tour of flanders beer

• From Pint A to Pint B

Flanders Sampler

• Belgium/France Farmhouse
• Ardennes Challenge
• German Rauch & Roll
• Italian Passion
• Dutch Tulips
• Alsace Beer and Wine Tour
• Meet your Guides

5-Days / 5-Nights of Belgian beer, food, history, and the pursuit of hopiness.

July 12th, 2024 (confirmed), august 2nd, 2024 (sold out) september 27th, 2024 (confirmed) july 11th. 2025 (sold out) august 1st, 2025 (confirmed) august 22nd, 2025, difficulty: beginner, august 2nd, 2024 (sold out) september 27th, 2024 (confirmed) july 11th, 2025 (sold out) august 1st, 2025 (confirmed) august 22nd, 2025.

The perfect beer experience in the “Westhoek” region of Belgium.

• This tour takes place in West Flanders, an area rich with beer culture. We’ll visit at least 5 breweries as well as Westvleteren Trappist abbey, the North Sea, and several WWI history sites.
• All skill levels are welcome. Ride between 22 and 40 miles each day, 95% flat. The tour includes your hotel the night before the tour starts, which allows you two nights to explore Brugge.
• Perfect balance of historic cities, small villages, traditional family-owned breweries, inventive new beer makers, and a Trappist monastery.
• The holy grail of beer ,“Westvleteren,” is always a stop on this tour. Enjoy the monks’ magical recipe straight from the source!
• We will visit at least 5 breweries, with a private tour at many of them. No two breweries or tours are alike! Beer tastings are typically generous and are included in your trip fees!
• 5-nights hotel, bike / bag rentals, breakfast, lunch, snacks, brewery tours, and beer samples are all included. Vehicle support is provided for groups of at least 8. Optional group dinners are organized each evening, with everyone paying for their own meals and drinks.
• Miles of scenic views of Belgian farms await us along our rides… Strawberries, zucchini, rhubarb, rye, wheat, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and larger fields of barley, potatoes, and corn. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy regional produce with our meals.
• Make new friends and visit a different brewery every day as you explore the country at a speed allowing you to absorb your surroundings.

From Dubbels to Tripels, Krieks to Flanders Reds, this tour has something for everyone’s beer palette.

Typical breweries we visit on most tour include:

• Fort Lapin – Based in Brugge, this small operation producing an outstanding line of beers always makes us feel at home.
• De Dolle Brouwers – One of the friendliest breweries on the planet! Its hospitality and unique beers never fail to impress us.
• Westvleteren – The holy grail! Come try the “12,” constantly rated one of the best beers in the world.
• Rodenbach – Most tours end at the legendary Rodenbach, famous for its blended Flanders red ales aged in giant foeders.
• De Struise – Legendary brewers making high gravity ales, barrel-aged treats, and now their own coffee roastery! We’ll get a private tour from one of the two owners.
• Saint Bernardus – Makers of some of the finest abbey-style beers in Belgium. And home to the best B&B of Belgium, which we will stay at on night #3 of the tour.

• Stops at other breweries change based upon availability and time of year. Breweries we have visited on previous tours include: Seizoensbrouwerij Vandewalle, Van Eecke, Saint Bernardus, Kazematten, De Plukker, De Halve Maan, and Bourgogne des Flandres.

Total Mileage: 110 miles / 177 km

Itinerary / stats, locations and distances vary from tour to tour but are generally as follows:.

• Pre-tour – We include your hotel the night before the tour starts in Brugge. Everyone can arrive in town at their leisure today. We typically do a welcome drink this evening and then we are ready to start our tour the following morning at 10 AM.
• Day 1 – The group meets in the historic town of Brugge, with its canals, cobblestone streets, and medieval buildings. We’ll have our bicycles delivered to our bicycle-friendly hotel and fitted in time for a brief warm-up ride around town.
• Day 2 – Weather permitting, we will visit the North Sea before heading into a more rural part of the province. We’ll visit De Dolle Brouwers, one of our favorite breweries, and stay overnight in Diksmuide, the butter capital of Belgium.
• Days 3 to 4 –  The journey continues all the way to the French border. We’ll stay in Watou, at Saint Bernardus Brewery’s famous B&B. There are also several great restaurants in town that cook with beer. The following night we stay in Ieper (Ypres), home to the largest WWI museum and the nightly “Last Post” ceremony.
• Day 5 – All tours officially end in Roeselare, with a tour of at Brouwerij Rodenbach, including its famous “Foeder Forest” and a sampling of their classic Flanders red ales in the brewery ֹ’s  gorgeous tasting room. A train station is a few blocks away, where after saying goodbye we hope that other European adventures await you. The tour ends around 3:00 PM, plenty of time to catch a train to Brussels or wherever your next adventure begins!

Colored lines above indicate the daily routes we’ll take during the tour.

Photos from this tour

What is included in trip cost?

• 5 nights hotel and B&B accommodation. Typically 3 stars, and when possible near the brewery we visit each day. All rooms include a private bathroom. One B&B is located on site at the St Bernardus brewery! We recommend staying 2 nights in Brugge; let us know and we can book you at the same hotel.
• Daily breakfast, daily lunches, and lots of snacks each day.
• All tours are lead by either Evan or Henk, Beercycling’s veteran guides. A 2nd guide is available typically only for groups of eight or more.
• Daily route planning, including daily itineraries of our agenda and options for where to eat / what to do in each town / maps / etc.
• A multi-speed touring compatible bicycle, helmet, and lock. (More about the bikes in the section below)
• Vehicle support for groups of 8 or more. For smaller groups you will receive two rear panniers to carry personal belongings, and luggage store for extra belongings before/after the tour.
• Entrance fees to all brewery visits, including lots of free beer tastings!
• A welcome package that includes a T-shirt plus other goodies.
• Email / phone contact with your guides prior to the trip. You get to ask as many questions as you like, talking directly to your tour guides.

What is not included?

• Airfare to and from the trip.
• Transportation to the trip meet-up location. (Although we do offer an airport pickup service)
• Lodging before and after the trip.
• Gratuities for Beercycling tour guides.
• Personal items purchased during the trip.
• Alcoholic Beverages. (Although lots of beer is included at each brewery)
• Dinner is not included which allows you the opportunity to explore regional cuisine on your own, or with the group as you see fit. There will be options for both. Your guides are happy to give you recommendations.

Let's talk weather

Our #1 question… what is it “typically” like each summer?

The weather in Belgium is unpredictable, and the weather forecasts often unreliable, for better or worse. In the summer it can be pleasant, it can be wet, it can be very hot, or rainy and cool. In the spring and fall it can be beautiful or very cold. So riders need to plan for any situation. The number one thing that will ensure a comfortable tour is a good rain jacket that you have tested is fully waterproof. We will be riding each day rain or shine.

Wind is normal in Belgium, as it is close to the ocean. So even though the routes are flat, an occasional strong headwind will make the cycling more challenging.

Tell me more about the bikes

On our Flanders tours we use lightweight Belgium-made hybrid bikes. They have 21 gears and include a cushioned saddle. The bikes do not have clip-in pedals, nor do they require special footwear. However, you are welcome to bring your own pedals.

What about the bike paths / difficulty of riding?

The landscape is Flanders is 95% flat, with some hills starting as we cycle in/out of Watou. Everywhere else, the pedaling is easy. Belgium has an extensive bicycle route system. A good majority of it is traffic-free and will take us through farms, small villages, and alongside streams. The road conditions will be mostly pavement but also include a few (5–10%) dirt paths. On a few occasions (most notably in Brugge), we will need to navigate through busy traffic, but our guides have all the routes planned out ahead of time in order to ensure everyone’s safety and make the ride pleasurable.

The daily riding mileage averages out to be 25 miles (40 km) per day; the longest day is 40 miles. Expect 4–5 hours a day on the bikes (not including stops). Our cycling pace greatly depends on the condition of the group but in general we will be cycling at a leisurely pace. For tours with two guides we can always split into two groups if necessary during the tour. We will stop for taking photos and/or a break every 45-60 minutes.

I’m not a strong cyclist. What do I need to do to prepare for the ride?

Our longest ride will be about 30 miles, on partly hilly terrain. To prepare for this trip you should be able to ride your bike at least this distance on hilly terrain or at least 40 miles on flat terrain. It’s also a good idea to practice being on your bicycle multiple days in a row, to build your “saddle strength.” Please keep in mind that we cannot control the elements. A possible windy, wet day will make for much harder riding, so please take that into account with your training plan.

What are the maximum / minimum number of riders on this trip?

To keep the trip well-organized and give every rider individual attention, most trips are limited to 14-16 people (including the guides). The minimum for most tours is 5 guests. We will notify you when the minimum has been met for your tour.

What if we don't have enough people to include vehicle support?

We will email the group to confirm departure, and then again when we have enough people to confirm the support vehicle. If we are not able to provide a support vehicle you will have the option of joining us on a self-supported tour or receiving a full refund. We try to determine whether vehicle support will be provided at least 2 months prior to the start of a tour.

How do I reserve my spot?

Simply follow the link below to our registration page. You’ll need to provide all of the requested information; the 300 USD deposit per person is due immediately upon registration. We will send you a link to pay the remaining balance, which we must receive no later than 6 weeks before the start of the tour.

What if I change my mind or change my travel plans. Can I get a refund?

Refund Policy

We can issue a partial refund if necessary as follows:

• 90 days or more before departure date = You will incur a 50 USD cancellation fee.
• 60 to 89 days before departure date = You will incur a 100USD cancellation fee.
• 45 to 59 days before departure date = Will will incur a 150 USD cancellation fee.
• Shorter than 45 days notice = We may not be able to issue a refund after this time due to lodging, bicycle, and tour reservations already being placed. We will attempt to offer a partial refund, if necessary depending on individual hotel/bike shop/restaurant/etc policies. We reserve the right to change, modify, or cancel a tour prior to departure for any reason, or acts of nature and/or circumstances beyond our control. In this case, any payments received will be refunded in full, and this will constitute full settlement. Beercycling is not responsible for any additional expenses due to a canceled tour, such as the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets. Beercycling reserves the right to accept, refuse, or decline any tour member’s participation at any time for any reason. In such a case, Beercycling’s liability is limited to the actual cost of the unused services.

