Posted By Laura in Competitions, Featured, Kid-Free Breaks | 9 comments

Behind door number fourteen of the 2019 #WinterStuff is your chance to win a mini break to Belgium – Two nights hotel stay during the world-famous Doudou Festival in Mons next June, plus a Mons card each!

At around 2hrs away from Calais, Southern Belgium makes an easy choice as a short break option. Unspoiled landscape, soft rolling hills and pretty villages, and some great fun filled ideas for Wallonia – the green heart of Belgium. And just an hour’s train ride from Brussels you’ll find the town of Mons:

“Mons is perhaps worth talking about, because it is a charming town.”  That was how Victor Hugo described it.

A beautiful Belgian city with UNESCO world heritage sites, it is also home to the world-famous Doudou festival – a 658 years old tradition, recognised as ‘a masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO.

It begins with a touching ceremony at the cathedral, paying tribute to Waudru, the founder of the city who stopped a plague epidemic in Mons.

Then on the Sunday, the relics are placed on the Car d’Or (gilded carriage) and walked through the city. At midday, thousands will help push it up the steep slope going to the top of the hill. It has to be done in one go or misery might fall on the city…

After the procession, an enormous crowd gathers in the main square of Mons to watch St George on horseback fighting and slaying the dragon, each helped by many allies. Expect beautiful costumes and waves and waves of cheering. This medieval performance symbolises Good triumphing over Evil.

And next year you can experience the festival for yourself!

One lucky winner will win a two nights stay for 2 people at the Hotel Van Der Valk in Mons during the Doudou Festival from 6^th to 8^th June 2020 (accomodation wil be on a B&B basis). They’ll also win a Mons Card each to use during their stay, giving reductions and entry to 15 sites and museums, discounts in 28 restaurants and bars, plus free bike hire.

• Travel to Mons is not included – the 2hr Eurostar to Brussels (just 45 mins train away from Mons) is currently under £80pp return, and flights to Brussels are similar.
• Dates are non-transferable, so please be sure you’re available 6-8th June 2020 before you enter!

To be in with a chance to win, just answer the first four questions in the widget box below. There are more chances to win by completing the other entry options if you so wish – they’re entirely up to you! The closing date for this competition is 31st January 2020 and only entries received on or before that date can be included. The winner will be the first randomly chosen entry. Good luck!

(and don’t forget once you’re done here, there’s new competitions open every day and running through to January, with prizes worth over £4,000 in the rest of #WinterStuff – go enter them all!)