The two tour operators frame the collaboration around a shared mission of “exploring the world and leaving it better than they found it”. That mindset is at the heart of the itineraries, which are designed to pique travellers’ interest and curiosity and help them gain a deeper understanding of the places they visit.

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It is an ambitious programme, one that only companies with such complementary expertise, and years in the field to back it up, could pull off: science and storytelling for National Geographic, and community-rooted tourism for G Adventures.

Twenty-four of the new or updated itineraries are new National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures, while six are updated National Geographic Family Journeys with G Adventures.

The trips span the globe and encompass a wide range of experiences, including city breaks, nature retreats, culture-steeped itineraries, and wildlife encounters. Destinations include the Galápagos Islands, the Amazon rainforest, the vineyards of France, and the Christmas markets of Central Europe.

Among the most anticipated new journeys is the eight-day Wildlife of the Galápagos Islands itinerary, which focuses on the archipelago’s extraordinary wildlife. Travellers will meet conservationists working to protect the islands, spend time with researchers at the Charles Darwin Research Station, and go on a boat excursion with a naturalist.

Other highlights include visiting an organic farm to learn about local crops and snorkelling off the shores of an uninhabited island.

For families, the nine-day Peru Family Journey could become a winner. The Amazon & Machu Picchu, open to children aged seven and over, combines rainforest wildlife with Inca history. Activities include exploring Machu Picchu with a local guide before heading out into the Amazon at night to spot nocturnal creatures or observe the southern sky through telescopes at the Cusco Planetarium.

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Exotic, however, does not necessarily mean far from home. A special journey has been designed for the Christmas season, taking travellers from Prague to Budapest with stops in Český Krumlov and Bratislava, as well as a day trip to Vienna. Highlights include a Czech cooking class, a Danube dinner cruise and a chocolate-making workshop. Glühwein is generously provided throughout the journey, which should be enough to convince the unconvinced.

For those who want the Wein without the Glüh, another eight-day tour of the Loire Valley and Bordeaux might be just the thing. Travellers will visit France’s most famous castles, including Chenonceau. A local historian will be on hand to guide visitors as they make their way through the castle, sharing its rich history and, hopefully, some of the lesser-known tales that have been passed down over the years. 

The trip is punctuated by wine tastings that ground the trip in place, In vino veritas, after all, as travellers make their way from the banks of the Cher to the ancient catacombs of Saint-Émilion, discovering the region’s grapes, and its people, along the way.

@gadventures

It’s official: National Geographic Signature with G Adventures is HERE! See the world through National Geographic’s iconic lens with this all-new collection of refined itineraries that reveal a world unseen. Travel with a National Geographic Expedition Expert, a leading specialist whose insight brings each place vividly to life. Unlock rare access to places few travellers ever see, with invite-only experiences beyond the guidebook. Experience Signature Moments — exclusive, expert-led encounters rooted in National Geographic storytelling and closed to the public. Enjoy five-star hospitality in extraordinary, story-rich properties that feel like living history, chosen for their distinctive spirit. Explore with peace of mind thanks to seamless planning, 24/7 support, and Guaranteed Departures. Travel with purpose, with every tour directly supporting local communities and showcasing travel’s power to be a force for good. Joining Journeys and Family Journeys in our collection of National Geographic Expeditions with G Adventures, Signature represents the next chapter in a partnership shaped by curiosity, discovery, and a love for our world. Bookings are now open for early 2027 departures. Explore what’s ahead via the link in our bio. Discover National Geographic Signature. Discover A World Revealed.

♬ original sound – G Adventures

Asia gets its share of adventure, too. The 12-day Southeast Asia Family Journey whisks families from Hanoi to Siem Reap, through Vietnam and Cambodia.

Children and adults alike can cruise through Ha Long Bay, learn how to cook Vietnamese food, try their hand at making authentic noodles and even pick up some circus skills in Cambodia during a workshop with Phare, the Cambodian Circus.

There is quite a lot of cooking involved, but food is, after all, a universally recognised way of bringing people together across cultures and generations.

L’article National Geographic Expeditions and G Adventures unveil 30 new itineraries est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

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The list was created with travel forecasting company Globetrender and draws on information from local guides, tourism boards and Intrepid teams in 35 countries. Destinations had to receive fewer visitors than comparable places and possess enough infrastructure to accommodate growth. New flights, railway links, tourism projects and cultural events were also considered. The report is not a scientific ranking, but combines available data with local knowledge and editorial judgement. “If we want tourism to continue to be a force for good, we need to constantly rethink how and where we travel,” Intrepid’s general manager of experiences Erica Kritikides said.

Samburu National Reserve leads the list as a quieter alternative to Kenya’s Maasai Mara. It receives around 30,000 to 40,000 visitors annually, roughly one-tenth of the Maasai Mara’s total. Travellers can search for the “Samburu Special Five”, which include Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx and gerenuk. Community-led tourism also helps fund conservation and local services. Second-placed Mestia is a Georgian mountain town surrounded by the traditional villages and medieval defensive towers of UNESCO-listed Upper Svaneti. Improved access and tourism investment are positioning the area as a year-round base for hiking and skiing.

@mandy.hrr Underrated & Unforgettable: Why Samburu National Park Is Kenya’s Best-Kept Secret Far from the crowds, Samburu offers an exclusive safari with rare wildlife like the elegant gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, and Beisa oryx – the “Samburu Special Five.” Add elephants, leopards, and striking desert scenery, and you’ve got a truly wild adventure. #SamburuNationalPark #HiddenGemKenya #SafariSecrets #SpecialFive #UntamedAfrica #WildlifeWonder #BucketListTravel #SaveThisPost #AfricanAdventure #TravelInspo #Safari #Kenya #Kenyasafari #kenia ♬ sonido original – KiaraMarBalto

Jordan’s Northern Highlands occupy third place and show a greener side of a country usually associated with Petra and Wadi Rum. The region combines Roman remains, forest reserves and mountain paths. Whitehorse in Canada’s Yukon follows in fourth place, with northern lights, hiking and winter activities among its attractions. A new Arctic tourism initiative is developing community-led cultural, wildlife and adventure experiences. Guided activities can also introduce visitors to the history and traditions of Yukon First Nations.

Alonnisos in Greece takes fifth place after welcoming about 70,000 visitors in 2024, compared with approximately 500,000 on nearby Skiathos. The island lies within Europe’s largest marine protected area, which provides an important habitat for the endangered Mediterranean monk seal. Visitors can also explore the Peristera shipwreck, presented as Greece’s first underwater museum. Investments in recycling, desalination, renewable energy and biowaste management are intended to support more sustainable development.

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Dili in Timor-Leste occupies sixth place as new air connections make one of Southeast Asia’s least-visited countries easier to reach. The capital provides access to reefs, beaches and mountains, while its Tais Market showcases the country’s traditional woven cloth. Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Trail follows in seventh place. The 300-kilometre route has 22 stages crossing tea estates, forests and rural communities. Tourism spending can reach local guides, farmers, cafés, craftspeople and guesthouses along the way.

