Belgian Ardennes

We visited the Belgium Ardennes just before Christmas. Our trip took us to Durbuy (apparently the smallest city with city rights on earth), Spa, Namur and Marche-en-Famenne. The festive month of December is the best time to enjoy good food and pure wellness. And I can’t think of a better place than the beautiful lush forests of the Belgian Ardennes to accomplish this. So during our trip we made sure we took our time and relaxed. We enjoyed the wonderful thermes de spa and were pampered with massages in the spa of Quartier Latin.

Want to see more of Belgium? Visit Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels and Ghent, and watch the YouTube Pure! Brussels made by my colleague Stefan.

Want to give your eyes even more sumptuous goodness to enjoy? Check out the photosets of the Belgian cities and the Ardennes on Flickr.

Quartier Latin in Marche-en-Famenne

Quartier Latin Marche-en-Famenne

Quartier Latin in Marche-en-Famenne is a 4**** hotel, restaurant and spa. It presents a perfect combination to relax in the Belgian Ardennes at the end a hectic December month. Make a reservation for a massage during the day and if you stay in the hotel you just walk there in your bath robe. Some of the products they use are organic, we were pampered with a bio lavender oil massage and a facial treatment which contained only natural organic products. Read more »

Saveurs d’ici et d’ailleurs in Marche-en-Famenne

Saveurs dici Marche-en-Famenne

The restaurant Saveurs d’ici et d’ailleurs serves a delicious and healthy lunch menu with as many local ingredients as possible. We enjoyed the veggie salad with lots of nuts and fruit. Some products are organic, but the origin or the ‘terroir’ is even more important. The owners are part of a co-op and find it important that the ingredients have local or regional origins. They also run a small shop which sells organic and fair trade coffee and tea, juices and herbal teas. One of the owners even designed the interior of the lunchroom and the furniture himself. Read more »

Chocolate factory Defroidmont in Erezée

ocolate factory Defroidmont

We love chocolate. Let me say that again. We love chocolate! And of course we prefer the cocoa to be fair trade and organic. Artisanal chocolate factory Defroidmont in Erezée makes their chocolate in a factory that is visible through the shop. Next door to the chocolate factory and shop they also have a museum where you can learn about the origin of the cocoa beans. Did you know cocoa beans consist of cocoa butter and cocoa mass? And that for making white chocolate only cocoa butter, powdered milk and sugar are used? Read more »

Organic restaurant A Table in Namur

A Table Namur restaurant belgian ardennes organic food

At Organic restaurant A Table in Namur 90% of the food is organic. It’s the only restaurant in the capital of Wallonia that we could find that serves pure food. The wine is 100% organic and they serve lots of seasonal veggies like delicious sweet pumpkins. The fish is sustainable and when a dish is 100% organic, it’s mentioned on the chalkboard. I can recommend the vegetarian ‘pot au feu’, which is very colourful and tasty, and the lovely lentils with soy cream. A Table has a pleasant and cosy atmosphere. Read more »

La Vallée du Cachemire in Profondeville, Namur

La Vallee Cachemire Profondeville Namur

Yummie! The Kashmir region in the North West of India is known for its milder, less spicy dishes. The same goes for the food at La Vallée du Cachemire in Profondeville, near Namur. Don’t you just love the Indian kitchen? Famous for its extremely tasty vegetarian dishes that contain lots and lots of healthy veggies. Read more »

La Brasserie des Thermes & Restaurant La Luna in Spa

La Luna Spa

Two different restaurant formulas under one roof: La Brasserie des Thermes and Restaurant La Luna. The brasserie serves simple honest meals like an omelet, the restaurant is for the more formal plate service. They serve regional cuisine and traditional Belgian food like shrimp croquettes and a lovely soup, stuffed chock-full with tasty fish.
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Thermes de Spa

Thermes de Spa

Famous for its thermal springs, the first Thermes de Spa was built in 1868, where it provided relaxation to visitors for almost 140 years. Ten years ago it was relocated to its current location, on top of the hill. It now has stunning views of the city and is surrounded by nature. The indoor and outdoor pools are filled with warm natural mineral water from the Clementine spring and the thermes also offer hammams and saunas.
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Radisson Blu Palace Hotel in Spa

Radisson Spa

Chef’s special: Sauteed scampi with red curry, coco milk, Chinese vegetables and coriander. Because it’s december there is a lot of game, like wild boar, deer and hare, on the menu in almost all of the restaurants we visit in the Belgian Ardennes. The same goes for the Radisson Blu Palace Hotel, but in Brasserie Les Saisons de Spa they have marked the vegetarian dishes, healthy choices and the regional products on the menu. We think that is a good sign.

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Radhadesh in Septon, Durbuy

radhadesh in septon, durbuy

Radhadesh is a spiritual community in Septon, Durbuy. Around 80 people live in a 19th century castle, the guesthouse is open for visitors. The restaurant Govinda’s is located next to the castle and has an Indian vegetarian kitchen. They also have a bakery and they make homemade cakes. A classic lunch at Govinda consists of a spicy vegetable mixture, basmati rice and Indian dal. Read more »

Where do you find the restaurant that serves pure, delicious food or the shop that sells organic products?
And what markets do you need to explore for the local delicacies?
At Pure! Food & Travel, it is our mission to show you where to enjoy pure food all around the world.
We also help you contribute to a better world for people, animals and the environment.
Copyright Pure! Food & Travel 2016

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