If I select a “shared room”, who will I be sharing with?

If you are traveling with another person, we will place you together in a room (please notify us whether in a double/queen bed or in separate beds). If you are traveling by yourself (or with an odd number of people) then we will do our best to match you up with another tour rider of the same sex.

If you choose to be in a room by yourself, you will need to pay a single supplement fee of $300 USD.

We cannot currently offer a triple room as few hotels offer triples.

What ages are allowed to attend?

21 and over.

What about drinking and driving? Isn’t it illegal to ride a bicycle intoxicated?

Yes, it is illegal to ride a bike intoxicated. And because Belgian beer can contain a lot more alcohol than an average beer, the follow considerations are in place for this tour:

• When possible, our beer / brewery / biercafe visits will be at the end of the day.
• On several tour days the brewery visit is mid-day. Riders will be expected to use moderation when drinking beer during the daily rides. All lunch stops include the possibility of ordering a beer; however, this does not mean we will accept or tolerate over-drinking, especially when additional riding is necessary.
• On most occasions our riders tend to share beers with each other. This allows everyone to sample a larger variety of beers while limiting intake and saving money. We encourage this method when possible.
• All riders are required to sign a waiver at the beginning of the tour removing us from liability if over-drinking causes any damage of any kind. This is non-negotiable.
• Due to each rider’s size / weight / body type, we cannot easily put a hard limit on the amount of alcohol that each person can reasonably consume. We leave this decision up to you  (although our guides won’t hesitate to let you know if we think you’ve had too much)

Can I bring my own bike?

Yes, you are more than welcome to bring your own bike but please note the following:

• In must be in good enough condition to support you and your equipment for the length of the tour.
• If the tour is self supported, it must have a rear-rack that can hold panniers, which you we can loan you or you can bring your own.
• You must also bring your own lock.
• You must bring your own spare tubes.
• We have plenty of extra helmets if you need to borrow one.
• Beercycling will not be liable for damage to your personal bike on the trip, although we will help when possible with mechanical issues or questions.

What languages do they speak in Belgium?

There are three official languages spoken in Belgium! The northern half (Flanders) speaks Flemish, which is very similar to Dutch (the national language of The Netherlands, which is directly north of Belgium). In Brussels and southern Belgium (where our Ardennes Challenge tour takes place), , French is the most common language. In the very far east of Belgium (near Luxembourg), German is commonly spoken. English is also widely used and recognized throughout the country, but more so in the north than in the south.

What are the average prices for beer / food / etc in Belgium?

• Bottle of beer = 3 to 4 Euros at a cafe (rare and specialty beers will be more)
• Dinner = Expect 15 to 30 Euros for a good-sized quality meal.
• Tipping is not obligatory as this is included in the VAT (Value Added Tax) at all restaurants. That said, a small tip of 5% or leaving behind extra change is appreciated.

What kind of food will be served?

• Breakfasts are mostly  typical “continental style,” which will vary but usually include breads and bread rolls, jams, cereal, milk, juice, coffee, fruit, cheese, yogurt, meats, and pastries. Every hotel we use on our tours provides breakfast, so in the morning you can eat whenever you wish before our departure time.
• Snacks – Along the ride the guides will carry snacks that can be shared by the entire group. These will include candy, energy bars, fruit, extra water, etc. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own snacks or buy them along the way as well.
• Lunches – We will enjoy either a picnic lunch or stop at a bicycle-friendly cafe. For the picnic lunches we will have spreads of meat, cheeses, breads, fruit, chips, and other tasty foods. A vegetarian option will be offered each day. If you prefer to buy or carry your own lunch you are more than welcome to. If you have any special dietary restrictions please make a note of this on your registration form. We will do our best to accommodate your requests.
• Dinner – You on your own for dinner each night. Some nights we will go as a group to a beer cafe / restaurant, but participation is optional. Typical Belgian cuisine is delicious and can include pasta, sandwiches, salads, steaks, seafood, soups, and our favorites: mussels and fries.

What do I need to pack for the tour?

We recommend packing light (more room to take home beer souvenirs!) For self-supported tours, the bags on the bikes are fairly large and should accommodate all necessary clothing even for a 10-day tour. If you run out of room in your bags we can either help you mount another bag on the top of your rear rack, or place some equipment on one of the guides’ bikes, space allowing. Please keep in mind that you will have use of a storage facility at the bike shop on Day #1 you can use and reclaim your items once the tour is over. A typical packlist for this trip is as follows:

• Lightweight shirts = 3 or 4
• Underwear = 3 or 4 pairs
• Socks = 3 or 4 pairs
• Pants = 1 pair
• Shorts = 1 pair (padded cycling shorts are recommended if you haven’t spent much time on a bike seat)
• Waterproof lightweight rain shell
• Lightweight jacket
• 1 pair of shoes for on the bike (cycling shoes or running/gym shoes is fine)
• 1 pair of shoes for off the bike (hiking sandals or flip flops, or just skip this and use your on-bike shoes)
• Gloves (for cycling, should be lightweight)
• Water bottles are included with bicycle rental (or you can bring a Camelbak, which can double for extra storage)
• Camera + batteries + charger
• Personal documents (passport, credit cards)
• Hygiene products / Sunscreen / Lip balm
• Bungee cord (to strap extra items to your bike rack)
• A couple zip lock bags (helps on rainy days to extra waterproof your phone or other items)
• We do not recommend carrying a laptop computer due to space constraints. Several hotels will have computers you can use, or if you have a smartphone you can connect it to WiFi in order to get internet access. Small netbooks squeeze in nicely with the luggage.

What kind of ID / documentation / visas / vaccinations will I need?

Depending on the country you are traveling from, please consult your embassy for visa information prior to arrival. In general, one does not need a special visa to enter/exit Belgium. Please remember to bring a passport to show identification when necessary along the trip. Sometimes hotels will ask for copies of your passport when we check in.

No special vaccinations are necessary for travel to Belgium or the Netherlands.

Do I need travel insurance?

It is not required, but it is recommended. This can be used for lost luggage, medical expenses, etc. Each person is on their own for this. We do not offer an insurance policy. Also, check with your credit card company, as some offer travel insurance or include it with your card.

What if Beercycling needs to cancel the trip?

In the very unlikely event that we need to cancel a trip, each person will be issued a 100% refund. We cannot, unfortunately, provide a refund for your other expenses, such as airfare. In all cases, Beercycling has backup tour guides waiting should something happen to your primary guide.

Am I required to tip my guides?

Nope. But tipping is very much appreciated and helps ensure the ability of our guides to run more and more tours each year!

Any other questions?

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We are happy to answer even the silliest of questions!

1.805.794.0300

Contact form, pick your tour dates:, july 12th, 2024, register here, confirmed departure, august 2nd, 2024, september 27th, 2024, july 11th, 2025, august 1st, 2025, august 22nd, 2025.

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Tour of Flanders’ beer throwing incident: suspect identified

Police in East Flanders have identified a man that they think was responsible for throwing beer at the Dutch cyclist Mathieu van der Poel during the 2024 Tour of Flanders cycle race. The incident that happened on the Oude Kwaremont caused consternation throughout the cycling world. A week later, during last weekend’s Paris-Roubaix race a woman threw a cap at the wheels of Mathieu van der Poel’s bike and a few kilometres beer was thrown at him again. 

The first incident happened on 31 March on the Oude Kwaremont, one of the Tour of Flanders’ legendary hill climbs. The police used footage from the VRT and from cycling fans that had filmed the incident on their mobile phones in a effort to identify the beer-thrower. The suspect will be questioned by officers from Flemish Ardennes Local Police Service.

Last week the Federation of Belgian Professional Cyclists initiated civil action against the beer-thrower(s) last week. The public prosecutor will look into the incident and pending their decision court proceedings may follow. 

Second incident

During Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix race a female spectator threw her cap at the wheels of Mathieu Van der Poel’s bike as he raced over a cobble stone section of the route.

A few kilometres further on the Dutch cyclist had beer thrown at him once again. The recent misbehaviour by spectators has done little to distract Mathieu Van der Poel though as he won both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. 

Yes, we take action against them. Like the CPA did in Flanders. — Adam Hansen (@HansenAdam) April 7, 2024

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Belgium faces threat level 3 at least till summer's end, “gay app used to entrap victims of gay hate crimes”, large quantities of seized drugs, tobacco and cigarettes stolen at brussels airport, couple have sex on the bonnet of their car in the middle of a busy trunk road, another dull, cool and wet weekend ahead, banks warn: 'scammers posing as bank employees target your bank card', young palestinian and belgian circus artists to put on shows in 5 flemish cities, flemish parliament names mps that will also serve in the belgian senate, pope francis to conclude his visit to belgium in september with a mass at brussels’ king boudewijn stadium, last of the three men convicted of murdering flemish brabant policewoman released from jail.

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Beers and Battlefields of Flanders (four-day tour)

When the British Expeditionary Force fell back into Flanders and concentrated on the town of Ypres in October 1914 little did they know that they were in the heart of some of the best hop growing land in Belgium. And we all know what hops make…  BEER!

The British Tommy sampled the many local brews and was not too impressed; after all, it was really nothing like British ale of the time. They opted to mainly drink ‘Vin Blanc’ with the newly created dish of ‘Egg and Chips’ and use the vats from the breweries to bathe in upon returning from the front. However over the years our palates have become so much more sophisticated and Belgium has become one of the capitals for beer drinkers with well over 800 different brews. You really owe it to yourself to try them all (but not in one sitting!).

Staying in the centre of Ypres , you will be able to visit a selection of bars including the Brasserie Kazematten , located in the Ramparts of Ypres . Here the ‘Wipers Times’ trench newspaper was printed and you can sample a beer of the same name brewed in its honour.

