It’s arguably one of the least visited of Belgium’s ten provinces but lovely Limburg is well worth discovering.
The area was, economically, devastated a decade or so ago when the giant Ford car factory closed, with the loss of over 10,000 jobs.
Limburg was forced to reinvent itself and it has done just that remarkably well, with its provincial capital, Hasselt, showcasing the best of the region.
While it was, once, suffering the fall out of that crushing economic blow this clean and pleasant city is now a flagship of entrepreneurial skills and endeavour.
Guided tours
A good start to witness some of this, and hear about the impressive local history, is with a town tour and they don’t come much better than local chemistry secondary schoolteacher Kristof Van Verde whose expertise on the city and area is second to none.
The 44-year-old first explains why, in his opinion, most people visit Hasselt and its environs: first, a local historic abbey; second, the European-recognised regional product, Jenever (without which there would be no gin) and, thirdly, the cycling.
But it’s worth a visit even if you just come for a couple of these. More on each later.
Back in the 14th century, only 500 or so people lived in Hasselt (it is 80,000 now) and, over the centuries, Virga Jessbasiliek on Kapelstraat has remained the most significant place of worship locally.
It is here that you will find a statue which is paraded around the city every 7 years as part of an ancient major tradition which is associated with a miracle that happened here (you will have to wait for the next one as the last such parade was just last year).
Kristof skilfully explains the history of this marvellous church as with other things such as the Genever festival, held on the third weekend of October which attracts up to 30,000 people (the drink has a museum all of its own where you get the chance to enjoy a taster of the genever). He explains why the drinking still has to stop by 8pm on that days and also details the interesting story behind the strong beers that Belgium is associated with.
One of the fascinating things about this small city – the diameter is 800 metres so you can get everywhere on foot in no time and almost the entire centre is traffic-free – is the clever and wonderful street art.
It has over 100 graffiti and street art works by some of the best national and international artists out there (try and spot ROA’s giant owl across the water where you’ll also find the world’s larges QR code a little further down the path).
Your guide will take you through the different themes as you meander around the centre which has, as its beating heart, the Grote Markt where you can watch daily life unfold. Piet Stockman’s Waterpad (The Water Path) gives the Markt an artistic touch and you can listen to the carillon from here too.
Other central “must sees” include the fashion museum, located in a century-old abbey, tells the story of the region’s historic importance as a mainstay of the fabric/clothing industry, and also the Japanese Garden, spread across 2.5 hectares and said to be the biggest of its kind in the whole of Europe.Here you can take a leisurely stroll and become totally Zen.
Just out of town is one of those 3 big local attractions that Kristof recommends: the site of Herkenrode Abbey.
This was once the richest women’s convent in the Low Counties and, today (about 3 years after the Cistercian nuns finally left) it is an “experience centre” set in a green oasis of some 100 hectares.
The abbey was once very nearly turned into a factory and stables but, thanks partly to the Flanders Heritage Foundation, is has been brought back to life and there are, currently, efforts by two local artists to rebuild an on-site church that was burnt down many years ago. British visitors might like to know that some of its beautiful stained glass windows, which has been previously sold to industrialists in auction, can now be seen at Lichfield Cathedral near Birmingham.
Capital of good taste
For years, Hasselt has been known as the capital of good taste, based on its tradition for good food and fashion.
One excellent local example of the former is De Boulevard which has been given a recent makeover of its menu (on a cinematic theme with dishes under headings like “Classiques Du Cinema” and “Sunset Boulevard”) and is a great place to sate any appetite accrued from enjoying the many local attractions.
It actually opens from breakfast until late (though the kitchen closes at 9.30pm) to hotel and non-hotel guests and the imaginative “Friends and Famous” menu features some great Belgian classics such as carpaccio, croquettes, croquet, carbonnades and tartare de boeuf.
Much of this, including the soup, is all homemade.
This is the fine work of its Belgian head chef Marc Du Pont, ably assisted by sous chef Eddy Sallaerts and also welcoming staff members like Pascal.
This delightful 120-seat resto is great for a full-blown meal or, on a fine day, just to sit and enjoy a drink or aperitif on the terrace (seating up to 100).
Worth noting that Hasselt businesses won 5 of the 11 prizes at the Belgian Vegan Awards.
