Luxury travel
You smile at your partner and clink glasses, toasting the wonderful vacation youâre having. The glasses arenât the same. One is like a champagne glass, while the other is a tulip glass.
A week ago, you didnât know there were different glasses for different beers. You didnât realize either that Belgium had canals like Venice or tulip fields
like the Netherlands. Youâve stayed in some of the worldâs best hotels, eaten the finest foods⊠and truly experienced Belgian culture.
You clink your glasses again. Hereâs to the best vacation youâve ever had.
Tailor my trip5 things you don’t know
about Belgium
Due to its location between several different countries and cultures, Belgium has been the battlefield of Europe during several different wars and has earned its place as the headquarters of the European Union. Interestingly, this is not what comes to mind when you think of Belgium; instead, chocolates and beer spring to mind. Followed by French fries, which we all know are actually Belgian.
01
From 2019 to 2020, Belgium functioned for almost two years (652 days) without a central government. And they did fine.
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Small country, big beer industry. There are between 1000 and 2000 different beers brewed in Belgium. With a special glass for most of them.
03
American actress Audrey Hepburn was born in Brussels. Just like Brussels, she was multilingual, multicultural, elegant, and fun.
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Another famous Belgian? Robert Cailliau. He co-created the hypertext solution which evolved into the World Wide Web.
05
Antwerp is the diamond capital of the world. 87% of the worldâs rough diamonds are traded in Antwerp, as are 50% of all polished diamonds.
Belgium travel guide
Where to stay in Belgium?
If you are looking for luxury, over-the-top comfort, and impeccable, discreet service, AAV has the accommodations for you. We work with the very best hotels in Belgium, to make your high-end vacation truly memorable.
Best hotel in Northern Europe, Belgiumâs Leading Hotel Suite 2023⊠the awards have showered down on the Hotel Amigo Brussels, and rightly so. The exquisite Bar Magritte offers expert mixology, the Ristorante BoCConi brings find Italian dining to the heart of Brussels, while the rooms and suites are superbly decorated with vibrant textiles, superb metalwork, and artwork from Belgian artists.
Also located in Brussels, the five-star Juliana Hotel is private, refined and immensely welcoming. This discrete demure on the Place des Martyrs combines contemporary decoration with neo-classical art touches. The hotel has a lavish indoor pool, a spa, and a French-inspired restaurant whose menu changes with each season.
La Butte aux Bois in Lanaken is very special. Adjacent to the Hoge Kempen National Park, the hotel has an extensive estate with lake and forest, a two-star Michelin restaurant, a bistrot, a Shiseido
spa, a premium fitness center, yoga classesâŠAccommodations include exquisitely decorated rooms and suites in the manor and the charming villa, a short walk through the park to the main hotel.
Situated in the heart of Brugesâ historic center in a 19th century Neo Classic mansion, the Hotel Heritage is perfect for romantic getawaysâand other special moments in your life. The rooms and suites feature handmade organic Nilson beds, elegant Louis XVI dĂ©cor, and exceptional comfort. Small, luxurious, old-world charm combined with impeccable service make the Hotel Heritage especially memorable.
The former residence of Burgundian aristocracy, the Hotel Dukesâ Palace is also located in the historic center of Bruges. The 15th century palace houses elegant suites, luxurious rooms and spacious family rooms which are the perfect combination of historic beauty and modern comfort. The big surprise is the gardenâ3000m2 of private garden, making it the largest inside garden in the entire city. Itâs a wonderful, intimate place to relax.
Tailor my tripBest luxury experiences in Belgium
Beer tasting
Belgian beer culture is so strong that it was added to UNESCOâs list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. After a beer tasting with our AAV specialist, you will know, and appreciate, the difference between Trappist beers, Witbier, strong blonde, SpĂ©ciale belge, Saison, Brut, Lambic & Geuze.
Cho-co-l-ahhh
During this fun, 3-hour workshop, you will learn the basics of professional chocolate making — tempering, molding, and wrappingâand you will then create mendiants and pralines from scratch, some to nibble on during class and others to take home to share.
Brussels historic center
Depending on your personal interests, AAV will concoct a walking tour of Brusselsâ historic center, including the Grand Place, the Museum of Musical Instruments, Horta Museum, Place du Jeu de Balle (Flea Market), Manneken Pis, the Belgian Center for Comic Books, the Institute of Natural Science âŠ.
