10:00:You will come by your own bus to the departure point of the ship at Ronquières, at the bottom of the Inclined Plane, where the boat trip starts. Welcome on board by the guide, the captain and his crew. Welcome with coffee and pastry.
During this unique guided boat trip we pass with the ship in a large water basin over the famous Inclined Plane of Ronquières and at the end of the trip we also experience the descent into the largest boat lift in Europe; the Strépy-Thieu funicular.
We sail on the former coal transport route. For decades, inland vessels transported coal from the Walloon coal basins to Brussels and on to Flanders via this route.
But… don't think that you will see any old industry on the route. From the deck of the boat you have a beautiful view of a green and slightly undulating Brabant and Hainaut landscape and changing views.
12:00:We stop at Houdeng-Goegnies for a short walk up to hydraulic boat lift no.1 on the historic Center Canal, an interesting site recognized as Unesco World Heritage.
12:45:Return on board where the tables were set for lunch and the cold dishes were prepared. Appropriate drinks are ordered from the bar staff. The ordered snack is served around 16:00, a piece of fruit pie or a pancake. The bar will remain open for the duration of the cruise.
16:30 to 17:00:End of the boat trip and disembarkation at the bottom of the boat lift of Strépy-Thieu after taking part in one of the most spectacular boat trips in Belgium!
