Cottages in Belgium
Belgium is divided into Dutch speaking Flanders in the north, and the French speaking Wallonia in the south. You can enjoy the fresh air from the beach in Flanders, whereas in Wallonia you can relish the many hills and vast woodlands. Just imagine living in a forest cabin in the Ardennes or the Eifel. Here you could walk around for hours without ever encountering a single soul! This is what our Belgium cottages and their surroundings have to offer. A peaceful and quiet environment for your healthy retreat in nature.
The plants and animals of Belgium
Very similar to the nature of The Netherlands, Belgium will astonish you with the amount of greenery that it has to offer! Right outside your holiday house, you may spot wild arum, hyacinth, beautiful lilies, strawberries and other plants common to this region. More than 20% of the landscape is covered with forests, mostly found in Wallonia. Since the population density is lower, nature is very extensive in the region of Ardennes. Belgium has plenty of nature reserves like High Fens where nature is preserved and untouched. You will find many rare plant species in this are due to a harsh climate and long winters. While on a hike you can observe beech and oak trees that are predominant in this country. So what are you waiting for? Book a cottage near the forest or near a nature reserve to expose yourself to a wide variety of plant species. Imagine coming across mammals like boar, fox, badger, squirrel, weasel, or a hedgehog during your hike in the countryside or from your holiday house! Or booking a boathouse and exploring marine life! Belgium is a home to many aquatic animals such as pike, carp, tout, eel, barbel, perch, shad, sole, mussels, shrimp or crayfish. A perfect spot of fishing isn’t it?
What to do when staying in a cottage in Belgium?
Our cottages range from cheap tiny homes, to luxury houses with a swimming pool and/or sauna. You’ll also find pet-friendly cottages in Belgium, and we know that nature is the perfect place to take your dog. Located away from the crowds, you don’t have to worry about your dog and he/she will have all the freedom to run and have fun unbothered by other tourists. Thanks to the diverse nature, Belgium is suitable for a wide range of activities. What about a challenging hike, a mountain bike tour, abseiling or a visit to one of Belgium’s picturesque towns and villages? With its hilly landscape and vast unspoiled nature, the region of the Ardennes is perfect for all of those.
The Ardennes
Test your stamina with a long hike through the towing mountains and dense forests. Prepare for some breathtaking views of the valleys, rivers, and charming villages. The autumn landscapes are the perfect backdrop that sets the natural scene with pastel colors. Or perhaps you’d like to slow down a bit and relax. Wake your senses with a leisure stroll in the woods and go mushroom hunting. Cycling in Belgium is another popular activity for travellers, especially in the Ardennes. The region has an extensive cycling network and bikes can be rented in many places. So, why not discover the region by bike? Mountain biking is also possible in one of the 20 MTB routes. Are you a lover of the winter sports and activities? If so, you’re probably happy to learn that the Ardennes is the only place in Belgium with ski slopes, the highest being 650m. Check our cottages in Liège, Luxembourg, and Namur. The French region of Champagne-Ardenne is also sometimes considered as part of the Ardennes.
The Ardennes are perfect for Christmas and New Year holidays because markets are open in the villages and the atmosphere becomes very cozy and festive. It is also a good opportunity to meet the locals and their culture. Rent a forest cabin or a mountain chalet and stay secluded from the outside world, but still in close proximity to the lively villages. Visit one of the famous breweries that are a trademark of the region, or enjoy a meal in a nice restaurant. If you decide to stay in the Ardennes in the spring for the Easter holidays, then be sure to visit the Hallerbos forest. In mid-April the hyacinths are blooming and the whole ground becomes purple. The region also has many rivers where you can go fishing. And if it’s the summer region, don’t miss out on the best water adventure in the Ardennes - kayaking in one of the thrashing streams or fast flowing rivers!
