Cai Rang floating market, Mekong delta, Vietnam

It is a world of colour and movement, of a comforting spray of cool water on your face as you are rowed back to your hotel at night in a slim stick of a boat, of the sleepy glint of dusk as you trail your finger across the river’s surface, of the cough and splutter of a small passenger ferry as it crosses the river to Vinh Long, of the throaty gurgle of a rice boat as it slowly motors to Ho Chi Minh City or Cambodia.

The Mekong begins its 4500-kilometre journey to the sea in Tibet and winds its way through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and finally into the Mekong Delta. The Vietnamese call the river Cuu Long, or nine dragons, and it is easy to see why, for here the Mekong spreads in great tentacles into nine exits to the sea.

Can Tho sits on the banks of one of these tributaries, the Hang Giang river, also known as the Bassac, an impossibly broad, bustling expanse of brown water. It is a pleasant capital of 300,000 people, with tree-lined boulevards, cool grassy squares and 19th-century buildings that are remnants of French colonial days.

One of the great pleasures of Vietnamese provincial towns such as Hoi An or Nha Trang is the local markets and Can Tho is no exception.

Selling vegetables, fruit and seafood, its large market spreads over an entire city block on one side and follows the curve of the river on the other. There is much to do here and it is a good place to organise a home stay with a farming family. It is also a good place to do nothing much at all. Gazing out from the pleasant promenade, I see boats of all shapes and sizes, one of which takes my friends and I early next morning to the famous Cai Rang floating market. Boats from all over the region – from Bac Lieu, Vinh Long and Camau – come here to sell what seems like every fruit and vegetable ever imagined: jackfruit, oranges, rambutan, bananas, longans, pineapples and sweet potatoes.

An, 30, is our guide. It is her father’s boat and her husband navigates it safely through the shifting mass of craft on the river. “He is a good husband,” she says, smiling. “He is happy to cooking and washing with me at night.” We nod in agreement. A good husband can be hard to find.

I explain to her that we want to travel to Cambodia by boat, from Can Tho to Chau Doc, across the border and up to the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, and then on to Siem Reap, home of one of the great wonders of the world, the temple complex of Angkor Wat. We’ve got six days for the journey of more than 400 kilometres. An offers to arrange the journey and a few phone calls later we agree to meet at the Can Tho dock at 2pm the next day.

I tell her I have visited these places before but always by road or air. This time I want a gentler, more romantic mode of transport along the mighty Mekong and its tributaries. I want to hear the gentle slap of the water against the boat, feel the tropical breeze on my skin and watch people go about their lives on the riverbanks. I want to be part of the landscape. I want to make the journey as important as the arrival.

Can Tho has several restaurants along the waterfront and that night we decide on the Thien Hoa. We settle happily at a pavement table in the evening balm, show no restraint and order a feast – fried snake with onions, sea bass soup with tamarind, prawns steamed in beer, catfish hotpot and coconut ice-cream. It is a meal to remember and a harbinger of culinary experiences to come.

Loaded up with fruit and sandwiches we’ve borrowed from the sumptuous breakfast buffet at the Victoria Hotel, we board the “fast boat” to Chau Doc, a journey An tells us will take about three hours. She says the slow boat, which leaves at 6.30am, takes about eight hours.

The fast boat is a long, relatively sleek, metal-hulled craft that does not go particularly fast, which turns out to be a blessing, given the pleasure of being on the water and lounging on the deck and watching the world go by. Most of the passengers are part of a package run by Delta Adventure Tours that includes a night at the company’s floating hotel in Chau Doc. As we are travelling independently, we each pay $US20 ($23) for the trip.

The boat seats about 30 people in something more or less resembling comfort. Sitting on the deck munching on a bag of rambutan, it becomes immediately clear to me that this is a working river. Large boats, washing fluttering in the breeze and overloaded with bananas, take their produce to market. Other boats dredge silt from the riverbed to be used in the construction industry. The weight of their cargo lays them so low in the water it is as if just one more grain could tip them into the muddy depths.