The Canals of Bruges
Canals weave through the Old Town of Bruges, showcasing the lovely mediaeval architecture and stunning bridges. You will enjoy having a private boat, captained by one of AAVâs local guides, who will play âshow and tellâ with the history of this beautiful city. Amazing photo opportunities!
Medieval Ghent
You will see hundreds of years of history during a day or weekend trip to Ghent. First, a visit to Gravensteen, a mediaeval castle within the city walls, before seeing the 18 panels of the superb âAdoration of the Mystic Lambâ by the Van Eyck brothers, completed in 1432.
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Fashionistaâs Antwerp
Home to one of the worldâs leading fashion academies, Antwerp is a fashion capital. Fashionistas will enjoy a visit to MoMu, Antwerpâs fashion museum with a permanent collection of over 38,000 items. Then, our AAV stylist will guide you on a curated visit of the local independent designers.
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When is the best time to visit Belgium?
Perhaps the answer is âyesâ. There is so much to see and do in this country, that every season is the best time to visit surprising Belgium.
Belgium in winter:
Winter is a great time to go to Belgium simply to visit the Christmas market in Brussels. An 18-meter-tall Christmas tree towers over beautiful stalls in the Grote Markt in the main square. With the cold weather, youâll want to warm up with a cup of gluhwein or, for the more decadent, hot chocolate made from actual Belgian chocolate.
Belgium in spring:
In spring, come flowersâand Belgians do flowers in a big way. Tulip fields in Meerdonk, peony farm in Graefswinning, lavender field in Limburg, the rose garden of Coloma Castle, the Japanese Garden in Hasselt, Laeken Park with its magnolias, cherry blossoms and daffodil⊠The extraordinary Royal Greenhouse in Laeken is only open for three short weeks in spring.
Belgium in summer:
Belgium is a great summer destination. Youâll get gorgeous sun, without the intense heat further south. Itâs a wonderful time to check out the countryâs numerous music festivals, summer bars, and beaches. July to September, head for Middelkerke where the world-famous Sand Sculpture takes place, taking sandcastles to a whole new level.
Belgium in autumn:
Belgium is even more spectacular with the yellows, oranges and reds of autumn. If you come during fall, youâll have perfect conditions for hiking and mushrooming, especially in the rolling hills of the Ardennes where fall foliage is at its best. Enjoy the beer festival in Brussels and the Flanders Festival Ghent, with over 30 concerts in prestigious venues.
Travel tips about Belgium
About the same size as the American state of Maryland, Belgium is a small country in terms of surface area. Small but mighty, because it is one of the richest, most productive, and best educated countries in Europe. The wealth is easily seen in the many castles, museums, and other monuments. The high level of education is the reason for the strong cultural life. Painters Jan van Eyck, Hieronymous Bosch and Pieter Paul Rubensâall are Belgian, as are musicians Jacques Brel, Plastic Bertrand, and Stromae.
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Tintin, Milou and friends
So many great comics have been created by Belgians that there is actually a Comic Strip Museum in Brussels. Walk along the âComic Book Routeâ, almost 80 street art frescos paying tribute to Belgiumâs most famous comic creations.
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The Blue ForestÂ
If youâre in Belgium in April or May, be sure to head to Hallerbos near the city of Halle. You will be enchanted by the beauty of the millions of bluebells which bloom for just a few weeks every year.
03
Magritte
Whether or not youâre a fan of surrealism, you will enjoy the Magritte Museum in Brussels. You likely know his work alreadyâa man wearing a top hat in front of a cloudy sky. Light-hearted and surprising.
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Cycling through water
For 200 meters, the bike path in Bokrijk Park is sunk almost five feet deep, which puts you at eye-level with the water. Up close and personal with the reflection of the sky on the pondâs surface.
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Spa dayÂ
The very first spa experience was created in the 17th century in the city of Spa, Belgium. You can still âtake the watersâ in Spa, where youâll find traditional hydrotherapy, peat baths, and balneotherapy, among other treatments.
Plan
your trip
If you wish to schedule a time to speak about the trip you have in mind, please click on the âTailor my tripâ button and fill in our form. We will get back to you very shortly after reception of your request.