WEEK PROGRAMME, ROUTE RAVEL With * * * * * Hotel Yacht - Barge Hotel MIRO

Boat and Bike Holliday along the gorgeous   Maas and Route Ravel

Day 1: A hearty welcome on board and a cruise to Liege

Upon your arrival in Maastricht, you’re expected at the Pietersplas yacht harbour at 13.00 (the harbour has video surveillance and reserved parking places). Once on board, we’re pleased to offer you a welcome aperitif and let you know a little bit more about the planned tour. The bikes are handed out at 15.00 and will be personally adjusted for your biking comfort. We set sail with the MIRO towards Liege, via the locks of Lanaye. With their 18 meter drop, these are the highest locks in the Maas and it makes for a pretty impressive event. Upon arrival in historical centre of Liege, we’ll dock at the aquarium museum Du Liege. Dinner will be served in Liege and in the evening there will be ample time to visit the lovely city highlights – the captain will be happy to take you to the renowned Café Chantant Le Jardin des Olliviette, where the music of the region and the famous French “chansons” create a wonderfully unique atmosphere.

Day 2: Liege-Namur (35 km)
We’ll begin the day early with ahearty Captain’s breakfast, after which you’ll be more than fortified for a visit to the famous Sunday market La Batte, Belgium’s oldest market. The Miro will then set sail for Namur via the Route-Ravel, along the mighty steel mills that underline the industrial importance of the Maas.  The route is ever-changing: wild, wooded glens and cultivated areas all compete for your attention alongside the winding river. We’ll also see many an ancient castle, straight out of a fairytale. Above the d’Ampsin-Neuville locks you’ll disembark once more and take a bike ride to Namur, a rich old city and also the capital of Wallonia, situated on the junction of the Sambre and the Maas rivers. In the evening hours you’ll visit the enchanting castle of Namur and wonder at the sights of this lovely city. And you’ll fall asleep under the romantic canopy of lights that illuminate the imposing walls of the Chateau Namur.

Day 3: Bike tour to Dinand (29 km)
The bike route takes you from the Maasdal, or Maas Valley, to Namur and then  to Dinand. On the left riverbank you can admire the strawberry town of Weppion, while on the other riverbank you’ll have a great views of Profondeville en Riviere with it’s fabulous vantage point ‘Sept Meuse’, which offers a breathtaking view over seven Maas valleys on the right bank. The route travels along the typical Maas-style village Dave-Frenes en Godinne with its beautiful 17^th century Spanish manor house called Yvoir and the lovely abbey-brewery of Leffe. Small, welcoming villages where the delights of Belgian beer await surround you on your sailing adventure. Shortly before Dinand you can wonder at the old fortresses of Poilvache to your right and Crèvecoeur to your left, directly opposite each other and each guarding its own riverbank. Today you’ll also be rewarded by the gorgeous natural beauty of the region. The Miro will be waiting for you again in the centre of the picturesque city of Dinand.

Day 4: From Dinand to French Givet (25 or 52 km)
The valley disappears after Dinand, and the villages get sparser and the cliffs more steep. They give this landscape a wild and untouched flavour. On the right bank you’ll pass Anseremme. Here you can tour the Lesse by canoe, and then via the locks to the Château of Freyr, also known as little Versailles on the Maas. We cross over via a ferryboat in Waulsort towards Hastière. (25 km)
Here you can visit the old Roman abbey church, before continuing onto Givet, a city known as the port of France. The return route is an alternative one to the one just taken. On the fourth day you’re welcome to rest or you can also take a short bike ride through the lovely scenery surrounding Dinand. After dinner there is a romantic evening cruise planned to Riviere. This is also where we’ll spend the night, in a quiet place alongside the picturesque banks of the river. If you’ve still got any energy reserves, the skipper will be happy to take you for a lovely walk to see the charming windmills or the renowned Sept Meuse.

Day 5: Riviere-Huy (32 km)
During your breakfast the MIRO will be sailing through gorgeous mountain scenery to La Plante. And from La Plante we’ll take a bike tour via Marche-les-Dames (the place where in 1934 the Belgian King and mountaineer Albert I met his death while climbing the steep cliffs) to Huy. Here we’ll dock at the beautiful  city piers for the night. Huy is a lovely peaceful city with windy streets and alleys and an ancient tradition in metal work. The golden treasure of the Cathedral Notre Dame is unique, crafted by goldsmith Godefried von Huy in the 13^th century. The Citadel allows unforgettably breathtaking views of the plateau of Sarte.

Day 6: Huy-Maastricht (27 km)
While enjoying yet another sumptuous breakfast, we’ll already be sailing towards the sun to Liege, where we’ll begin a bike tour of harboursides and iron works. Via the country towns of Monsin and Visé, we’ll cross the border and bike past gorgeous apple orchards to Castle Eijsden, and then through lovely Limburg country to Maastricht. We’ll be sure to stop at the famous Mergel Caves for your sightseeing pleasure. 

We’ll end the day with a delicious captain’s dinner if you like, or you’re welcome to take the Harbour taxi to the delightful city of Maastricht where it is also possible to take a tour of this magnificent part of the Netherlands. And for those who enjoy a spot of shopping, all shops are open till 21.00 on Thursday evenings.

Day 7: Return Trip
Enjoy a last delicious breakfast on board; disembark at 10.00. Your crew will be sad to see you go & will hope that you have had an unforgettable experience!

Please note that booking an extra night of accommodation either at the beginning of your trip or the end is sometimes possible. Please enquire with your travel agent, or ask your crew. Dinner is either in renowned local restaurants or on board the Miro. We’re here to meet your needs and are happy to make all arrangements as you wish.

We’ll be happy to help you make reservations during your trip.

It is also possible to bring your own bike, if you so wish.

Included

·         Welcome drink

·         7 Day River Cruise, 6 nights including buffet breakfast, packed lunch on board ***** Hotel Yacht Miro

·         2-Person luxurious Comfort Class Cabin  with shower, toilet and sink, satellite TV, air-conditioning, safe, central heating

·         Bike rental of first-class Gazelle Chamonix bikes with 2 rollerbreak breaks, 2 saddle bags, extra long step-in, 8-speeds, bike computer, rain poncho, repair materials, a double safety lock and bike helmet, reinforced tires etc.

·         Route Ravel biking maps, walking maps, route descriptions and multi-lingual travel information for your use and convenience

·         Multi-lingual crew on board 

·         Warm and welcoming family atmosphere

·         Welcome gift; the music CD ‘La Tierra de Mis Amores’

 FOR TRAVEL OR CHARTER INFORMATION WWW.DUTCHPARADISE.COM  E-MAIL INFO@DUTCHPARADISE.COM