Located in the south of Belgium, the Ardennes covers the three provinces of Namur, Luxembourg, and Lige. The Domaine houses a game room and offers several fun activities like table football, billiards, air hockey, tennis, and mini golf. A great way to explore the enchanting Belgian coastline is by taking theKusttram (coastal tram). Once the rain calmed down a little, we hit our first stop, Nivelles. The 83-meter-high belfry tower is also well worth a visit. (Of course, we think you need a heck of a lot more time to explore all of Brussels charms.) Aachen is a western German town close to the border of Belgium and the Netherlands. With trains, cycle paths and a panoramic tram running along the coast, getting around Belgium is a breeze. The ambiance is calm, peaceful, and luxurious. 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. Wander around Old Town on foot, soaking in the city squares, theMarkt and the Burg; hop on a canal boat tour and count all the bridges (54 in total), and then bike along the canals to the less crowded places. Looking for a change of scenery in Belgium (or simply visiting? If you have some time, take the opportunity to walk uphill, and explore the area to get a view from the top. Bargain-hunters should note, the town also hosts a Sunday antiques market, which is the biggest in Benelux. 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. Dont forget to stop by the organic, artisanal brewery of Caracole. 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. You dont have to bring your own equipment, either, as there are many places to rent gear near or within the resorts. Some of fashions top creatives, including Martin Margiela and Balenciagas Demna Gvasalia, have roots in Antwerp, and a few have gone on to open unique shops worth a visit, such as Dries Van Notens Het Modepaleis and Ann Demeulemeesters sleek, black-and-bone-white flagship store. Main Information: Center of Bruges. Travel these amazing routes of Europe for storied architecture, stunning coasts and some of the best eats in the world. With the city of Mons as one of Europes Culture Capitals for 2015, theres never been a better time to visit Belgiums Hainaut Province. Any weekend that includes baby goats is a great one in my books! The stunning basillica is at the centre of Tongerens historic core. After all, Belgium boasts its own version of the picturesque city on the water just an hour or so from Brussels. If you crave a dose of history, then why not transport yourself back to Belgiums historic Roman roots in the countrys oldest city, Tongeren. The architecture is one of the strengths of this town and its worth to walk around discovering all the lanes and corners here. Some of these have been turned into cafs, bars, fancy boutiques, and artisanal shops for Wallonian specialties. As the next day arrived, the sun was out and we were ready to explore a little more of what was around us. 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. It is an area of outstanding beauty that is sure to top any nature lovers list of the best Belgium weekend breaks. Contact: +32 479 81 04 57 / hello@loof-cabin.be. 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. This is a hot spot for Jeeping, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. 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. 9.6/10 on Booking.com*, Contact: +32 494 40 04 47Starting:195 [223$]. Lieges Palace of the Prince Bishops is the centrepiece of the city. For food lovers, Brussels is the place to taste all of Belgiums culinary highlights. 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. Therefore, if you have a palette for fine beers, a weekend tour to these breweries is a must. Homeboat Westhoek Marina is an unusual stationary boat off the coast of Nieuwpoort, 30 minutes away from Bruges. 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. Even though its not a very big city, its absolutely worth staying one night to get an experience you wouldnt have otherwise. This was built in the 13th-century Gothic style and houses some of the richest archaeological finds in Flanders. 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. Main Information: No wifi or TV. Discover more museums in Belgium. 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. It is also a celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to several magnificent religious and historic landmarks. With another pandemic winter ahead, we all need to get out from time to time and experience something out of the ordinary. "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.". But if youve spent any time at all on CheeseWeb, youll know how much we love exploring right here at home in Belgium. Unsurprisingly, there are various holiday cottages in the area should you choose to stay locally. While several resorts specialize in cross-country skiing, the standout is the High Fens. Whatever your preferences, you will hardly leave the city disappointed. Main Information: Right in the heart of Antwerp, close to MAS museum. 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. You can enjoyOostendes top attractionsduring a tour of the city on the miniature train or by horse-drawn carriage. While we agree that the architecture and charisma of the Belgian towns is unmatched, there are natural wonders across the country, which we deem as absolute must-sees! Ghent is the capital and largest city of the Belgian East Flanders province, situated on the confluence of the rivers Scheldt and Leie. THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. A traditional private garden adorns this domain with a 19th-century conservatory hosting numerous remarkable plants and trees, and if the weather permits, youll be lucky enough to enjoy your meal outside. Its an ideal place to get in touch with nature for people of all ages. Belgiums Trappist breweries at Notre-Dame dOrval. 