GROUPS
Dramatics and exhilaration. Victory and loss. Bad luck and invincibility. The recipe for the world's most beautiful one-day race: the Tour of Flanders..
Exhibition visit
The Tour of Flanders exhibition allows visitors to relive the most magnificent moments of the Tour of Flanders. Use one of our audio guides, voiced by Carl Berteele, or let one of our guides (from the within the peloton) lead you.
Peloton Café Did you know that the Peloton Café is the place to be for a delicious breakfast or a tasty lunch?
HERITAGE AND CYCLING
Heritage and cycling. The Flemish Ardennes breathes both. The Centre Tour Of Flanders, 'Erfgoed Vlaamse Ardennen' and the 'Gidsen Vlaamse Ardennen' extra join forces to introduce you to these two assets. After a visit to the expo you can explore the rich heritage of the region with a guide. All packages combine heritage and cycling, but during the tour 'In the wheel of the Flandriens' the emphasis is just that little bit more on the stage where the Tour takes place. More of a fan of all the goodies the Flemish Ardennes has to offer? Then "Onbekend wordt bemind" is for you! Would you rather see all the beauty that the Zwalm region has to offer with your own eyes? During "Touring along and around the meandering Zwalm" you will be spoiled for choice. And last, but certainly not least, there is the tour 'In style to the mythical Wall'. In these arrangements, the stops are made in consultation with the group.
Practical info:
- Prices valid from 30 persons. Contact us for a free price offer in case of a lower number of participants.
- In these arrangements the bus of the group is used. We do not provide our own bus.
Photocredits: Kramon
IN HET WIEL VAN DE FLANDRIENS
Caressing
the foot of the Koppenberg and the top of the Paterberg. The bone shaking
ascend of the Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg or twisting and turning along
the winding streets. Across legendary cobbled strips, between brook valleys and
hills who witnessed a lot of suffering.
You will be
captivated by the fascinating tales along the way. A tip of the veil?
Cancellara’s calorie intake, the curse of Ronse, the Melden hump myth and racing
according late Briek Schotte. On the Ronde van Vlaanderenstraat we honour the
heroes of cycling and Karel van Wijnendaele, the man who taught the Flemish to
read about racing.
This bus tour can be combined with other activities before, after or during the trip:
- A guided city walk through Oudenaarde
- A visit to the MOU (Museum of Oudenaarde and the Flemish Ardennes) / + €2 pp
- A regional beer brewed on the Hotond, East Flanders' highest point at 150 meters above sea level. Also includes a short panoramic walk.
- A trip through Ronse. We pass by Belgium's oldest railway station, sing the Bommel song and admire the vibrant Art Deco façades.
- A visit to the Basilica of St. Hermes and one of the country's most impressive crypts. (2,5 euros per person + 30 euros per guide)
- A beer-tasting session in the Keun micro-brewery, given by the passionate brewer himself (8 euros per person, tasting included).
-
A chat with
the miller of the neighbouring Brembos Mill, a fully preserved water mill that
was still grinding bark in the 16th century.
ONBEKEND WORDT BEMIND
Since the
riders no longer come from Bruges but from Antwerp to tempest the Flemish
Ardennes, the region between Oudenaarde and the border with the province of
West Flanders has somewhat been overlooked. Don’t be fooled however, all of
your senses will be stimulated. Staggering to Kruisem, over cobbles where senior flandriens lost their
dentures and through woodlands where windmills enliven the landscape.
The bus will navigate us past astounding castles.
This bus tour can be combined with other activities before, after or during the trip:
- A guided city walk through Oudenaarde
- A visit to the MOU (2 euros pp).
- A tour of the organic fish farm Omegabaars (5 euros pp)
- Enjoying a homemade icecream on the patio of the Valleihoeve
- A visit to Camp’s. Mustard, pickles and pickled vegetables are manufactured in an innovative yet artisanal way in this (abbey) building (15 euros per person, present included).
- A visit to the Basilica of St. Hermes and one of the country's most impressive crypts. (2,5 euros per person + 30 euros per guide)
- A beer-tasting session in the Keun micro-brewery, given by the passionate brewer himself (8 euros per person, tasting included).