The riverbanks jump with activity. A line of brick kilns several kilometres long puffs smoke as families stack freshly baked bricks or load them on to waiting boats, the children straining under the burden. The smell of fermenting fish sauce wafts from factories onshore. Much of the riverbank is lined with sandbags to protect stilted houses from the river, which swells dramatically during the wet season.

There is so much of interest to observe on the water and the riverbanks that the journey passes quickly and before I know it we are approaching Chau Doc, a journey of 5 hours. The river seems to settle in the dusk and takes on a kind of dreamy indolence, as if it has done enough work for the day. Meanwhile, I have been lulled into a sense of well-being I’ve never experienced when travelling by road or air.

Impressed with our stay at the Victoria Hotel in Can Tho, we decide to spend a few nights at the Victoria in Chau Doc. It is another elegant, splendidly positioned, colonial-style building perched on the banks of the Bassac. The view from our room across the spreading river takes my breath away.

Chau Doc shuts down early and we are lucky to get to the Bay Bong restaurant while it is still serving dinner. The restaurant forgoes interesting decor for delicious Mekong cuisine. It’s another feast. We start with canh chua, the local sweet-and-sour fish soup, and follow this with steamed fish and prawns, including ca kho, stewed fish in a clay pot. It’s so good we return the next night.

Chau Doc is another attractive and welcoming provincial town of about 100,000 people with an enormous market that snakes along the riverfront. The fish section alone – which has not just fresh fish but dried, spiced, marinated and salted – is wondrous.

We’re close to the Cambodian border here and the people are more obviously Khmer, with their fuller features, darker skin and a preference for a chequered scarf over the ubiquitous Vietnamese conical hat. It is also home to a sizeable community of Chams, a Muslim minority of Malaysian appearance who live on the other side of the Bassac river.

We hire a boat and motor across to the Cham village. On the main street, dotted with stalls selling fruit and vegetables and snacks, women chat in the shade of the verandas of their wooden houses. Little girls sell waffles and simple cakes to visitors. I meet the caretaker of one of the two mosques. He shows us a short film about the history of the Cham but it is in Vietnamese so we leave none the wiser.

This part of the Bassac river, where it meets the Mekong, is home to an extraordinary concentration of floating houses, each of which is a self-contained fish farm. In the centre of each house is a large cage submerged in the river, in which families raise local bassa catfish, thousands of tonnes of which are exported to Australia every year. The fish are fed a kind of meal made from cereal, fish and vegetable scraps in cauldrons that rumble and roil. The smell is challenging.

At eight the next morning, we board another fast boat for the journey to the Cambodian capital. On another steamy, insanely hot day, we are looking forward to spending the trip on the deck, savouring the breeze. But a gaggle of young American backpackers with newsreader voices storm the boat and secure the outdoor area as their headquarters. It is their world. We just live in it.

As we travel towards Cambodia, the river begins to change. Gone is the frenetic boat activity and on the riverbank life takes on a less industrial, more bucolic demeanour. As we rejoin the Mekong, the river widens and soon the factories on the shore are replaced by cornfields, banana trees that shift and flap in the breeze and ragged, palm-thatched huts. Families bathe in the shallows and children scrub and splash their wallowing buffaloes. One-and-a-half hours later, when we reach the border at Vinh Xuong, Vietnam, and Kaam Samnor, Cambodia, we’re in a different, more lush, more languid world.

We disembark at the border post and after an hour or so filling in various forms and questionnaires, we say goodbye to the Vietnamese boat and board the altogether less salubrious Cambodian craft for the rest of the journey. But in the end the boat’s state of rugged disrepair matters little and most people spend the afternoon sitting on the rear deck or lounging on the bow and impairing the vision of the driver.

