2026 - Cruising the Backwaters of Belgium

NEW TOUR FOR 2026 Looking for a short break with a difference? Then this could be just the ticket! Hotel based in the heart of characterful, medieval Mons in Southern Belgium, enjoy daytime cruising along the intimate waterways of Wonderful Wallonia in armchair comfort aboard the 'Natalia'. Taken on exclusive use, this hybrid-electric vessel operates as a type of floating 'observation lounge', meandering through the lesser scaled canals inaccessible to big river ships. With included lunches and a complimentary bar on board, sit back and enjoy the gentle pace, the close-up scenery plus the great boat lift of Strépy-Thieu. A visit to the excellent Memorial 1815, the site of the Battle of Waterloo, is also included. The 5-night tour in October also features an optional visit to the picture-postcard town of Dinant spectacularly located on the banks of the Meuse.Tour Highlights
- Hotel in central Mons for 3 or 4 nights with continental buffet breakfast- Local visitor taxes- First night set dinner in local restaurant with two drinks (house wine, beer or soft) & tea or coffee- 2 half day cruises (as described) on 'Natalia' with onboard cold buffet lunch and open bar (selected drinks)- Walking tour of Mons with local guide (with headset)- En-route visit to St Symphorien Military Cemetery- Entrance to Memorial 1815

Enjoy a short break with a difference
DAY 1 - After joining your holiday coach, you make your way to Dover for the short sea crossing to France. Drive through France and Belgium and onto your centrally located hotel in charming Mons to check in for the next 3 or 4 nights. A set dinner is included this evening at a local restaurant (approx. 10 minutes' walk from the hotel to the Grand Place (main square) where there are many restaurants and cafes). The remaining nights are on a bed & breakfast basis.\n\nDAY 2 - 3 (or 4) - At leisure in Mons with two included excursions.\n\nOctober only (5-day tour) - There is a full free day in Mons at the end of the tour when you can explore individually, or you may like to join the optional excursion to the fine town of Dinant\n\nINCLUDED EXCURSIONS\nMONS & CRUISE TO STREPY THIEU WITH LUNCH\nSpend the morning in Mons with its characterful, medieval centre and fine Grand Place - it's a small town with a big history. It was given a new lease of life when it became European Capital of Culture in 2015. Step back in time as you explore the winding cobbled alleyways and marvel at the baroque bell tower together with a local English-speaking guide on a walking tour. Don't miss the Sainte-Waudru Collegiate Church, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Afterwards embark the Natalia in Mons where an onboard cold buffet lunch awaits together with a self-serve open bar of wine, soft drinks, local beers and tea/coffee. This afternoon's gentle cruise (approx. 3½ hours) takes you east along the Canal du Centre marking the front line which saw the first (Aug 1914) and last (Nov 1918) engagements of the Great War between Nimy Railway Bridge and Ville-sur-Haine. Arrive at the amazing Strépy-Thieu funicular lift, an absolute must see. It is the second largest boat lift in the world with its 73m incline, built on the modernised canal between 1982 and 2002 as the waterway was upgraded to the new European gauge for commercial barges. The two vertical caissons on this enormous structure can accommodate vessels of up to 110m in length and weighs around 8000 tons when laden at normal water depth. The day's cruise concludes by taking the lift up to the raised canal pound beyond, where your coach awaits. Return to the hotel with a stop at St Symphorien Military Cemetery. It was originally established by the German Army during WW1 as a final resting place for British and German soldiers killed at the Battle of Mons and is now under the care of the CWGC. (NB the design and location of the site may make access a little tricky for visitors with limited mobility). Dinner at leisure this evening in Mons\n\nCRUISE TO RONQUIERES WITH LUNCH & MEMORIAL 1815\nThis morning your coach takes you back to Strépy-Thieu to re-join the Natalia to continue cruising eastwards (3½ hours) with great views of the country both sides of the canal as you cross the great aqueduct of Sart. The Natalia reaches the canal's junction with the Bruxelles-Charleroi navigation near Seneffe and turns northward towards Brussels, continuing along the tree-lined corridor to reach the second great structure, the 1.4km long 67m-fall inclined plane at Ronquières. Brought into use in 1968, the inclined plane eliminated the 14 locks previously in use along this section of canal. Like the lift at Strépy-Thieu, the facility has two cable-hauled caissons but here they run on rails and each has its own 5,200 tonne counterweight running in the trough built under the tracks. It takes 50 minutes in total to pass through the 1,800 metres of the entire structure which you can enjoy with your onboard lunch. Disembark to meet your coach for the short drive to Memorial 1815 on the site of the Battle of Waterloo, where Napoleon was vanquished by the Duke of Wellington. Entrance is included to the Memorial Museum with its multi-sensory layout and the Lion's Mound which marks the front line of the battle between French and English troops. At the top of the 40m high mound's 226 steps stands the colossal cast iron lion astride a globe and from the top, the panoramic view of the battlefield is exceptional. Also included is entrance to the Waterloo Panorama, the huge and awesome 12m high x 110m painting by Louis Dumoulin in 1912. (Nearby Hougoumont Farm, scene of fierce and deadly fighting, is closed in March). Return to Mons for dinner this evening at leisure.\n\nOPTIONAL EXCURSION (5-Day tour only)\nDINANT\nHead to striking Dinant with its unique steep rock face location along the banks of the River Meuse - a must for any visitor to the region. The skyline is dominated by the imposing fortress that sits high above the town and the town itself boasts the marvellous Gothic Collégiale Notre Dame de Dinant with its impressive onion-shaped dome. One of Dinant's famous sons is Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone and don't miss the giant saxophones that line the Charles De Gaulle bridge. Today his birthplace is a small museum dedicated to his life and work.\n\nRETURN DAY - Travel back through Belgium and France with an interesting stop en-route as you head to the port for the return to England arriving back mid-evening.\n\nPLEASE NOTE\nFull payment required 90 days before departure\n\nCancellation Charges for this holiday\nCancellation prior to 90 days Loss of deposit\nCancellation 89 - 8 days 70%\n7 - 0 days 100%3* centrally located hotel
B&B Hotel Mons Centre\nThis recently renovated 3* hotel is well located in Mons, just a 10-minute walk to the town's medieval centre and the main square (Grand Place). There is a lift as well as ground floor rooms. Comfortable guest accommodation is compact with all mod cons including flat screen TV, hair dryer, air con, free WiFi and desk. Single rooms are doubles for sole occupancy. The bar serves a selection of drinks and snacks. Porterage is not available at this hotel.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNatalia Barge\nThis cruise barge is designed to serve as an 'observation lounge' with armchair seating. There is additional seating outside for anyone wishing to take in some fresh air. There are two unisex WCs on board (one of which is wheelchair accessible). The vessel cruises very quietly on hybrid electric engines and is fully air-conditioned / heated. There are no steps on board to negotiate and the crew assist with embarkation/disembarkation. The crew routinely point out highlights along the way but much of the appeal is in the sheer relaxation of the cruise. Lunch onboard is a cold buffet of sandwiches, pastries, cold meats, salads, quiches, cheeses, cakes etc - all prepared locally and the complimentary bar is stocked with selected wine, local beers and soft drinks (no spirits). Tea / coffee is available from the galley