Day One:  Depart from your chosen UK collection point and proceed to Dover for our channel crossing by ferry and then on to Ypres to check in to the Novotel Ieper Centrum ‘Flanders Fields’ (located in the centre of Ypres) .   With the rest of the day at your leisure, you can, with the aid of our ‘Bars of Ypres’ programme, begin tasting the nectar of Flanders and obtain an evening meal from one of the many restaurants situated around the famous Grote Markt before taking a short time out to visit the Menin Gate and the witnessing the Last Post Ceremony .  Please note –  Planned restoration works on the Menin Gate memorial are due to start in early 2023 and go on for approximately 18 months, which will mean that access to the memorial is limited. To find out more about the CWGC restoration project please click here .

Day Two:  Our first stop of the day and brewery visit will be to the small family run Brasserie Thiriez based in French Flanders . As we’re so close, we then stop at the site of the World War Two Wormhout massacre where the mass murder of 80 British and French POWs by Waffen-SS soldiers from the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler in May 1940. In the area, we’ll visit Esquelbecq Military Cemetery , a WW1 cemetery opened in 1918 but used again during WW2 for the burial of those killed during the German advance of May 1940 and the withdrawal of the BEF to Dunkirk , including those killed at Wormhout .

Day Three: We begin day two with a visit to Zandvoorde and the Household Cavalry Memorial which commemorates the stand of the 1st and 2nd Life Guards and one officer in particularly; Lord Worsley (Lt Charles Pelham). We then return to Gheluvelt where the 2nd Worcesters’ bayonet charge restored the line at a crucial time during First Ypres . Our last brewery stop is Bierkasteel Vanhonsebrouck for a tour and taste of the famous Passchendaele Beer   (included in the price). 

The afternoon will see us visit  Tyne Cot , the largest Commonwealth Cemetery in the world where a packed lunch can be taken (included in price) . From here we move along the ridge to the Canadian Memorial at Crest Farm .  A trip to the  Hop Museum  brings this day to an end  (included in the price) . Here we’ll learn about the hops, beer and WW1 and of course selected beers to taste.

Da y Four : The morning sees us touring the northern half of the Ypres Salient and Vancouver Corner with the Brooding Soldier Memorial to the 1st Canadian Division . This area was the scene of the first gas attacks in 1915 which culminated in the start of the Second Battle of Ypres . Then we travel on to the German Cemetery at Langemark before winding our way to Essex Farm Cemetery with its Advanced Dressing Station . Here John McCrae wrote the famous poem ‘In Flander s Fields’ .  We’ll then head back to the port of Calais and our return journey back to Blighty.

Included In Your Tour

Battlefield visits as described in itinerary

Battlefield Tour Guide and Tour Manager

Central Accommodation with breakfast

Lunch on tour day where specified

Entrance to all museums and breweries visited

Return ferry crossing

Information pack

Executive coach or minibus travel including complimentary hot and cold drinks, bottled water and light snacks during the tour

26  – 29 September 2024 – FULL

£698* per person.

*Price is based on two people sharing

Total single supplement – £138

Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Toddington Services, M1 Motorway

South Mimms Services, M25

Ashford, Kent

Port of Dover

Hotel Accommodation

You will be staying at the 3 star Novotel Ieper Centrum Flanders Field Hotel, in the centre of Ypres and a short walk from the Menin Gate and Grote Markt.

“Having Tony as a guide was simply brilliant. His knowledge of everything to do with the area, be it the intrinsic details of WW1, to which restaurants have Fish and Chips on a night, were invaluable to the whole coach load of us.”

“There was plenty of sampling on the tours, and bottles to take away etc, I certainly felt we’d got value for money when my case had nearly 4 litres of beer in it on the way home! and that was what we didn’t manage to drink. On every occasion, you weren’t forced to drink, you could have a sip, or finish off the bottle if you’re so inclined, what I’m getting at is you drink at your own rate, there’s no pressure, so its suitable for mixed groups just looking to try new beers.”

“I must definitely say this is the best beer & battlefields tour that we have done. Not too much beer or battlefields Tony had the balance just about right. Also Tony’s attention to detail was amazing with complete history of battles fought and soldiers honoured. We would certainly recommend”

For full testimonials visit TripAdvisor or  click here

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Belgian Beer

Belgian beer culture, rich traditions and exciting innovations.

Famous for its extensive range of beer styles, Belgium boasts a brewing heritage dating back to the Middle Ages. Many of its top brewmasters still use the same recipes and brewing methods that have been passed down from one generation to the other. Westmalle, Duvel, Rodenbach, Rochefort, Delirium Tremens, Hoegaarden, La Chouffe, Orval, Karmeliet, Chimay, Boon, Westvleteren: these are just some of the world-renowned brands that became household names across the globe.

At the same time, a new wave of innovative craft brewers stood up. These brewers have been exploring new ingredients, recipes and brewing methods. They are adding new exciting vibes, keeping Belgium’s beer scene alive, kicking and future-proof.

Belgian Beer styles

Belgian Beer heritage

What makes Belgian Beer so unique?

Rosa merckx (1924 - 2023) - first female head brewer.

“You create beer like an artist would create a painting”

Rosa Merckx (Liefmans)

Belgium’s first female head brewer

Culinary treats and Belgian Beer

Love of food and flavour is in a Fleming’s blood, and good taste is rooted in our DNA. In Flanders, food lovers taste flavors and dishes they can't find anywhere else, thanks to the variety in local products. We are living the good life.

Belgian Beer World in Brussels

Upcoming beer events

Bierpassie Weekend

Leuven innovation Beer Festival

Belgium Beer Week

Belgian Beer Weekend

Bruges Beer Festival

BXLBeerFest

Billie's Craft Beer Fest

Christmas Beer Festival

Beer & Hop Festival

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Belgium Beer Tour with E+A Family Travel

“we had a wonderful time experiencing belgium’s beer culture. this is absolutely a must-do bucket list trip for any beer enthusiast.” – cara j., belgium beer tour guest.

On this six-day Belgium Beer Tour,  we will visit many breweries, new and old, to learn more about the people, their history, and the beers they brew throughout this beautiful country . We’ll also visit several of Belgium’s renowned Beer Cafés along the way, all the while enjoying what might come as a surprise to some – delicious food that blends traditions and mixes the multiple cultures in Belgium.

Since the first Crusades the Church allowed abbeys to brew and distribute beer as a fundraising method. Trappist monks carry on those deep traditions today with their dark, sweet, complex ales, while Belgian craft brewers create their own rich brewing history by experimenting with modern beer flavors. You’ll get to taste a wide variety of these beers throughout the week.

Life is short and so it makes sense to maximize your time in Belgium. This six-day vacation does just that. We tour much of the country, exploring four different cities and villages, including Leuven, Ghent, Bruges, West Flanders, and Brussels. We will visit over a dozen breweries, abbeys, and beer restaurants, and your Hosts will show you some of our favorite off-the-beaten-path Beer Cafés while introducing you to some of our favorite people in Belgium’s beer culture.

Related Blog Posts:

10 Best Hidden Gem Beer Bars in Flanders, Belgium Know Before You Go: The Do’s and Don’ts of a Beer Tour 7 Must-Trys When Visiting Belgium

Curated Experiences

• Take private, custom brewery tours with our local brewer and beer guide, Yannick
• Experience Belgian cuisine, including locally-made cheeses & chocolates
• Visit breweries such as Van Steenberge, small microbreweries like Bouwerij de Coureur, and the large well-known Stella Artois Brewery home base.
• Visit and taste from renowned Beer Cafes, Abbeys, microbreweries, and beer restaurants.
• Visit the largest WWI cemetery for commonwealth forces, Tyne Cot, and learn about the rich history of the region.

“ Yannick was amazing; he really knew the areas we visited, and the variety of tours was outstanding!” -Belgium Beer Tour Guest

Belgium Beer Tour Details

• Date:  September 23 – 28, 2024
• Trip Price Per Person: $4,500
• Single Supplement: $500
• Guide:   Yannick de Cocquéau
• Group size: 8 – 20 people
• Meals:  Breakfasts & dinners are included, except for lunch on Day 3 and dinner on Day 4.
• General Tour FAQs

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: brussels.

Welcome to Belgium! Home of delicious fries, waffles, and of course, beer!

Our adventure starts at  1:00 PM , allowing you to arrive in Brussels this morning or the day before (which we highly recommend). After a quick orientation, we head out for a walking tour of Brussels with your local guide.

This evening we’ll enjoy a wonderful welcome dinner of Belgium’s classic food specialties and beer cuisine at a local restaurant.

To cap off the night, we’ll check out a few of Brussel’s world-famous beer cafes to raise a toast to the start of our beer adventure.

Day 2: Leuven

After breakfast, we will depart to the east for Leuven, Belgium’s eighth-largest city. Our first stop is a tasting at right outside the city at Bouwerij de Coureur,  a neighborhood microbrewery with the moto “Life is Brewtiful.” Whether it’s one of the regular beers or a rotating drink you’ll find there is a brew for all tastes.

Our next stop is Braxatorium Parcensis Brewery , a Park Abbey whos spirit has been around for centuries. The beers brewed here are true abbey beers because they are produced – as with the Trappist beers – within the walls of the abbey. If you’re a Hazy IPA fan, you’ll love their 10 de Libertus beer, with an overdose of dry hopping and fresh yeast. After your fill of morning beer, we’ll take a break for lunch at Brasserie de Abdijmolen “The Abby Mill.”

In contrast to the smaller microbrews and Abby beers, the next stop is the well-known home base of Stella Artois Brewery. We’ll enjoy a draft tour followed by a tapping course.

You’ll have some time to relax, check into the hotel, and explore Leuven on your own before dinner at Domus Home Brewery, serving classic Belgium food with a wide variety of vibrant beers.

Day 3: Bruges

This morning we’ll check out of our hotel and get on our way to the city of Bruges. Bruges is known for its rich history, impressive architecture, tasty food, and great beer cafés.

We start our exploration of Bruges by whetting everyone’s whistle with a visit and tasting of  Brouwerij Fort Lapin , a rather new brewery named after the fortress built in 1664 to protect Bruges’ commercial hub. We’ll chat with the brewer and founder, Kristof Vandenbussche, an outspoken entrepreneur from the area. Kristof had been brewing as a hobby for ten years before taking the final step from beer lover to professional.

