Straight through Belgium
Season 1
August 31, 2020
4Episodes
Straight through Belgium is a 4-part adventurous television show, created by television-creator Arnout Hauben. Together with Philippe Niclaes (camera) and Ruben Callens (drone and sound) Hauben follows the GR129, the longest signposted hiking-trail in Belgium. The trail is 500 kilometers long and goes all the way through Belgium from Bruges to Aarlen. Arnout, Philippe and Ruben go "back to basics" for this show and travel with backpack and tents. They complete the trail in 23 days, travelling about 20 km per day. Along the way, Arnout Hauben stops at several special locations with each its own story. He tells stories about Belgian history, but also about lesser-known "petites histoires".
Episodes
1. Episode 1
August 31, 2020
47 min
Arnout Hauben travels from Bruges to Beernem. In the woods of Beernem, the great-granduncle of queen Mathilde was killed 100 years ago. Whoever was the killer remains a mysterie today. After Beernem, he travels towards the Flemish Ardennes, the birthplace of the cycling race, Tour of Flanders...
2. Episode 2
September 7, 2020
46 min
Arnout Hauven crosses the Belgian language border and arrives at the animal park Pairi Daiza, built on the ruins of an old abbey. Travelling along the shores of the river Samber, he arrives in Marcinelle. There he collects stories from witnesses of the mining disaster of 1956...
3. Episode 3
September 14, 2020
44 min
In the valley of Molignée, Arnout Hauben, Ruben Callens and Philippe Niclaes are the guests of the Monks of Maredsous. In the woods of Houyet at the Lesse, they discover the remains of the prestigious hotel Royal d'Ardenne, built by king Leopold the 2nd...
4. Episode 4
September 21, 2020
46 min
In Herbeumont, Arnout Hauben sets camp on the shores of the Semois. Heading to the abbey of Orval, he enters the Gaume-region, an area with its own micro-climate. Thanks to the warmer climate, this region is perfect for viticulture. After travelling more than 500 km on the GR129, he finally arrives at his destination: the source of the Semois in Aarlen...