Leuven – history and enjoyment
A weekend in a fascinating city
- 2 nights with breakfast at Novotel Leuven Centrum
- Guided tour of the city of Leuven
- Admission and guided tour of the Park Abbey
- Guided tour including tasting at Stella Artois
A real insider tip: the charming university town of Leuven, just a few kilometers east of Brussels. Look forward to magnificent buildings – above all the late Gothic town hall – quiet courtyards, well-kept old town alleyways and the world-famous Belgian beer culture!
As soon as you arrive, Leuven enchants you with its magnificent late Gothic town hall and the atmospheric old town with its small cafés, lovingly restored buildings and quiet squares. On a guided tour, you will immerse yourself in the history of this city steeped in tradition – and in the special atmosphere of a place that has remained young without forgetting its roots. Check into your room in the central hotel in the city and round off the day in comfort.
In the morning, you will visit the Park Abbey (Abdij van Park) in Heverlee, a district of Leuven. It was founded in 1129 by Gottfried I, nicknamed ›the Bearded‹, Count of Leuven and Duke of Lower Lorraine. Today it is considered one of the best preserved abbeys in Belgium and offers visitors a fascinating mix of history, art, culture and nature. The abbey combines architectural styles ranging from Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance to Baroque. Particularly noteworthy are the unique stucco ceilings in the library and the restored 17th century stained glass windows. In the afternoon, we (finally) get to the city’s liquid gold. Leuven is home to one of the largest beer producers in the world, the AB Inbev brewery group. In the associated Stella Artois brewery, you will take a guided tour including a tasting.
Before you leave, we recommend a stroll through the large beguinage from the 13th century. During its heyday in the 17th century, around 360 beguines lived there. Today’s beguinage consists of a series of alleyways, squares, gardens and parks, with dozens of houses and convents made of traditional sandstone. As one of the best-preserved beguinages in Europe, it offers visitors a unique insight into a bygone era and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. A wonderful end to a fascinating short trip.