You’ll then have a chance to walk through the fairy tale streets of Bruges and enjoy lunch on your own. We recommend eating at one of the last remaining family-owned breweries in the Bruges city center:  Brewery De Halve Maan .  You may have heard about the new 2-mile beer pipeline they recently built leading from their brewery in the city center to their bottling plant in an industrial area. The pipeline carries 1,500 gallons of beer an hour at 12 mph, which has saved them hundreds of truck trips a year. When you see the narrow, historic streets of Bruges, you will wonder how the tankers ever made their way through originally!

After lunch, you have the option of exploring the beautiful streets of Bruges on your own – or head out for another wonderful brewery! If you chose the brewery, you’ll experience a special brewery tour and blending session at Bourgogne des Flandres . Bourgogne des Flandres specializes in the Flemish beer blending tradition of mixing fresh beer with aged beer to create a perfect balance of flavors. It also happens to be the “home brewery” of our guide and brewer, Yannick.

Tonight’s dinner is at a local restaurant with a wide range of Belgian beers.

Day 4: West Flanders

We start our day with a tour and tasting at a newer brewery that opened in 2014 but is housed in a building with quite a bit of history. Kazematten ‘s building was originally built as part of Louis XIV’s fortress back in the 1680s and used for storing weapons into the 20th century. We’ll get to taste their Grotten Sante, a spicy dark brown beer, and their Wiper Times 14, a highly fermented blond beer.

Our next stop is a sobering but powerful visit to a site of great importance memorializing the region’s dark WWI history. Tyne Cot is our next stop and the site of the largest cemetery for Commonwealth forces in the world, of any war. After a short visit, we’ll finish the afternoon with lunch.

After lunch is the Rodenbach Brewery , where they have world-renowned cask halls with 294 oak casks, some of which are 150 years old. Rodenbach has a rich history that extends back to 1821. We’ll have a chance to taste their well-known barrel-aged sour beers that are brewed in the Flemish red style.

To end our day, we will drive back to Bruges for an evening and dinner on our own. Your guide, Yannick, will be happy to offer recommendations of places to eat. 

Day 5: Ghent

After breakfast and checking out, we’ll head on the road to one of our favorite cities in all of Europe – Ghent! (which also just so happens to be the home city of our trusty beer guide, Yannick.)

Before reaching Ghent, we’ll stop in West Flanders for a tour and tasting at Van Steenberge . Established in 1874, Van Steenberge is famous around the globe for Gulden Draak beer, a beer with fruity and zesty aromas but a caramel, toffee, roast malt, and coffee flavor.

Back on the road, we’ll stop for lunch at one of the best beer restaurants in the area, Heeren Van Liedekercke , before heading into the city. We’ll then check into our hotel, drop off our luggage, and set out to take in  Ghent’s history, architecture, culture, and of course, its beer heritage, all on a lively walking tour.

We’ll end our walk at one of the newest breweries in Ghent, Dok Brewing Co , where they love to try out new styles and flavors, all while keeping their proud Belgian beer tradition in mind. We’ll take a tour of their brewery, enjoy a beer tasting, and sit down to enjoy a delicious dinner. For dessert, we’ll indulge in some delectable Belgian chocolates, paired with beer, of course!

Day 6: Brussels

On our final morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making our way back to Brussels. Your guide, Yannick, will accompany you back to the city and drop off those heading to the airport, although we highly recommend spending a few more days in Belgium!

Belgium Beer Tour Highlights

• Bouwerij de Coureur – Leuven
• Braxatorium Parcensis – Leuven
• Stella Artois – Leuven
• Domus Home brewery – Leuven
• Brouwerij Fort Lapin – Bruges
• Brewery De Halve Maan – Bruges
• Bourgogne des Flandres – Bruges
• Kazematten – Ypres
• Rodenbach Brewery – Roeselare
• Oude Geuzestekerij De Cam – Gooik
• Dok Brewing Co. – Ghent
• Van Steenberge – East Flanders
• De Heeren van Liedekercke – Denderleeuw
• Artevelde City Brewpub – Ghent
• DOK brewery – Ghent

*Please note updates to the outlined itinerary may occur due to changes in availability of breweries and to accommodate new opportunities that arise.

Tour Accommodations

• Night 1: NH Collection Brussels Centre  – Our hotel for our first night has been freshly renovated and is located in the heart of historic Brussels.  We are a kilometer from the central train station and less than half a kilometer from Grand-Place, the central square of Brussels.
• Night 2: Martin’s Klooster  – Sitting near the river Dyle, Martin’s Klooster is a charming hotel that prides itself on offering exceptional service and elegant rooms among the cobbled streets of Louvain.
• Night 3 & 4: Hotel Acacia  – Located in the historic center of the Bruges (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and in the middle of all the action.
• Night 5: Hotel Harmony  – Perfectly located along the riverfront in the heart of the historical City Center of Ghent, our hotel for the next two nights offer well appointed yet comfortable accommodations.

Please note: Hotels are subject to availability.  If listed hotel is not available at time of tour, a hotel that is equal or better to the original will be secured.

What is Included

• All Local Transportation
• Double Occupancy Lodging
• Breakfasts; lunch and dinners, except one lunch on Day 3 and dinner of Day 4
• All Scheduled Activities and Brewery Visits
• Beers During Organized Tastings
• Professional Tour Guide

Not Included: Travel to and from destination, most lunches unless otherwise indicated, beer with meals, personal expenses, and optional gratuities to local staff and your guide. Travel insurance is also not included, though we highly recommend it.  Check out our Travel Insurance page  for more information.

Arrival & Departure

We meet in the early afternoon in Brussels, allowing you to arrive that morning or on a prior day as you wish. Getting to our meeting place at the hotel in Brussels from the airport or train station is easy and we will provide complete information in your Pre-Departure Packet.

Our adventure ends in Brussels mid afternoon on our final day. You can extend your stay in Brussels, hop on a return flight home, or easily take a train wherever your next adventure lies!

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Cycling and beer

Cycling and drinking beer: a difficult combination? Maybe, but somehow they go together very well in Flanders.

Sportive cyclists often finish their cycling tour with a (couple of) beer(s) – if they didn’t interrupt their tour for this already, preferably on a sunny terrace. Flemish people love the stories about the cyclists in the good old days, mixing a raw egg in their Rodenbach (a traditional sour red ale), as an ideal breakfast before the race. Some breweries actively support cylo’s (e.g.: the Roman brewery sponsors the Ename Classic, which is named after their famous abbey beer). Several beers are named after a famous slope or have a name that’s related to cycling in another way: Giesbaargs Muurken  (local dialect for ‘Muur van Geraardsbergen’), Kwaremont  and  Koerseklakske  (which translates as 'racing cap').

You can taste them at a typical cycling  bar . A tip: Eric Vanderaerden's victory in the  1985 Ronde van Vlaanderen  will always start an hour-long conversation. So, first conquer the cobbles, then quench your thirst.

Culinary treats and Belgian beer 

We are living the good life. We are proud of our fries, chocolate and beer. The Belgian beer culture has deep roots. It has been driven for centuries by families, farmers and monks, resulting in a broad range of indigenous beer styles.   

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What to eat & drink in Flanders? Top 8 Local Beers (Styles and Brands) in Flanders

Lambic is a traditional Belgian beer style that has its roots in Brussels and the region of Pajottenland. This style must be made with a minimum of 30% wheat, and the wort is always spontaneously fermented with local and naturally occurring wild yeasts. Because of different local microorganisms, these beers always have a unique and frequently unpredictable character. Due to its wild nature, many batches of lambic are sometimes blended, a style known as gueuze or geuze , to produce a more palatable version. Although it is difficult to pinpoint the exact characteristics of lambic beers, the unblended young varieties are usually pale with a characteristic red sheen, while more mature versions will usually have red to light purple color. These beers are always complex, and they often have a distinctive sour backbone, which will mellow as the beer ages. Most styles will display fruity aromas and flavors, with subtle malt character, dry finish, and little hop bitterness. Lambic beers are mostly enjoyed young and uncarbonated, and they will usually be served on tap. They pair well with seafood, especially mussels or oysters, and poultry.

Lambic is a traditional Belgian beer style that has its roots in Brussels and the region of Pajottenland. This style must be made with a minimum of 30% wheat, and the wort is always spontaneously fermented with local and naturally occurring wild yeasts.

VARIATIONS OF Lambic

Dubbel is a rich and well-balanced Trappist beer that originated in Belgium and whose modern version is often associated with Henrik Verlinden who created the prototype at Westmalle brewery in 1926. This version was named Dubbel Bruin, and soon after its invention, the style was copied in many Belgian breweries. Unlike other brown beers, typical Belgian dubbel will get its flavor from candi sugar—a thick and dark caramelized syrup that is added to the wort. These beers typically range from amber to copper, and they will usually have complex aromas and flavors reminiscent of toffee, raisins, malt, and dark fruit. Their finish is typically dry, while some may display subtle sweetness. Most are bottle conditioned—fermented in the bottle—and are usually not crystal clear. Although they are typically quite potent, with at least 6.5% alcohol by volume, the alcohol is not evident or discernible on the palate. Dubbel beers are an excellent accompaniment to wash-rind or Alpine cheese varieties, but they are also a good match to dark chocolate, barbecued or roasted meat, rich meat stews, and sausages.

Dubbel is a rich and well-balanced Trappist beer that originated in Belgium and whose modern version is often associated with Henrik Verlinden who created the prototype at Westmalle brewery in 1926. This version was named Dubbel Bruin, and soon after its invention, the style was copied in many Belgian breweries.

Native to East Flanders, Oud Bruin or Flanders Brown is a Belgian-style brown ale with a distinctive sour character. These beers are usually blended and aged in steel vats. As they age, they develop complexity, and aged varieties are generally considered superior. Most examples are medium-bodied with a color that varies from deep red to brown. They typically have a malty character accompanied by caramel notes, while the flavor is dark and fruity, reminiscent of dark berries, raisins, plums, prunes, and dates. The hop aroma is absent, while the sour element is usually present, but it can be more or less prominent, depending on the age. This beer style is often used as a base for fruit-flavored Belgian beers such as kriek or framboise. Oud Bruin beers can pair well with pork, game meat, hearty stews, buttery seafood, and tangy cheese varieties.