It is all too idyllic and, as it turn out, too good to last. Low water levels in the Tonle Sap river mean we have to complete the final leg of the journey by bus. But even this is fascinating, if cramped, as we hurl through the countryside and the sedate outskirts of Phnom Penh. As we arrive in the busy heart of the capital, I check my watch. It was just over seven hours ago that we boarded the boat in Chau Doc.

At our hotel, the owner tells us the water levels in the Tonle Sap are too low for us to go by boat to Siem Reap and that we’ll have to take the bus or fly. He dismisses our disappointment, saying the boat has a karaoke machine on board. “Very noisy.”

But we won’t decide what to do until after dinner – perhaps some steamed fish in coconut milk or fried squid with green peppers. As we hop into a tuk-tuk to take us to the waterfront, a young girl, brown as a nut and cute as a button, implores us to buy some bottled water.

“What’s your name?” I ask.

“Cosmic,” she replies, beaming. “Where are you from?”

“Australia.”

“Do you know Kevin Rudd?” she asks.

“Of course.”

“Well, he is my father.”

I look puzzled and she giggles. We are smitten and it’s bottled water all round. As we putter away, she yells to us: “Tell Kevin his daughter says hello.”

I wave and promise I will.

Source: brisbanetimes.com.au

Related to Mekong delta, Vietnam

- Explore Mekong Delta & river tour
- Mekong biking tours
- Family tours in Vietnam
- Mekong Delta & Angkor Wat tours

You will find plenty of inspiration and information in our Hajj brochure and on our website. However, there’s nothing to match the direct experience of our specialist consultants, many of whom have several years of experience travelling as a Hajj guide. Our travel consultants have first hand experience and up-to-date knowledge required to assist your every question. They can answer your questions, offer suggestions and advice and, if you are ready, explain the itinerary that we have chosen. Even after booking, you’ll undoubtedly think of more questions. Feel free to call your specialist at any time. In any case, we provide regular correspondence to keep you updated with your booking.

At Al-Hidaayah we have been organising Hajj Tours for the past 6 years, and by the Grace of Allah, have established ourself as a market leader in this relatively short time. Our main concern has always been to remain fair and honest in all our dealings, delivering what we promise and combining professionalism with firm adherence to the Qur’an and Sunnah. As a result of this we find that the majority of people who travel with us do so based on recommendations from previous customers.

Imagine travelling for Hajj but returning to find that people have questioned the way you have done your Hajj. What would you think? Like many of us you would be naturally devastated thinking that you’re Hajj may not have been accepted. However, with Hajj Tours organised by Al-Hidaayah, we try our utmost to perform Hajj according to the Sunnah. This is accomplished by incorporating a valuable educational programme which ensures that this journey is a rich spiritual experience.

An additional feature of our Hajj Tours, which makes us stand out from almost all of the UK operators providing Hajj Tours, is the location of our tents in Mina. We endeavour to accommodate all of our pilgrims in ‘VIP’ tents in Mina, as we have been doing every year. As you may be aware, while you are in Mina you will be required to go to the Jamarat to perform the stoning almost everyday. The normal tents where the European pilgrims are accommodated are almost 1 hour walk away from the Jamarat thus making the stoning ritual strenuous for most and impossible for others. We accommodate all our pilgrims in the ‘VIP’ European area which is about a 10 minute walk from the Jamarat, thus making stoning very easy, especially for the elderly, infirm and sick. Our committed British team along with our highly experienced Saudi partners look forward to serving you on your journey of a lifetime.

Visit one of Costa Rica’s butterfly farms for a complete escape from the dreariness of winter weather. Because the weather in Costa Rica is usually very warm, the number of butterfly species is tremendous. Butterflies are a main attraction on Costa Rica tours. In the tiny country of Costa Rica, there are more butterfly variations than in the entire continent of Africa. Many butterfly farms offer travelers the opportunity to spend hours admiring the colourful “flying jewels” in action. It is not necessary to visit a special farm to view butterflies, though. Butterflies are a beautiful part of everyday life in Costa Rica.

