Belgium
Your choice of base
Nieuwpoort River Ijzer
River Ijzer
The Ijzer takes you to the picturesque town of Diksmuide with its delightful town square surrounded by shops and restaurants. Onwards you can cruise to Ypres, with numerous sites of special historic significance. In addition, there are several sites of First World War interest.Often overlooked, Belgium has a wealth of historic sites, indulgent food and drink and a good network of inter-connected waterways that all make for an ideal destination for an unforgettable holiday afloat.
Our base here, the historic coastal town of Nieuwpoort, is just an hour away from Calais, whilst Oostend and Zeebrugge are right on the doorstep; making waterways of Belgium easily accessible from the UK.
Once onboard your cruiser, head west to follow the poppies along the dykes and polders of this coastal stretch, through the now-serene countryside, and pay silent homage to the fallen at Dunkerque and, further inland, at Ypres. Cruise east, and you'll be able to visit the mediaeval splendour of Brugge and Gent; where cobbled streets lined with quaint shops and spectacular architecture await you around every corner.
If you visit Gent in July, you're likely to find the annual festival in full swing, with many of the city's 18 museums, opera house, 100 churches and over 400 historical buildings turned into venues for plays and concerts, and with plenty of hedonistic eating and drinking to be had too.
Regional food and drink
Gourmands will find plenty to tempt them in Belgium - the beer, the chocolate and the waffles are all well known, but why not try some of the other regional specialities; equally delicious, but perhaps more typically Belgian? Two local favourites are Carbonnades, a delicious beef stew cooked with beer, and Smoutebollen, delicious fried pastries served hot by street vendors.
There is endless choice for the beer connoisseur, with over 450 different varieties, most very well priced often exotically fruit-flavoured - and many brewed by monks! You'll enjoy working out your own particular favourites!