Native to East Flanders, Oud Bruin or Flanders Brown is a Belgian-style brown ale with a distinctive sour character. These beers are usually blended and aged in steel vats. As they age, they develop complexity, and aged varieties are generally considered superior.

Kriek Lambic

Traditionally produced in Brussels and Pajottenland, these fruit beers are made with the addition of cherries. Initially, they were made with Schaarbeekse cherries, but nowadays, other Morello cherries may be used as well. Whole, macerated, or crushed cherries (including the pits) are added to aged lambics, and the beer then continues maturation. It typically undergoes the second fermentation in the bottle. Like other types of lambic beers, kriek is also spontaneously fermented. Kriek lambics may differ in character, but they are usually refreshing and crisp, with a typical dry and tart finish. They will generally have a sour profile that is balanced with the sweetness from the cherries. It should be noted that several less authentic varieties exist which add cherry juice, cherry essence, or cherry syrup to filtered lambics. Apart from lambics, kriek beers can also be made with oud bruin and Flemish red ales .

Traditionally produced in Brussels and Pajottenland, these fruit beers are made with the addition of cherries. Initially, they were made with Schaarbeekse cherries, but nowadays, other Morello cherries may be used as well. Whole, macerated, or crushed cherries (including the pits) are added to aged lambics, and the beer then continues maturation.

VARIATIONS OF Kriek Lambic

Beer (Brands)

Duvel is a famed Belgian pale ale that is produced by Duvel Moortgat Brewery. It was initially named Victory Ale—but its name was later changed into Duvel, presumably after it was referenced as nen echten duvel (a real devil) due to its high alcohol content (8.5%). This pale ale became the brewery’s flagship beer, though several other styles are also available on the market. Classic Duvel is made from Scottish yeast, and it is hopped with Saaz and Styrian Golding hops. The beer has delicate effervescence, and it undergoes the second fermentation in the bottle. It is smooth and silky, with prominent hop flavors, citrusy, spicy, and floral aromas, subtle bitterness, and a dry finish. Duvel is an excellent match to aged cheese, seafood, and grilled or roasted meat.

Duvel is a famed Belgian pale ale that is produced by Duvel Moortgat Brewery. It was initially named Victory Ale—but its name was later changed into Duvel, presumably after it was referenced as nen echten duvel (a real devil) due to its high alcohol content (8.5%).

Flanders Red

Flanders Red is a type of aged sour ale hailing from West Flanders that is often described as a wine-like beer style. The examples are typically medium-bodied and have a distinctive sour character that can vary from balanced to intense. Their color ranges from burgundy to reddish-brown, and their profile is dominated by complex fruity flavors and aromas reminiscent of cherries, currants, and plums. Hop aroma is absent, while the malt character is present but not overpowering. Flanders Reds are often blended, and most examples are aged in oak barrels, which may impart subtle chocolate, vanilla, and spice notes. These beers pair well with heavier, fatty dishes, such as stews, braised meat, or roasted duck, but they can also be a good match to lighter dishes that share similar tart flavors. They can also pair well with seafood, snacks, sandwiches, and egg dishes. The style is often compared to Oud Bruin (Flanders Brown), but it typically has a more fruit-forward profile and less malty character.

Flanders Red is a type of aged sour ale hailing from West Flanders that is often described as a wine-like beer style. The examples are typically medium-bodied and have a distinctive sour character that can vary from balanced to intense.

Fruit Lambic

This Belgian beer style falls in the category of lambics —traditional beers made with spontaneous fermentation. As evident from the name, fruit lambics are made with the addition of fruit. Traditional and the most popular version is the cherry-flavored kriek . However, several other varieties are also produced, including peach-flavored pêche, raspberry framboise, black currant cassis, and several other variations. Fruit lambics are made with aged lambics in which the whole fruit is then added and macerated before the base is filtered and bottled. During maturation, lambics will usually become drier and sourer. These beers can significantly vary in appearance, flavor, and aromas—depending on the type of fruit that is used. However, they are usually crisp and refreshing, and they mostly have a distinctive sour character that is balanced with subtle sweetness from the fruits.

This Belgian beer style falls in the category of lambics —traditional beers made with spontaneous fermentation. As evident from the name, fruit lambics are made with the addition of fruit. Traditional and the most popular version is the cherry-flavored kriek .

VARIATIONS OF Fruit Lambic

Gueuze is a Belgian lambic-style that is made by blending young and old lambic beers—traditional Belgian brews that are fermented with wild yeasts. The blends then undergo secondary fermentation in the bottle. The combination is made by brewer’s preference, and the final character of gueuze is often unpredictable. They are typically very effervescent, crisp, and refreshing with unique earthy aromas reminiscent of hay and leather. Usually, they will display moderate sour and malt character, and they will sometimes have nuances of citrus fruit as well as hints of vanilla and oak. Gueuze is typically made with lambic blends that are one, two, and three-years-old, and those labeled as oude or ville are considered most traditional. This style originated in Pajottenland and Bruxelles sometime in the 19th century. It was an invention of local brewers that blended two lambics of different ages, which resulted in a spontaneous fermentation in the bottle. Gueuze beers are usually sold in corked, wire-caged bottles, and they are best paired with oysters, mussels, and poultry.

Gueuze is a Belgian lambic-style that is made by blending young and old lambic beers—traditional Belgian brews that are fermented with wild yeasts. The blends then undergo secondary fermentation in the bottle. The combination is made by brewer’s preference, and the final character of gueuze is often unpredictable.

Beer, chocolate and fries: the best food and drink in Flanders

From famous fries to a world-class brewing tradition, Flanders is a food-lover’s paradise.

• Post author By Firsty Admin
• Post date 6th March 2020

Wander down almost any street in Flanders and your nose will crinkle as some delicious smell wafts by. Why not allow us to lead you around the region by your tastebuds?

Flanders is famed for producing some of the finest cuisine in Europe but the not-so-humble chip is adored above all else. Even the smallest of villages houses at least one frietkot  to cope with local demand, while the Belgian fry culture itself enjoys UNESCO’s patronage (despite the name French fries, they were invented in Belgium).

Maison Antoine in Brussels has been hailed as the finest purveyor of frites in the world by The New York Times , and locals and tourists form long queues to scoff their fresh chips. When it comes to gourmet fries, however, Dutch chef Sergio Herman’s upscale Frites Atelier (with branches in Antwerp, Ghent and the capital) takes some beating, thanks to its souped-up sauces and toppings – think kimchi and Flemish stew.

Chocolate 

Chocolate is the number one gift brought back from Flanders, with Brussels Airport Zaventem, perhaps unsurprisingly, the world’s largest sales outlet for the sweet stuff. Brands like Godiva, Neuhaus and Leonidas are household names.

While Bruges abounds in picturesque chocolate shops, the capital is the place to go for the real McCoy, home to master chocolatiers like Wittamer and Pierre Marcolini. Many establishments sell pre-packed boxes, but it’s much more fun to handpick your own chocolates. Specialist terms to look out for are ganache (chocolate, fresh cream and a stronger percentage of cocoa butter flavoured with cinnamon, coffee or liqueur); gianduja (milk chocolate and smooth hazelnut paste); and praline (chocolate mixed with finely chopped nuts or toffee).

Stored in a traditional stoneware bottle, jenever – an ancestor of gin – makes an excellent souvenir. Limburg’s fashionable capital, Hasselt, has a museum specially dedicated to the liquor, where you can learn the differences between gin and jenever and sample a cheeky tot in the tasting room afterwards.

Visit in October to attend the city’s delightfully quirky jenever festival, when fountains run with the spirit and it’s impossible to avoid a glass or ten. 

Seafood  

The North Sea coast abounds in fantastic fresh seafood, whether you’re wolfing down shrimp croquettes or sampling the produce directly on the beach after watching a display by the UNESCO-listed horseback shrimp fishermen. Look out for local specialities sole à l’ostendaise (sole in a shrimp-and-mussel cream sauce) and vispannetje (creamy, gratinated seafood stew with salmon and prawns), as well as locally farmed, mild and sweet oysters.

Our top tip for a posh seafood dinner that will linger in the memory is Julia’s Fish and Oyster Bar in Koksijde, not far from Sint-Idesbald’s dedicated Paul Delvaux museum. 

Belgian brewing has become a world-famous tradition, to the extent that UNESCO has now recognised it as an inextricable part of the country’s heritage. Whoever makes the beers, they come in just about every strength, shade and style imaginable, mainly in bottles and usually with a yeast sediment (so pour with care).

Our recommended eccentric pitstop for the major beer geek in your life is Kulminator in Antwerp. This legendary, cluttered pub offers over 600 varieties of beer – some bottles even dating back to the 1970s. There’s a telephone-book-sized menu on hand, but it’s fun just to pick one of the dusty bottles behind the bar.

If you want to learn more about the history behind Belgium’s brewing tradition, meanwhile, head to  Brouwerij Het Anker in Mechelen. It’s famed for the winning combination of its setting – in the city’s atmospheric, UNESCO-listed Groot Begijnhof (Large Béguinage) – the history (it’s one of Belgium’s oldest breweries), and the distinguished Gouden Carolus you get to drink at the end.

Eating out 

Ghent is currently leading the way in offering a dynamic and vibrant restaurant scene sure to tempt the tastebuds of any visitor to Flanders. The city has really upped its game in recent years and now shelters six Michelin-starred restaurants and a host of creative bistros offering good-value deals.

That’s not its only calling card: in carnivorous Flanders, Ghent styles itself as Europe’s veggie capital, and every Thursday restaurants make an effort to up their vegetarian options. If you’re hankering for a quick bite, head to Ghent’s Turkish quarter on Sleepstraat. You’ll also want to try cuberdons (little noses); these purple cone-shaped candies sparked a war between two rival sellers on Groentenmarkt – as covered by international newspapers – until one went too far and was banished!

