We also spent a weekend in nearby Aubel, a quaint little village with a great Sunday market. Dont miss: an over-the-top meal at the House of Eliott and an interactive look at Ghents history at the STAM museum. The beautiful main square (or Grote Markt) has a rich architecture, every building is decorated with so many details that it will take a while to really see everything. Not only that, one day a week, more than half the inhabitants and some 120 restaurants participate in Donderdag Veggiedag, or Thursday Veggie Day, an initiative that encourages omnivores to go meat- and fish-free for 24 hours. Taking a full weekend off is not always possible, but that doesnt mean you cant have a little break. Read more: 17 of the best things to do in Bruges, from boats and bikes to beers and breweries. Art and architecture aficionados have the chance to book two nights there, anytime from May to the end of October. These include the imposing belfry tower and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Dont miss: the excellent Gallo-Roman Museum and a stylish nights sleep at THuys Van Steyns. The complete journey takes 2.5 hours and allows you to admire the coastline in its entirety from the comfort of your seat. The Natural Park Hautes Fagnes also unveils the High Fens many riches. Dip your toes in the North Sea at Oostende, 5. 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. Contact: +32 479 81 04 57 / hello@loof-cabin.be. The more recent contemporary projects have joined the medieval buildings, contributing to Antwerps rich landscape. 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. Here are five Covid-approved destinations I hope youll love as much as I did. The pretty Japanese garden is a great reason to visit Hasselt in the spring. The main square of this small town is overlooked by the Collgiale St Gertrude, an 11th century church with a majestic appearance. It's hard to imagine a weekend trip to Belgium without visiting the Bastogne War Museum. Bruges(orBruggein Dutch) is often dubbed the Venice of the North, owing to its extensive network of canals built around the beautiful medieval city. 15 UNIQUE WEEKEND GETAWAY SPOTS IN BELGIUM. Weekend Getaway to Belgium Belgium experiences a very unique mix of French and Flemish influences, which is pretty apparent from the culture that the country observes. Blauwpoort is an ideal location for big groups of people: friends, family, or even co-workers. Namurs imposing citadel offers a great view over the Meuse River. 12. The area is home to ducks, geese, waders, and gulls who sometimes come here to nest. 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. The museum is dedicated to the Belgian Ardennes role in WWII, and focuses on the Battle of the Bulge. The rooms are rustic-chic with 16th-century and modern aesthetics effortlessly blending. It was here I was able to experience Belgian nature (yes, it does exist) in a variety of ways. Activities can be arranged depending on your needs and vary among discovering a vineyard, visiting the Ypres museum, enjoying a lookout, or lunching at a lovely picnic spot. 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. You can enjoyOostendes top attractionsduring a tour of the city on the miniature train or by horse-drawn carriage. Martin's Patershof, a hotel in a church. If youre looking to stretch your legs, however, Durbuy is the perfect base for outdoor activities. 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. So, why not organise a weekend getaway around the country? Admission is always free, and the park is open all year long. The architecture is one of the strengths of this town and its worth to walk around discovering all the lanes and corners here. We are Canadians, Alison & Andrew, and we are slow travelling the world with our cats. However, with beautiful and unique attractions like a hotel in a former church, and a gourmet restaurant on a barge, its worth taking some time here. Teleport yourself to medieval times by staying at Guest House Nuit Blanche in the heart of Bruges. Dont miss: Fine-dining seafood at its best at Bistro Mathilda and an art-filled afternoon at Mu.Zee, A night at Martins Patershof is reason enough to stay in Mechelen. The beautiful old buildings and museums mix with interesting local designers, artists shops, and restaurants, giving a unique character to the streets. Wed spent many years in Belgium before we ever saw anything in Hasselt, beyond the gorgeous Japanese Garden. Slow cabins are aimed at three categories of guests: couples looking for a romantic retreat, families with children, and entrepreneurs, or artists who need a safe refuge to refine their projects and ideas. 