Destination Belgium - Ardennes

The genteel town of Spa at the heart of the Ardennes was famous as far back as before the Roman times for its mineral springs and healing waters and has given its name to health resorts everywhere. The beautiful modern spa facilities are still the main attraction of the area, rivalled only by motor sports, with the home of the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix nearby.

The historian, Pliny the Elder, made the first reference to the Spa springs in the 1st century. The town achieved widespread fame as a health resort after Henry VIII paid a visit in the early 16th century. Royalty and statesmen from all over Europe were to follow, including Peter the Great, the Duke of Wellington and Disraeli.

The golfing angle at Spa is also very special, with the Royal Golf Club des Fagnes close by the centre of town and just two minutes drive from our two selected hotels. Ranked number 2 in Belgium and designed by Tom Simpson.

The ultra-modern Thermes de Spa, designed by one of Belgium's foremost architects in wood and glass, can provide 35,000 treatments a year. You can enjoy large indoor and outdoor swimming pools with hydromassage jets, each heated to a blissful 32 degrees C, as well as Hammams, Jacuzzis, relaxation rooms and an infrared lamp area. Treatments range from bathing in gaseous water to mud baths containing rich peat from the nearby High Fens of Spa.

The centre is linked by funicular railway to the Radisson SAS Palace Hotel, a chic 120-bed hotel which has it own spa facilities. It's central position make it ideal for visiting the other attractions of the town.

The Parc des Sept Heures was laid out in the 18th century for those taking the waters also to take the air in the evenings in the "seven o'clock" public park. The main avenue and two side paths are lined with beautiful trees including a famous oak. Among several 19th century buildings are the iron and glass walkway known as the Galerie Leopold and two pavilions, one of which houses the tourist office.

Nearby is the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, home to the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix since 1924 and considered one of the most challenging racing tracks in the world. Also worth a visit is the Racetrack Museum, one of three museums in the Stavelot Abbey.

Marche-en-Famenne is a lovely old medieval town with good shops, restaurants and many places of interest. It is 68 miles from Brussels, 35 miles from Liege and located centrally making this an ideal base for daily excursions, within the beautiful hilly and green belt region of the Ardennes. It is also very close to two of the entire regions most impressive golf courses, which are Durbuy and Five Nations. The picturesque and quaint famous old town of Durbuy is just 7 minutes drive and an absolute delight for sightseeing, shopping for fine food and drink and hill walking. It has its own special brewery.