Liepāja, Latvia, is eighth and will host more than 500 events as a European Capital of Culture in 2027. Its Baltic beach, musical heritage and former military district offer reasons to travel beyond Riga. Chile’s Carretera Austral takes ninth place and runs for 1,240 kilometres through the fjords, glaciers and forests of northern Patagonia. Dalsland completes the list with lakes, forests, kayaking, cycling and wild camping. A direct Malmö–Oslo railway service introduced in 2026 has made the Swedish region easier to access. It received around 320,000 visitors in 2025, compared with almost 16 million for Stockholm.

@katiesaway Just came back from the most amazing weekend in Dalsland! We were gifted two nights stay at Nordic Refuge and spent the weekend hiking, swimming, cycling and just enjoying the Swedish summer! Here are all the places we visited: • Håverud and the aquaduct • Fröskogs Kyrka • Vandra i Ronjaland – hiking the trail to see where the film Ronja Röversdotter was shot • Not Quite • Sörknatten Naturreservat • Ärrsjön If you want our full itinerary you can find it on my blog (links in bio) #dalsland #sverige #visitsweden #sverigetiktok #resaisverige #dalsland #svensksommar ♬ Makeba – Jain

Promoting overlooked places can, however, raise fears that tourism pressure will simply be moved to a new destination. “The real test is whether tourism can grow without overwhelming local communities, ecosystems and infrastructure,” Globetrender founder Jenny Southan said. Previous editions have already brought greater attention to featured regions. Intrepid said its Pakistan bookings rose by 67% after Gilgit-Baltistan appeared on an earlier list, while bookings to Kyrgyzstan increased by 62%. The company has introduced five new itineraries connected to the 2027 selection, covering Kenya, Canada, Sri Lanka, Jordan and Georgia.

L’article Kenya’s Samburu leads Intrepid’s 10 ‘Not Hot’ destinations for 2027 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Two cities, complementary strengths

Kazakhstan has a distinctive advantage in this competition: two complementary centres. Almaty, its largest city and former capital, is the commercial, academic and cultural anchor; Astana, the national capital, adds national institutions, international finance and policy innovation. For international visitors, the contrast is equally clear: Almaty combines a major urban economy with mountain tourism and culture, while Astana has developed as a modern capital and a growing hub for international business and events.

Oxford Economics’ 2025 Global Cities Index offers one measure. Among 1,000 cities, Almaty ranked 258^th and Astana 276^th, the two highest positions in Central Asia, while Tashkent, the region’s largest city and a natural benchmark, ranked 471^st. Almaty also placed 64^th globally for human capital.

The economic base is substantial. In 2025, Almaty’s gross regional product reached KZT 36.2 trillion (about US$69.4 billion), while Astana’s was about US$37.6 billion. Together, they generated roughly 35% of Kazakhstan’s GDP. Tashkent, despite its larger population, generated about US$29 billion. Almaty and Tashkent both recorded real growth of 11.3%, meaning Almaty expanded at the same pace but from more than twice the economic base.

Astana is developing particularly quickly. Its population increased by more than 110,000, or 7%, in 2025, while 4.8 million square metres of housing were commissioned. The capital attracted around US$4.9 billion in fixed-capital investment, while gross foreign direct investment inflows reached US$4.1 billion, 2.6 times the previous year’s level. SMEs accounted for 65.9% of GRP, pointing to a broader private economy developing alongside the city’s role as an administrative centre.

Finance, talent and technology

Astana’s clearest institutional asset is the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). Launched in 2018 under an independent common-law framework, it includes its own court, arbitration centre, regulator and exchange. In the March 2026 Global Financial Centres Index, Astana ranked 65^th globally and first in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

By mid-2026, the AIFC had more than 6,000 registered companies and reported US$26.3 billion mobilised since 2018. Almaty-based KASE adds domestic depth, with equity-market capitalisation of about US$76 billion at the end of 2025. This division of labour matters: Astana provides an internationally recognisable legal and regulatory gateway, while Almaty offers the deeper commercial market where capital can be deployed.

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Almaty’s strength rests on decades of international business activity and a highly service-oriented economy. Services accounted for 85.9% of GRP in 2025, while the city attracted US$8.58 billion in gross FDI inflows. Trade, transport, finance, technology and professional services have created the concentration of businesses and skilled workers required by companies looking for a regional base. Tourism is increasingly part of that service economy, strengthening Almaty’s position as both a place to do business and a destination in its own right.

Human capital reinforces that position. Kazakhstan has three universities in Astana and Almaty among the global top 400 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, while the country reported more than 35,000 international students in 2025. Foreign institutions have also established a growing presence, including Coventry University in Astana and De Montfort University in Almaty.

Digitalisation is another shared strength. Kazakhstan ranked 24^th among 193 countries in the UN’s 2024 E-Government Development Index, while Almaty ranked 27^th globally in the UN Local Online Service Index. Astana, meanwhile, is developing a Smart City platform with Presight AI, part of Abu Dhabi’s G42 group. More than 60,000 cameras are being integrated alongside AI-enabled video analytics and a digital twin, part of a shift towards city management based increasingly on real-time data.

From city life to mountain tourism

Tourism and culture provide another measure of the cities’ growing international profile. Kazakhstan recorded 15.7 million foreign visits in 2025 as tourism investment and accommodation capacity continued to grow. Almaty alone welcomed about 2.49 million tourists, including 754,000 international visitors.

Its location at the foot of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains gives Almaty an unusual combination of metropolitan life and immediate access to nature. Shymbulak ski resort, Medeu and mountain trails sit close to a city already recognised for its cultural and creative offer. For travellers, that creates the possibility of combining a major Central Asian city with skiing, hiking and mountain experiences. Its winter tourism profile will gain further international exposure when Almaty hosts the 2029 Asian Winter Games.

Astana has followed a different route. The capital hosted the World Nomad Games in 2024, bringing more than 2,800 athletes from 89 countries, and has become an increasingly important venue for international cultural, political and sporting events. Such events are helping broaden Astana’s identity beyond that of an administrative capital while generating international arrivals and showcasing Kazakhstan to new audiences. Together, the two cities allow Kazakhstan to offer very different urban experiences within the same destination.

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Two gateways to Central Asia

Connectivity reinforces the same two-city logic. In 2025, Almaty airport handled 11.93 million passengers and Astana 9.2 million. Together they served more than 21 million, compared with 9.96 million at Tashkent. Two major gateways support different commercial, government and tourism flows while reducing reliance on a single hub.

Kazakhstan is also expanding international routes as tourism grows. In June 2026, the European Union and Kazakhstan signed a Horizontal Aviation Agreement opening further opportunities for European airlines to operate between the two markets. Infrastructure is expanding accordingly. A second runway is planned at Astana International Airport, alongside new passenger and cargo facilities, while the capital’s 22.4-kilometre automated LRT links the airport, city centre and Nurly Zhol railway station. Almaty is also investing in its airport and metro infrastructure.

Central Asia will benefit as Tashkent, Bishkek, Dushanbe, Samarkand and other cities expand. Urban development need not produce a single winner. But scale becomes more powerful when supported by institutions, skills and connectivity.

