Private Dinant's, Castle and Beer Monastery Expedition

My husband and I chose a private tour because we’re not into buses of people crammed together at all the same high-volume sites. We like to see the real attractions to any country we’re in, including the must-see spots and the off the beaten path spots. Joris delivered on that 100%. We emailed extensively prior to our arrival so he knew exactly what interested us. He knew we wanted to learn the history of the country, discover exceptional beers, and see the countryside. Our itinerary was planned specifically to our needs, and Joris delivered a day full of fun, exploration, and learning. Heavy on the fun, in our case. We laughed all day as we explored. I think he learned as much about us and our country as we did his. The day met every expectation and more. I’ve spent a few days trying to decide if I regret paying the cost of a private tour, as it certainly isn’t cheap, but I’d have to say “no”. I think we got what we paid for and expected to receive, and all while enjoying ourselves immensely. I would book with Joris again, no hesitation. Enjoy Belgium!! It’s a beautiful country.

+1

Such a lovely day and what a service! Joris came and picked us up at our hotel and our adventure began! Went through a cosy Belgium town tucked away between the rocks and explored castles, caves, drank local and (very) rare beers (hopefully he still has some over by the time you book ;) ). All in all a wonderful day where we didn't have to think about a single thing. 10/10 would recommend and worth every penny!

Our guide, Joris, and the trek were an absolute pleasure! I would highly recommend this experience, especially to anyone interested in the Belgian countryside, Dinant and its history, Trappist beers, castles, or simply spending a wonderful day exploring with a knowledgeable local. This trek was one of the major highlights of our three-country trip through Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, which speaks for itself. There were so many highlights throughout the day. We began by chatting each other’s ears off, learning about Belgium, sharing life adventures, and exploring the differences between our cultures. It set the tone perfectly for the rest of the experience. From there, we enjoyed a lovely mini-picnic with coffee, chocolate, and biscuits in the woods alongside a river with an elegant historic castle in the background. We explored underground caves near Dinant and were essentially the only people there, creating another wonderfully private-feeling experience at an otherwise popular attraction. Joris deserves a great deal of credit for planning the timing so well. Joris treated us to a delicious Trappist beer tasting with charcuterie, followed by a relaxed lunch overlooking the river, castle, and gardens in Dinant. We visited the town itself, along with several castles and historic sites throughout the surrounding countryside. The day offered an excellent balance between receiving a crash course in the area’s history from Joris and having time to explore independently. We ended the day with a drink at a local Trappist brewery overlooking Dinant and the river, followed by a visit to one final picturesque town and a delicious Flemish dinner with Joris at a local restaurant. From the very beginning, conversation with Joris about Belgium, travel, and life felt completely natural. Well before the end of the day, it felt as though we were old friends taking a mini road trip and adventuring through the countryside together. It was a lovely experience from start to finish. **** A few additional notes for anyone interested: • My partner and I ended up being the only two guests booked for the trek that day, and Joris still operated it as planned rather than canceling, as some other tour operators might. Thus, we received what was essentially a private tour for the price of a small-group experience. This should give other prospective guests confidence when booking during shoulder season or on dates when other events may affect demand. • I am prone to motion sickness, particularly when riding in the back seat of Teslas. Because there were only two of us, Joris arrived in a Tesla sedan rather than a sprinter van or SUV that might be used for a full small group. I was initially a little concerned because the tour lasted all day and I had forgotten my motion-sickness bands. However, Joris drove so smoothly that I did not experience any motion sickness at all, which is practically unheard of for me in a Tesla! Even at the start of the day, things with Joris felt so comfortable and easy-going that I would have had no concern asking him to wait while I retrieved my motion-sickness bands or asking to sit in the front seat with him. • Joris kept us well hydrated throughout the day with a ready supply of water. Overall, this was an exceptional experience, and we could not recommend Joris and the trek more highly.

+3

Joris was a delight. He contacted me 1 week before to confirm the date, time, and location of our tour. That put my mind at ease. When he arrived, his vehicle was sufficiently large for my particularly tall family to all be comfortable. He thought out every detail of the day and customized it for us as the day went on. Strongly recommend his service to anyone.

Our family of five did a full day tour with Joris to see the sights around Dinant. Joris is absolutely wonderful! He is friendly, knowledgeable, and very organized. He reached out to us a week ahead of time, and again the day before, to confirm details for our tour. At our first castle stop, Joris provided a delicious selection of Belgian cookies and chocolates, along with coffee, cold chocolate milk, and water. After our cave tour, he gave us an amazing picnic lunch and informational beer tasting including local Trappist beers (he had non-alcoholic drink options available too). This tour was a highlight of our trip and I highly recommend Joris and Belgium's Wanderlust!

+2

Overall the experience was amazing, Joris our guide was extremely friendly and knowledgeable, making sure that we had all of our questions answered as well as being comfortable throughout our day. Joris also made sure to take extra care of us on one of the hottest days in Dinant history, with temperatures reaching 37°C (~100°F) by bringing lots of very cold water, and keeping us in temperature-friendly areas. Not only did he bring us to a myriad of beautiful areas, but he used the favorite snacks/locations of friends and family, which gave the tour a more personal feel. Everything was delicious and interesting, and he always double checked that food or places were okay with everyone before continuing to make sure that everyone was comfortable. There were no crowds at all in any of the places we went, but it didn't feel abandoned, just easier to move around. Joris was a great guy who really gave a look at the beauty of Dinant, as well as Belgian culture as a whole. As the cherry on the cake, his pre-tour communication was on-point, making sure we all felt assured that our day would be amazing.

+2

Amazing experience! Joris pick us up at our rental with a van he rented to accommodate our family. He had more water then we could drink and taste food. Overall a 10/10 tour.

Our guide Joris was incredible, providing an amazing experience that was both fun, and interactive, incorporating his own knowledge of the country and its history, as well as being personable and friendly toward every one of us.

It was an amazing day, full of beautiful stops! Really really off the beaten path. The full day was stress free and fully focussed on getting ny family and me the best possible experiencd! Thank you Belgium's Wanderlust!

Very nice day! We traveled all the way to the south of Belgium and visited all sorts of castles — Super guide, top-notch experience, highly recommended! Thank you for the delicious food :-).