The Route
Our first two nights are based just north of Metz in the French Moselle region.
Our first two nights are based just north of Metz in the French Moselle region.
Day 1 will be a loop out and back to Metz incorporating some of the most picturesque roads of the Moselle, the vineyards and forests around Trier in Germany and Luxembourg. It is always interesting to cross borders and notice the different features, feel and architecture.
Day 2 we head north west following broadly the French/Belgian border to the city of Valenciennes. Our route will include the large regional wildlife parks of the Ardennes and L’Avesnois. Our first two days will not be without a few climbs to keep the thighs warm and provide remarkable scenery.
Day 3 will take us north of Valenciennes into the West Flanders region of Belgium to finish in the magnificent historical city of Ypres. We will tour famous areas and WW1 sites around the Salient. Flanders is flat (well mostly!) but has some beautiful roads and villages.
We have planned another grand finale gala evening which we guarantee will be most moving. We should all attend the 8pm “Last Post” ceremony at the Menin Gate before dinner in the stunning historic city centre.
Our journey out to Metz is about 4 hours from the channel tunnel whilst the return from Ypres is just 1 ¼ hours.