Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg – in short: Benelux – are three countries in Europe which are closely bound to one another through their history. The three countries finally formed a – albeit enforced – single unit following the Congress of Vienna in 1815 when it became known as the ‘United Kingdom of the Netherlands’. However this proved short-lived – lasting only until 1830. And even though the countries are today linked primarily through their regional variety, it is not least because of their now non-existent borders that they have become ‘one’ popular holiday region.
Ten Romantik Hotels invite you to discover the diversity and the cultural and natural riches of Benelux.
We start our tour close to the German-Dutch border at the Romantik Hotel Landgoed de Holtweijde in Lattrop. “Move with the times but keep what’s good” – this is the motto underpinning the hotel’s offers. You get a sense of it, for example, in the ‘royal suites’ which all embody stylish country life and yet each one of which is unique. If you wish, breakfast can be served on the private terrace.
Here, not far from the German-Dutch border, there awaits an area in which agricultural business alternates with unspoilt nature. The small town of Ootmarsum with its old churches and traditional half-timbered houses looks back on a long history and is today known as the ‘City of Art in the East’. The most famous of the numerous galleries belongs to Ton Schulten whose joyfully coloured landscapes are world-renowned. Overall, the region is open to unhurried exploration – on foot, by bike, in a horse-drawn carriage or in a vintage car.
Following a journey of around 160 km (just under three hours avoiding the motorway) through the Lower Rhine region of Germany, we reach the Romantik Hotel Hostellerie de Hamert in Wellerlooi. Pieter Smits has been involved in the hotel for 40 years. To mark the anniversary, he and head chef Harold dug out their favourite recipes and put together three four-course menus. These will stay on the menu until the end of March as ‘Pieter’s Favourites’ at a price of 40 euro per person.
Nearby Lottum is the rose village of the Netherlands – almost 70% of Dutch rose production is from this picturesque location. As part of the rose festival which takes place every two years – from 10 to 13 August 2012 – Lottum is transformed into a sea of roses with resplendent rose mosaics, rose objects and rose gardens. From July to September, the approximately 35 kilometre long Rose cycle and hiking route is a good opportunity to explore this beautiful area to the full and with all your senses. Rose jam, rose syrup and rose candies are just a few examples of typical souvenirs.
Following country roads and highways, it takes a good hour (just under 50 kilometres) to reach the Romantik Hotel Kasteel Daelenbroeck in Herkenbosch. The generous culinary delights here – from breakfast and high tea through to dinner featuring regional specialities – will meet your every desire. Book one of the informative guided tours to explore the 14th century castle in all its aspects.
Every ten years, a world horticultural exhibition, the Floriade, takes place in the Netherlands. This year it will be held from 5 April to 7 October in Venlo. With the tagline ‘Be part of the theatre in nature, get closer to the quality of life’, more than 100 participants will be exhibiting across an area covering 66 hectares. Among the highlights will be the ‘Theatre Hill’ whose amphitheatre holds 1,500 spectators, a walk-in beehive and the Boulevard of Garden Cultures. A colourful programme of music and entertainment, spectacular light shows and a broad selection of culinary delights ensure the Floriade is the perfect destination for old and young alike.
Just under another hour further along (just under 50 kilometres) and you come to the Romantik Hotel Hostellerie La Feuille d’Or in Dilsen-Stokkem. The origins of the former castle courtyard date back to 1868. Elements of old and new create an exciting contrast in the furnishings and at the same time ensure a homely, welcoming atmosphere.
Nearby Genk will in 2012 host the ‘Manifesta’, the European biennial for contemporary art which, together with the biennial in Venice and the Documenta in Kassel, is one of Europe’s most significant art events. Between 2 June and 30 September 2012, the former Waterschei mining complex will stage a one-off dialogue of art, history and social reflection. Not far away is the domain of Bokrijk, Belgium’s largest open-air museum where visitors can learn about life in Flanders before industrialisation. In the more than 100 historical buildings, visitors can actively engage with history.
Another hour’s travel (just under 50 kilometres) brings you to the Romantik Parkhotel Het Gulpdal in Slenaken.
Not far from here lies Maastricht, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. The city is worth a visit not only on the ground, but underground as well. As clay was cut out, there emerged a labyrinth of more than 20,000 passageways, for example. A siege refuge was formed here along with a vault in which pieces of art such as the ‘Night Watch’ by Rembrandt ‘survived’ the second world war. The Fort Sint Pieter is one of the most prominent pieces of Maastricht’s fortress complexes. On a guided tour of the low brick tunnels, you will find out lots of interesting facts about the history, culminating with wonderful views over the city right from the top.
