The Ardennes is a favorite vacation destination for the Dutch, so close and yet something quite different! The landscape is hilly and rich in forests, alternated by expansive lawns, valleys, rivers and wild rocky lots, with views of more than 600 meters. The Ardennes consists of the High and Low Ardennes. The High Ardennes lie east of the Ourthe, in the eastern part of the province of Liege and in the northern province of Luxembourg. The Low Ardennes lie in the southern area of the Ourthe in the province of Luxembourg, south of the Belgian Lotharingen. The Ardennes make a wonderful destination for leisure activities as well as for adventure. Thus the Ardennes are a paradise for hikers, cyclists, canoeists, horseback riders, cavers, fishermen and Delta pilots. Even climbers will find some walls that are worthwhile. For cyclists and mountain bikers, there are lots of marked trails. Canoeists can rely on the waters of Lesse, Ourthe, Amblève and Semois. The Lake of Robertville offers opportunities for swimming and rowing as well as the enjoyment of other water sports. Other worthwhile activities include a visit to the famous caves of Remouchamps, the caves of Han, the cave La Merveilleuse (Dinant), the waterfalls of Coo, spa resorts, Chaudfontaine, the national park of the black rocks at Comblain-au-Pont, or a ride with the Railbike of Falaën near Maredsous. Les Hautes Fagnes, in the northern part of the Ardennes, is one of the most beautiful and impressive natural areas in Belgium, and includes an interesting nature center. It also offers various walking and cycling routes. Apart from the splendid nature you can also find traces of a rich past. Revisit history in one of the numerous castles (Bouillon and the castle of Names, accessible by cable car or via a winding road, Route Merveilleuse; Modave; La Roche; Chateau de JEHAY; Reinhard stone castle; the castle of Vêves; and the Castle of Hamoir-Lassus) or abbeys (the Abbey of Maredsous from MAREDRET and Leffe). Interesting tourist places include Hamoir, Aywaille and Malmedy, the Sports Buetgenbach, the famous city of Stavelot (with the interesting museum of the race circuit of Spa-Francorchamps), Trois Ponts, Coo, Rochefort, the lovely village of Durbuy, Vielsalm, the old town of La Roche, Bastogne (Ardennes offensive), St.Hubert (including basilica and wildlife park), Arlon (Roman artifacts) and the charming Bouillon. After all these activities you can enjoy a great meal at one of the many fine restaurants.