Main Information: No wifi or TV. We loved our stay at the Aux Berges de la Bel bed and breakfast and dinner in the restaurant was fabulous. Read more: 17 of the best things to do in Bruges, from boats and bikes to beers and breweries. Plantin Moretus House and Printing Museum. Water is central to Spa and its the ultimate in relaxation. If your family has a sense of adventure, head for Alabama and a mini-vacation that could include dolphin spotting, fishing, jet-skiing, and more. Nearby, there are a handful of outdoor kiosks, known as frietkot (snack stands), where you can get your frieten fix fries served in an iconic paper cone with your sauce of choice. Known as the Land of Valleys, the land-locked province of Namur in the Wallonia region is surrounded by nature rivers, cliffs, rolling farm hills and lush Belgian Ardennes greenery. Expatica helps make your expat journey the experience you've always wanted. Read more: Where to find 20 of Europe's most stunning hot springs. Even though travelling might not be easy now, you can still enjoy a short holiday, see beautiful cities and hidden gems in the countryside any time of the year without travelling too far. The highlight however, was hiking in the Haute Fagnes National Park. Meanwhile, Ovifat is a perfect destination for beginners and professional skiers. Its a beautiful full-fledge vacation home with several modern-designed rooms, including a party space, a sauna, a lush garden, and a swimming pond. The pretty Japanese garden is a great reason to visit Hasselt in the spring. June 19, 2016 Belgium Weekend getaway in Belgium & Netherlands While having a full time job and a passion for travel, to know in advance when the bank holidays are is a must. The more recent contemporary projects have joined the medieval buildings, contributing to Antwerps rich landscape. Filled with Gothic houses, cozy town squares and calm waterways, you'll feel like you stepped into a medieval fairy tale, complete with horse-drawn carriages. To fill up a whole weekend, nature lovers can revel in hiking the parks different marked trails. And dont forget about the excellent festivals and foodie events that are never-ending in this vibrant city. The More info Ghent Short stay in style. Not far from Nivelles, immersed in nature and surrounded by ponds and a small river (with geese occasionally passing by), we were in the perfect location to rest, drink some hot chocolate while recovering from the trip. Home to the world-renowned Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, Belgiums second city is also its coolest. With its gorgeous canal, the many lovely houses and great atmosphere, Bruges is a city I instantly fell in love with. discovering a hidden corner of the city with the Brussels Greeters. Belgiums tiny size and diverse landscape and cultures, mean you can feel like youre in a completely new country, without traveling far from home. Weve visited the Antwerp Zoo, attended a classical music festival in the stunning Amuz concert hall and admired the architecture of the Zurenbourg Art Nouveau neighbourhood. Besides relaxing in the serenity of nature around you, you can enjoy several activities such as horseback riding, swimming in the pond, zipline, cycling, and hiking in the nearby Nature Reserve Bergerven. B&B De Corenbloem is a luxurious hotel dating back to 1738 in the heart of romantic Bruges, 500 meters away from the famous Grote Markt. Whenever you need a little getaway and if, like me, you need to discover some new places every now and then, Belgium can be what you are looking for. There are a number of interesting military tourism sites in the region, including the Fort de Barchon, Fort Eben-Emael, and the moving ruined Fort de Loncin. She is the founder of, Guide to Belgian Beer and Breweries in Belgium, International Food Shops in Brussels, Belgium, Best Christmas Markets in Belgium & Europe 2019, Resources for Expats and Trailing Spouses. While many travellers overlook this fabled city for nearby Bruges, Ghent is one of the best weekend getaways in Europe. If youre looking to stretch your legs, however, Durbuy is the perfect base for outdoor activities. This is the largest nature reserve in Belgium and home to Signal de Botrange; the highest point in Belgium, at 694m. Looking for a change of scenery in Belgium (or simply visiting? 29 Unique places to stay in Belgium for romance and adventure For outdoor lovers: 13 Unique places to stay in Belgium Aqualodge Htel Insolite Located on the edge of Maredsous, Aqualodge Htel Insolite is an amazing place for couples to enjoy a nice romantic getaway close to nature. Stretching north of Malmedy to the Eupen peaks near the German border, the upraised plateau is Belgiums first nature park and largest reserve. Theres evende Kusttram, a public coastal tram and one of the longest trams in the world it starts near the French border at De Panne and travels all the way down to Knokke-Heist, near the Dutch border, making 68 stops in total. We are Canadians, Alison & Andrew, and we are slow travelling the world with our cats. This is a hot spot for Jeeping, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Well known for its incredible outdoor recreation, Utah is the ideal place to . Therefore, Mechelen might be exactly