MS Raymonde - Belgium through Wallonia & Flanders

Overview

Belgium’s extensive waterways offer a scenic journey through Flanders and Wallonia, showcasing vibrant cities, historic landmarks and cultural treasures. Explore charming destinations like Ghent, Bruges, Oudenaarde, Mons and Brussels while savouring local specialties such as chocolate, beer and wine. Visit the Château de Beloeil, known as the Belgian Versailles and the renowned Chant d’Éole vineyard, offering award-winning wines. This cruise blends history, culture and indulgence - providing a memorable experience through Belgium’s picturesque landscapes and rich heritage.

Please note: This tour also operates in the reverse direction.

Inclusions

6 nights onboard the MS Raymonde in a Twin Room

Crew of 6 members guarantee a personalised service

Official welcome from the captain and crew

Breakfast, lunch and dinner served onboard daily

Drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are included with meals and at the bar, except for select premium beverages

Farewell gala dinner on your last night

Bicycles available on board

Excursions as per itinerary (headsets are included)

Free Wi-Fi onboard

Use of barge facilities

All port fees

Itinerary

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Deck MS Raymonde

MAIN DECK | 22 Passengers | 6 Crew

Canal cruise, measuring 38.5m long and 5m wide
10 Twin cabins - 2 single beds (9m2)
Amenities: TV, bathroom with shower and toilet, towels, telephone (for internal calls only), safe, independent air-conditioning, electricity 220V and Wi-Fi
Please note that there is no laundry service on board the ship

SUN DECK

Sun loungers

UPPER DECK

Restaurant, Lounge/bar, terrace, jacuzzi and 1 Double cabin for people with reduced mobility

Day 1 Ghent

Boarding begins at 6 p.m. After settling into your cabins, enjoy a welcome cocktail where the crew will be introduced.

Dinner

Ghent

Day 2 Ghent Oudenaarde

In the morning, guided tour of Ghent. Departure by coach to Ghent. Discover the highlights of the largest city in East Flanders during this tour. Follow in the footsteps of Charles I of Spain and admire the monuments of one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. Ghent’s city centre is a pedestrian area resembling an open-air museum, where typical Flemish architecture reveals an undeniable medieval heritage. Enjoy some free time in the city center, followed by a beer tasting at a brewery. Ghent’s city centre was once home to a great number of breweries. Today, brewers seem to be rediscovering the city. The best known is Gruut, which brews its beer using a blend of herbs and spices instead of hops.

Return on board in Gavere-Asper (or nearby) for lunch.

In the afternoon, guided tour of Bruges. Departure by coach to Bruges. Its artistic collections, relaxed lifestyle, romantic atmosphere and architectural appeal are just some of the attractions of the “Venice of the North”, a jewel of Flanders and an essential stop in Northern Europe. A prosperous maritime city in the 14th century, Bruges has preserved the rich and refined architecture of that period, characterised by discreet and elegant finishes. Accompanied by a guide, explore the city and discover its must-see landmarks before enjoying some free time. After the excursion, rejoin the ship in Oudenaarde. Evening at leisure. Overnight stop.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Burges Market

Day 3 Oudenaarde Peronnes-lez-Antoing

This morning, take a guided tour of Oudenaarde and the Tapestry Museum. Oudenaarde is a picturesque city full of historic monuments, with the most notable being the town hall and its two main churches. Other memorable sites include the lovely beguinage, the house where Margaret of Parma was born, the Boudewijnstoren, and the 18th-century meat market. Everything is testimony to a rich and lively past. The city has more than 100 historic monuments. Set off on an urban hike taking you to the loveliest areas and tourist sites.

Enjoy some free time on your own to see what the city has to offer. Then depart for the Tapestry Museum. This museum, combining modernity with ancestral craftsmanship, houses an exceptional tapestry collection, one of the most important in Flanders. A true symbol of luxury between the 15th and 18th centuries, Oudenaarde tapestry perfectly illustrates a unique and remarkable expertise. Landscapes, verdant scenes, animals and representations from mythology or the Old Testament will take you on a journey through genres and centuries.

Afterwards, return on board. The ship will continue cruising to Péronnes-lez-Antoing. Take advantage of some downtime to relax on the Sun Deck and watch the scenery roll by. Cross through the city of Tournai before arriving in Péronnes-lez-Antoing in the early evening.