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. There are more trendy shops in the Kammenstraat and Nationalestraat areas making up the Fashion District. Perfect for a family weekend getaway, this is a place where you won't run out of things to do, with noteworthy activities being offered such a pottery, and a Turkish Hamam operating all year round. Here you can also find the impressive Fashion Museum Antwerp (MoMu; reopening September 2022). This statement is reinforced in their design: minimalistic Scandinavian touches surrounded by wooden floors and walls. In fact, six of the 14 monasteries in the world that produce authentic Trappist brews are based in Belgium. Homeboat Westhoek Marina is an unusual stationary boat off the coast of Nieuwpoort, 30 minutes away from Bruges. Our Lady Basilica is another of the citys main attractions. Dubbed, "The Most Beautiful Walk in Adrennes," Vallee du Ninglinspo, is one of the biggest outdoor attractions in Belgium. It's the best place to start your adventure into the Belgian Ardennes forests. You may need more than one weekend. Expatica helps make your expat journey the experience you've always wanted. "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 highest point in the region, Baraque de Fraiture, extends up to 650m and further north, Mont des Brumes attracts thrill-seekers who dare to tackle its 1,000m-long alpine ski slope; one of the longest in Belgium. The designs are luxurious yet minimalistic, with a low ecological footprint and equipped with a kitchen, living room, dining room, and a bathroom with a toilet and shower. We wanted a break from the citys hectic life and all the extra noise you cant really escape. Hence, what better destination than a hidden tiny house in the middle of Wallonia? The gentle but rugged countryside of the region is full of heritage, history, and charm. The difference is that Ghent is home to the largest student population in Belgium a young, beating heart in one of the country's oldest urban areas. There are five main gateways that serve as entrances into the park. Here are our top 15 weekend getaways in Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels. The victory marked the end of two decades of conflict and helped shape the future of Europe for the next century. Today we want to inspire you to get our and explore Belgium. Even if you live in the city, it can be nice to take a stay-cation in one of Brussels great hotels. Main Information: Part of the internationalIconic Houses network. What a pity! This is the largest nature reserve in Belgium and home to Signal de Botrange; the highest point in Belgium, at 694m. ): Whether youre planning a family excursion, a friendly get together, a romantic holiday, or even a corporate retreat, youre guaranteed to find the energy, fun, romance, or quiet that youre searching for in this list. While neither the abbey nor the bottling plant is open to the public, you can still visit the gardens, cemetery, and church. This relaxed city is home to one of Europes largest citadelsand also the adults-only Muse Flicien Rops, whichexhibits the life and work of the scandalous 19th-century Belgian artist. This avant-garde retreat wedged in the historic centre of Antwerp is the perfect base for a romantic weekend away. Furthermore, the country boasts a plethora of unexplored gems to discover outside of the usual hotspots to visit in Belgium. Minimum stay of 2 nights* 4.75/5 + Superhost on Airbnb*, Recommended booking site: Airbnb.Homeboat. 1. It boast excellent walking trails, pretty architecture, and, of course, great food. Belgiums tiny size and diverse landscape and cultures, mean you can feel like youre in a completely new country, without traveling far from home. Trams run through Ostend every 10 minutes during the summer and make almost 70 stops along the entire stretch of coastline; calling in at 15 towns en route. 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Among them are the Lions Mound historical monument, Napoleons Last Headquarters, and the Wellington Museum. With awards busting from the seams, the Goldener Hirsch Inn in Park City, Utah, promises guests a remarkable experience. This is an essential spot in the Ardennes, Belgium for history buffs. Stroll around Bruges, the Venice of the North, 6. Ogden is the best place in Utah for a weekend getaway if you are into water sports, like rafting, kayaking, and boating. If you visit in June, you might even witness the re-enactment of the battle on the original site. 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. Its proximity to the center and several Bruges landmarks such as St Bonifacius Bridge, the Groeningemuseum, the Church of Our Lady, and the Saint Johns Hospital museum make it the ideal place to discover the city by foot. Contact: +32 499 75 45 73 / hello@echolodge.be. It also goes fast really fast, at the Spa Francorchamps Formula one track. This is a real fairy-tale medieval town and one of the best-preserved cities, with cobbled lanes, beautiful canals, and dreamy squares surrounded by an incredible architecture and completed by towers and historical churches. Main Information: Equestrian center, Climbing park, wellness center, bumperball, Archery, Laser Tag. You dont have to bring your own equipment, either, as there are many places to rent gear near or within the resorts. To add to the allure, much of the distinctively medieval architecture looks like gingerbread houses, thanks to the red Gothic brick. If you love a day at the spa, how can you not visit the town of Spa in Belgium? Rustic-Chic with 16th-century and modern aesthetics effortlessly blending and an interactive look at Ghents history at the Francorchamps. 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