Want to find out more about eating and drinking in northern Belgium? Check out our comprehensive guide .

Advantage Mathieu van der Poel and Lotte Kopecky at the Tour of Flanders

All the information you need ahead of the biggest Belgian Classic of the year

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Fans of the Tour of Flanders will be denied another showdown between Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease A Bike) this year, after the Belgian sustained multiple fractures in a heavy crash during Dwars door Vlaanderen.

It leaves Van der Poel as the clear favourite, with on-song Dane Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) stepping into the breach as the rider most likely to challenge the imperious Dutchman.

With reigning champion Tadej Pogačar from this year's startlist, the two men will feel more confident. But a Classics win is always reliant on a certain amount of luck, and Van der Poel and Pedersen certainly won't have it all their own way.

Meanwhile the women's race is also something of a clash of the titans, with two-time winner and defending champion Lotte Kopecky and her SD Worx-Protime team-mate forming a potent pairing who will nevertheless have to contend with the likes of Dwars door Vlaanderen winner Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease A Bike) and British hopeful Pfeiffer Georgi (dsm-firmenich PostNL) among others.

This year sees Antwerp take over from Bruges as the alternating host city of the race. The route remains broadly similar to previous years, with greater use of wider roads early on to help prevent crashes being the only change.

For the men, the first berg of 17 will be the Oude Kwaremont, tackled after 137km of racing, while the Wolvenberg at the 72km point is the first of 12 such tests in the women’s race. The Wolvenberg is where both men's and women's races converge, after which the climbs come thick and fast.

It's the final one-two punch of Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg that often proves the most decisive. Controversial when first devised in 2012, particularly as it meant the omission of the iconic Muur van Geraardsbergen, this finale has since won fans over with its own unique character, which is also influenced by the double punch of the long, gradual Kwaremont and the short yet ultra-steep Paterberg.

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Tour of Flanders 2024 Key Info

Date: March 31 2024 Location: Antwerp 2023 winners: Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates, men); Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx, women) TV: Discovery+ / Eurosport Distance: 270km (men); 163km (women)

Tour of Flanders 2024 route

This year's men's race continues the annual trading game between Bruges and Antwerp, with the latter hosting the start on Sunday. Riders will find bigger roads than before waiting for them as they begin the long haul south-west towards berg country.

The fun begins with the first of three passes of the Oude Kwaremont, and the climbs come thick and fast after that as the race follows a spaghetti-like parcours around the hills of Flanders just south-east of the finish town of Oudenaarde. On the way they take in famous climbs including the Wolvenberg, Molenberg, Berendries and the Koppenberg on the way to a total 17 climbs, finishing with the one-two of the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg with 13 flat kilometres to the line.

The women begin in Oudenaarde, where both races finish. They first head north-east away from the city to complete a circuit of the flatter terrain around Zottegem, looping back towards Oudenaarde to begin the day's climbing at 72km with the Wolvenberg. A similarly serpentine route to that of the men sees them tackle a total 12 classified climbs, including the Molenberg, Berendries and the Koppenberg, along with that final Kwaremont/Paterberg one-two at the end.

Tour of Flanders 2024: Riders to watch

Mathieu van der Poel Alpecin-Deceuninck ***** The Dutch rider looks imperious this season – always at or near the head of affairs in every race he has ridden and with a win at the E3 Saxo Classic and second at Gent-Wevelgem under his belt already. He's had a mercurial last couple of seasons, but covered himself in glory in the Classics last year and seems to be set to repeat the feat this time around. The fact that Wout van Aert has now been ruled out – albeit in very unfortunate circumstances that VDP would not have wished for – won't exactly hurt his chances either.

Tiesj Benoot Visma-Lease A Bike *** With Benoot's team-mate and compatriot Wout van Aert recovering from a nasty crash in Dwars door Vlaanderen and other team-mates like Dylan Van Baarle having been ill, this could be Benoot's opportunity to step up from nearly man to winner at Flanders. He has been fifth here before – back in 2015 – and won Strade Bianche in 2018 . With a following wind and a bit of luck a podium, or even a win, here is not beyond him.

Mads Pedersen Lidl-Trek **** The Dane was third here last year and eighth the year before that. Considering that he seems to be in the form of his life – and the absence of one of his main Classics rivals, Wout van Aert – what's to say that Pedersen cannot finally achieve victory in what is one of the most revered one-day races of the season. Pedersen proves himself to be ever-more versatile, with overall wins in the Etoile de Bessèges and Tour de la Provence stage races, plus the more recent Gent-Wevelgem already this season.

Lotte Kopecky SD Worx-Protime ***** Of all the cards the Belgian team could play, right now Kopecky looks like the most likely to bring them success. She has been a playmaker in pretty much every race she has entered this season and already has four wins under her belt, including Strade Bianche . Riding alongside her, and even for her, will be at least four other potential victors – Demi Vollering, Marlen Reusser and Lorena Wiebes – ready to take over if Kopecky falters.

Elisa Longo Borghini Lidl-Trek **** The Italian has amassed a huge palmarès across Classics and stage races alike, despite spending most of her career riding in the company (under the shadow?) of greats like Annemiek van Vleuten and Anna van der Breggen. She has Lotte Kopecky to deal with these days, but that hasn't stopped the 32-year-old from putting in a solid shift so far this season already, with podiums at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Strade Bianche, and a win at Trofeo Oro in Euro.

Kasia Niewiadoma Canyon-SRAM **** The reigning gravel world champion was left heartbroken after missing out on a podium spot at Strade Bianche earlier this month. That was her most recent result, and one she may be eager to atone for at the Tour of Flanders this weekend. She was fifth here last year – the latest in a litany of top-10s stretching back 10 years. The Polish rider looks to be on form, with five top-seven finishes out of six race days this season, though there is of course the small matter of the SD Worx team standing between her and a win at Flanders.

Tour of Flanders 2024 men's start list

Alpecin-Deceuninck VAN DER POEL Mathieu PHILIPSEN Jasper BALLERSTEDT Maurice GROVES Kaden KRAGH ANDERSEN Søren DILLIER Silvan VERMEERSCH Gianni

Intermarché-Wanty GIRMAY Biniam DE POOTER Dries PAGE Hugo PETIT Adrien REX Laurenz TEUNISSEN Mike ZIMMERMANN Georg

Soudal Quick-Step ALAPHILIPPE Julian ASGREEN Kasper LAMPAERT Yves MOSCON Gianni PEDERSEN Casper VANGHELUWE Warre WARLOP Jordi

Team Visma-Lease a Bike AFFINI Edoardo BENOOT Tiesj JORGENSON Matteo VAN DIJKE Mick VAN DIJKE Tim TRATNIK Jan VAN BAARLE Dylan

Arkéa-B&B Hotels SÉNÉCHAL Florian GRONDIN Donavan ALBANESE Vincenzo MCLAY Daniel MOZZATO Luca SCOTSON Miles

Astana Qazaqstan Team BOL Cees BRUSSENSKIY Gleb FEDOROV Yevgeniy GAZZOLI Michele GIDICH Yevgeniy GRUZDEV Dmitriy SYRITSA Gleb

Bahrain-Victorious MOHORIČ Matej GOVEKAR Matevž GRADEK Kamil MIHOLJEVIĆ Fran PASQUALON Andrea WRIGHT Fred BURATTI Nicolò

BORA-Hansgrohe KOCH Jonas MEEUS Jordi HALLER Marco HERZOG Emil LÜHRS Luis-Joe DENZ Nico MULLEN Ryan VAN POPPEL Danny

Cofidis ALLEGAERT Piet DE GENDT Aimé DEBEAUMARCHÉ Nicolas MAHOUDO Nolann NOPPE Christophe RENARD Alexis ZINGLE Axel

Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale GAUTHERAT Pierre BOASSON HAGEN Edvald NAESEN Oliver DE BONDT Dries DE PESTEL Sander POLLEFLIET Gianluca TOUZÉ Damien TRONCHON Bastien

EF Education-EasyPost BETTIOL Alberto BISSEGGER Stefan DOULL Owain HONORÉ Mikkel Frølich POWLESS Neilson RUTSCH Jonas VALGREN Michael

Groupama-FDJ KÜNG Stefan ASKEY Lewis BYSTRØM Sven Erik LE GAC Olivier MADOUAS Valentin RUSSO Clément WATSON Samuel

INEOS Grenadiers TARLING Joshua NARVÁEZ Jhonatan ROWE Luke SHEFFIELD Magnus SWIFT Ben SWIFT Connor TURNER Ben

Lidl-Trek HOOLE Daan PEDERSEN Mads DECLERCQ Tim KIRSCH Alex MILAN Jonathan SKUJIŅŠ Toms STUYVEN Jasper THEUNS Edward

Movistar LAZKANO Oier CANAL Carlos CAVAGNA Rémi GARCÍA CORTINA Iván JACOBS Johan MILESI Lorenzo ROMEO Iván

Team dsm-firmenich PostNL DEGENKOLB John BEVIN Patrick BITTNER Pavel EDDY Patrick EEKHOFF Nils FLYNN Sean MÄRKL Niklas

Team Jayco AlUla MATTHEWS Michael DURBRIDGE Luke JANSEN Amund Grøndahl MEZGEC Luka O'BRIEN Kelland REINDERS Elmar WALSCHEID Max

UAE Team Emirates WELLENS Tim OLIVEIRA Ivo BJERG Mikkel COVI Alessandro HIRSCHI Marc MORGADO António POLITT Nils

Israel-Premier Tech FUGLSANG Jakob BOIVIN Guillaume HOULE Hugo NEILANDS Krists STEWART Jake TEUNS Dylan VAN ASBROECK Tom

Lotto-Dstny BEULLENS Cedric CAMPENAERTS Victor DE BUYST Jasper EENKHOORN Pascal GRIGNARD Sébastien VAN MOER Brent BERCKMOES Jenno

Uno-X Mobility KRISTOFF Alexander ABRAHAMSEN Jonas HOELGAARD Markus BLUME LEVY William RESELL Erik Nordsæter TILLER Rasmus WÆRENSKJOLD Søren