Flanders
You can continue your cycling tour of Belgium in the Flanders region with the famous “Tour of Flanders”. Of course, that is if you’re up for a real challenge. The classic tour follows narrow, cobbled roads and demanding climbs, but it’s a proud moment once you go through the finish line. Flanders features itself mostly for the stretched agricultural areas. And while the Ardennes is probably a top destination for many travellers, the Flanders region can offer just as much for the nature lovers, if not more! It’s impressive that almost 700 hectares of the land is classified as Belgium nature reserves. This protected area makes up for “over a thousand football fields”. In the nature reserve High Venn you are able to find one of the most pristine stretches of land in the country. Thanks to strong climate, rainfall, and long winters, the region is home to a selection of rare plant species. Beside that there’s still wildlife that walks around here. You might even spot a lynx, wild boar or red deer.
As for the region of West Flanders, it offers a beautiful area of the one and only Belgium coastline. It’s the region where you can have a relaxing beach holiday and truly respite from city life. The land is mostly flat with only a few hilly places in the southern parts. Book a weekend away from home in a beach cottage for a soulful holiday away from the crowds. Meditate in the peaceful environment, take romantic walks on the beach, observe the sun melting in the sea and the sparkling night sky. Don’t rush and try to enjoy the moment. Other possible activities that add to your relaxing experience are boat sailing, fishing, yoga, flower picking, or just reading a book in the garden of your new home. Best for a summer break in Belgium.
Skiing in Belgium
Did you know that Belgium has a lesser known treasure? Yes, that’s right, it's great skiing. Although the country is not widely known for skiing, there are some excellent places where skiers can have some fun on the snow.
Have you heard of Mont des Brumes? This is the perfect skiing resort located between Francorchamps and La Geize. If you love skiing then this is the place for you! With endless hours of pure skiing adventure, you can view the beautiful scenery from the top during the winter months. Take your kids along with you because this area is for both beginners and advanced skiers. With an easy slope of 150 meters long, beginners can perfect their skills here. Reaching 530 meters at its top skiing altitude, advanced skiers will find no lack of excitement at this beautiful resort. Ovifat is another top destination for skiers. It is near the highest peak in Belgium and an area perfect for all abilities. You can take your family or master your skiing skills but also get inspired by the tranquil atmosphere and beautiful scenery that will make you want to return! Lastly, Hautes Fagnes is the place to go if you’re looking for a cross country skiing route! You can take the most scenic routes and there are a variety of trails available here. Challenge yourself every day and make this trip a memorable one. With stunning, majestic mountains you will never forget this holiday! This country is a hidden gem. A ski holiday will let you connect with nature and make you feel stress free after your busy work schedule. Book a nature house nearby and enjoy holiday even during the winter months.
Belgium for the couples!
Want to spend a long weekend with your significant other in Belgium? Here are some places you can visit and things you can do on a date in this beautiful country for your romantic getaway.
When you’re planning that all important first date or celebrating your anniversary, there’s a lot of unique things to do in Brussels. From cooking schools to chocolate shops and dance classes, you can make it a date to remember! After all, these ideas are bound to score you some major brownie points, right? Take a private cooking class and show off your kitchen skills to impress your date! Here you can learn more about Belgian cuisine as well as improve your cooking skills. Some of these are hosted at restaurants such as Mmmmh!, Cook & Book, and Kitchen 151. You could also explore and get in touch with nature and enjoy some fresh air! Fortunately, Brussels has many beautiful parks and gardens that will make it a perfect romantic getaway for you. Van Buuren Museum is surrounded by mesmerizing gardens or visit Leopold Park if you want some fun in the sun. Some of these parks and gardens also feature museums, nature reserves, and monuments, so keep your eyes peeled. If you time your visit well, you might also catch a free concert as these are held regularly during the summer. Sounds like a perfect romantic getaway? If you want to know more about the things you can do and places you can visit, click on “Destinations” tab. Don’t forget to visit the Grand Place for its abundance of dreamy chocolate shops! Fresh buttercream champagne truffle, anyone?