- A chat with the miller of the neighbouring Brembos Mill, a fully preserved water mill that was still grinding bark in the 16th century.
- An aromatic walk through Claus’ herb nursery : The orchard and greenhouses, as well as a herb garden and a show garden with rare trees, shrubs, and plants (8 euros pp, herb plant included). For 2 euros the visit is concluded with a hearty snack and drink.
- A visit to Baron and Baroness della Faille d'Huysse in the Lozer castle. They will stroll with you through the gardens, greet you in the salons and dining room and show you the ancient kitchen in the cellar (9 euros pp).
- A tour at Braeckman grain distillery with a
slight elevated alcohol content. Een toertje met een hoog alcoholgehalte
in de graanstokerij Braeckman. Experience
how genever, gin and whisky are distilled in a divine manner (10 euro pp, 2
drinks included).
TOURING ALONG AND AROUND THE MEANDERING ZWALM
Dikkele, Rozebeke, Dikkelvenne, Hundelgem, Sint-Blasius-Boekel, Roborst... many of the villages in the Zwalm district bear appealing names. It's a place where the gorgeous Zwalm is romantically interwoven with a miners' path that once carried a little train and. It’s also intertwined with a Roman road that used to connect Velzeke and Bavay, but today just serves as a ‘torture strip’ for cyclists. Geuzen and hermits will also warmly welcome your group here.
This bus tour can be combined with other activities before, after or during the trip:
- A guided city walk through Oudenaarde
- A visit to the MOU (Museum of Oudenaarde and the Flemish Ardennes) / + €2 pp
- From Luther's and Calvin's earliest protests to the numerous clashes between two factions of Christians, a visit to Flanders' only Protestant enclave. Fortunately, you now find yourself in a peaceful oasis centered on a church, a museum and a gloomy cemetery (3 euros pp; coffee and cake can be served).
- A taste of spiced or semi-soft cottage cheese or buttermilk even. This is possible at the Saint -Michaëls farm, an agricultural holdings where you can buy locally cultivated products.
- A guided tour of the Zwalm Mill, where green power is generated using millstones, flour and water. Climbing the Tissenhove Mill, one of the earliest post mills where the miller not only milled grain
- Let’s fill our baskets at farmstead ’t Alkenveld. You can sample delectable, high-quality regional items before purchasing them at the farm shop.
- A tour of the archaeological site in Ename, which served as the boundary between Flanders and the German Empire a thousand years ago.
- A brief stop at the pelgrimage site of Kerselare and the brutalistic chapel dedicated to Our Lady. There's a "crocodile" next to her statue!
- A visit to the Monastery of Mariakluizen, a farmhouse that the very amiable bishop-brother Yvan converted into a church and Coptic chapel. Truly special. Price: (2 euros pp)
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A SOPHISTICATED JOURNEY TO THE MYHTICAL ‘MUUR’
In the
second half of the 7th century Saint Livinus’ lengthy walk ended in
Sint-Lievens Houtem. Legend has it that he was carrying his own head under his
arm, which had been chopped of by pagans several kilometers before. Almost a
thousand years later, Lamoral van Egmont met the same fate, albeit with more
deliberation. This count acquired a castle in Zottegem and eventually was put
to rest there as well. On our drive to Geraardsbergen, the region's oldest
town, you will be told about these and many other historic tales. Manneken Pis
will be kept at a safe distance.
This bus tour can be combined with other activities before, after or during the trip:
- A visit to De Volle Maan, an organic goat farm (3 euros pp, incl. 3 tastings).
- The last agricultural distillery in the Benelux emits a cloud of alcoholic vapors. An impressive steam engine powers the milling chair. (7,5 euros per person, including beverages)
- An audience with the baron. We'll drive along a majestic avenue lined with beech trees to the most exquisite rococo palace in the Flemish Ardennes, where Louis XVIII once stayed and King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola were welcomed. Strolling through the salons decorated with Chinese wallpaper and then along the pond in the picturesque Franco-English park to the rare open-air theatre (9 euros pp).