Bingoal-WB DE MEESTER Luca DE TIER Floris DESAL Ceriel VAN BOVEN Luca VAN ROOY Kenneth VAN DER BEKEN Aaron VERMOOTE Jelle

Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team CHRISTEN Fabio DEVRIENDT Tom LUDVIGSSON Tobias STEIMLE Jannik ZUKOWSKY Nickolas

Team Flanders-Baloise CLAEYS Arno COLMAN Alex DE VYLDER Lindsay DE WILDE Gilles DEWEIRDT Siebe VAN HEMELEN Vincent VANHOOF Ward VANDENSTORME Dylan

Tudor Pro Cycling Team TRENTIN Matteo BOHLI Tom ERIKSSON Jacob KELEMEN Petr KRIEGER Alexander MAYRHOFER Marius PLUIMERS Rick

Tour of Flanders 2024 women's start list

Team SD Worx-Protime VOLLERING Demi KOPECKY Lotte BREDEWOLD Mischa REUSSER Marlen MAJERUS Christine WIEBES Lorena

AG Insurance-Soudal Team BOOGAARD Maaike BORGSTRÖM Julia GOOSSENS Marthe (LE COURT) PIENAAR Kimberley PLUIMERS Ilse RIJNBEEK Maud

Canyon//SRAM Racing NIEWIADOMA Katarzyna CROMWELL Tiffany CHABBEY Elise DYGERT Chloe PALADIN Soraya TOWERS Alice

CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling Team ARZUFFI Alice Maria BERTON Nina FIDANZA Arianna JASKULSKA Marta KERBAOL Cédrine LACH Marta

FDJ-SUEZ GUAZZINI Vittoria ADEGEEST Loes CURINIER Léa KRAAK Amber VERHULST-WILD Gladys WIEL Jade

Fenix-Deceuninck PIETERSE Puck CANT Sanne COUZENS Millie DE WILDE Julie KASTELIJN Yara KUIJPERS Evy SCHWEINBERGER Christina

Human Powered Health CORDON-RAGOT Audrey EDWARDS Ruth GROSSETÊTE Maëlle KASPER Romy WILLIAMS Lily RAGUSA Katia

Lidl-Trek LONGO BORGHINI Elisa BALSAMO Elisa BRAND Lucinda DEIGNAN Elizabeth HANSON Lauretta VAN ANROOIJ Shirin

Liv AlUla Jayco HOWE Georgie KOREVAAR Jeanne MANLY Alexandra PATE Amber PATERNOSTER Letizia SMULDERS Silke

Movistar SIERRA Arlenis BIANNIC Aude NORSGAARD Emma GUTIÉRREZ Sheyla MACKAIJ Floortje RUIZ PÉREZ Lucía

Roland CHRISTOFOROU Antri COLES-LYSTER Maggie COLLINELLI Sofia DRONOVA-BALABOLINA Tamara NGUYỄN Thị Thật PIRRONE Elena

Team dsm-firmenich PostNL GEORGI Pfeiffer BARALE Francesca KOCH Franziska NELSON Josie SMITH Abi CIABOCCO Eleonora

Team Visma-Lease a Bike VOS Marianne ACHTEREEKTE Carlijn NOOIJEN Lieke RIEDMANN Linda VAN EMPEL Fem VIGIE Margaux

Uno-X Mobility CONFALONIERI Maria Giulia ANDERSEN Susanne BARKER Elinor BERG EDSETH Marte BOILARD Simone KOSTER Anouska 

Cofidis ALZINI Martina BERTEAU Victoire FORTIN Valentine KERN Špela ROY Sarah VAN HAAFTEN Kirstie

Arkéa-B&B Hotels CLAES Lotte COLJÉ Maaike DRUMMOND Michaela FAHLIN Emilia MORICHON Anais SQUIBAN Maëva

Chevalmeire BEX Nathalie ERIKSEN Malin DOBBELAERE Jana KIEKENS Cleo NILSSON Hanna WATTS Emily

EF Education-Cannondale KESSLER Nina BORGHESI Letizia JACKSON Alison LABECKI Coryn RÜEGG Noemi FAULKNER Kristen

Lifeplus-Wahoo BURLOVÁ Kristýna FRANZ Heidi GONZÁLEZ Alicia HARRIS Ella RICHARDSON Kate RYSZ Kaja

Lotto Dstny Ladies DE JONG Thalita AINTILA Wilma DE KEERSMAEKER Audrey BASTIAENSSEN Fauve DOCX Mieke VAN DE GUCHTE Quinty

Proximus-Cyclis CT AERNOUTS Amber BOSKAMP Lente DE GROOT Marieke LÓPEZ Marga MEERTENS Lone VEERMAN Deborah

Team Coop-Repsol RÅNES BYE Camilla GRANGIER India GREENWOOD Monica HAUGSET Sigrid Ytterhus JØRGENSEN Tiril TACEY April

VolkerWessels DEMEY Valerie DIJKSTRA Anneke JANSEN Eline MEERT Marieke SOUREN Scarlett VANPACHTENBEKE Margot

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After cutting his teeth on local and national newspapers, James began at Cycling Weekly as a sub-editor in 2000 when the current office was literally all fields. 

Eventually becoming chief sub-editor, in 2016 he switched to the job of full-time writer, and covers news, racing and features.

A lifelong cyclist and cycling fan, James's racing days (and most of his fitness) are now behind him. But he still rides regularly, both on the road and on the gravelly stuff.

Reformed post-pub rider Emmie Harrison-West explores the cultural and legal implications of cycling under the influence

By Emmie Harrison-West Published 4 July 24

Find out exactly why the Giant TCR is our best climbing bike of 2024

By Joe Baker Published 4 July 24

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Tour de France

Tour de france stage winner biniam girmay’s long journey to stardom, how a kid from one of the world’s least developed nations conquered the tour de france..

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It was all summed up in the excited, booming Dutch voice of Intermarché-Wanty teammate Mike Teunissen as he grasped stage 3 winner Biniam Girmay  by the shoulders: “You make history! You make fucking history! You know—it’s for Africa, for Intermarché. We’re so proud of you!” Yes, Girmay had just become the first Black African , indeed the first Black man from any continent, and also the first Intermarché rider, to win a stage of the Tour de France . And he did it with the utmost skill and speed, first losing the wheels of his lead-out train around the last two turns and then, doing what his boyhood hero Mark Cavendish does so well, freelanced his way along the leeside of the other sprinters before making a late, full-speed sprint to win by a clean bike length.

It was the victory of a true pro, a win that would make any seasoned European sprinter proud, let alone a rider from Eritrea, one of the world’s least developed countries, where the average per capita income is less than $1,000 a year. Indeed, his has been a long, quite remarkable, against-all-odds story.

Girmay grew up in Asmara, a city of 1 million people, with four brothers and a sister. “We lived in a small but nice house,” he told me last year. “The best part [was] that we can play in the streets in Asmara, there are not that many cars. After school we could play football for hours.” Because of the empty streets and the temperate climate (Asmara sits at 2,325 meters,7,628 feet, above sea level), the city has been called a cyclist’s paradise. Also, during 50 years of colonial rule, Italians made cycling a popular sport. Today, Eritrea has 1,000 licensed bike racers and about 100 races a year.

Girmay said his father got him into the sport: “Every Sunday we have a race in Asmara. Mostly I went with my father to see the races. If there was a grand tour on television, we watch in coffee bars or sometimes we go to the [1930s-vintage] cinema to watch the Tour de France.” Besides cycling, his father insisted that his son learn English at school—“he imagined that it was one way of succeeding later on [in life].”

As part of a large family, Girmay’s first bike was a hand-me-down; then his dad bought him an “expensive” bike. Sometimes, they’d ride the 10 kilometers to his dad’s carpentry business. When still in the junior ranks, Girmay said, “I started out in mountain biking at age 13 for two years before going on the road. I quickly became the No. 1 junior in the country.” He was helped by Meron Teshome, a good friend, who was the African time trial champion in 2017. “We still train together,” Girmay told me. “sometimes we go for a mountain bike ride in the mountains around Asmara.”

On Girmay’s first trip out of Eritrea, in 2018, for the African junior championships in Rwanda, he won three gold medals: the road race, time trial and team time trial. “The UCI were interested in me right away,” he said, “and wanted me to go to the World Training Centre in Switzerland, where I went before the summer,” and where he perfected his English.

At one of his first European junior races, the Tour de la Vallée de la Trambouze in France, Girmay won the opening stage in a 20-strong uphill sprint. A week later, he won the opening stage of another junior race, Aubel–Thimister–Stavelot in Belgium, this time in a two-man breakaway ahead of another (very special) junior: Remco Evenepoel. In that first European foray, Girmay also took podium spots at races in Italy and Switzerland. Presciently, he said: “My dream is to one day start the Tour de France.”

Girmay was offered his first pro contract by the second-tier French team Delko Marseille after winning a Tour du Rwanda stage by out-sprinting Delko’s Rwandan, Joseph Areruya. Girmay went on to ride the 2019 Tour de l’Avenir. He was well down on GC but was fifth on the toughest alpine stage over the Col de la Croix de Fer to a mountaintop finish at Le Corbier. Recalling that under-23s stage race, Girmay said, “I remember the stages before—it was cold and rainy. The last stages, the weather was getting better, and I started to feel good. That’s why I tried to follow the GC guys in the last stage [and finished eight seconds ahead of overall race winner Tobias Foss]. I can’t say that I look forward to the mountain stages in the Tour de France, but I think the fans can help me get over the mountains.”

In 2020, at age 19, Girmay’s pro career began better than that of any previous Black African, when he placed second in Italy’s Trofeo Laigueglia behind local standout Giulio Ciccone; he was also second at the Tour du Doubs and fourth at the Tour of Tuscany in that pandemic-shortened 2020 season. A year later, after transferring to the Intermarché team mid-season, he won his first European pro race, the hilly Classic Grand Besançon Doubs in eastern France, out-sprinting a five-man break that included Thibaut Pinot.