Along with butterflies, bird watching is another main attraction of any tour of Costa Rica. Harpy Eagles, an endangered species, have found a home in the nation’s forests. With over 800 different species of birds, Costa Rica’s national parks are resplendent with coloured feathers and chirping songs. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a paradise for those who enjoy watching birds. Canopy tours of the rainforest offer a bird’s eye view of the land below. Guides will escort visitors along suspension bridges and pathways in the tops of rainforest trees.

Tour a butterfly farm, watch birds in a rainforest, or take a skywalk in the Monteverde Reserve. Costa Rica offers a rare combination of beauty, pleasant weather, and richness of wildlife. Whether staying in a five star hotel, or backpacking through the countryside, every tourist will find something to enjoy.

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Cruises in particular are almost always included in cheap Caribbean vacation packages, as cruising gives tourists a chance to visit many of the islands in just a matter of days.

If you want to go on a romantic beach vacation, or simply want to visit one (or many) of the islands, you can find some amazing discounts online. Many of the packages are geared toward a particular interest. For instance, if you want to learn how to surf and snorkel, you can choose a package that includes surf or snorkeling training classes. If you want to enjoy the nightlife, you can choose a vacation deal that includes a lot of entertainment and clubbing options.

Of course, there are family friendly vacations as well, so if you want to take your kids along, you will be able to find enough activities for them to enjoy. All you have to do is visit your favorite bargain travel site to look over the options. If you’re new to online booking, popular travel sites include Expedia, Kayak, Travelocity, and Priceline. Each site has a special section dedicated to cheap Caribbean vacation packages. Look over all the offers to see which one most appeals to you.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can sign up for mailing lists and alerts. Some travel bargain sites will even send alerts to your iPod Touch or smart phone whenever a deal relevant to your interests is available. You can choose to receive notices about the Caribbean in general or individual islands. The most popular destinations include: Jamaica, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Virgin Islands.

Most cheap Caribbean vacation packages include airfare and accommodation. However, you can choose your own hotel if you want. There are also plenty of nice vacation homes and villas available for rent. If you want to go on a cruise, you can look for some excursion packages for whenever you are on land. An excursion can be anything from diving to horseback riding. There are also some underwater tours in which you can explore exotic underwater scenery and wonders.

Whether you love it or hate it, there is no escaping Jakarta, Indonesia’s overweight capital. This ‘Big Durian’ is filled with all the good and bad of Indonesian life.

At first glance, this hot, smoggy city, which sprawls for miles over a featureless plain, feels like nothing more than a waiting lounge for the millions queuing up to make their fortune. Jakarta’s infamous macet chokes its freeways, town planning is anathema and all attempts to forge a central focal point for the city have stuttered and ultimately failed. The first – or only – thought on most travellers’ minds is how quickly the city and its polluted streets can be left behind.

Beneath the veneer of glass fascias, concrete slabs and shabby slums, however, this is a city of surprises and a city of many faces. From the steamy, richly scented streets of Chinatown to the city’s thumping, decadent nightlife, Jakarta is a Pandora’s box, filled with unexpected gems. Here it’s possible to rub shoulders with Indonesia’s future leaders, artists, thinkers, movers and shakers, and to see first hand the deep-seated desire so many Indonesians have to rise above the poverty they were born into. Populated by Bataks from Sumatra, Ambonese from Maluku, Balinese, Madurese and Timorese, Jakarta is also a vast cultural melting pot in which the larger Indones­ian identity is forged; it is Indonesia in a nutshell.

Jakarta certainly isn’t a primary tourist destination, but parts of the old city (Kota) offer an interesting insight into the capital’s long history, and there are a handful of good museums scattered about. But if you want to get under the skin of Indonesia, a visit to this mammoth city is an absolute must

Sightseeing comes after eating, though, and Kenya’s Nyanza Province is home to the Thimlich Ohinga Heritage Site, a unique and massive structure made out of stone blocks held together without the benefit of mortar. Thimlich Ohinga means ‘frightening dense forest’ and is a fitting name for something that dates back at least 500 years and about which not much is known. It is speculated that the Bantu peoples built the structure but then abandoned it and visitors can marvel at this unsolved mystery while they tour the site.