On that measure, Astana and Almaty remain Central Asia’s leading urban pair. Almaty brings commercial scale, talent, finance, tourism, nature and cultural energy; Astana brings international financial infrastructure, state capacity, technological innovation and a growing international events profile. Together, they give Kazakhstan two specialised and increasingly connected centres for business and travel at the heart of Central Asia’s transformation.

L’article How Astana and Almaty are reshaping travel and business in Central Asia est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Westmorland and Furness Way will launch on 15 September, creating a six-stage long-distance route from Alston, England’s highest market town, to the medieval ruins of Furness Abbey in Cumbria. The launch will take place as part of the Sedbergh Walking and Wellbeing Festival, which runs from 14 to 20 September.

Developed by Westmorland and Furness Council, the route uses existing trails wherever possible and crosses a varied mix of landscapes. Walkers will pass through the North Pennines National Landscape, the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Lake District National Park before continuing towards Morecambe Bay and the Furness coast.

The 193 km (120-mile) trail has been divided into six sections, allowing walkers to tackle individual stretches as day walks or weekend trips, or complete the entire route over a longer walking holiday. The full journey is expected to take between 8 and 17 days.

The first section, from Alston to Milburn, covers 26 km (16 miles) and is estimated to take one to two days. From there, walkers follow the Eden to Kirkby Stephen over 37 km (23 miles), before continuing through the Yorkshire Dales and Howgills to Sedbergh.

The longest section is the 43 km (27-mile) stretch from Sedbergh to Bowness, which takes walkers towards the Lake District and the shores of Windermere. The route then continues from Bowness to Ulverston before finishing with a 27 km (17-mile) section from Ulverston to Furness Abbey.

Along the way, the trail features high fells, open moorland, rolling countryside, rivers, woodlands and coastal landscapes. It also highlights the area’s cultural and industrial heritage, including mining, mills and boat building. New signage and interpretation boards will be installed along the route.

The idea for the route originally came from local walker and guidebook writer David Pitt, with the council subsequently developing the signed trail.

“We are incredibly proud to have developed the spectacular Westmorland and Furness Way, designed to connect both visitors and local communities with our rich heritage, nature and diverse landscapes. “This new walking route will celebrate our stunning area and make it even more accessible, creating a connected path from Alston all the way to Furness Abbey,” said Councillor Adrian Waite, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet member for Environmental Services and Transport.

A ‘Walker’s Passport’ scheme will also be introduced, with designated stamping points at participating venues along the route. Westmorland and Furness Council says the scheme is intended to support local businesses and charities while marking walkers’ progress.

“As well as being an excellent way to exercise and keep fit and healthy, the route will also provide opportunities for regenerative tourism and economic boosts for communities along the route, with walkers looking for places to eat, drink and sleep as they navigate their journey,’’ the Council highlights in the press release.

With its official launch approaching, the Westmorland and Furness Way will add a new long-distance option for walkers looking to explore the varied landscapes of Cumbria and northern England on foot.

L’article New 193 km walking route through Cumbria to open this month est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

At more than 500 metres above sea level, the Domaine de Bérizenne and neighbouring Fagne de Malchamps reveal another side of the region. Peat bogs, wet and dry heathlands, acidic marshes and forests replace the architecture of the thermal town below, while water remains almost as important here as it is in Spa itself.

I explored the area with guide Philippe Calonne, starting from the Domaine de Bérizenne before heading into the Fagne de Malchamps. The protected area covers around 365 hectares and forms part of the Natura 2000 network. Despite its relatively compact size, it contains an unusually diverse collection of habitats, including peatlands, wet heath, dry heath and acidic forests, supporting plants and wildlife that are increasingly difficult to find elsewhere. 

What makes the excursion particularly attractive for visitors to Spa is its proximity. The town sits at a little over 300 metres above sea level, while within just four kilometres the landscape climbs by almost 200 metres to the plateau. 

It is close enough for a morning excursion, yet sufficiently different to feel like another destination.

A landscape built centimetre by centimetre

The word fagne itself gives a clue to the landscape underfoot. These are wet, marshy environments, and the Fagne de Malchamps has developed on highly acidic soils where conventional agriculture was historically difficult.

Its name, Malchamps, literally evokes a “bad field”, an appropriate description of land that proved poorly suited to intensive cultivation. What was once a disadvantage has ultimately helped preserve an ecosystem that is now extremely valuable.

As we walked, the landscape changed constantly. Open heathland gave way to patches of forest, boggy ground and expanses of heather. Philippe pointed out blueberries, sedges, birches and different varieties of heather, as well as the habitats of carnivorous sundews, small plants that compensate for the nutrient-poor soil by trapping insects.

At one point, he bent down and picked up what looked, at first sight, like an unremarkable handful of bright green moss.

“This is sphagnum,” he explained, holding it up against the surrounding fagne.

Unlike most plants, sphagnum has no roots or vascular system. It thrives in this wet environment and grows extraordinarily slowly, Philippe explained, at a maximum of around one centimetre per year. When it dies, rather than decomposing completely, it accumulates beneath new growth. Layer after layer, over very long periods of time, this process creates peat. 

It is difficult to reconcile something so small and delicate in your hand with the enormous ecological role it plays. Sphagnum helps retain water and creates the acidic conditions characteristic of the fagne, while peatlands are also important carbon stores.

And here, that handful of moss is part of an even bigger story.

Protecting the landscape means protecting Spa’s water

The Domaine de Bérizenne belongs to Spadel, the Belgian family-owned group behind Spa mineral water. Philippe explained that the company acquired the estate in 1972 for a very particular reason: to protect the water.

“It’s simply to make sure that the water they collect for bottling remains pure,” he explained during our walk. Preventing potentially polluting industrial activity in and around the catchment area is therefore essential to safeguarding the resource. 

This protection goes far beyond the 365 hectares of the Fagne de Malchamps. The protected Spa aquifer area has expanded over generations and today covers 13,177 hectares, making it one of the largest areas of its kind in Europe. Agriculture and industry are prohibited in the protected catchment zone, as is the use of pesticides, fertilisers and chemical soil improvers. 

Walking across the fagne makes the reason for that protection much easier to understand.

Rain falling on the plateau does not simply run immediately into streams. Water moves slowly through layers of vegetation, peat and soil. Sphagnum plays an important role in this environment, while beneath the peat lie geological layers including clay and ancient rock.

Philippe described how some of that rainwater is naturally filtered through the upper layers before eventually re-emerging at springs with very low mineralisation. Other water penetrates much deeper through geological faults, interacting with mineral-rich layers before returning towards the surface. That deeper journey produces the more heavily mineralised and naturally carbonated waters associated with springs such as Marie-Henriette. 

The connection between the wild landscape above and Spa’s famous waters below suddenly becomes tangible. Protecting this landscape is not separate from protecting the water. It is part of the same process.

Three ways to discover the fagne

You do not need to be an experienced hiker to explore the Fagne de Malchamps. At the Maison de la Nature, a large map presents three marked walks starting from the Domaine de Bérizenne, allowing visitors to choose according to how much time and energy they have.

