Albatross E2014-15 20

Albatross E2014-15 20-25 Belgium_Done_____ 01/05/2013 09:16 Page 23
NEW
Novotel Leuven. ©Bernard Vanden Eynde
Abbey of Vlierbeek Leuven. ©Visit Flanders photographer Layla Aerts
DESTINATION ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival in Leuven
We cross the channel today and head towards our
destination. En route, we make a stop in the beautiful
city of Bruges, with its excellent museums and
impressive market square. Upon arrival, we check-in to
the centrally-located Novotel Leuven Centrum, our
home for the next 3 nights.
Day 2 Leuven
4 DAYS from only £189
Novotel Leuven Centrum
Leuven, Brabant
DOUBLE FOR
SINGLE
OCCUPANCY
HOLLAND
Bruges
Ghent
Mechelen
Leuven
Brussels
BELGIUM
CENTRAL
LOCATION
This modern 4 star hotel is only a 15 minute walk from the
city centre and opposite the Stella Artois Brewery, making it
ideal for a weekend break. The stylish public areas including
the bar and restaurant are welcoming with a modern décor
and have a pleasant atmosphere. Each of the 139
bedrooms has the same modern style with several facilities
including TV, hairdryer, air conditioning and tea/coffee
making facilities. The hotel also has a small steam room and
gym. Coach parking is located approximately 5 minutes’
walk from the hotel and is free of charge.
2 Lift
5 Bar
3 Restaurant
1
1
1
4 Tea/Coffee
6 Free Offsite 1
1
In Room
FRANCE
4 Days Half Board
01 APRIL 2014 – 31 MARCH 2015
Twin
from £189.00 to £214.00
Double for Sole Use Supplement
Based on Friday arrivals
Inclusions
St Peters Church, Leuven. ©Toerisme Leuven
Winter Wonderland
Leuven’s Christmas Market is one
of the best in Belgium and ideal
for any winter program. For more
details please see page 104 or
contact our Sales Team.
• Return short sea crossings
• 3 nights half board
• Porterage
• Welcome glass of fruit juice
• Hot & Cold buffet breakfast
• Choice of menu
• Tea/coffee after dinner
• Belgian themed menu on 1 night
• Beer tasting in hotel bar on 1 night
• Guided walking tour of Leuven
• Entrance and guided tour of
Stella Artois Brewery
• Entrance to s’Gravensteen Castle
£78.00
Our day commences with a guided walking tour of
the centre of Leuven. This historic city is one of the
oldest in Belgium, dating from the 9th Century. The
university is one of the oldest Catholic universities in the
world, founded in 1425, which brought a golden era to
the city, and has the ancient university library at its
heart. This library was rebuilt after its destruction in
WW1 which, together with other beautiful university
buildings and the Town Hall, forms one of the prettiest
town centres in Belgium. After our guided tour, we have
free time to explore and stop for lunch in one of the
many cafés or indulge in a spot of shopping in this
vibrant city. Our afternoon is then spent enjoying a
guided tour of the Stella Artois Brewery, where we
will learn about how the various famous beers are made
and distributed around the world. After our visit, we
make the short journey back to our hotel.
PACKAGED ITINERARIES
‘Beer Round Leuven’
Day 3 Mechelen & Ghent
190km round trip
We depart our hotel this morning for a visit to the nearby
city of Mechelen, made prosperous by the cloth trade in
centuries gone by. This air of grandeur is retained in the
impressive array of buildings in the centre culminating in
Rombout’s Cathedral. We enjoy time at leisure here
before continuing onwards to Ghent. Every bit as
beautiful as Bruges, the wonderful city of Ghent is famed
for its culture and medieval architecture. In fact, it has
more listed buildings than the rest of Belgium put
together! The 3 main squares boast a number of
important landmarks, such as the prestigious City Hall,
St. Bavo’s Catherdral and St. Nicolas Church. The original
Belfry tower, which offers spectacular views from the top,
was built from wood in the 14th Century and replaced
by the current stone structure in 1913; its copper dragon
is a symbol of Ghent’s freedom and is said to protect the
citizens, as dragons never sleep! We include admission
to s’Gravensteen – the Castle of the Counts –
another of Ghent’s star attractions which dates back to
1180 and houses a spine-chilling collection of torture
instruments. Outside, you can explore the ramparts, from
where boiling oil was thrown on any attackers. Ghent lies
on the River Lys – take time to explore the attractive
waterways and fine guild houses, along with a little retail
therapy in the wide range of individual shops.
Day 4 Depart
After breakfast, we depart Leuven for our journey home,
with a short stop in the capital Brussels en route.
Distances are one way and approximate
Distances – Ports to Leuven
Calais/Dunkirk
230/184km
Hook of Holland/Rotterdam
195/191km
Zeebrugge
Amsterdam
145km
224km
Distances are one way and approximate
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