On the eastern end of the Great Rift Valley is the archaeological mecca of Olorgesailie, the dried out basin of a 150,000 year old lake in the area that was home to the exotic Hand Axe peoples. Tourists are encouraged to stay overnight and explore this fascinating excavation and there is ample accommodation on site. The Olorgesailie basin stretches over 50 square miles and is an experience that should not be missed.

Manda Island in Coast Province’s Lamu District is home to the Takwa Ruins, and visitors should make time to tour this stately Swahili village that was built during the 15th century and abandoned due to environmental issues two hundred years later. Takwa’s most famous building is its Friday Mosque, which features a massive pillar atop the qibla wall, and which is said to be the burial place of a long forgotten sheikh.

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As a travel destination, the Czech Republic has much to offer. It’s home to beautiful natural scenery, rolling farmlands, villages lost in time, hills crowned with castles, some of the world’s finest beers, a mild climate and its vibrant capital, Prague.

The Czech Republic comprises two areas, Bohemia in the west and Moravia in the east. Gems in Bohemia include the valleys of the Vltava and Labe rivers, hills and rocky mountains which are perfect for hiking and rambling.

Bohemia boasts a number of delightful medieval towns. A sublime example is the historic center of Ceský Krumlov on the banks of the Vltava river. The town features a 13th-century castle with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque components.

Moravia is the agricultural heart of the country and is marked by picturesque farms, wooded highlands and vineyards. Brno is the largest city in South Moravia and the Czech Republic’s second largest city. It showcases the natural and artistic charms of South Moravia and offers a host of theaters cinemas, and clubs.

If you’re making your way to Prague from other parts of the country, the area surrounding the capital is well-worth seeing. Notable is the Vltava river valley which has reservoirs, and the many delightful chateaus.

Prague guide

Prague’s many monikers – the Golden City, the City of Hundred Spires and the Crown of the World, attest to its unique splendor. Located on the River Vltava in central Bohemia, Prague was once the seat of Kings of Bohemia and an important trading junction.

Nowadays it’s a vibrant city with a pulsating nightlife and much to see and do. Add to that an enchanting historic ambiance, a low cost of living and superb beer, and you have the recipe for a great vacation. Here are some highlights.

Carving its way through Prague is the Vltava river and many of the city’s attractions are around on near it. To experience these riverside charms, take a boat tour along the river. And be sure to take a stroll over the Charles Bridge at night and view the city with its illuminated castle.

If Prague has a heart it is surely Wenceslas Square, site of all the city’s historic events such as the Prague Spring of 1967 and the Velvet Revolution of 1989 that finally brought an end to communism. Wenceslas Square is now the site of the national museum.

For glorious views over the Vltava to the city beyond, head on up to the Castle District on the hill. While you’re there, visit the impressive cathedral.

The highlight of Prague is its medieval architecture. The city was relatively untouched during the World Wars and so is a showcase of a fascinating medley of architectural styles including Art Nouveau, Baroque, Cubist, Gothic, Neo-Classical, and Renaissance. Add to this the modern towers of commerce.

You can best enjoy Prague’s architecture in the Old Town Square. It’s a great area for walking with its winding streets, old taverns, and antique shops. The highlight of the square is the astronomical clock. A marvel of 15th century engineering, this clock presents statues of the apostles as each hour chimes.

Whether you’re tempted by beautiful natural scenery, historic towns or just the wonderful Pilsner beer, the Czech Republic and Prague make for a wonderful travel experience.

Lijiang is situated on the Jinsha River. It is home to the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The beauty of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain has been shared on many postcards around the world. Lake Lugu offers visitors to China a chance to experience a serene environment that is secluded and magical. The quiet hustle of the marketplace gives visitors a view of life of different ethnic cultures within China.

