weekend getaway belgium
Take a closer look and youll find an unconventional creative community, a flourishing music scene and enough drool-worthy plant-oriented menu options to help crown the city the Vegetarian Capital of Europe. This impressive structure is located in the middle of the wild forest of Sint-Martens-Latem. Minimum stay of 2 nights* You can only check in on MWFs*, Contact: +32 465 02 14 00 / info@slowcabins.com. Our favourite museums include the Red Star Line Museum and the Plantin Moretus House and Printing Museum. Since 2009, Ghent has proudly held the title of Unesco Creative City of Music, there's a wide range of options for everyones tastes, from Belgiums first silent disco at Abachoto performances at the never boring Vooruit Art Center, and from classical performances at De Bijloke Muziekcentrumto live music on the street and in bars and cafes, likeKinky Star, a local record-label-owned cafe famous for its Irish coffees and alternative concerts. Main Information: Activities: Sailing, Kayaking, Fishing, Boat trip, Cycling, Beach. She then moved to London, and later to Wales, where she graduated with a Masters in International Journalism from Cardiff University. When youre making your holiday plans this year, dont forget to include plenty of time to discover Belgium. Pack the back and head to Belgium where you can explore the lovely . It boast excellent walking trails, pretty architecture, and, of course, great food. These include the imposing belfry tower and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Depending on how much time you have, you can stop for a visit to some of the museums, but what I really enjoyed was going to the Leuven botanical gardens. This destination is honored with the AAA Four Diamond Award . Because of its history, Belgium is linguistically and culturally diverse; small in size, the country is compact, allowing visitors to travel to multiple destinations with ease. You can discover Belgian favourites like Brugge and Antwerp, or hidden gems like Namur and Dinant. It is easy to travel either by car or train. The province of Luxembourg is also home to the quaint little town of Durbuy, the excellent new Bastogne WWII Museum, the Chteau de Bouillon, and one of Belgiums Trappist breweries at Notre-Dame dOrval. You can also discover artifacts, including valuable objects from the Iron Age, at theGallo-Roman Museumnear the city center. These include massages and facials, saunas and steam baths, and various exercise classes. Famous for touting itself as the smallest city in the world, Durbuy attracts hordes of tourists with that tagline alone. For a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience, head to Liernu, an even smaller town thats the epitome of tranquility. Therefore, you might want to avoid visiting during peak season. With a low beachfront skyline made up of Belle Epoque architecture and unspoiled grassy dunes, it's love at first sight for many. A visit to Bruges feels like stepping into a fairytale. The museum is dedicated to the Belgian Ardennes role in WWII, and focuses on the Battle of the Bulge. Any weekend that includes baby goats is a great one in my books! 1. Lonely Planets experts reveal how to make the most of the newest high-speed routes and the best places to stop off along the way. You dont have to bring your own equipment, either, as there are many places to rent gear near or within the resorts. I saw logging done by horses in the traditional way, had an informative walk in the woods, and had one of my weirdest experiences in Belgium, listening to the rutting stags late at night. 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. There are hundreds of incredible deals and discounts to be found on the website, including reduced prices on hotels rooms, tickets to popular tourist attractions, and more throughout the country. Wed be remiss if we didnt urge you to take a weekend escape in the capital of Europe. In the area youll find a number of castles like Annevoie and Freyr and well as some quirky farms raising ostriches, goats, and even snails. With an increasing amount of flights connecting the world and young Europeans travelling more Who doesnt love brunch? You can also learn about and taste the brews for a small fee at the Espace Chimay. They can continue learning about the war and the role Ieper played in it by visiting one of the war cemeteries, the Trench of Death, and the Yser Tower, on the citys outskirts. The Gallo-Roman museum was the best museum in Europe in 2013, and we can see why. Once inside, the park has different routes for the different ways the park can be experienced: on foot, bicycle, mountain bike, or horseback. You can find other monastic breweries in Achel, Westmalle, and Westvleteren. This is the largest nature reserve in Belgium and home to Signal de Botrange; the highest point in Belgium, at 694m. The victory marked the end of two decades of conflict and helped shape the future of Europe for the next century. Further along the coast, the more upmarket resort of Knokke-Heist boasts numerous swanky seaside homes and designer shops and restaurants. It's the best place to start your adventure into the Belgian Ardennes forests. Travel these amazing routes of Europe for storied architecture, stunning coasts and some of the best eats in the world. You can enjoy an array of outdoor activities like fishing in the pond, hiking in the nearby forest, mountain climbing, canoeing, and biking! the worlds smallest town, Durbuy, Belgium, one of my weirdest experiences ever in Belgium, The Thermes de Spa is a huge modern Spa complex. The Ardennes is particularly popular among skiing enthusiasts, thanks to its natural contours which create three alpine pistes. Main Information: Part of the internationalIconic Houses network. Ghent, Belgium. Hainaut is home to another of Belgiums Trappist Breweries, Chimay, the Chateau de Beloeil and one of our favourite places in the whole country, Pairi Daiza Zoo and Botanical Garden. The lodge is environmentally conscious, using recycled and upcycled materials integrated into its design. None of us really knew what to expect from a tiny house, but when we arrived, we knew it was the perfect place. Get your fizz on, by heading to the rooftop terrace, where you can take a glass of bubbly and soak up the fine city views. sleek, black-and-bone-white flagship store, Camp in these incredible suspended teardrop tents in Belgium, 5 best neighborhoods to get a feel for Brussels, The 10 best day trips from Brussels: castles, cool cities and culture, Buy Lonely Planet's Guide to Train Travel in Europe, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Bruges(orBruggein Dutch) is often dubbed the Venice of the North, owing to its extensive network of canals built around the beautiful medieval city. Bruges is best experienced at a leisurely pace. Today we want to inspire you to get our and explore Belgium. There are many beautiful sights to see along this coastal hop-on hop-off tour. The parts of the church are still recognisable, and the massive windows and the nave are possibly the most impressive and will most likely leave you speechless. 