The Belgian
Ardennes and the Limburg region of Holland has been a pathway
for invaders since the Roman times. Belgium's reputation
as a historically significant kingdom presents a rich and
varied culture, both within its own multi-cultural borders
as well as its neighbor Holland. The 2,000-year-old
Roman city of Maastricht, the oldest city in the Netherlands
and renowned for its culinary excellence, is an exuberant,
joyful center of history, culture, higher education and
smiling hospitality. Leaving the flat and windswept
fields of Flanders behind, the Belgian
Ardennes is filled
with deep pine forests, rolling hills and historic battlefields. Wallonia
proudly embraces its rich history in the cities of Liège
and Namur – charming medieval villages and the enchanting
Meuse River valley.
EPIC CYCLING
The intensity of the Spring Classics shifts
gears, with the hilly terrain of the Ardennes and Limburg
replacing the pavé of Flanders and Northern France. The
Amstel Gold Race twists and turns across the hilly Dutch
countryside, continuing to the finale atop the Cauberg. La
Flèche-Wallonne is a relentless roller
coaster, finishing atop the infamously steep Mur de Huy. And La
Doyenne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège,
the oldest of the classics, is a hilly war of attrition,
with altitude gain equal to even the most demanding Tour
de France mountain stages, rewarding only the toughest
with a well-earned victory!
AUTHENTIC CULTURE
The Ardennes is unlike any landscape in Belgium and Holland. Its
steep river valleys and thick forests set it apart. This
is a historic land of castles, stone-built villages and
pragmatic farmhouses. The region is unequaled in
its cuisine, based on fresh produce and game. The
historic towns of World War II, including Bastogne and
Stavelot, honor the sacrifices American soldiers made in
the Battle of the Bulge.
EXEMPLARY SERVICE
Appreciation for the good things in life is reflected in
the passion the Belgians pursue, whether its dining on
roasted Sanglier des Ardennes or enjoying a
Chimay trappist ale, a tradition among beer connoisseurs,
in the lounge of a king’s mansion. Regional
hospitality has a longstanding tradition of quality and
is brought to life and luxury in the castles and châteaux
that fill the gaps of history. Culinary excellence
is an art, from an elegant dining room to a cozy bistro,
and the passion behind it all is contagious.
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