- A taste of Van den Bossche’s brewery artisanal beers: Lamoral, Pater Lieven, Bufalo or Zatte Rita. Sandwiches and snacks are provided as well. (5 euros per person, including two tastings)
- A visit to Sint-Martens-Lierde, where a Carthusian order was established between the 14th and 18th century, until it was disbanded by the Emperor Joseph II.
- A musical tour inside the studio of an instrument builder. You'll be introduced to the fascinating world of folk music instruments, as well as woodworking techniques (5 euros pp).
- A baking demo and tasting with a woman nicknamed ‘Queen of the Mattentaart’ (7 euros pp, coffee included). Can be combined with a stroll through the city.
- Climbing
the legendary ‘Muur’ (on foot or by bus). At the top of the Oudenberg, those
who spin around on their own axis find themselves on top of the globe, with a
million-dollar panorama of the Flemish Ardennes.
CHOICE OVERLOAD?
For your convenience, we have already worked out 4 sample formulas.
FORMULA 1: (BASED ON FLANDRIENS ON THE LOOSE)
9.30 AM:
- Opening reception with coffee and cake at the Tour of Flanders Center
- Visit Tour of Flanders exhibition
- Stadswandeling in Oudenaarde
12.00 AM:
- Lunch in Peloton Café.
1.30 PM:
- Bus tour ‘In het Wiel van de Flandriens’ including a regional beer on the Hotond 1
5.00 PM:
- End-of-programme drink/Closing reception at the Tour of Flanders Center.
Price per person: € 38,00
Tight schedule? The formula without the lunch nor visit of the Tour of Flanders Exhibition is fixed at 20 euros per person (includes the welcome with coffee and cake).
FORMULA 2: (BASED ON THE ZWALM-ARRANGEMENT)
9.30 AM:
- Opening reception with coffee and cake at the Tour of Flanders Center
- Visit Tour of Flanders exhibition
- Visit MOU
12.00 AM:
- Lunch in Peloton Café
1.30 PM:
- Bus tour ‘Touring along and around the meandering Zwalm’ includes:
- A visit to the Zwalm Mill
- A visit to the Geuzenhoek in Korsele – including coffee and cake
- A visit to the pilgrimage site of Kerselare
5.00 PM:
Closing reception at the Tour of Flanders Center
Price per person: € 52,00
Tight schedule? The formula without the lunch nor visit of the Tour of Flanders Exhibition is fixed at 20 euros per person (includes the welcome with coffee and cake).
FORMULA 3: (BASED ON APPRECIATION FOR THE UNKNOWN)
9.30AM:
- Opening reception with coffee and cake at the Tour of Flanders Center
- Visit Tour of Flanders exhibition
- Visit MOU
12.00 PM:
- Lunch in Peloton Café
2.30 PM:
- Bus tour ‘Appreciation for the unknown’ includes:
- An aromatic walk through Claus’ herb nursery
- Castle bus tour
- Nightcap on the bus
5.00 PM:
- Closing reception at the Tour of Flanders Center.
Price per person: € 54,40
Tight schedule? The formula without the lunch nor visit of the Tour of Flanders Exhibition is fixed at 23 euros per person (includes the welcome with coffee and cake).
FORMULA 4 : (OPTION GERAARDSBERGEN)
9.30 AM:
- Opening reception with coffee and cake at the Tour of Flanders Center.
- Visit Tour of Flanders exhibition
- City walk through Oudenaarde
12.00 PM:
- Lunch in Peloton Café
13.00 PM:
- Bus tour ‘A sophisticated journey to the myhtical Muur’ includes:
- Audience with the Baron – castle visit
- A stroll through the Baron’s park
- Climb the mythical ‘Muur’ by bus or on foot
5.00 PM:
Closing reception at the Tour of Flanders Center
Price per person: € 51,50
Tight schedule? The programme without the lunch nor visit of the Tour of Flanders exhibition is fixed at 23,50 euros per person (includes the welcome with coffee and cake).