Surprising highlights around Brussels

Brussels has been Belgiums cultural and political center for more than a 1000 years. The green hilly country around the city has some surprising sites. Let's visit the village of Sint Anna Pede with its 13th century little church that didn"t change since Pieter Bruegel painted there 'Blind guiding the blind' in the 17th century; the 800 year old Castle of Gaasbeek and its 18th century garden; Waterloo, the site of Napoleons 1815 defeat (and its museum);. We'll pass by King Leopold II museum of Africa Museum with its French park on the way to the Wine-Museum 'Druif' in Overijse - stuated in the 17th century Bonte Os building. At midday we'll stop at the beautiful Lake of Genval for lunch in one of the restaurants on the lake side (or just a snack?). In all we'll drive about 100 kms (60 miles) through a beautiful landscape. (tour from 1st of may till 31st of october; not on mondays).

We'll meet in Brussels and drive through the southern region near Brussels. First we'll stop at the Bruegel site at Sint Anna Pede; from there we'll drive to Lennik, where we'll visit the castle of Gaasbeek (and the garden if you wish). At Waterloo you'll have a look at the battle fields, learn all about this important episode in history in the Museum (and climb the 226 steps of the Lion's Mound ???). We'll stop at the beautiful lake of Genval for lunch / a snack at the lake site. We'll drive direction Brussels through the wine region of Hoeilaert - passing by the impressive Africa Museum (built in 1904 by the french architect Charles Girault, who also created the Petit Palais in Paris). In Overijse we'll stop at the Wine Museum. From there we'll return to Brussels.