Places to visit in the Belgium nature
Near Brussels
Even if you’re staying close to the cities, Belgium has some amazing natural treasures to explore. One example is the Hallerbos forest, located 20km away from Brussels. Don’t miss out a walk through the forest especially if you’re travelling in April. It’s the best place in the world to observe the wood hyacinth bloom that creates a lovely violet carpet over the whole woodland. Near Brussels you can also visit the Sonian Forest, also called the beech cathedral, a landmark for which is… yes, the beech. Other special trees you will encounter are the oak, pristine birch, maple, and the ash tree as a representative of the olive and lilac family. When you take a walk through the forest don’t forget to pay attention to the mushrooms growing on the trees, you might stumble upon some beautiful fungi formations.
Het Zwin close to the Dutch border
Dear bird experts and photographers, there is one specific place where we’d like to send you - the Het Zwin Nature Park, named the “International Airport for Migratory Birds”. It is located in the northern part of Belgium, close to the Dutch border. At any time of the year you can visit the park and observe the cormorant, curlew, oystercatcher, redshank, greylag goose, even the white stork! The list of birds you can encounter in Het Zwin doesn’t end here. Among the rest of the most interesting species are the beautiful spoonbills, the gentle black-tailed godwit, the black-headed gull, and the little egret. This bird airport is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, but in fact any nature lover will appreciate the place. The land transitions between sea and mud flats, salt marshes, beaches, polders, forests and rolling dunes. These diverse landscapes harbour a wide variety of animals and plants. Except for birds, you can meet tree frogs, marsh rabbits, sheep, cattle and koniks. You can explore the Belgium bird paradise by foot or cycling.
The provinces of Belgium
From Het Zwin you can take the train and visit Antwerp, the second largest metropolitan region in the country after Brussels. There you can find many nature areas designated as Nature Reserves and Parks. Linkeroever Nature Park offers a nice relaxing atmosphere for your soulful holiday. It holds parts of the Netherlands as well, so you can easily spend time in more than one country. The province of Antwerp borders East Flanders, Limburg, and Flemish Brabant. Rent one of our charming cottages in any part of Belgium and enjoy the amazing surrounding nature and landscapes. In the heart of Wallonia you have Walloon Brabant with a cycling network of 1,000km. It makes a well-signed connection between the Ardennes and Flanders, but also Hainaut. If you're a bike enthusiast, that's a great way to start your discovery tour of Belgium.
Where to stay during your Belgium holiday?
Did this inspire you to choose Belgium for your next holiday trip? Then the next step is to find the perfect holiday house that suits you the best! The cottages that we provide will suffice for all your basic needs for a perfect stay. If you want to stay away from the crowded and busy areas, booking a nature house with us will be a perfect chance for you to spend a stress free, relaxing and adventurous holiday with your family and friends in the natural surroundings of Belgium. Get inspired and check out our different accommodation types in Belgium, such as - tiny house, gite, apartment, tree house and much more. Are you looking for a romantic getaway in the middle of nowhere? Then book a furnished lodge suitable for two people and get close to nature during your stay. Same goes for our intimate cabins and boat houses! All the accommodations include basic features such as a kitchen and Wi-Fi. Some may include garden furniture, swimming pool, barbecue or even sauna / jacuzzi. Be sure to keep your eyes open for the style of accommodation you stay in so that you can experience the local flora and fauna. You can also find alternative camping homes like tents and yurts that are luxury and modern. They will have all the facilities you might need during your stay including a swimming pool, sauna, and/or jacuzzi. Scroll up and book a cottage in Belgium now!
What’s the weather like in Belgium?
With the influence of the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean, this country has a temperate climate. In the eastern regions of Belgium, it is more likely to have a cooler and wetter climate with more rainfall due to the hills. You will also experience heavy snowfall at times during the winters. Your holiday house may keep you warm during winters but if you're an adventurous person and like to be outside then you must wear gloves, coat or a thick warm jacket to make your journey pleasant. The good season usually occurs from April to October. The summers are pleasant and the winters are wet and cool with frequent fogs. The country’s average temperature is 10°C, ranging from 3°C in January to 18°C in July. The best time for a trip to Belgium are the spring and summer months as the days are longer. The weather is pleasant therefore, a great time to spend outside in the nature and be adventurous.