The easiest is SPA 15 – Les Caillebotis de Malchamps, a 4.1-km route indicated as taking around one hour. That is the route I chose. Walking with Philippe and stopping regularly to understand the plants, peat, geology and history around us extended the experience to approximately an hour and a half.

For those wanting to go further, SPA 11 – Petite boucle de Malchamps covers 5.1 km and takes approximately 1h15, while SPA 17 – La Fagne de Malchamps par la Vecquée extends to 9.5 km and around 2h30. All three are currently listed as open by the Domaine de Bérizenne. 

The routes also make it possible to explore this fragile environment without walking directly across the peatland. Boardwalks and designated paths cross sections where the ground can be extremely wet and unstable, while keeping visitors away from sensitive vegetation. The boardwalk sections are not accessible to wheelchairs or pushchairs. 

For me, the advantage of taking a guide quickly became obvious. A 4.1-km walk becomes something entirely different when someone can explain why the ground beneath your feet is acidic, pick up sphagnum and show you how peat begins, identify the heather or point out a carnivorous plant that you would otherwise walk straight past.

Climbing above the fagne

One of the highlights of the Domaine de Bérizenne is its wooden observation tower. Built in the 1990s from larch, the structure rises 22 metres above the landscape and requires 88 steps to reach the top. It is worth the climb.

From above, the fragmented landscape seen at ground level suddenly comes together. Heathland stretches towards the forests; wetlands interrupt the vegetation and, on a clear day, the horizon continues eastwards towards the wider Hautes Fagnes and eventually Germany.

The tower also makes the vulnerability of the landscape easier to understand. What looks like an expanse of hardy vegetation is dependent on a delicate balance of water, temperature and soil conditions.

Philippe has been guiding in the area for more than ten years, long enough to notice the changes himself. “In recent years, I have noticed considerable drought,” he told me, explaining its impact on the peatlands, ponds, fauna and flora. During our walk, one small pond that he would normally expect to contain water was completely dry. 

After the fires, a territory that still needs visitors

That vulnerability acquired a much more dramatic dimension this summer.

The devastating wildfires in the Hautes Fagnes provided a stark reminder that landscapes associated with water and wetlands can become extraordinarily combustible after prolonged periods of heat and drought. Peat is particularly problematic because fire can continue beneath the surface, making it extremely difficult to extinguish.

The ecological consequences extend far beyond the vegetation visible above ground. Peat accumulates extraordinarily slowly, while rare plants and wildlife depend on habitats that cannot simply be recreated once destroyed.

But the fires should not give travellers the impression that the wider region is inaccessible or that nature tourism around Spa should be avoided. The Fagne de Malchamps is a reminder that there are still extraordinary landscapes to discover, provided visitors respect restrictions, remain on designated paths and follow local guidance.

Continuing to visit responsibly can also help the territory recover. Spa and its surrounding communities depend on tourism, and supporting local guides, accommodation, restaurants and visitor attractions matters particularly after an environmental disaster has placed the region in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The answer is not to stay away, but to visit responsibly.

More than a hike

Back at the Domaine de Bérizenne, the experience does not necessarily end with the walk. The Musée de la Forêt et des Eaux explores the forests, water and ecosystems of the region, while the site also serves as an educational centre for schools and families. 

There are traces of human history across the landscape too. An old route crossing the fagne follows the path of an ancient Roman road, later used during the Middle Ages to connect territories under the influence of the Prince-Bishops of Liège. Elsewhere, an old elm linked to the history of the Bérizenne estate has survived for centuries, while the remains of a Second World War aircraft crash add another, darker layer to the walk.

Yet what stayed with me most was not a historical monument or even the panoramic view. Towards the end of our walk, surrounded by heather and the open landscape of the plateau, Philippe summed up his attachment to the place very simply: “When I come here, I am happy.” It is easy to understand why.

Just a few kilometres away, Spa is defined by the water that emerges from its springs, fills its thermal baths and leaves the town in millions of familiar bottles. Up here, at the Fagne de Malchamps, you begin to understand the landscape behind that water: the rain, moss, peat, rock and decades-long underground journey that precedes what eventually reaches the surface.

A hike that began as a 4.1-km walk through one of Wallonia’s most unusual natural landscapes ended up explaining another side of Spa altogether.

L’article Hiking the Fagne de Malchamps, where the famous Spa water begins est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Visiting Spa means repeatedly coming back to water. It flows beneath the streets, emerges from springs in the surrounding forests, fills the pools of the Thermes de Spa, appears in treatments whose origins stretch back more than 150 years, and leaves the region by the bottle from Spa Monopole. It is impossible to separate the destination from its springs.

That heritage has international significance too. Since 2021, Spa has formed part of UNESCO’s Great Spa Towns of Europe, alongside ten other historic thermal destinations including Bath, Vichy, Baden-Baden and Montecatini Terme. Together, they represent the European spa culture that developed around natural mineral springs and flourished particularly between the early 18^th century and the 1930s.

But in Spa, this heritage is anything but frozen in time.

When Europe came to take the waters

Walking through the centre with local guide Johny Lejeune quickly reveals how profoundly the arrival of visitors seeking the benefits of Spa’s waters transformed what had once been a modest settlement.

The town experienced two particularly prosperous periods: the second half of the 18^th century and, later, the decades stretching from around 1870 until the First World War. Wealthy visitors arriving to “take the waters” became known locally as Bobelins. Aristocrats, monarchs, writers, composers and political figures came not only for treatments but also to socialise, promenade and be entertained.

Spa consequently accumulated an extraordinary collection of visitors over the centuries. Peter the Great, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Giacomo Meyerbeer and the Duke of Wellington are among the names connected with the town. Queen Marie-Henriette of Belgium developed an especially strong relationship with Spa, spending the final seven years of her life here. Her name survives today in perhaps the town’s most important thermal source.

The wealth brought by the Bobelins also produced an architecture intended as much for entertainment as for treatment. Spa’s gaming tradition dates to 1763 with the establishment of La Redoute, the predecessor of today’s Casino de Spa, regarded as the world’s oldest casino still in operation. The competition must have been intense: as Lejeune tells it, by 1787 disputes between Spa’s rival casinos had become so serious that the Prince-Bishop of Liège sent 200 soldiers and two cannons to restore order.

Nearby, the 130-metre Galerie Léopold provided fashionable visitors with a sheltered place to promenade, while the surrounding Parc de Sept Heures takes its name from the hour at which spa guests traditionally came out for their evening walk. Taking the waters was not simply a treatment. It was a social ritual, and water effectively created an entire urban lifestyle.

The waters beneath Spa

Leave Spa’s grand buildings behind, and the original reason for all this prosperity becomes much clearer. The wooded landscape surrounding the town is scattered with springs, or pouhons, whose waters vary considerably in mineral composition and taste.

At one of them, the presence of iron was immediately visible in the reddish deposits surrounding the water. And, naturally, I had to taste it. Slightly sparkling, intensely metallic and with an unmistakable iron aftertaste, it is certainly different from the Spa water most of us know from the familiar bottles on supermarket shelves.

