Spring in Belgium and Luxembourg

This all new tour combines the charm of steam railways, overland tramways, World War II history, relaxing river cruises and the ambiance of historic cities.

• Take advantage of short distance rail travel by Eurostar and Intercity trains from London to Belgium and back from Luxembourg.
• Stay in the historic cities of Namur and Luxembourg at centrally located quality hotels, enjoying their unique ambiance and beautiful architecture.
• Enjoy private charter steam train journeys at the Vicinal overland tramway in Thuin, Belgium and at the Train 1900 heritage railway in Luxembourg. Trips on early 20th century trams and the mining railway in Luxembourg are also included.
• Connect with World War II history and visit the mighty Fort Eben Emael on the Albert Canal in Northern Belgium, site of major fighting in spring 1940. While in the area, you will also have time for a visit to revived Liege, for a ride on its brand-new tramway, or a visit to the city’s landmarks.
• Round off your holiday with a relaxing cruise on the River Mosel in Luxembourg, seeing quaint villages, green vineyards and lovely hillside scenery from the open decks of your sightseeing boat.
  

Wednesday 28th May
By train from London to Namur
You travel from London St. Pancras by high speed train to Brussels Midi, where you change onto an SNCB Intercity directly to Namur. Namur, which dates back to Roman times, is the capital of Wallonia. For the next three nights you are based in this delightful historic city, which is attractively situated at the confluence of the Rivers Meuse and Sambre and framed by a hilltop fortress and it’s pretty cobbled streets are lined with lively cafes and independent shops. You have some free time to explore this charming city and its delights, before dinner is served at the hotel. (D)

Thursday 29th May

Steam and heritage tramways in Thuin

Today you visit a marvel of tramway heritage. The delightful Tramway du Vicinal Museum in the regional town of Thuin boasts both an electrified stretch of track in the city, as well as a beautiful overland route. Travelling on a heritage tram car from the early 20th century, you will enjoy a private charter for a trip down the streets of Thuin and a visit to the museum depot, before doing the non-electrified overland section on the green steam tramway locomotive HL 303 dating from 1888. Mid-day refreshments will be served at the museum and with both the electric tramway and the steam locomotive numerous photo stops and runpasts will be made. In the afternoon you return from Thuin to nearby Namur via SNCB service train and have time for an excursion on the scenic aerial cableway to the hilltop citadelle, for views of the city and surrounding region. Dinner is again at the hotel (B L D)

Friday 30th May
World War II history at Fort Eben Emael and Tramways of Liege
After breakfast you take a train from Namur for the 45 min journey to Liege. Liege is famously warm and welcoming, nicknamed the City of a Hundred Steeples and a fast-evolving, vibrant blend of past and present. There you have a quick coach transfer north of the city to Eben Emael fort. Considered in the 1930s one of the most modern military facilities in the world, it was designed to prevent a renewed German invasion of Belgium. The fort was attacked in May 1940 by a commando operation using German paragliders. You visit this historic World War II site with its crew quarters, gun turrets and expansive, grass covered roof. After the fortress visit you return the short distance to Liege and may then spend individual time at leisure in this regenerated city. You can ride its brand-new 12 km long single line tramway that only just opened in January 2025.
Your complimentary ticket will take you past all the major landmarks, including the best places to either enjoy Belgian street food like frites, waffles or of course beer! You will have the benefit of an individual train ticket from Liege to Namur, so can return to the hotel in Namur when it best suits you. (B)

Saturday 31st May
Steam on the Train 1900 in Luxembourg
In the morning you take a direct EuroCity train for the two hour journey through the Ardennes forest to Luxembourg. You check into your centrally located hotel near the station and have lunch, before taking a local CFL stopping train to Petange, just west of the city. There you have a private steam charter on Luxembourg’s premier heritage railway. A vintage tank engine will pull your steam charter for the full length of the line and through pretty scenery on a meandering and very curvy route to the industrial heritage park at Fond-de-Gras, site of a former coal mine. Rich in industrial archeology and history, this location is ideal for discovering further and photography. You then have a connecting excursion on the local electric mining train that will take you around the former mine and also inside the mountain. Afterwards you return by steam train to Petange. From there it’s back to Luxembourg and a dinner at the hotel. (B D).

Sunday 1st June
Scenic Mosel Railway to Koblenz and River Cruise at Cochem
Today you enjoy a scenic railway journey along the beautiful river Mosel in both Luxembourg and Germany. You travel on the direct Regional Express from Luxembourg via Trier to Koblenz, Germany, which lies at the confluence of the Mosel and the Rhine. From Koblenz you return to the beautiful town of Cochem, where you enjoy a sightseeing cruise at the most stunning part of the river. After the cruise you return by direct train to Luxembourg for another dinner at the hotel. (B D)

Monday 2nd June
Tramways, funiculars and leisure in Luxembourg
This day you may spend entirely at leisure enjoying one of the finest European cities and all that it has to offer. From the beautiful old town with impressive churches and quaint cobblestone streets, to lofty bridges and viaducts, Luxembourg is well worth exploring. Small, densely populated and wealthy Luxembourg has ancient roots, built on the foundations of a formidable fortress so strong it protected the surrounding area for a thousand years.
The Old Quarters at Ville Haute are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle dating back to the year 963, the Adolphe Bridge, Modern Art museum Mudam, Place d’Armes, Grand Ducal Palace and Notre-Dame cathedral make the city unique. Add peaceful places like the lovely riverside gardens, the international shopping and the superb cuisine, and there’s something for everyone. It has all new and modern transport attractions, such as a recently built and extended tramway and also an urban funicular. Public transport is free to use for everyone in Luxembourg, so you can easily hop on and hop off. (B)

Tuesday 3rd June
Return to London
You travel back to London by rail, first taking an SNCB Intercity train to Brussels Midi and then changing on to a Eurostar high speed service back to London St Pancras. (B)