Where to stay
The restaurant is on the ground floor of the Holiday Inn which makes for a terrific place to stay as it is pretty much in the centre of the city and also benefits from a large underground car park.
Its general manager (and also of the 89-room Holiday Inn Express 200m away) is Patrik Roosenboom.
He arrived here a couple of years ago but many of the staff have been here much long, always a great sign in the ever-evolving horeca industry.
Patrik, who has a wealth of experience in the industry, explains how the city and area were forced to also evolve following the Ford factory closure and that the local economy has “gone up a gear” with the presence of a diverse mix of businesses.
The hotel itself, which has 108 rooms and also 5 meeting rooms, benefits from this corporate trade, particularly during the week, while, at weekends, tourists and visitors generally account for most overnight stays.
Interesting to note that the travel time from Brussels national airport at Zaventem can, in effect, be no more to Hasselt than to central Brussels, which is another reason why the city (and hotel) find themselves on an upward trajectory.
Patrik, who hails from Brussels and now does a 45-minute daily commute to work, says the hotel’s “vibe” – one of calmness and agreeable pace of life – matches that of Hasselt itself.
It is also a very friendly hotel where, if you show up with a dog, for instance, the staff will instantly offer your pet a bowl of water and biscuit to munch on. How many places do that?
For those travelling with kids the hotel boasts well-appointed and tastefully-decorated connecting rooms.
This was, in fact, the very first internationally branded hotel in Hasselt (there are now six) when it opened some 35 years ago (the Holiday Inn Express followed a decade later) and the fact that business is still booming reflects its quality and excellent reputation (customer satisfaction rates for cleanliness here, for example, top the 90percent mark).
It also reflects the high standard set by and expected of by Patrik himself, who celebrates 20 years in the horeca trade on 1 October.
Café culture
Before you leave Hasselt, check out another lovely spot: Marlo’s, a small café which opened just over 7 years ago and is one of the “hip” local places to be seen.
You can eat cuisines from around the world where, from Mexico to Asia, and you’re also welcome to opt for the “all day breakfast” in the middle of the afternoon (it closed at 5pm during the week and 7pm on Saturday) if that’s your thing.
HasPas
One fab way to sample this place is the “Haspas” which comes at a very low price and allows you to discover local hotspots, cool shops and trendy coffee bars.
It also affords admission (at a reduced price) to a multitude of local museums, including the Jenever Museum, Fashion Museum,Japanese Garden and Herkenrode Abbey.
It is available from the office of Visit Hasselt where you can also obtain info on local bike rental which is a fantastic way to enjoy one more of tour guide Kristof’s 3 must do’s… cycling.
Hasselt is the ideal base from which to discover the Limburg region.
That is why Visit Hasselt developed 4 new cycling routes to Limburg’s top attractions such as Alden Biesen and C-Mine at Genk.
You always start in Hasselt to follow the routes via the junctions of the cycle route network Limburg.
The area will, as every year, be a magnet for the young very soon who will descend on Hasselt for the annual, four-day Pukkelpop festival which attracts both international star acts and up and coming talent.
So, there you have it, the ideal destination for a happy holiday…Hasselt.
There is one part of England that is often overlooked by visitors from Belgium and that is a real shame because it really does offer “something different”.
Indeed, for anyone looking for a late summer getaway, the county of Suffolk is a great destination to consider.
The climate of Belgium is about the same as in this part of England and so is the landscape, as least compared with Flanders which is flat – like East Anglia.
Many cities in East Anglia had such close historical connections with Belgium in the late Middle Ages that it directly influenced the architecture as many Belgians settled there.
For those looking for a short break the region therefore makes for a lovely – and geographically convenient – destination.
The region comprises two counties, Suffolk and Norfolk and is home to the UK’s most easterly town, Lowestoft,whichsees the sunrise before anywhere else in England and is actually closer to quite a few European cities than it is to other parts of the UK.
For instance, Bruges, the capital of West Flanders, is just over 400km away from the UK’s most easterly town.
A good starting point
If you do pay a visit to this part of the country, a starting point could be Ipswich, where you can enjoy a pleasant 1, 2 or 3 hour boat trip along the River Orwell from Ipswich waterfront along the Orwell Estuary and under the Orwell Bridge to see Harwich and Felixstowe ports. All trips start and finish at Orwell Quay, the area after Neptune Marina and the local university.
