Blogs from Dinant, Namur Province, Belgium, Europe

A short return to Brussels, more couchsurfing and the delightful Dinant

Europe » Belgium » Namur Province » Dinant September 11th 2015

Brussels I returned back to Brussels with a tight itinerary planned as was only staying for the one night. Luckily the sunny weather continued as I enjoyed walking around the capital. I arrived in Brussels early to ensure I got to see as much as I could possibly fit in within one day. I first stopped off at the Atomium, which was built for the 1958 World Fair. I did not know this before my visit, but discovered that this was Brussels most famous landmark structure. The Atomium was never intended to be a permanent structure but stayed after proving to be a very popular attraction. The Atomium has 9 spheres and each one is 60ft in diameter. The spheres are linked together with escalators and stairs, with 5 of the spheres containing exhibition rooms and ... read more

Dinant

Europe » Belgium » Namur Province » Dinant October 16th 2008

Notre Dame

Affinity

Home of the Couque De Dinant! Probably one of the most popular souvenir's of the area. An unusually large cookie, tasting of molasses but made only from flour & honey. Created in the XV century by a people who suffered from famine, disease & destruction, this "cookie" was a staple food. Think of the hardest, most stale, biscuit you've even eaten & multiply it by 20 :D ! DO NOT chew the cookie, it has the potential to break your teeth. One should let it "melt" in their mouth. It is petrified squared :D Delicious, really LOVE this cookie! It is said that these cookies had a dual purpose. During more prosperous times when the cookies were made out of tradition & not from need, the cookies were made to throw @ neighboring village town-folk with ... read more

First day

Europe » Belgium » Namur Province » Dinant July 26th 2008

Hill billy s

527 miles later and nearly 12 hours of travelling and we arrived at our planned over night stop just south of Namur in Belgium. All went pretty well although a few minor worries with the van!!!! Hopefully she will be ok! Got to the site at just after 9pm and found the reception shut!! Got hold of the man and he told us he was full.....Doh! He recommended another site and we eventually found it after some looking and it is lovely. In the woods with a pitch by the river. Really friendly owners and really tasty beer!!! Looking forward to a sleep and another 600 miles tomorrow!!... read more

Day Out in Dinant

Europe » Belgium » Namur Province » Dinant September 13th 2007

My Eurotrash Girl

Mom23

First solo adventure. I was up and we were dressed and packed and ready to go by 9am this morning. Not bad. Took the bus to the train station, where I got a cup of coffee for the road, and bought a 10 ride train pass for 69 euro. It is so much cheaper to travel on the weekends, but I know we will make use of the pass. Caught the 9:33 train to Ottignies, where we would have to change for a train to Dinant, our goal for the day. Oddly the Belgian train web site suggested traveling into Brussels and then out again on the Dinant line. I didn’t think that made sense so I made my own plans via Ottignies; I don’t know if it was too much shorter, but it worked out ... read more

The Citadel

Europe » Belgium » Namur Province » Dinant March 19th 2006

The Fortified Citadel Above the Church

Brian in Belgium

On Sunday we visited the town of Dinant on our way back to Gent. It was another beautiful day, and the view that greeted us when we got off the bus was of the fortified citadel looming overhead. Many of us climbed to the top. The Citadel provided a great view of the city and the bridge below. We took a guided tour of the citadel. It was informative, but a little slow because everything had to be repeated in three languages: French, Dutch, and English. Probably one of the most interesting parts of the tour was when we walked through an old bunker. Apparently at one time a bomb exploded near it, shifting it off its vertical axis. The whole place was enclosed, and the effect was one of serious vertigo. Your eyes tell you ... read more

Brief history of Belgium

Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions bet...more history

Forum Topics for Dinant

Diamond ShoppingPosts: 3

Places to visit in Brux...Posts: 5

Belgium in JulyPosts: 5

Information About Meche...Posts: 1

Is it worth to visit Br...Posts: 8

Sports and relaxation i...Posts: 1

Sleeper sized Rental Ca...Posts: 2

tips for a young travel...Posts: 3

Planning vacationPosts: 4

10 things to see in Bel...Posts: 4

Trip to Belgium/EuropePosts: 8

hotelsPosts: 3

help needed to find acc...Posts: 4

random question about b...Posts: 3

Problem with my galleryPosts: 1

Tot: 0.097s; Tpl: 0.004s; cc: 6; qc: 58; dbt: 0.055s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.1mb