Abbaye de Villers
Start your day early to catch the morning light filtering through the soaring, roofless arches of this 12th-century Cistercian abbey. It is incredibly peaceful, offering a labyrinth of stone ruins and minimalist herb gardens to shake off the Brussels city hum.
Crupet
Steer your car into the rolling hills of the Condroz region to reach Crupet, a pocket-sized medieval village built from local limestone. After viewing the striking 13th-century moated cave-castle, pull up a chair at La Besace for honest, hearty Wallonian cooking in a rustic, wood-beamed tavern.
Château de Freÿr
Drive south along the curving N92, a gorgeous stretch of asphalt hemmed in by the Meuse River on one side and towering limestone cliffs on the other. Stop at Freÿr, a Renaissance-style châteaux, to wander its maze-like orange groves and 300-year-old hornbeam hedges.
Maison Leffe
Before heading back north, make a final stop in Dinant. Skip the crowded riverside tourist traps and head up to the terrace at Maison Leffe, housed in a former convent, to sip a cold local brew while taking in the dramatic views of the citadel pinned to the cliffside.