That diversity is fundamental to Spa’s thermal system because different springs have different purposes. Three in particular are closely connected to today’s Thermes de Spa. The naturally carbonated, iron-rich Marie-Henriette spring is used for traditional treatments, including carbonated baths and peat treatments, while water from the Clémentine spring supplies the swimming pools and several balneotherapy treatments.

In Spa, water is therefore not simply a backdrop to the destination or a generic wellness ingredient. Each source has its own characteristics, history and use.

Pierrots hiding in plain sight

Water even appears in one of the most colourful symbols scattered around the city.

Spa Monopole dates back more than a century, and in 1923 a competition was organised to create a symbol for the company. The winning design was the Pierrot, a small figure attempting with both hands to hold back the stream of water bursting from a bottle. More than 100 years later, that same little character can still be found on Spa water labels.

I had barely noticed him before.

Once you know the story, however, the Pierrot suddenly seems to appear everywhere in Spa. Twelve larger Pierrots are scattered around the city, each decorated differently, bringing unexpected splashes of colour to the streets and creating a small discovery trail of their own. I came across several during my visit, each with its own personality.

It is a playful symbol, but an appropriate one. Even here, in the city’s public art, everything comes back to water.

A hotel with a direct line to wellness

Accommodation is naturally part of the experience of staying in Spa, and during my visit I stayed at the Van der Valk Hotel Spa, in the heart of the town and within walking distance of many of its main sights.

The hotel itself has recently undergone a significant transformation. According to Adrien Nys, Business Development Manager at Van der Valk Liège, the ground floor was completely redesigned ahead of its inauguration in April 2025, while a gradual renovation of the bathrooms is still underway.

Its most distinctive feature, however, is its connection with the Thermes de Spa. Although the hotel and the thermal complex are independently managed, a private funicular can be accessed directly from the hotel’s first floor, taking guests up the wooded hillside to the Thermes.

It changes the experience considerably. Rather than driving to the thermal complex and changing there, guests can get ready in their room, put on a bathrobe and head directly to the funicular. As Nys put it during our conversation, you can change “in your own oasis” before making your way up to the Thermes.

As the funicular climbs the wooded hillside, Spa gradually drops away beneath you. Within minutes, you have moved from the architecture and streets of the historic town to a contemporary thermal complex overlooking the valley. It is an extraordinary arrival and, rather than simply being a practical means of reaching the Thermes, the journey feels like part of the experience.

Opened in 2004, the Thermes de Spa sit high above the town, surrounded by greenery, rather than in the historic centre where the former thermal establishment once stood. Yet at the top, the connection with Spa below remains very tangible.

Christel Pire, Reception Manager at the Thermes de Spa, explained that the facility’s philosophy has changed considerably from the days when thermal treatments were more medicalised and could be reimbursed through Belgium’s social security system. Today, the emphasis is primarily on relaxation and wellbeing, while preserving several treatments directly linked to Spa’s thermal tradition.

The Thermes welcome around 170,000 visitors annually, according to Pire, of whom approximately 35,000 book treatments. The majority come for the thermoludic facilities: indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, hammams and relaxation areas. The pools, filled with water from the Clémentine spring and heated to around 33°C, extend outdoors, allowing visitors to float in warm spring water while looking across the surrounding landscape.

1868, still alive in a copper bath

Some of the most fascinating experiences at the Thermes are found away from the pools. In the treatment area, Spa’s past and present come remarkably close together.

The carbonated bath is perhaps the best example. Large copper bathtubs of the type used in Spa since the 19th century are filled with naturally carbonated and ferruginous water from the Marie-Henriette spring, heated to around 36°C. There are no mechanical jets. Instead, tiny naturally occurring bubbles settle over the skin as the body rests in the water.

Pire describes it as one of the Thermes’ traditional treatments, a direct continuation of practices once offered in the old thermal establishment. The water and the copper are not incidental details but part of the treatment itself.

Another survivor is the peat bath. Peat is mixed with carbonated, iron-rich Marie-Henriette water and heated to around 40°C. Unlike most of today’s offer, which is centred on relaxation, Pire says the peat bath retains a stronger therapeutic dimension, with regular clients returning for treatments aimed at relieving rheumatic and joint discomfort.

This is where Spa becomes more than another European wellness destination. Modern pools, relaxation rooms and massages coexist with practices that connect today’s visitor with the generations who travelled here to take the waters.

Spa water meets Sothys

That historical identity has not prevented the Thermes from embracing contemporary wellness. Its treatment institute combines the traditional water-based treatments with a broader beauty and massage offer developed with French professional skincare brand Sothys.

The partnership is particularly interesting because Spa’s own water has also found its way into the collaboration. The relationship between Sothys and the Thermes dates back more than two decades and has included the development of products incorporating water from the Marie-Henriette spring.

It is a good illustration of the balance Spa is trying to maintain. The destination does not need to choose between thermal heritage and contemporary wellness. The two can complement one another, with the springs providing the identity that distinguishes the offer from a wellness centre that could exist almost anywhere else.

Belgian water in Belgian hands

The same water story continues beyond tourism and wellness. Spa Monopole has been bottling water here for more than a century and today belongs to Spadel, a Belgian family-owned group.

That ownership has become increasingly distinctive in Belgium. Chaudfontaine, the country’s other internationally recognised mineral-water name, was acquired by Coca-Cola in 2003, while Spa has remained in Belgian hands through Spadel.

The group is also investing in the future of the site. Around €40 million is being invested in Spa Monopole between 2025 and 2027, including improvements to production lines and the plant’s environmental and energy performance.

There is something particularly striking about seeing how one resource operates at so many different levels. The same landscape that attracted aristocratic Bobelins centuries ago today sustains a major Belgian beverage company, a contemporary wellness destination and a tourism identity recognised around the world.

And that little Pierrot trying to contain the water escaping from his bottle suddenly makes a lot more sense.

Spa at the heart of Europe’s thermal future in 2027

Spa’s position within European thermal culture will come into focus again in June 2027, when the city is set to welcome a major joint event of the European Spas Association (ESPA) and the European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA), bringing European thermal heritage and the health tourism sector to the Belgian destination.

The choice of Spa feels particularly appropriate. Across Europe, thermal destinations are increasingly looking towards prevention, wellbeing, healthier lifestyles and longevity while asking how centuries of therapeutic tradition can remain relevant to a new generation of travellers.

Spa has already been navigating that transition for decades. Its old thermal establishment has found a new life, while the modern Thermes have moved wellness onto the hillside without abandoning the springs and traditional treatments that made the destination famous in the first place.

Over two days in Spa, water seemed to be everywhere, but rarely in quite the same form. It was red with iron at a pouhonin the woods, naturally carbonated in a copper bath, warm beneath the open sky at the Thermes, represented by colourful Pierrots in the streets and bottled under a Belgian brand recognised far beyond the country’s borders.

More than two centuries after Europe’s Bobelins came here to take the waters, Spa continues to reinvent what that relationship with water can mean.