what you are looking for. The secret is not so much Geel itself, but a very special small farm there. From relaxing spa breaks to Trappist brewery tours, and everything in between, here are some of the best weekend breaks to be had in Belgium. This avant-garde retreat wedged in the historic centre of Antwerp is the perfect base for a romantic weekend away. Located in the south of Belgium, the Ardennes covers the three provinces of Namur, Luxembourg, and Lige. Vallee du Ninglinspo - a romantic and pristine river valley to explore in Belgium. The beautiful park was painted with a mix of autumn colors and a proper foliage season welcomed us as soon as we parked the car. E&M author Marta Montanari sought out five spots in Belgium for a Covid-approved getaway from a tiny house in Wallonia to historic sites. But if youve spent any time at all on CheeseWeb, youll know how much we love exploring right here at home in Belgium. With the city of Mons as one of Europes Culture Capitals for 2015, theres never been a better time to visit Belgiums Hainaut Province. Its overwhelming design is the masterpiece of Belgian architect Juliaan Lampens, and was built between 1972 and 1974. Sadly, Andrew didnt get to join me for my stay at the Auberge du Sabotier in Belgiums Luxembourg province (but it gives me a great excuse to go back!) Main Information: Game room, football, golf, Activities tailored to your needs. Sl-escape is an off-the-grid cabin complex hidden in an eleven-hectare forest deep in the Belgian Ardennes. These include massages and facials, saunas and steam baths, and various exercise classes. Read more: 10 of Europe's most beautiful beaches to explore in 2022. After all, Belgium boasts its own version of the picturesque city on the water just an hour or so from Brussels. Today, the building has a ceremonial function and is open to visits (it is better to check the city website to be aware of the latest Covid-19 regulations). Contact: +32 89852316 / info@warredal.be. They boast some stunning trails that pass through picturesque summits and forests blanketed with snow. Meanwhile, an hour south through the Ardennes, the Abbey of Notre-Dame dOrval is home to the much-lauded Orval and Petite Orval Trappist beer. Jul 23, 2020. This near-extinct centuries-old tradition is practiced by just over a dozen highly trained locals, and takes place at low tide during the warmer months, usually between April and October.In 2013, shrimp fishing on horseback in Oostduinkerke received Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity status. Main Information: Wine tasting, photoshoot, team building exercises, pool, spa. These cabins are huddled in secluded, secret rural locations so you can fully disconnect and indulge in the beauty and simplicity of the pristine landscape surrounding you. While attending the UNESCO designated Binche Carnival was one of my weirdest experiences ever in Belgium, it was also one of my favourites. Part of the park, however, remains closed during the spring because of the breeding season of the endangered black grouse. From mayonnaise-smothered fries to flea-market buys, here's how to make your euros stretch a bit further in Belgium. Don't miss these amazing national parks and nature reserves. Today its still incredible to look at and open to visits. A visit to Bruges feels like stepping into a fairytale. At first glance, the tiny city of Geel doesnt seem to have much going on yet we still spent one of our favourite weekends away from home there. The victory marked the end of two decades of conflict and helped shape the future of Europe for the next century. Best for a quirky weekend getaway Located between Brussels and Bruges, Ghent features the best of Belgian cities: winding canals, medieval architecture, enviable museums and cobblestone alleyways filled with shops and restaurants. You can discover Belgian favourites like Brugge and Antwerp, or hidden gems like Namur and Dinant. Studiomie was inspired by Japanesepet architecturecraze: These buildings squeezed into unused urban spaces are aimed to fit as many people as possible in crowded cities. The beautiful countryside and many rivers make it a great weekend getaway. Get lost in Namur's old town and take in Sunset from the Citadel The 10,000-square-meter park is dedicated to the art of clipping trees into ornamental shapes. On the way to the center from the train station, you can see the famous Stadhuis (or town hall). For many years a ferry service between Ostend and Dover has been operational. The sweet treats at the retro Wafelhuis Annie or high tea at the vintage 't Stil Genot tea room are sure to win you over. In our last two weekend getaway posts, we shared our favourite road trips and vacations by plane and train, from Belgium. This destination is honored with the AAA Four Diamond Award . While the entrance is free, be ready to spend plenty of time there. 