A Belgian canal and river holiday

Waterway tourism : an original way to spend an unforgettable holiday

The pic­turesque town of Eek­lo, typ­i­cal of this province of Flan­ders, is home to our nau­ti­cal base, where you’ll learn to steer your licence-free boat, on which you’ll spend a few days or weeks. Take to the Schip­donk Canal and head in the direc­tion of your choice, access­ing a dense net­work of water­ways, with canals and rivers includ­ing the Lys and the Deule. The mild cli­mate is con­ducive to relax­ation and your water­way cruise will also be an oppor­tu­ni­ty to savour the region’s culi­nary spe­cial­i­ties. Moor your boat on the approach to Flem­ish vil­lages and take a walk around the local mar­ket stalls. Quiche fla­mande, Flem­ish-style aspara­gus, … plen­ty of ideas to make your Eek­lo water­way cruise a voy­age of flavours.

Enchanting days spent aboard your licence-free boat

Respond to every­one’s desires and stop for a spot of off-road cycling along the tow­paths or a refresh­ing break as you dive into one of the region’s many lakes and ponds. Fish­ing enthu­si­asts can also indulge their pas­sion, while water­way cruis­ing itself will offer count­less sources of enchant­ment, includ­ing going through the locks. The water­way her­itage is indeed an inte­gral part of the charm of cruis­ing, so take the time to real­ly enjoy it.

In addi­tion to dis­cov­er­ing Flem­ish cul­ture, you’ll also be able to enhance your cruise by vis­it­ing the region’s most pres­ti­gious sites. Fol­low the riv­er Lys, which will take you to Kor­trijk. The absolute must-see here is the bel­fry, with its 48 chimes, which fea­tures in the UNESCO World Her­itage list. You can also admire the Broel tow­ers, which pro­tect the city’s old bridge. You’ll mar­vel at the medieval city of Bruges, criss-crossed by a host of canals, while the Grande Place de Tour­nai alone makes this town well worth a visit.