L’article The Belgian town where water became a way of life est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The resorts offer very different experiences. Some are known for their large ski areas and high-altitude slopes, while others combine winter sports with luxury, restaurants and activities away from the pistes. The ranking therefore includes options for different types of travellers. Here are the 10 resorts that made the cut.

1. Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt takes first place in the ranking. The Swiss resort has 360 kilometres of ski trails extending across the border into Italy. The Klein Matterhorn reaches 3,883 metres and skiing is possible throughout the year. Its combination of extensive slopes, high-altitude skiing and mountain views makes it Trip.com’s top European ski resort for 2026.

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2. Val Thorens, France

Val Thorens is located more than 2,000 metres above sea level and comes second. The resort is part of Les 3 Vallées and offers several activities away from the slopes. The five-kilometre Cosmojet Luge is France’s longest toboggan run. Visitors can also try snowmobiling, mountain karting, paragliding and ice climbing.

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3. Courchevel, France

Courchevel takes third place and combines skiing with a luxury holiday experience. The resort has 150 kilometres of marked slopes and provides access to the wider Les 3 Vallées area, with another 600 kilometres of slopes. Away from skiing, visitors can find luxury shops and Michelin-starred restaurants. Even the ski lift cars have a luxury touch, as they were designed by Chanel.

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4. St Moritz, Switzerland

St Moritz ranks fourth with its Corviglia ski area. The resort has 88 pistes and 56 lifts, with slopes reaching Piz Nair at 3,057 metres. One of the ski routes stretches for nine kilometres. Visitors can also choose easier intermediate pistes and stop at restaurants overlooking the surrounding mountains.

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5. Les Menuires, France

Les Menuires is located in the heart of Les 3 Vallées and takes fifth place. Around 85% of its ski area is above 1,800 metres, while 81 slopes are shared with neighbouring Saint-Martin-de-Belleville. The resort offers terrain for different levels. Experienced skiers can take on steep black runs, narrow sections and off-piste routes.

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6. KitzSki, Austria

KitzSki is the only Austrian resort in the top 10. Located around Kitzbühel, the resort combines a large ski area with the traditional Alpine setting of the region. Visitors can spend time on the slopes before heading to mountain restaurants or exploring the surrounding villages. The destination has also appeared in Trip.com’s annual rankings for three consecutive years.

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7. Verbier, Switzerland

Verbier is the third Swiss resort in the top 10. The destination is known for its extensive ski terrain and its location in the Swiss Alps. It also hosts Freestyle Ski World Cup events. Trip.com has included Verbier in its annual rankings for three consecutive years, highlighting its continued popularity among winter sports enthusiasts.

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8. Les Deux Alpes, France

Les Deux Alpes takes eighth place and is another French resort known for its high-altitude skiing. Its glacier allows skiing outside the traditional winter period. The resort also has slopes for different levels of experience. Les Deux Alpes has previously appeared in rankings of more affordable French ski destinations, although price is not a factor in Trip.com’s ranking.

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9. Méribel, France

Méribel is ninth and is another resort located in Les 3 Vallées. The destination combines access to the large ski area with traditional Alpine architecture and wooden chalets. It also offers ski lessons for children, making it suitable for families. Visitors can use Méribel as a base while exploring the wider network of slopes.

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10. Les Arcs, France

Les Arcs completes the top 10. Located in Bourg-Saint-Maurice in the French Alps, the resort offers a range of skiing opportunities and mountain views. Its position means that France accounts for six of the 10 resorts on the list. Les Arcs is also part of a wider trend in which Alpine destinations are looking for ways to attract visitors beyond skiing.

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Ski resorts are looking beyond winter

Skiing remains the main reason many travellers visit the resorts on Trip.com’s list, but Alpine destinations are increasingly offering other activities. The Balanc’Air giant swing at Villars in Switzerland is one example. Opened at 2,110 metres above sea level, the attraction gives visitors a new way to experience the mountains outside traditional winter sports.

This shift is becoming more important as resorts look to attract visitors throughout the year. Hiking, mountain biking and adventure attractions can provide alternatives when there is no snow. At the same time, travellers looking for cheaper ski holidays can consider destinations outside the traditional Alpine hotspots. Trip.com’s ranking focuses on the overall resort experience, rather than simply finding the cheapest place to ski.

L’article Europe’s top 10 ski resorts in 2026, from Zermatt to Les Arcs est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Europe’s 10 most scenic island road trips

Tenerife ranks first among Europe’s most scenic island road trips thanks to its volcanic landscapes and impressive elevation. The Canary Island reaches 3,715 metres at Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, offering views over lava fields, forests and the Atlantic Ocean. A drive through Mount Teide National Park reveals how quickly the scenery changes, from rocky volcanic terrain to green mountain slopes. Historic towns such as Garachico add cultural highlights along the route.

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Gran Canaria takes second place with a mix of volcanic mountains, beaches and traditional villages. The island’s varied terrain means that a single road trip can include coastal views, desert-like dunes and mountain landscapes. The route towards Roque Nublo is one of the highlights, offering wide views over the interior. Beyond the popular resorts, quieter roads reveal local communities and a different side of the island.

Madeira completes the top three thanks to its dramatic cliffs, green valleys and volcanic origins. The Portuguese island’s roads often run along steep slopes above the Atlantic Ocean, creating viewpoints throughout the journey. A full island circuit can be completed in around six hours, allowing travellers to experience many of its highlights. Hiking routes, natural pools and the island’s famous forests make Madeira a diverse road trip destination.

@xtravel.madeira Perfect 1-day Madeira road trip Funchal → Câmara de Lobos → Cabo Girão → Fanal → Porto Moniz → Seixal → sunset Feels like 5 different places in one day. After 3 years exploring Madeira, I created my INTERACTIVE MADEIRA MAP Link in bio I also do PRIVATE HIKING AND DRIVING TOURS #madeira #madeiraisland #visitmadeira #travel #portugalviral ♬ оригинальный звук – xtravel.madeira

La Palma stands out for its combination of volcanic scenery, forests and mountain views. Known as “La Isla Bonita”, the island reaches 2,426 metres at Roque de los Muchachos, providing panoramic views across the Atlantic. Drivers can explore Caldera de Taburiente National Park, discover volcanic landscapes and pass through small villages surrounded by nature. Its dramatic scenery makes it one of the Canary Islands’ most rewarding destinations by car.

Mallorca ranks fifth thanks to its mountain roads, historic towns and Mediterranean coastline. Although it is one of Europe’s most visited islands, travelling beyond the main resorts reveals a quieter atmosphere. The Serra de Tramuntana mountain range offers some of the island’s most scenic routes, with winding roads overlooking valleys and the sea. Villages such as Valldemossa and Deià add cultural charm to the journey.

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Corsica offers one of Europe’s most adventurous island drives, combining mountain scenery with Mediterranean coastlines. The French island reaches 2,706 metres at Monte Cinto, creating a landscape where alpine environments meet turquoise waters. Roads pass through forests, valleys and small villages, offering a strong sense of exploration. The combination of rugged nature and traditional culture makes Corsica particularly attractive for road trippers.