The Summer Palace is located in Beijing. Originally known as the Garden of Clear Ripples, the palace has thousands of visitors each year. The gardens surrounding the Summrer Palace are well-known and considered to be a masterpiece. The Summer Palace also serves a recreational park for visitors to Beijing. Many visitors marvel at the ornate buildings that make up the palace.

The Forbidden City is another popular tourist attraction. The city has an extensive collection of artwork and artifacts that stand as a testimony to the Ming Dynasty. Now a museum, the Forbidden City was the seat of the Ming Dynasty.
The Forbidden City is currently undergoing a restoration project to bring the city back to its pre-1912 state. It is the world’s largest palace complex. Almost all of the rooftops of the palace are decorated in yellow tiles. Yellow was symbolic of the emperor.

Many visitors to China return on several occasions. The beauty of China is hard to escape for the average person.
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Tanzania offers everything an outdoor walker could desire. A wide array of trek routes beckon the adventurer with spectacular views. Beautiful locations and unique places of interest make Tanzania a great place to have a holiday. Trek routes to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro are some of the most notable anywhere. As Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro is the perfect place to take an unforgettable snapshot that trekkers can treasure for years to come.

The Marangu Route is very popular since the climb is the easiest for most trekkers. A series of huts along the route offer places to stay. A less frequently travelled route is the Rongai Route. The Rongai is the longest route to the top of the mountain. The terrain it passes through is more remote than the Marangu Route. Both routes, when compared to other mountain treks, are not technically difficult. Even non-serious climbers can claim the achievement of reaching the summit.

If mountain hiking does not appeal, a trek across the Serengeti plains with Masai guides can be another memorable experience. Exploring bush country afoot is vastly different than viewing it from the seat of a moving vehicle. A trek on the Serengeti can include a visit to the Ngorongoro crater or a quiet rest near the Lake Victoria shoreline. In season, over a million wildebeest can be seen engaging in the process of their annual migration across the grassland.

A Tanzania holiday is the perfect choice. Walk Tanzania and be amazed.

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Bouillon is located very near the French border and is surrounded by Ardennes. Filled with incredible castle structures, and many historical sites to see, the city of Bouillon draws thousands of tourists each year. The city of Bouillon is also the location where Godfrey of Bouillon first left for the Crusades in 1095. Further, the city of Bouillon was, at one time, under the rulership of the French-specifically King Louis XIV in 1676. Later, the city would become part of Belgium in the eighteen century.

Castles, museums, beer breweries, and recreational activities are all easily accessible to guests in Bouillon. In fact, if guests visit Bouillon at the right time of year, they can take in all of the recreational activities that are offered on an annual basis in Bouillon. The city of Bouillon offers a carnival every March, a Trout Festival every April; Falconry demonstrations between the months of April and August; a Medieval Weekend during the month of August; a Craft Fair in September; and a mountain biking expedition in September.

Places of interest:

Bouillon houses a number of sites of historical interest. The Archeoscope is filled to the brim with edifying exhibits: exhibits that will reveal the true history of Bouillon, from its early beginnings to the present day. Further, within the Archeoscope, travellers can view scale models of the existing fortifications within the city of Bouillon and neighbouring France. The Archeoscope is often the first site visited by travellers-the historical education provided by the location readies the traveller for other site seeing adventures within the city.

Alternatively, travellers may also want to see the Ducal Museum, housing exhibits pertaining to the First Crusade to the present. English speaking, guided tours are offered at the Ducal Museum, and guests can take in the breath-taking sixteenth and seventeenth century architecture that this museum is famous for. Ultimately, the Ducal Museums is a source of historical exploration that the entire family can easily enjoy.