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. Not only is this the birthplace of saxophone inventor Adolphe Sax, but it is also the location of one of Belgiums wackiest festivals; the International Bathtub Regatta. If we had to live somewhere in Belgium other than Brussels, it would be Ghent. Meanwhile, Ovifat is a perfect destination for beginners and professional skiers. Le Val de Laisne is a camping site located in the middle of a green valley in Ereze between Durbuy and La Roche-en-Ardenne, the most picturesque area of the Belgian Ardennes. This avant-garde retreat wedged in the historic centre of Antwerp is the perfect base for a romantic weekend away. We also love Ghents art and design scene and Andrew is a fan of the local beer. 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. As you stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets in the old town, you will discover rows of medieval stone houses. Plantin Moretus House and Printing Museum. For food lovers, Brussels is the place to taste all of Belgiums culinary highlights. Goldener Hirsh Inn. Some 80% of the dishes served here are sourced from the onsite garden and often feature highlights of the local terroir, like Wallonias most sustainable food source, the Petits Gris de Namur snails. If you love to ski, then a visit to one of Belgiums 12 ski resorts is sure to top your list of fun Belgium weekend breaks. While several resorts specialize in cross-country skiing, the standout is the High Fens. Tiny Durbuy is an unusal gem in the Ardennes. As history goes, the wild-eyed warrior led his tribe to a roaring victory against Julius Caesars legions around 54 BC. Stretching north of Malmedy to the Eupen peaks near the German border, the upraised plateau is Belgiums first nature park and largest reserve. With accommodations as luxurious as The Hotel in Brussels, why not consider a stay-cation. A great way to explore the enchanting Belgian coastline is by taking theKusttram (coastal tram). However, the canals are the ones that really stole my heart: running in-between houses, they magically appear behind unexpected corners, giving that extra spark to an already beautiful walk. The main attraction in the city is Aachen Cathedral which is under UNESCO World Heritage protection. 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. Echo Lodge is a unique place for your getaways and private events. FIND MORE INFO IN MY, Alison Cornford-Matheson is a Canadian travel writer, author, and photographer. Dubbed, "The Most Beautiful Walk in Adrennes," Vallee du Ninglinspo, is one of the biggest outdoor attractions in Belgium. An open staircase flows all through the house and ends in the white patio overlooking the city. 9.4 on Booking.com*. 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. 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. Contact: +32 475 871 303 / hello@Blauwpoort.be. Main Information: No wifi or TV. Ypres Cloth Hall is home to the In Flanders Fields Museum. Although nowadays, the spa is more of a luxury retreat than a space for healing, it certainly makes for a relaxing weekend away. Bruges Of all the romantic cities, Bruges takes the cake. Even though its not a very big city, its absolutely worth staying one night to get an experience you wouldnt have otherwise. 8 x romantic stays in belgium to fall in love with Casa Ciolina: in the Belgian Peer, about an hour from Weert, you can find Casa Ciolina. You can enjoy gorgeous sunsets and sunrises from your sofa's comfort and even watch cute ducks pass by your windows. In our last two weekend getaway posts, we shared our favourite road trips and vacations by plane and train, from Belgium. With the stunning natural landscape as your backdrop, resting and relaxing feels easy here. Furthermore, the country boasts a plethora of unexplored gems to discover outside of the usual hotspots to visit in Belgium. Get lost in Namur's old town and take in Sunset from the Citadel 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. Weve done a number of weekend escapes in Antwerp and weve always found plenty to do. The high black walls of the house have multiple glass windows inserted into them, allowing guests to enjoy views of the forest, the little animals that inhabit it, and the fields of long grass surrounding it. Relais & Chateaux Hotel Heritage is a boutique luxury hotel housed in a building that dates back to 1390. Enter dates to see prices. There are two cool tents in the campsite worth staying in; the bubble tent, and the raindrop ten - as their fun and odd design, are worthy of the experience. Opening Hours | Tastings available on weekends between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. from April to October. Oostduinkerke, or East Dunkirk, is a protected dune area, and the only place in the world where shrimpers still use horses to drag nets to collect tiny gray shrimp on the sand. Made onlyof equal parts wheat flour and honey, they can be kept indefinitely, making them great souvenirs to take back home. Sl-escape is an off-the-grid cabin complex hidden in an eleven-hectare forest deep in the Belgian Ardennes. The lodge organizes many different events tailored to your needs, be it a business meeting, weekend stay, event, private party, walking dinner, or team-building exercises. 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. 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. There is much to discover in the region all year round and the reserve is great for cross-country skiers during winter. Get lost in the maze of cobblestone streets and discover first-rate museums . A day at Blauwpoort always starts with a delicious breakfast prepared using locally-sourced ingredients and ends with a bio-dynamic meal at the OFRY grill, perfect for a warm and cozy gathering. Mechelen is so close to Brussels, locals often overlook it as a weekend getaway destination. Dont miss: enjoying a Belgian beer at a great bar and discovering a hidden corner of the city with the Brussels Greeters. Thats the best way to visit lovely cafes, amazing vintage stores, discover new jewelry and clothes designers, as well as more established ones. 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