If you wish, enjoy an evening stroll to work off dinner. The ship will remain in port overnight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Peronnes-lez-Antoing Mons

Spend the morning cruising on the Nimy-Blaton-Péronnes Canal, a strategic waterway in the center of Belgium. The canal opened in October 1955 and enabled a liaison between the Canal du Centre and the Scheldt River. Arrive in Mons at the beginning of the afternoon. Set off on a visit to the Château de Beloeil and the Chant d’Éole vineyard.

Head over to the Château de Beloeil—nicknamed the Belgian Versailles—which contains a valuable collection of 15th- to 19th-century art, including a library with more than 20,000 books and precious manuscripts. The furniture is a sampling of some of the top work of French cabinet makers in the 17th and 18th centuries. The paintings depict the grand achievements of most of the castle's family members. Continue on to the Chant d’Éole estate. The vineyard came to be when a family of Belgian farmers joined forces with a family of eminent sparkling-wine makers. They use the best modern techniques to guarantee a sparkling wine that adheres to Belgian tradition. We'll take a guided tour recounting the vineyard's history. Our enthusiastic guides will explain the different stages of production—from planting to bottling, and everything in between.

Finish up the tour will a tasting of three signature spirits—the Brut Blanc de Blancs, the Rosé Brut, and the Elixir Saint-Georges.

Afterward, return to Mons, where the ship will remain docked overnight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Mons

Day 5 Mons Strepy Thieu

This morning, enjoy a food tour in Mons. Few cities can boast about their heritage like Mons can. This is a vibrant, modern city with a deep, historic past. The Grand-Place offers a myriad of places to lose yourself in. Our guide will take us to the center of Mons to learn about the city's history and edible delights. This stroll is a combination of history, culture, and anecdotes accented by a tasting of four local specialties. Indulging in the local cuisine makes this tour an unforgettable experience.

Afterward, return to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon, cruise along the Canal du Centre to Strépy-Thieu. The ship will remain in port overnight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Mons Market

Day 6 Strepy Thieu Halle

Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience as our barge takes a boat lift. Using two independent caissons, the lift allows a crossing in less than 35 minutes with a 240-foot height difference (75 m) and single-handedly replaced four former boat lifts and two locks. Continue our trip on the Brussels-Charleroi Canal to Halles. The next adventure is the monumental Ronquières Inclined Plane, built between 1960 and 1968. Construction of the plane reduced delays caused by the 14 previous locks. We'll continue cruising to Halle.

In the afternoon, take a coach to Brussels for a guided tour of the city and a Belgian chocolate maker's workshop. Set off for the Belgian capital. In the city centre, and see the Grand-Place with its glorious city hall and lavish guildhalls. With its richly decorated facade and impressive tower, the City Hall is one of the most beautiful buildings in the country. Further along, we'll see the iconic Manneken Pis and the Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries.

After, visit a Belgian chocolate maker in the heart of Brussels. Learn about our favourite indulgence—from its Mayan origins to the modern creations of master chocolate makers—while watching a demonstration of the meticulous and precise work through windows peering into the small factory.

Return to the ship in Halle, where the evening will conclude with a festive gala.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Halle

Day 7 Halle

Enjoy breakfast aboard this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. The tour concludes here.

*Please note: Transfers from Halle to Brussels are available upon request for an additional fee. For more information, kindly consult our team.

Breakfast

Additional information

- FROM price reflects the lowest available price within the advertised travel period (e.g. April to October). Pricing varies depending on travel dates, availability and demand, and may not be available on all departures. Higher pricing applies during peak and shoulder periods. Final pricing is confirmed at the time of enquiry or booking. Please refer to Pricing & Price Conditions for full details, including inclusions, exclusions and other conditions.
This itinerary may be subject to change. On alternate weeks, the cruise may be in the reverse direction.

50% OFF for the 2nd Passenger Promotion on selected departure dates only - Terms & conditions apply.

Excluded

International airfares and taxes
Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
Transfers
Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
Drinks from the premium list, or drinks ordered during excursions
Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.)
Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package

FAQs

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Entire Travel Group is proudly Australian family owned and operated and as it stands today represents 50 years of experience, progress, and evolution. We proudly support the community with our long-term commitment to many important charity organisations. We were awarded the best operator in our class at the most recent National Travel Industry Awards.

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Entire Travel Group is both ATIA and CATO Accredited. The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) is the trade association representing the land supply sector of the Australian Travel Industry.

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The Freedom of Choice options are included in the package price, and the price remains the same regardless of the choice you make on each day.

Our Freedom of Choice program offers flexibility, by allowing you to choose from different options on pre-selected days in the itinerary.

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MS Raymonde - Belgium through Wallonia & Flanders (Tour code: 14910)

Highlights

Overview

Inclusions