Freyr, taking in the charms of the region as you go. Pick up a flamiche or a croque de Dinant and stop for a beer at Brasserie du Bocq or the Caracole Brewery. An evening picnic at L'Abbaye de Maredsous is a relaxing way to end the day. The next day, explore the region's famous caves at Grotte de Rochefort and Han-sur-Lesse near Rochefort, or drive a little farther on into Belgian Luxembourg to visit some of the moving World War II Battle of the Bulge sites in the region.

7 Days: A week will allow you to explore the area's natural beauty and cultural traditions fully. Spend Day 1 in Namur and devote Days 2 and 3 to Dinant and Rochefort or Durbuy, as described above. Take a long but gorgeous drive to the famous Abbaye d'Orval and reward yourself with one of its delicious Trappist beers or a sample of cheese. Spend the night in or around Orval. On Day 5, meander through the Belgian Ardennes to La Roche-en-Ardenne, where you can lunch on outstanding jambon d'Ardennes, or visit World War II sights either here or a little farther south in Bastogne. Then head back to the city, spending Days 6 and 7 in Liège; try to schedule your visit so that you're there on Sunday for La Batte, the weekly flea market.