Of course, travellers seldom leave Belgium before sampling its world famous beer or visiting one of its breweries. While staying in Bouillon, travellers can tour the Le Marché de Nathalie, the city’s single brewery; a brewery that brews well over 300 varieties of Belgium beer. Travellers are given the opportunity to sample some of Belgium’s finest brews at the Le Marché de Nathalie.

Things to do:

The annual Falconry Demonstration that is offered between the months of April and August is called the Ballet de Rapaces. Offered three times daily, the Falconry Demonstration is a perk of visiting the Castle in Bouillon. The times for the Falconry Demonstration are set at 11:30 am, 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm respectively. Each show lasts approximately 1/2 hour, just a short time for travellers to see the beautiful falcons and their abilities.

Alternatively, many tourists find that they are drawn to the medieval architecture of Bouillon and such travellers may enjoy seeing the Chateau Fort. The Chateau Fort was established in the late 900’s and was formerly owned by Godfrey of Bouillon. The Chateau Fort houses long, vast corridors, and dark dank dungeons for traveller exploration and the medieval charm of the Fort is truly unforgettable. Adults and children find the Chateau Fort incredibly interesting, and the guided tours-especially the nocturnal tours where guides walk tourist through the castle with lighted torch in hand-serve as an incredibly memorable experience. The Chateau Fort is accessible from 10 am to 6:00 pm and the cost of admission is nominal: 5.20 Euro and 3.50 Euro for children and adults respectively.

Food & Drink:

Travellers can enjoy a fine dining experience at the La Vieille Ardenne on Grand Rue, a café and restaurant that proudly offers catering facilities to the residents of Bouillon. The La Vieille Ardenne has an outdoor veranda and travellers can sit on the terrace while sampling one of Belgium’s famous beers. Alternatively, the Auberge du Panaroma situated at Au dessus de la Ville 23 serves a fine selection of French cuisine, and is open every day except Monday and Tuesday.

Those travellers looking for fantastic Italian entrees can please their palate at La Rocca; located at rue du Petit 19 in Bouillon. La Rocca is open every day except for Monday and offers its guest live entertainment while they dine. Children’s menus are available at La Rocca and the dining facility is handicapped accessible.

Meanwhile, travellers looking for a taste of Belgian cuisine will find precisely what they desire at La Baratin, located at Rue des Augustins 12. Open everyday of the week, except for Mondays and Tuesdays, La Baratin offers the best in Belgian dining. Popular entrees among travellers include frites, Flemish cabbage, Flemish Stew, mussels and chips, and a dessert consisting of Belgium’s famous chocolates can finish off any meal. Again, beer, including the fruity, flavored variety is available in many cafes and restaurants throughout Belgium.

Hotels & Accommodation:

Logis De France Auberge D’alsace et Hotel de France
Hotel Cosy
Auberge d’Alsace Hotel de France
Hotel Panorama
Best Western Hotel La Porte de France
Hotel La Ferronniere
Hostellerie La Pommeraie
Entertainment:

Bouillon is a suitable city for those travellers looking to partake in outdoor recreations. From hiking to cycling, from kayaking to mountain biking, Bouillon is a prime destination for the outdoor enthusiast. Travellers can engage in motor biking through the Ardennes or travellers can take advantage of canoeing adventures on the River Ambleve or on the River Ourthe, as well as other rivers in Belgium. There are a number of kayaking tour guides available thorough Belgium and they are skilled guides ready to help travellers make the most of their adventures while staying in Bouillon and other regions of Belgium.

Meanwhile, those travellers that love nothing more than a good shopping excursion can really enjoy all of the flea markets and outdoor markets strewn throughout the Belgium countryside. Many German antiques can be purchased at flea markets and the like, and travellers may be pleasantly surprised by the incredible deals they find while shopping in Bouillon. In the end, Bouillon poses appeal to every traveller; both children and adults alike. Bouillon offers entertainment and fun for everyone. With its rich history, site seeing opportunities, fine dining selections and recreational pursuits, Bouillon makes and ideal place to visit or live in.