After a good hour’s drive covering 60 kilometres, you reach the Romantik Hotel Le Val d’Amblève in Stavelot. The guest rooms are divided across two buildings in the middle of a park with hundred-year-old trees. The award-winning cuisine is sure to set the hearts of epicureans beating faster.
Every year, on the third Sunday before Easter – this year from 17 to 19 March – thousands of visitors descend on Stavelot for the ‘Laetare’ carnival celebrations. The main people at the festivities are the Blanc Moussis, hundreds of figures dressed in white gowns with hoods, with long, red noses and ladders under their arm. They are a reminder of a ban dating back to 1499 which forbade monks from taking part in carnival celebrations. Two large processions with up to 2,000 people taking part, fireworks and numerous musical performances make for some lively activities in the narrow streets of Stavelot.
We continue for around another 140 kilometres (around 2.5 hours’ driving time) to the Romantik Hotel Château de Schengen in the place of the same name. Colourful fabrics, bright walls and fantastic views into greenery lend the guest rooms a quite special air. In the kitchen, meat from the hotel’s own Highland cattle is prepared, among other things.
The Miselerland area is characterised by the Mosel which runs as a border here between Luxembourg and Germany. Discover the wine region with its famous vineyards on foot or by bike, or take a leisurely boat trip through the picturesque landscape. With the town of Trier nearby, there are also countless traces of the old Romans to be found here: in addition to a winepress stone, there are various tombs and a theatre. On the ‘Velo Romanum’ themed cycle route – approximately 35 kilometres in total – you will discover the most important sights.
Since we now head across the country towards the North Sea coast of Belgium, we recommend taking the motorway (350 kilometres, a good 3.5 hours). Our destination is the Romantik Pandhotel in Bruges. The heart of this charming 18th century manor house is the drawing room which, with its panelled walls, wooden floor and open fire, decorated with old books and precious Louis Vuitton suitcases, radiates English charm.
Bruges, the biggest city in the province of West Flanders, is certainly worth a visit to see its excellently preserved mediaeval centre. If possible, you should coincide your visit with one of the major events of the year. On 17 May 2012, the Procession of the Holy Blood takes place. The procession dates back to 1291 and is an impressive and at times very bloody representation of, among other things, scenes from the Old and the New Testament. Another significant ‘procession’ which takes place on 19 and 26 August 2012 is the ‘Pageant of the Golden Tree’. This magical spectacle dates back to the marriage between Charles the Bold and Margareta of York in 1468. Giants, floats and 2,000 colourfully dressed figures create fantastic eye-catchers.
A half-hour drive (just under 20 kilometres) finally brings you to the North Sea coast and the Romantik Hotel Manoir Carpe Diem in De Haan. This elegant villa has a very private character which ensures you feel at home right away.
De Haan and the neighbouring communities along the North Sea coast of Belgium are the embodiment of relaxing days with nothing to do but recuperate. On one side is the picturesque Polders landscape where agricultural activities alternate with green meadows, and on the other side are the dunes, beach and the sea. There are two event highlights you should not miss: each year at Whitsuntide (28.05.2012), a 15th century legend is recalled in Wenduine. An old ‘Blankenberger Scute’ – a type of boat – is used to haul a cross to shore which the fishermen then carry to the church in a triumphant procession. On 4 August, the Trammelant festival takes place in De Haan during which day-to-day life for the bourgeoisie and for village people during the Belle Epoque period is brought back to life in the Belle Epoque atmosphere of the famous villas quarter.
Following a good 4-hour drive (approximately 215 kilometres), you reach the Romantik Hotel Auberge de Campveerse Toren in Veere. You can dine ‘in the footsteps of the great’ here, for it was here that the marriage of Wilhelm of Orange and Charlotte de Bourbon took place in 1575. The highlights on offer here of course include high tea, after which you certainly won’t need lunch or dinner.
The Zeeland region is, basically, the largest river delta of the Rhine, Maas and Schelde. No wonder then that everything here is played out on the water and revolves around water. The muZZEum in Vlissingen is a museum of shipping which is housed in buildings from the 16th, 17th, 18th and 21st centuries. Using state-of-the-art technology and plenty of interactivity, visitors are brought close to the fours topics of ‘Water’, ‘Work’, ‘Glory’ and ‘Adventure’. Zierikzee is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Netherlands. Day-trippers have no chance of visiting its some – according to the internet – 560 monuments, protected buildings and sites. Don’t worry about it: a cold drink and fresh fish enjoyed with views over the historical ships in the picturesque port basin is also an experience.
The variety of the landscape is a key theme for tourism in the Netherlands in 2012 and this variety as we know doesn’t end at the national borders. Between old cities, dense forests and the roaring waves of the sea, there is plenty to discover …
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