Is Belgium the best destination in Europe for road trips? These 7 drives suggest so
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Loading... - Dylan Scott
- 09 May 2022
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If there was ever a country built for the road-trip, it’s Belgium. The small nation is roughly the same size as the state of Maryland, and crossing it takes approximately three hours. Despite its small size, the trilingual country contains multitudes. There are UNESCO World Heritage sites, a stunning 65km (40-mile) coastline, medieval towns that seem trapped in time, and modern cities brimming with youthful energy and culture.
To sweeten the deal, almost all motorways in Belgium are fully lit at night and the landscapes are mostly flat. And if you don’t want to commit to renting a set of wheels, there are plenty of bicycle-sharing services like Villo! and Billy Bike. Here are the seven best road trips in Belgium.
The Trappist Beer Trail
The ultimate beer pilgrimage
Poperinge-Chimay; 630km; allow 3 days
Embark on an epic beer-themed pilgrimage around Belgium. The mission: To visit all six of the country’s Trappist breweries (there are only 12 in the world). Hailed as some of the planet’s best beer, Trappist ales are brewed behind abbey walls, under the supervision of Trappist monks. To give yourself enough time to enjoy and imbibe safely, you’ll want to split up your trip over a long weekend.
Start in Poperinge to tackle Abdij Sint-Sixtus (and try the fabled Westvleteren in its café-pub, In de Vrede) and Westmalle Abbey on day one; Achel Abbey (which currently has no monks, but is still brewing the good stuff) and Rochefort Abbey on day two; and Abbaye Notre Dame d'Orval and Abbaye Notre-Dame de Scourmont in Chimay on day three.
The WWII Tour
Best for history buffs
Liège-Liège (round-trip); 184km
The Battle of the Bulge was one of the bloodiest – and most pivotal – battles of WWII. Follow in the footsteps of the Allied Forces by visiting major wartime sites near the city of Liège, including the Bastogne War Museum down the E25, the Bois de la Paix (where 4000 trees were planted in commemoration of the battle’s 50thanniversary), and the Battle of the Bulge Monument, which honors the memory of fallen and wounded American soldiers.
The Coastal Escape
Best for beaches
Bruges-Knokke; 17.8 kilometers
Belgium is a country of contrasts – and this quickie-but-goodie road trip proves it. After strolling the atmospheric streets of Bruges, visiting historic sites like the Markt and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, drive 25 minutes north to the seaside resort of Knokke. As the go-to coastal escape of Belgium’s elite, the beach town boasts a glorious seven-mile stretch of sand, plus more than 60 art galleries, and Michelin-starred restaurants. To continue exploring, motor to the nearby Zwin nature reserve, which spans 500 hectares of dunes, grasslands, and salt marshes. Read More...