The Isle of Skye offers one of Europe’s most distinctive island drives, where dramatic scenery appears around every corner. Located off Scotland’s northwest coast, the island combines mountains, sea cliffs, waterfalls and small coastal villages. Natural landmarks such as the Fairy Pools and the Quiraing highlight the variety of views travellers can discover along the roads. Skye’s appeal comes from its wild atmosphere and ancient geological formations.

@ameliaxsalmon

the most beautiful two days in the Isle of Skye we only had two full days to explore the island, so we packed our itinerary … driving from Edinburgh we stopped at Glen Coe & the Glenfinnian Viaduct, arriving for dinner at Crouisk House day one: fairy pools, Portree, birch cafe + Staffin sauna and cold dip day two: lean to coffee, rainy cinema trip to Las Portree + Skye candles followed by a stop at Eilean Donan castle on the drive back home to Edinburgh !! honestly had the most magical time exploring (the views here don’t feel real!) & will be back to do the old man of stor in better weather !!

♬ Lovers by the Water – Makayla Marie Williams

Crete combines ancient history with varied scenery, making it one of Greece’s best islands for a road trip. The island reaches 2,456 metres at Mount Ida, creating routes that move between mountains, beaches and traditional villages. Travellers can discover archaeological sites such as the Palace of Knossos while also exploring natural areas including the Samaria Gorge. Crete offers a balance between culture, nature and local traditions.

Rhodes provides a road trip experience where history and nature come together. The Greek island is known for its medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but its interior also offers forests, villages and mountain roads. Routes across the island connect archaeological sites, beaches and quieter communities. This variety makes Rhodes more than just a traditional sun and sea destination.

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La Gomera completes the scenic top ten with a landscape shaped by mountains, ravines and ancient forests. The Canary Island’s roads pass through Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting one of Europe’s best examples of laurel forests. Travellers can discover traditional villages, dramatic viewpoints and winding mountain routes. Its smaller size creates a road trip experience focused on nature and discovery.

Europe’s 10 best secluded island road trips

El Hierro ranks first among Europe’s most secluded island road trips thanks to its peaceful atmosphere and untouched surroundings. Located in the western Canary Islands, it receives far fewer visitors than Tenerife or Gran Canaria. Volcanic landscapes, natural pools and remote viewpoints make it ideal for travellers looking to slow down. The island’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status reflects its focus on protecting its unique environment.

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Lesbos offers a quieter alternative to Greece’s better-known islands, with enough space to explore without large crowds. Its roads connect olive groves, mountain villages and coastal areas, creating varied routes across the island. Travellers can discover historic sites such as Molyvos Castle, relax at natural hot springs or explore the Petrified Forest. Its combination of culture and nature makes Lesbos well suited for a peaceful road trip.

Samos combines mythology, forests and beaches while maintaining a more relaxed atmosphere than many Greek islands. Located in the eastern Aegean Sea, it offers routes through green landscapes, traditional villages and coastal areas. Visitors can explore the ancient Heraion sanctuary, discover waterfalls and enjoy quieter beaches. Lower visitor numbers allow travellers to experience the island at a slower pace.

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La Gomera’s secluded character comes from its quieter atmosphere compared with neighbouring Canary Islands. While Tenerife attracts millions of visitors, La Gomera offers a slower experience with small villages, traditional agriculture and peaceful roads. The island’s routes lead to hidden viewpoints and remote corners where travellers can enjoy nature without large crowds. Its appeal lies in the feeling of discovering a lesser-known destination.

Gotland, Sweden’s largest island, combines peaceful roads with medieval history and Baltic scenery. The island is home to Visby, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by a well-preserved medieval wall. Beyond the historic centre, travellers can explore rocky coastlines, countryside roads and unusual rock formations. Its relaxed pace makes it a strong choice for those looking for a quieter European escape.

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Korčula provides a more peaceful alternative to Croatia’s busiest coastal destinations. Roads cross vineyards, forests and small villages before reaching beaches and viewpoints along the Adriatic coast. The medieval streets of Korčula Town add cultural interest to the journey. The island’s combination of nature, tradition and manageable distances makes it ideal for relaxed exploration.

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The Faroe Islands offer one of Europe’s most remote and dramatic road trip experiences. The Danish archipelago consists of 18 volcanic islands connected by tunnels, bridges and ferries. Steep cliffs, green mountains and small villages create a unique setting that feels far removed from busy tourist destinations. Changing weather conditions add to the adventure and constantly transform the scenery.

Brač is another Croatian island where travellers can enjoy quieter roads and natural beauty. Known for its clear waters and traditional stone villages, the island offers a mix of coastal scenery and inland routes. Zlatni Rat beach near Bol is its most famous attraction, while the mountains and countryside provide a different perspective. Its compact size makes it easy to explore at a relaxed pace.

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Ultimately, Europe’s best island road trips are not necessarily about covering the greatest distance. From the volcanic roads of the Canary Islands to the rugged landscapes of Scotland and the quieter shores of the Mediterranean and Baltic, travelling by car offers the freedom to explore beyond the usual tourist centres.

The fact that islands such as La Gomera, La Palma and the Isle of Skye feature among both the most scenic and most secluded destinations also suggests that travellers do not always have to choose between spectacular landscapes and escaping the crowds. Sometimes, both can be found along the same road.

L’article Europe’s best island road trips: from volcanic peaks to hidden coastal escapes est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Since its inauguration in 1826, the Waterloo battlefield and the Lion’s Mound have become some of the best-known destinations in Wallonia. The Mound alone attracts some 175,000 visitors annually.

As a prominent site of historical and symbolic value, the imposing Lion of Waterloo (which is located in Braine-l’Alleud) was the start of a larger project on the grounds of the battlefield, which also includes the historical Hougoumont Farm and the Memorial 1815, a modern underground museum featuring immersive exhibitions. Every year, a number of events and historical weekends bring the history of the grounds alive.

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In order to prepare the Lion’s Mound for its 200^th anniversary, the monument underwent a series of major restoration works between the end of 2025 and May 2026. The works involved repairs to the long staircase to the top, including its steps, balustrade, and handrail. Stone and cast-iron elements were refurbished, as well as the statue of the lion itself. The works cost the Belgian federal government some €650,000, with funding contributed by the National Lottery.

The reopening of the Lion of Waterloo on 22 May 2026 also kicked off a year of celebrations, honouring the Lion’s bicentenary. Several events have been and will be organised in order to put the special occasion in the spotlight it deserves. We selected some unmissable happenings.

Iconic Lion, a photo exhibition

Until 31 December 2026, the Waterloo Battlefield Estate hosts Iconic Lion, an extensive photographic exhibition dedicated to the Lion’s Mound. The first part features the work of two professional photographers, Samuel Bouchoms and Jean-François Schmitz, and is on display at the underground museum Memorial 1815. Outdoors, the photo exhibition takes visitors on a journey past some of the battlefield’s most iconic locations. The selection of shots on show was captured by the public and gathered through a social media contest.

