Dinant, a Symphony of Notes and Gunsmoke 🎷

Dinant is a southern town in Belgium, over 100 kilometers away from Brussels. It is the hometown of the saxophone inventor and one of the hidden gems I discovered during my Western European journey. Dinant has a history full of hardships and tribulations. After the brutal bombings of the two World Wars, it was reborn. The accumulation of history has eventually turned into the current splendor and tranquility. The Meuse River divides Dinant into two main streets. One of the town's landmarks, the Dinant Citadel (Citadelle de Dinant), stands on a cliff a hundred meters high, overlooking the Meuse River ferry. From a high vantage point, the entire town is nestled between mountains, a typical location that is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Therefore, the occupying side often wins in the end. Dinant's war history is a microcosm of the suffering of Belgium and even Europe in the 20th century. From the bloody massacres of World War I to the strategic battles of World War II, the scars of this town serve as a stark reminder of the preciousness of peace. Today, Dinant tells the dual narrative of destruction and rebirth to the world with its peaceful riverside views, melodious saxophone music, and well-preserved war relics. Travel Tips 🌈 • It takes about 1.5 hours to drive from Brussels to Dinant. Note that the road along the river opposite the castle is one-way. • There is an open-air parking lot called interparking near the castle, but it's better to park at the nearby roadside parking spaces (free after 5 p.m.). Be sure not to park in the spots reserved for residents. • The castle's operating hours are from 10:00 to 16:30. Tickets can be purchased on-site for 13€ per person, including the round-trip cable car ride. You can also hike up the hill to the castle. • The interior of the castle is a military fortress with many war marks and photos. • The best time to visit Dinant is in the summer (June to September) when the town is more lively and there are activities like kayaking along the riverbank. #MyHiddenTravelTips #Dinan