8.8 on Booking.com* 42 hectare estate*, Recommended booking site: Booking.com: [1]Chteau et Ecuries [2]Maison du Jardinier [3] Insolites. A pilgrimage will take you across the country from Westvleteren, Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, and Westmalle to Achel. You can hop on the tourist road train and visit the castle and many other landmarks in the area; including the topiary park, a traditional Marckloff brewery, and the Confiturerie Saint-Amour jam factory. For those who dont have a car, the park can only be easily accessed through the Kattevennen Gateway, first by taking a train to Genk station, then by a De Lijn bus ride or a short walk. We also found some great restaurants Restaurant Duo and Delcoeur Restaurant and Vinotheque. Theres also no internet, making it the perfect getaway if you're intent on fully disconnecting from the world. 1. Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the seat of the European Union and NATO, is one of Europes most multicultural cities. We travel slow because everywhere is somewhere. Activities tailored to your needs. 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. Surrounded by emerald green hills and overlooking the banks of the Ourthe River, it is one of Belgiums most picturesque cities. 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 city is filled with many architectural masterpieces, such as the Grand Place, a Unesco World Cultural Heritage site, and the illustrious Maison Cauchie, which isopen to the public only on the first weekend of the month with advance reservations. So go ahead and treat yourself! She is passionate about writing, travel, photography, surf and badminton. If you havent managed to make it to Venice, dont worry. It boast excellent walking trails, pretty architecture, and, of course, great food. You can rent tents, motor-homes or caravans, bungalows or chalets for your convenience and depending on your budget. Belgiums royal couple Albert and Paola also spent a night there during their honeymoon, so this ought to tell you something about this romance of this place. Dont miss: Sleeping with the angels at Martins Patershof Hotel and a meal on the barge terrace at De Kraanbrug. A former coal-mining site, Hoge Kempen National Park is the first and only national park in Belgium, opened in 2006 as a result of the cooperative conservation efforts of businesses, government agencies and environmental organizations. Once known as the Queen of Seaside Resorts, it is also a thriving cosmopolitan city. If you are as passionate about plants as me, you may consider taking your time to see everything. 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. If you fancy some nature, however, you can always enjoy a range of outdoor activities in Belgiums largest forest, La Grande Foret deSaint-Hubert. Even if you live in the city, it can be nice to take a stay-cation in one of Brussels great hotels. Main Information: Ghent Historic center is at a 5 minutes walking distance. The Ultimate List of Castle Hotels in Belgium, The Ultimate Guide to the Best Things to Do in Normandy, France, The Ultimate Guide to the Best Restaurants in Brussels, Belgium, Our 15 Favourite Long-Weekend Getaways from Belgium by Car, Our 15 Favourite Long-Weekend Getaways from Belgium by Plane or Train. Teleport yourself to medieval times by staying at Guest House Nuit Blanche in the heart of Bruges. Belgiums tiny size and diverse landscape and cultures, mean you can feel like youre in a completely new country, without traveling far from home. Furthermore, the country boasts a plethora of unexplored gems to discover outside of the usual hotspots to visit in Belgium. Another unusual place to stay in Belgium can be found at the castle domain of Chteau de la Poste, called Domaine de Ronchinne, situated in the heart of the Condroz region. what I really enjoyed was going to the Leuven botanical gardens. Visit Durbuy, the smallest city in the world, 8. Never rebuilt after the attacks of 1794, its majestic ruins are still standing and can be visited (the entrance requires a ticket and remember to always check the latest Covid-19 rules). Main Information: Next to a lot of historical sights in Bruges. . A weekend in Liege was one of our very first long-weekend holidays in Belgium and, in the past few years, the city keeps getting better. Some of the most popular activities to do in Ogden are the New World Distillery, walking around the Historic 24th Street, checking out the Ogden Amphitheater, and touring Fort Buenaventura. 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. Want to explore all the exciting things Belgium has to offer but on a tight budget? Beer lovers, meanwhile, can sample some of the countrys finest brews at theDe Halve Maan brewery. A Christmas weekend getaway to Bruges in Belgium (and Brussels) December 29, 2022 In Belgium Bruges might just be the most beautiful city I have ever visited! Read our Privacy Policy. Water is central to Spa and its the ultimate in relaxation. But the city is far from dark and dreary. 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. 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