A festive and family-friendly weekend

For the time of a weekend, on 15 and 16 August 2026, the Waterloo Battlefield Estate will be organising a series of family-friendly activities on and around the Lion’s Mound. The programme includes a bouncy castle, games, a climbing wall, and a giant zip line launched from the top of the Lion’s Mound. Visitors will get to enjoy historical activities with the 1815 reenactors, including rifle and cannon firing demonstrations, and tickets (ranging from €0 to €27 per person) include a concert by the band Mister Cover on the evening of 15 August.

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A show for the 200^th anniversary of the Lion’s Mound

On 12 September 2026, the Lion’s Mound’s bicentenary will be celebrated through a grand show, narrated by Patrick Weber. Through a combination of storytelling, historical scenes, projections, and spectacular staging, the events that shaped the iconic site since 1826 will be brought back to life. The event is accessible to all (tickets cost €26 per person), and the experience will be elevated by a musical performance by students from Musica Mundi.

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A little history

On 18 June 1815, a stretch of land located in what is now known as the towns of Braine-l’Alleud and Lasne (just south of Brussels) was the stage of a battle that went on to make history. On that day, the French Imperial Army under the command of Napoleon was met by two allied forces of the Seventh Coalition, led by the Duke of Wellington and Field Marshal Blücher.

The French were defeated; the Battle of Waterloo meant the end of Napoleon’s Hundred Days return from exile, and thereby the end of the Napoleonic Wars. A relative sense of peace came over Europe, but 40,000 men lost their lives on the battlefield, while many more were wounded. One of those men was the then Prince of Orange, William, the eldest son of King William I of the Netherlands. During the battle, the prince was hit in the shoulder by a musket ball and knocked from his horse as a result.

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In 1823, King William I decided to build a monument to commemorate the victory of the Seventh Coalition and to remember the fallen soldiers. For the design, he commissioned his architect, Charles Vander Straeten, who planned the project in such a way as to position it on the spot where the Prince of Orange got hurt.

Over the next three years, the monument took shape. Some 290.486 cubic meters of earth were taken from the battlefield to shape the 40-meter-high mound, a move criticised by many at the time as it undeniably altered the original outlook of the location, chosen precisely because of its rolling landscape. The hill was crowned by a triumphant cast-iron lion – looking towards defeated France – designed by sculptor Jean-Louis van Geel, while 226 steps completed the project.

For more information about Wallonia and to plan your trip, see VISITWallonia.com, the official tourism website for Belgium’s southern region, offering inspiration on destinations, attractions, accommodation, outdoor activities, cultural heritage and local gastronomy.

L’article Lion of Waterloo celebrates 200th anniversary with photo exhibition and grand show est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Wolf Trail runs through Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Slovenia, combining existing European long-distance paths into one continuous route. Designed by outdoor brand Jack Wolfskin, the trail is aimed at both experienced thru-hikers and travellers looking to complete individual sections.

@jackwolfskin Wolf Trail Europe's newest thru-hiking trail | 3493 km ~ 2170 miles | 4-6 months | info   The Wolf Trail is a new thru-hike that goes coast-to-coast from northern Poland to Trieste on the Adriatic Sea in Italy. It stitches together existing premier routes including the E9 (Coastal Path), E1, Nord–Süd Route, and the Via Alpina into one seamless odyssey. It crosses six countries through forests, countryside, mountains, and the Mediterranean. We're very stoked to launch this new thru-hiking trail   If you don't have the time to hike the full Wolf Trail, no worries, you can also very easily section-hike it   All stages   1⃣ Baltic Start, 428 km | 266 mi
2⃣ Rivers & Plains, 543 km | 337.5 mi
3⃣ The Green Heart, 487 km | 302 mi
4⃣ Forests & Wine, 583 km | 362 mi
5⃣ High Watch, 581 km | 361 mi
6⃣ Alpine Gateway, 394 km | 245 mi
7⃣ Alpine Crossing, 591 km | 367 mi   From the end of April, you can follow these amazing hikers on their journey, setting off in Poland and ending in Trieste:   @laurenroerick
 @timothyvslarsen
 @elinasborne
 @marc_is_walking   More info, the GPX, and everything else coming soon. Make sure you follow @jackwolfskin and @_thru_hiking for the latest updates!   See you on the trails!   Wolf Trail
 Thru-hike
 3493 km / 2170 miles
 4 to 6 months
 Hills, urban, forest, mountains, countryside
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#thruhiking #wolftrail #thruhike ♬ Wander On – Jeddy Knox

Covering approximately 3,493 kilometres, the full route involves around 78,400 metres of elevation gain, roughly equivalent to climbing Mount Everest nine times from sea level. Completing the entire trail is expected to take between four and six months.

The journey begins in Hel, on Poland’s Baltic coast, with a 430-kilometre section to Świnoujście. Hikers pass sandy beaches, coastal forests and landscapes including Słowiński National Park before continuing westwards into Germany.

From Baltic beaches to Alpine passes

The route becomes progressively more demanding as it heads south. After crossing the plains and forests of northern Germany, hikers encounter the Lüneburg Heath, Rothaar Mountains and Palatinate wine region before reaching the Black Forest and Lake Constance.

From there, the Wolf Trail enters Alpine terrain, passing through the Allgäu Alps before continuing towards some of the most dramatic landscapes of the journey. The final 558-kilometre section between Oberstdorf and Trieste crosses the Dolomites and Julian Alps, with mountain passes reaching between 2,500 and 3,000 metres.

Among the highlights are the UNESCO-listed Dolomites and Triglav National Park. The route eventually descends towards Trieste, where the journey finishes on the Adriatic coast.

Rather than creating thousands of kilometres of entirely new paths, the Wolf Trail connects established routes, including sections of the E1 and E9 European long-distance paths and the Via Alpina.

The complete journey has been divided into seven sections ranging from 373 to 573 kilometres. They can be tackled independently, allowing hikers without four to six months available to experience parts of the route over several weeks. Numerous access points also make shorter hikes possible.

Accommodation instead of wild camping

One of the challenges of creating a continuous route across Europe is the variation in camping regulations between countries and regions. Instead of relying on wild camping, the Wolf Trail has been planned around existing infrastructure, with hikers able to use approved trekking camps, mountain huts and accommodation in towns and villages along the way.

This also fits the concept of thru-hiking, where travellers follow a long, continuous route while regularly stopping in communities to obtain food and other supplies.

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Canadian long-distance backpacker Lauren Roerick has tested the route to assess its practicality and navigation. However, anyone attempting the complete journey will still need to plan carefully around the seasons.

The northern sections provide a relatively gentle introduction, but conditions become considerably more demanding towards the Alps. Given the duration of the full hike, timing is particularly important, with Alpine sections potentially exposed to severe weather and snow between autumn and early spring.

Beyond the physical challenge, the route offers a slow-travel journey through contrasting European landscapes and cultures, from Baltic fishing communities and German wine regions to Alpine villages and the multicultural port city of Trieste.

L’article New 3,500 km Wolf Trail takes hikers across six European countries est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.