9.4/10 on Booking.com* 75 m house*, Capacity: 1 large double bed+2 sofa beds. Walking around you can admire many churches, like St. Jamess Church (Sint-Jacobskerk), and many interesting museums. Among them are the Lions Mound historical monument, Napoleons Last Headquarters, and the Wellington Museum. However, seclusion is paramount for the strict Cistercian order monks. The 5700-hectare (14,085-acre) nature reserve is mostly heathland and pine forest, a lush landscape of evergreen trees and in August and September, vibrant purple-flowering shrubs next to expansive artificial waterways. Don't worry, Groupon is here to save the day! Cheap vacations and cheap weekend getaways don't mean bad vacations and you don't have to break the bank to have the perfect Utah weekend getaways; there are plenty of affordable weekend breaks, cheap getaways and inexpensive vacations in the beautiful state of Utah. There is nowhere in the world quite like Venice in Italy. Spend the weekend cuddling baby goats and chicks, or get hands on at one of Debbies excellent workshops where you can learn everything from how to make cheese and sausage to basic sewing skills. We promise you wont regret it. While its tempting to holiday beyond Belgiums borders, we hope this post will encourage you to spend at least some of your holidays exploring the hidden gems of Flanders and Wallonia. The interior is divided into basic geometric shapes: the bedroom is a circle, the kitchen a triangle, and the office space is a square. the worlds smallest town, Durbuy, Belgium, one of my weirdest experiences ever in Belgium, The Thermes de Spa is a huge modern Spa complex. We also found some great restaurants Restaurant Duo and Delcoeur Restaurant and Vinotheque. Even if you just want a little green escape, you can always come here to eat lunch, drink a coffee with friends, or even just read a book. Located in the heart of the Ardennes region in southeast Belgium, Spa is the ideal place to unwind and recharge your batteries. Source: goldenerhirschinn. Take a tour of the breweries in Chimay. The interior is a pleasure to the eyes; brick walls, soft lighting, design furniture, and white hues all around. On 12 acres of private garden, youll find Lair du Temps, a fine-dining restaurant in a beautifully renovated farmhouse. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Hike to the top of the UNESCO listed belfry for a commanding view or take the family to Technopolis for a day of educational fun. An open staircase flows all through the house and ends in the white patio overlooking the city. Belgiums Trappist breweries at Notre-Dame dOrval. This old soap factory hasn't been labeled as the best bed and breakfast in Belgium without a reason. Surrounded by emerald green hills and overlooking the banks of the Ourthe River, it is one of Belgiums most picturesque cities. See more ideas about belgium, weekend getaways, brussels belgium. However, most of these are produced in limited quantities and are only available within the region they are produced in. All that and the fact that it's the birthplace of Flemish Primitive painting helped designate the entire historic city center of Bruges as a Unesco World Heritage Site. This 4-star hotel has taken its rootsin a church in the middle of Malines! It managed to survive War World II, including an unexploded bomb that only destroyed part of a wall. Blauwpoort is an ideal location for big groups of people: friends, family, or even co-workers. Dont miss: A bed and an excellent dinner at the Ariane Hotel and journey back in time at the In Flanders Fields Museum. Thats the best way to visit lovely cafes, amazing vintage stores, discover new jewelry and clothes designers, as well as more established ones. Ogden is the best place in Utah for a weekend getaway if you are into water sports, like rafting, kayaking, and boating. The rooms are rustic-chic with 16th-century and modern aesthetics effortlessly blending. This is an essential spot in the Ardennes, Belgium for history buffs. So, why not organise a weekend getaway around the country? With an increasing amount of flights connecting the world and young Europeans travelling more Who doesnt love brunch? You can enjoyOostendes top attractionsduring a tour of the city on the miniature train or by horse-drawn carriage. 180 reviews. The 11,123-acre area is a hikers paradise with its high elevation and unique topography of raised bogs, moorland, thick forests, and hills covered with vibrant foliage. 1. There are plenty of new museums and exhibitions opening throughout the year, and the city makes a great base to explore the rest of the province. Contact: +32 499 75 45 73 / hello@echolodge.be. This runs from De Panne on the French border to Knokke-Heist, which is close to the Dutch border. Within Belgium, there are endless possibilities for places to go on day or even weekend trips from Brussels. If you have some time, take the opportunity to walk uphill, and explore the area to get a view from the top. It is a compact house, but the interior design and white color palette brightens it up and gives it a feeling of spaciousness; however, I wouldn't recommend it if you're claustrophobic. "The villa 'Le jardin des Princes' 300m down the road, offers an additional 6 rooms and a lounge on the 2nd floor where guests can enjoy a coffee, tea or a book as they wish.". The stunning basillica is at the centre of Tongerens historic core. 5/5 on Airbnb* Minimum stay of 2 nights*, Recommended booking site: Airbnb.Studiomie, +Use this link to get up to 34$ off your first airbnb booking: 34$OFF. 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