FLEMISH ROADS AND TRAVELLING DREAMS ON BOARD OUR CARTHAGO
Tour through Belgium.
Historic cities, green landscapes, enchanted castles and the special light of the north - Belgium enchants with its very own charm. Our customer Roberto has travelled through Belgium to rediscover the diversity and beauty of this fascinating region. In his travelogue, he takes us on a personal tour through medieval towns, picturesque villages and surprisingly tranquil natural landscapes. Let yourself be inspired by his impressions and experiences from the heart of Belgium.
We didn't often think about Belgium, but one day we were surfing the internet and reading here and there ... and it became our itinerary. We were attracted by the fact that it's not one of those places that shouts out loud at you, but whispers stories in your ear!
It doesn't promise tropical beaches or extreme adventures, but it does offer you towns where every alleyway has a story, every square a rhythm and every glass of beer a character. So we load up our Carthago, which has so much storage space that we don't decide what to take with us, but what to leave at home, and set off to discover what lurks in the light mists of Belgium.
Our Carthago glides along the road along the Moselle and we arrive in Luxembourg, a quick visit to the city, just enough time for a stroll through the centre and a photo on the Adolphe Bridge, from which we can admire the entire Petruss valley. We've covered 1500 km without even realising it... when you're travelling in the comfort and tranquillity of the Carthago, even the longest road becomes a pleasure.
The first Belgian stop is Dinant, which lies like a vertical cot between the river and the rocks.
The imposing citadel towers above us, while the collegiate church of Notre-Dame with its strange onion dome welcomes us below. Dinant is the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone: and indeed, huge instruments adorn the bridge, colourful and extravagant, like a hymn to music. During these days in Wallonia, the Meuse is our guide, we rely on its slow and calm flow. We circumnavigate it and a new panorama opens up around every bend: a small stone village, an old bridge connecting the two banks. On board our faithful and safe companion Carthago, we arrive in Namur, a jewel between two rivers. A place where the calm waters of the Meuse and the Sambre embrace and where an imposing fortress dominates the horizon. We bid farewell to the Belgian Rooster region with a visit to the fairytale-like Veves Castle. Situated on a small hill, with round towers and light-coloured stone walls.
European capitals always exert a great fascination on us travellers, especially when you arrive in your own Carthago, and Brussels is no different. The first thing we visit is the Atomium, the symbol of Brussels and Belgium as a whole.
After passing the colourful spheres and tubes, we go into the city centre and start our walk at the Grand Place, and it's just great. It's not just a square, but a golden frame. The guild houses, which tell the story of successive trades, look like something out of a fairy tale, with carved gables and golden details that sparkle even without the sun. Brussels seems to be a city of contrasts as you walk from an elegant shop to an African bazaar, from a modern building to a historic house.
For lunch, there's a hot gaufre from one of the kiosks, with caramel sauce dripping onto your fingers. The flavour is pure comfort. We walk towards the Manneken Pis, the little man urinating in the fountain. It's smaller than I imagined! This tiny bronze has become a symbol of the free and independent spirit of the people of Brussels.
Whilst wandering around, we also find the little girl peeing in the fountain and the dog. We immerse ourselves in the Marolles neighbourhood: vintage shops, old signs and murals everywhere. Brussels is more authentic here, with a somewhat bohemian and somewhat chaotic soul with its funfair and flea market.
In the European Quarter, on the other hand, a building of glass and steel rises majestically: the European Parliament is not just a building, but the beating heart of continental democracy.
We return to the motorhome with a bar of homemade chocolate and two beers, which we savour under the veranda. In the rosy light of the sunset, we reflect on the fact that the Carthago is not just a vehicle: it is a refuge on wheels, a living room under the stars.
Ghent welcomes us with the thick air of the hanging rain and the light grey sky typical of Belgium. It feels like we've been catapulted back to the Middle Ages. We walk along the river Leie, where houses with pointed roofs are reflected. The melodious sound of the 54 bells of the cathedral accompanies us through the cobbled streets. The castle of the Counts of Flanders looks like something out of a Nordic saga, and as we climb the walls, we see red roofs as far as the eye can see.
You can never miss a piece of history when travelling and Waterloo is a name etched in European memory, a word that evokes battles, empires and thunderous falls.
We slowly climb the 226 steps of the Butte du Lion, the artificial hill overlooking the fields where Napoleon met his end. At the top, a strong wind blows as if to keep the memory alive.
Below us: well-tended, hilly fields. The lion at the top of the hill looks proudly and calmly into the distance: a symbol of victory for some, of defeat for others.
In Antwerp, we begin our walk at the typical pace of a traveller who is in no hurry: Every street is a pleasant surprise.
The main railway station is the first to silence us. It is majestic, baroque, almost imperial. It doesn't just look like a railway station: It is a cathedral of movement. We lose ourselves in the sight of the dome and the marble, while the hustle and bustle of commuters flows around us like a river.
Then we walk towards the historic centre, following the scent of waffles and the sound of Flemish language sloshing back and forth between the tables. On the Grote Markt, the central square, the guild houses stand out against the pale blue sky and the Cathedral of Our Lady stands out among them.
The extraordinary beauty of Bruges, the brick buildings reflected in the canals and the slightly retro atmosphere that surrounds the city make it hard to remain indifferent. The capital of Flanders has a Unesco World Heritage-listed historic centre, from which we take a day trip until sunset. And when the sun goes down, the spectacle really begins.
The North Sea is calling us, and we cannot remain indifferent. We steer our Carthago towards the Belgian coast, which surprises us with its mixture of nostalgia and modernity. The beach is wide and sandy. The lively promenade with its cafés and shops and the famous Belgium Pier, an iconic sea bridge that stretches from the beach directly into the North Sea. We take a walk until sunset, when the sea recedes, leaving behind large pools of water that shimmer like mirrors. The salty odour is more intense, mixed with the damp smell of seaweed, and you can hear the seagulls screeching
Ostend is the most urban of all seaside resorts: wide promenade, tall buildings, seagulls everywhere. We stroll along the pier, surrounded by the salty wind and the rhythmic sound of the North Sea waves. We saw seals swimming or lying in the sun. In a brasserie, we eat grey shrimp croquettes, a Belgian classic, and our hands are still wet from the sea.
We follow the coast towards De Haan, and it feels like a change of scenery. Modern buildings disappear to make way for villas in the Belle Époque style, with sloping roofs and white, wood-panelled façades. A very long, quiet and sophisticated beach.
Belgium is a country of fascinating contrasts, where medieval atmospheres coexist with the modernity of cosmopolitan cities and every stop offers an authentic and surprising experience.
It is a small country, but with a big soul that can be discovered without haste, just like a motorhome trip. We have reached the last evening of this trip, but the desire to leave has not diminished, only paused. We park our travelling companion in the garage and again, no disappointment, just applause for him!
