TRAVEL NOTES
BELGIUM
Belgium are of two classes : either they are IT is often argued that those who visit
day-trippers and week-enders who go to places like Ostend and Blankenberghe, or they are of the more leisurely class of holiday maker who visit Brussels, Ghent, Namur, Dinant, and similar centres. This, of course, is perfectly true, but these places do not con- stitute all that is worth seeing in Belgium. There are many parts which are almost unknown to British visitors ; where Eng- lish is not spoken, or even understood; where the natural beauties will cause as much astonishment and delight as the econo- mical side of such a holiday. If you want a quiet spot amid beautiful surroundings, and do not demand luxury so much as change and rest, Belgium has plenty to offer. There is, for instance, a village named Pepinster, near Verviers, where the hotel accommodation is surprisingly comfortable and cheap. Pepinster is itself a delightful spot midst beautiful wooded hills and streams, with railway communication in every direction. If you like walking, or exploring by car, picnics beside trout streams or in woodlands, there are delightful excursions in every direction. You will be within easy reach of Spa (which must certainly be visited), Verviers, Aix-la-Chapelle, Cologne, the Caves of Han, the beautiful waterfalls at Coo, the Barrage of La Gileppe, the Grottoes at Remouchamps, and all the endless beauty which is to be found along the valleys of the Ambleve and the Semois. The soil in this part of Belgium is too wooded, and too rocky for industry, and all the streams abound with trout. Two of the loveliest scenes in Belgium are to be found from the high, wooded hills above Spa, and from the woods which clothe the hills about the lake at La Gileppe. One can sit there in the sun, looking down on the 1 lake, and the great stone lion which sur- mounts the Barrage, surrounded by wild flowers, and fruits, birds and butterflies, with nothing to mar the peace and the quiet of it all. Even the swallow-tail butterfly may be seen about this lake. Further south is the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a continuation of the Ardennes. Its capital, built upon steep rocks, is. ell worth a visit ; the people, as is the case in Belgium, are clean and friendly. If one wants a theatre, a concert, or a change to more luxurious com- fort, Spa, Liege, and Verviers are near at hand. It should be remembered that special facilities for travelling are obtainable in Belgium and Luxembourg such as season tickets for 5, ro, and 15 days, which permit travelling anywhere within the frontiers at extremely cheap rates. One can live very comfortably in Belgium for LI per day, or less, according to the kind of holiday desired. The language difficulty need not be feared, for the people are helpful, and in most cases even a small knowledge of French will prove sufficient.
Those contemplating a visit to Czecho- THE SOKOL FESTIVAL slovakia this year will be interested in an Escorted Tour to Prague which has been organised by Messrs. Thomas Cook & Sons. The Tour, which leaves London on July 1st, takes eight days, and the fare from London and back to London is 18 guineas. The itinerary includes a seat to view a gymnastic performance at the Sokol Festival, and during the stay there will be half-day drives in Prague, visiting the principal places of interest. Full particulars may be obtained from any branch of Messsrs. Thomas Cook & Son.
An interesting booklet has reached me
HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE which contains many useful suggestions for " All In " holidays in France, from nine days in the French Riviera at £9 12s., to a sixteen-day holiday in Mentone and Paris from £15. There are suggestions for those with limited time such as four days (three nights) in Paris for £4 5s. ; eight days in Paris for £6 8s. 6d. A booklet giving details of these holidays will be sent gratis to Spectator readers, who should address enquiries to :—French Hotel Plan (London) Ltd., 103 Jermyn Street, London, S.W.I.
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