In case you wondered, the name “Orwell” was also famously adopted by “1984” author Eric Blair as his pen name, George Orwell, due to his fondness for the river.
The very knowledgeable guide on this family-owned tour (which operates from Easter-October) steers you through all manner of facts and figures about the local surroundings, be it the birdlife in the area, super yachts moored nearby worth up to £5m and the mysteries of Freston Folly, a tower dating to 1578 which was built as a watchtower but has had multiple uses including as a hospital for plague sufferers.
Back on dry land, Ipswich is one of nine locations across the UK for “Inflata Nation”, an inflatable theme park. Each are custom built and make for a great family visitor attraction.
This indoor place is bursting with activities and unrivalled bouncing fun and really is a great way for both young and old alike to have a lot of fun on inflatables, including an “Inflata wall” a two lane assault course, ending with a slide across the finish line. It also has sessions for adults only where you really can channel your inner child.
Amidst the bustle of this modern city, you have to pinch yourself to remember that Suffolk’s county town was, it seems, the first town founded by Anglo Saxons after the fall of the Roman Empire.
More than history to digest
Once you’ve digested the fascinating historical fact that you’re actually standing where the first beginnings of a town in Anglo Saxon England began, you may be ready to digest something else… some lovely food at The Salthouse, ideally located at the heart of the town’s fantastic marina.
Set in a wonderfully-restored salt etched brick warehouse overlooking the town’s historic and impressively renovated, crescent-shaped Neptune Quay harbour, it makes for a delightful way to dine after a day out (maybe on the River Orwell tour).
The Salthouse harbour hotel’s lovely “Eaterie” restaurant offers superb, award-winning cuisine with an array of fresh, locally-sourced food. This is excellent cuisine, much locally sourced, which is very satisfying and affordable too. While the menu is mostly British, seasonal inspirations also feature on the daily specials list. It’s all overseen by Lewis, the locally-born head chef who’s only in his early 20s and has rapidly moved through the ranks. He trained at the local university and under a former Salthouse head chef and started here as a trainee in the kitchen.
Providing a nice welcome is Portuguese-born duty manager Paulo Bras (whose wife is one of the chefs here) and his brother Levi (their mother even once worked in the kitchen here, making it a real family affair).
This pleasant resto can seat 70 inside and 30 on the nice terrace that overlooks the marina.
After taking in the hustle and bustle of Suffolk’s county town you may have built up an appetite and this is great local place to sate your hunger.
Somewhere to stay
Be sure also to stop and check out another terrific spot in Suffolk: Stonham Barns Park, a holiday park close to Ipswich, and great for either a day out or stopover for the afternoon.
This is a very pleasant bustling (yet peaceful) family complex offering holiday accommodation, attractions and activities, all based at the very heart of the county.
Located next to the wonderful Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex coast, the park, set in 140 acres of lovely parkland, includes state-of-the-art static 2 and 3-bedroom, double glazed caravans sleeping up to 6 people (as well as facilities for glamping, camping and motorhomes).
Its self-contained static holiday park, closed only in January, is one of the region’s biggest and epitomises the best of family fun in a luxury, fully furnished home-from-home stay with a full range of onsite attractions, entertainment and shopping facilities designed to keep everyone busy. All supplies you might need are available on the spot, including the all important gas bottles and coal for BBQs,plus a children’s funfair and bouncy castle. There is a woodland walk where guests can delight at local birds and red squirrels and enjoy a sensory garden. Fishing is also available at the park’s two abundantly stocked lakes.
Also on site is a popular shopping village with some delightful independent outlets, a small theatre, great 9-hole golf course, foot golf, pirate themed adventure golf, kids’ play facilities and the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary with an impressive display of owls and other birds of prey. It’ll soon even have its own on-site butcher.
Home to the Mid Suffolk Show Ground, there is a plethora of events lined up throughout the year that cater to various interests and preferences. From thrilling car shows and craft markets to captivating live music concerts and delectable food festivals, there’s always something happening to keep visitors entertained.
It also has holiday homes for sale. All you need is a permanent address (it could be in Belgium, not just the UK).
The park is part of the successful and well-established Starglade Group of companies which has been running for decades and is well established, family-run business, now into its 3rd generation.
