HOLY BREWERIES Belgium's Trappist Trail Seven Day Beer Break

For any discerning beer lover, a pilgrimage to the monasteries of Belgium for Trappist beer would definitely be on the bucket list. Discover seven of the original monastic-breweries throughout Belgium and the Netherlands, tasting rare and unique beers at each of their ancestral homes. You’ll explore the regions of Rochefort, Orval, Chimay, Westmalle, Koningshoeven, Achel and Westvleteren. As early as the 3rd century, the original Belgae people were brewing beer. Belgians take beer seriously, treating their brews like the French treat their wine, and none more so than the Trappist monks. The name "Trappist beer" applies to those beers brewed by Trappist monks in their respective monasteries. Almost all the monk’s finest brews cannot be bought outside their monastic regions, ensuring exclusivity in the beers you'll be able to sample. Brewed for quality rather than quantity and twice fermented for up to three months, Trappist brews entice with rich, complex flavours. Raise a glass of Westmalle Extra, a Golden Chimay or a famous Westvleteren 12, in a once-in-a-lifetime break. You’ll spend your evenings cosied up at some of Belgium’s most luxurious retreats, including a 17th century farmhouse in Rochefort, the 16th century Kasteel Ter Dolen and 5-star boutiques in Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp. Intinerary (Subject to Change) Day One: Arrive in Brussels Day Two: Brussels to Abbaye Trappiste de Rochefort Day Three: Rochefort to Abbaye Notre Dame de Scourmont at Chimay via Orval Abbey Day Four: Chimay to Bruges via Brouwerij de Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren Day Five: Bruges to Antwerp via Brouwerij der Trappisten van Westmalle Day Six: Antwerp to Kasteelbrouwerij Ter Dolen via La Trappe at Abdij Koningshoeven and Achel at Saint Benedictus-Abbey Day Seven: Kasteelbrouwerij Ter Dolen to Brussels and depart