Three weeks (and five more races) after that outstanding victory, Girmay lined up for the 2021 under-23 worlds road race with 173 others. The 161-kilometer race was dominated by a strong Italian team that propelled Filippo Baroncini to the rainbow jersey; but just two seconds back it was Girmay who outkicked 32 others in the uphill sprint in Leuven to earn the silver medal—the first Black African to podium at any world cycling championship. On his arrival back home, Girmay said, “I was proud to see all the former great champions come to congratulate me, notably Daniel Teklehaimanot and Natnael Berhane.”

Those Eritrean luminaries, along with thousands of fellow citizens, would again be out in the streets of Asmara in late March 2022 to welcome Girmay home after his unprecedented victory in Ghent–Wevelgem . Leading up to that spring classic, Girmay raced 23 times in two months, taking one victory (at January’s Majorca Challenge) and six top 10s. His most significant result came in his first monument, Milan–San Remo. He followed the best on the closing climbs, the Cipressa and Poggio, and rode into the finish with a second chase group to take 12th place.

Six days later, Girmay rode his first cobbled race as a pro, the E3 Saxo Bank Classic…and seemed right at home. When Wout van Aert and teammate Christophe Laporte made their winning attack on the ultra-steep Paterberg, Girmay was on the point of joining them before fading near the top. But he stayed with the eight-man chase and took fifth on the line. Ghent–Wevelgem was two days later.

Van Aert raced like the No. 1 favorite that day, breaking clear on the day’s last climb, the cobbled Kemmelberg. After being joined by two chase groups, the Belgian champion moved to Plan B by sending Laporte on the attack. Girmay immediately jumped on the Frenchman’s wheel, followed by Belgian veterans Jasper Stuyven and Dries Van Gestel. Working together, the four stayed clear. Laporte was tipped to win, but Girmay showed his tactical nous by staying at the back, jumping clear with 300 meters left and holding off the pursuing Frenchman.

Girmay returned to Asmara to a hero’s welcome with a parade through a packed downtown: “Bini! Bini! Bini!” the crowds chanted. And there were family celebrations with his wife Saliem, baby daughter Leila—and his jubilant dad. Girmay’s month back home was also an altitude camp, given Asmara’s high elevation. In a typical training ride, he’d descend to the Red Sea at Massawa, “where you can ride in the wind before climbing back 70 kilometers to Asmara,” he said. “I train with six others, maybe even 20 at times.” He returned to Europe for the Giro d’Italia, riding Germany’s Eschborn–Frankfurt classic five days before starting his first three-week stage race.

It’s now part of cycling history that Girmay was the first Black African to win a stage of a grand tour on stage 10 of the 2022 Giro—though many people better remember that, as he was celebrating that victory, the cork from the oversized bottle of Prosecco shot up into his left eye . “The cork hit me in the eye at very high speed,” he said, “so it could have been much worse. For 10 days I was afraid I was going to lose it…. It was of course hard to leave the Giro with an injury.”

At the time, Girmay was upset by reactions on the web: “They continued to laugh about the situation on social media, to the point of forgetting that I won a stage.” And it was a tough stage, 196 kilometers from Pescara to Jesi. Half a dozen climbs in the last 80 kilometers split the peloton, and a full-out GC battle on the final hill left just 30 riders to contest the finish.

“It was a hard stage, but thanks to my teammates I could stay in contact with the front group,” Girmay remembered. “And even the GC guys helped me to control the group…and Pozzo did a great lead out.” That would be the veteran Italian Domenico Pozzovivo, a climber, who put his teammate in great position for the slightly uphill sprint. It quickly became a two-man battle between Girmay and Mathieu van der Poel—just like that 2022 Giro’s opening stage on a hilltop finish in Hungary, where the Dutch superstar outkicked the grand tour debutant by a bike length. This time, in Jesi, Girmay made a perfect sprint to win by several lengths. On crossing the line, a beaten van der Poel showed respect for his rival with an unexpected thumbs-up.

Then came the podium and the Prosecco cork shooting into Girmay’s face. He graciously continued the ceremony, waving to the crowd while holding a hand over his injured eye, before going to the hospital to have the hemorrhage treated. Girmay even celebrated that night with his teammates, who toasted him with glasses of bubbly.

Bad luck again plagued Girmay’s 2023 season, starting on April 2, his 23rd birthday. Five hours into the Tour of Flanders, as the race approached the Molenberg with Girmay in the fast-moving group of favorites two minutes behind the early break, the birthday boy touched wheels with Matej Mohoric. They both hit the tarmac. Riders crashed into and over Girmay at high speed. With a concussion and extensive abrasions, his race was over…and his plans for a smooth transition toward his first Tour de France were scuttled.

“I have no memories from the crash or even the trip to the hospital,” Girmay said from his home in Eritrea. “The recovery from the concussion in the days after the crash was quite okay. However, I had many severe wounds, making the recovery process very long.” Indeed, his team’s communications chief Sarah Inghelbrecht, who saw him in the hospital, told me, “He had deep wounds everywhere on his body. He had stitches in the face. A nurse or our team doctors came every day to take care of his wounds…10 days just to be healed enough to go home, that’s quite a long time.”

After two months off the bike, returned to racing only three weeks before his debut Tour. He did win a stage of the Tour de Suisse—ahead of Arnaud Démare and Wout van Aert—but he started the Tour de France with less than perfect form. He did finish his first Tour, with best placings of third at Bordeaux (behind Jasper Philipsen and Cavendish) and sixth in Paris. He has had better fitness this year, starting with a victory at Australia’s Surf Coast Classic in January. He returned to the Giro, got third place on stage 3 (behind Tim Merlier and Jonathan Milan), but then crashed twice of greasy roads on the next stage, and was again forced to pull out of the race.

He returned to racing in late May and had a strong of good results, with second place at the Rund um Köln, victory at the Circuit Franco-Belge in an uphill finish, and another second place at the Brussels Cycling Classic. He returned to Eritrea for his national championships (his sixth place showed how the standards are improving there) and he stayed there for more altitude training on his favorite roads.

Girmay doesn’t have a home in Europe. “Biniam’s home is basically where the team is,” Inghelbrecht said. “Sometimes he stays in our family hotels in Belgium…or in Italy with his cycling friends in Lucca. He has a long-term visa, which requires him to leave the Schengen zone [27 European countries] every three months. If Biniam returns to Asmara frequently, it’s because he wants it.”

Asked about his family, Girmay said, “I know my wife already for a long time. She loves life in Asmara [with our daughter], so we don’t plan to move to Europe. We didn’t apply for a visa. But maybe they come one time, maybe not.” What is certain is that his family, along with thousands of Eritreans, are now celebrating his historic stage win at Turin in this 111th Tour de France. It’s been a long journey ….

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Guided Tours Are Making a Surprising Comeback

However, new data from Get Your Guide, one of the world's leading tour and activity booking platforms, shows that in 2024, Gen Z and Millennials are actually leading the way when it comes to booking guided tours. According to the Get Your Guide study conducted among 1,000 Americans between April 10 and April 15, 2024, 81% of Millennials and 80% of Gen Z will likely book a guided tour next year. Overall, 94% of leisure travelers booked a guided tour in 2023, and 89% of travelers believe that a local guide is the best way to explore a new destination.

"For young people, it's all about having an authentic experience when they travel—they really want to get to know a destination," says Madison Pietrowski, Director of Brand US at GetYourGuideWhile, to Thrillist. "People may have previously shied away from guided tours because they're worried about looking too touristy, young people embrace them because they realize that they're the best way to get immersed in a destination."This is not entirely surprising; we already know that  the way young people travel is changing . Gen Zers are more likely to book tickets for museum entry than they are to book a party bus. But the pivot from DIY trip planning and "never admit you're a tourist" ethos of young people travel from the last few decades is falling by the wayside. In its place is a traveler who wants to be well-informed and fully immersed in the destination and views guided tours as an essential component of that mission.

But don't worry—if you're dipping your toes in the water of tours for the first time, the world isn't limited to Hop On, Hop Off bus tours (though those are great) and generic history tours. Instead, these new tours are curated for a new kind of travel, curated for special interests and more inclusive histories .

"The most exciting part about Gen Z joining this demand for guided tours for me as a tour designer is the freedom to serve up narratives in new, fresh ways," Shabby Flanders, CMO and Co-Founder at Urban Saunters, told Thrillist. Flanders was the lead singer in an all-girls punk group before she helped found the London-based tour company Urban Saunters. "The biggest change has really been the production of our tours. We've created some new experiences which engage the senses, and are far more immersive and experiential than the traditional walking tour."Urban Saunters now offers a Taylor Swift walking tour for all relevant London locals and will soon launch a look at the "underground" version of Soho and a true crime and beer tour.

"These days there are so many different types of tours available that there's something for everyone," Pietrowski says. "We've seen a big shift toward immersive and passion-based experiences. History buffs can book a walking tour of the city, while those looking for a more hands-on experience can join a cooking class to learn about the local cuisine. It's all about personalizing your experiences based on what you love and this trend is really changing the game with tours."

The most significant difference between the tours of yore and the tours that young people are seeking out today isn't so much the function of the tour but the method in which these tours are conducted. "What I enjoy most about younger travelers is their genuine enthusiasm to learn and their adventurous spirit," Marc Terrier, the owner of Edge of the World Tours and a tour guide at the company, told Thrillist. "They're always eager to try new experiences. Whereas older generations tend to go the more traditional route when visiting wineries and attractions, younger travelers are more adventurous and want to try unique wines, breweries, distilleries, and other out-of-the-box experiences."

For your next vacation, consider booking a tour that really connects to the place you're visiting or lets you indulge in one of your major interests or curiosities. "You just need to choose what floats your boat the most, book, and off you go to make unforgettable memories," Flanders says.

Looking for more travel inspiration?

Opheli Garcia Lawler is a Senior Staff Writer at Thrillist. She holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Journalism from NYU's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She's worked in digital media for eight years, and before working at Thrillist, she wrote for Mic, The Cut, The Fader, Vice, and other publications. Follow her on Twitter @opheligarcia and Instagram @opheligarcia .