A cave and a citadel, May 2025
Carmit's day for one around Dinant, May 2025
Carmit D. from Michigan spent a May day with me around Dinant: a cave full of white stalactites, the citadel, food and beer from the region, and the best views I know.
A week ago, on Saturday 3 May, Carmit D. from Michigan spent the day with me around Dinant. She had booked the day on Viator, and she came on her own.
A day built around beer, food and views
Carmit came with very high expectations. Trappist beer ran through the day: what makes a beer Trappist, which abbeys brew one, and what it tastes like close to where it is made. Every meal that day came with food and beer from the region.
In between, I took her to the spots I know for the best views over the valleys. Some of them are easy to miss if you do not know where to stop the car.
Underground at La Merveilleuse
The cave that day was Grotte La Merveilleuse, right in Dinant. It was found in 1904, and it is known for its stalactites and stalagmites in pure white. A guide takes you through in about fifty minutes.
Being close to the town centre is a big advantage. It saves the long drive to the cave at Rochefort, and that leaves more of the day for the rest.
Up to the citadel
After the cave we went up to the citadel of Dinant, on the rock more than 100 metres above the Meuse. From the top you look down onto the town, the river and the collegiate church at the foot of the cliff.
Carmit wrote that the caves and the citadel were incredible. It is a good pair: first under the rock, then on top of it.
Like a day with a friend
On a day for one, there is no group and no schedule to keep for anyone else. You talk the whole way. Carmit wrote that it was like spending the day with a friend, and that her next trip to Belgium will include another day with me.
In Carmit’s words
Carmit posted this review on TripAdvisor the day after, as Carmit D.
My day with Joris exceeded my very high expectations! Joris is incredibly knowledgeable about the region and Trappist beers. Everything was perfectly planned from the timing to the meals featuring food and beer from the region to his knowledge of the best secret spots for the best views!! The Caves and the Citadel were incredible. It was like spending the day with a friend, Joris is friendly, outgoing and engaging. My next trip to Belgium will include another tour with Joris!
Carmit D., on TripAdvisor, May 2025
It was like spending the day with a friend.
Carmit D., on TripAdvisor
A day like this
This day suits travellers on their own as much as couples. It suits anyone who wants to understand Trappist beer, not just taste it. It suits you less if you do not like enclosed spaces, because the cave is part of the day.
What would a day like this cost today? Read what a private day in Belgium costs, and what is in it.
If you want a day like this, tell us your dates on the private page.
A day for one, or for a few
This is one of the private days we run, with pickup at your door in Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, Bruges or anywhere else in Belgium. Lunch and drinks throughout, one party per day. Tell us your dates and we build the day around you. Days run year-round on request, and you get a personal reply within 24 hours.
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