The park, staffed by friendly folk like Nick, Chris, Alex and Josh, has really benefitted from the boom in staycations among Brits since the pandemic but does also attract overseas visitors and makes for a very good base to see the region.
While the park’s delightful holiday homes are all fully self-contained – meaning you can happily eat in your holiday home – it’s also always wonderful, of course, to get a flavour (literally) of the place you’re visiting.
Local multiple national award winner
And one place you really should most definitely include on any itinerary to this region is the multiple-award winner “The Unruly Pig.”
The most recent of numerous accolades came just a month or so ago when it was included in a list of the Top 100 in the country as voted by hundreds of food writers, chefs and restaurateurs voted for their top 100.
But this wonderful place, located near the pretty town of Woodbridge, is well used to picking up major culinary/horeca awards and others include inclusion in the UK Top 50 Gastropubs Awards 2022, 2024 & 2025; the 2025 National Restaurant Awards UK Top 100 and The Good Food Guide’s Top 50 Best Sunday Roast. It was also voted it the “Best Pub” by GQ Magazine. Quite an accolade but well deserved.
The Guardian’s respected Grace Dent said of this place that “it is as good as it gets” and, if you are lucky enough to dine here, you will see what all the fuss is about.
The food is fresh, seasonal and, wherever possible, local. Focus is very much on the quality of the ingredients used in what are some quite delicious dishes that also extends to a carefully crafted tasting menu (rotated weekly) which, considering the sheer quality, is amazing well priced at either £49 or £79 (plus a “Be Unruly” vegetarian tasting version). Each Sunday afternoon that Great British tradition, the Sunday Roast, is also available. Worth noting that this wonderful place was named by The Sunday Times and Waitrose Food Magazine as serving among the best Sunday roasts in the UK.
Overseeing proceedings in the kitchen are super chefs Dave Wall (this is where it all started for him ten years ago) and Carl Green, whose framed photos greet you at the entrance, along with Sex Pistols’ Johnny Rotten – one of several very impressive art works adorning the walls here (check out the man behind the one of Mohammed Ali).
Worth noting that most dietary requirements can be accommodated via the fab la carte menu (which changes seasonally) This (like the tasting menu) is a real treat too and, typically might include, for starters, hand-dived orkney scallop crudo and stuffed courgette flower, chicken & duck liver parfait and native lobster tail.
A current choice of marvellous mains features roasted veal sweetbread, whole stuffed sea bream, pappardelle pasta, iberico pork, steak tagliata and bistecca alla fiorentina.
Despite such indulgence you should still try to leave room for one of the equally mouth-watering desserts and pudding which might include ‘black forest’ choux bun, panna cotta, raspberry & pistachio tartlet and the unruly affogato (liqueur added if you wish). There’s also a cracking cheese board boasting, naturally, some fine English cheeses.
This place makes no bones about stating that this is “British food” but with a distinct Italian influence. In fact, the owners have a name for this: unfussy ‘Britalian’ food, where the focus is on the quality of the ingredients used.
Despite this top-notch quality, the prices here are very reasonable, as are the wines (look out for the “wine specials”).
All this and more is nicely explained by the likes of James Palmer, who is just turned 20 but very knowledgeable about both the food and place, who says, “We all have a real passion for food here and I think that shows. We’re also all very proud of the awards and recognition we have received.”
Very commendably, the very friendly owner Brendan Padfield employs a policy whereby every £1 from each table bill goes to the Red Rose Chain, a local charity working with the marginalised and disabled.
After taking in the hustle and bustle of Suffolk’s attractions you will have built up an appetite and this is great local place to sate any hunger.
Ancient burial ground
Another great family attraction (and just a short distance away) is Sutton Hoo, a National Trust location which, currently, has a new exhibition on called “The Dig: A Story Unearthed.” It tells the untold story of the real people that inspired the hit Netflix film starring Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan.
The film explores the story of the excavation of the Great Ship Burial at Sutton Hoo in 1939, which revealed the final resting place of an important Anglo-Saxon king and went on to be regarded as one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time.
The exhibition is in the High Hall exhibition building, where it features some of the original costumes, jewellery and props used in the movie. It runs until 25 January 2026 and entry is included in the entry ticket, which is free for National Trust members.
The lovely 270-acre estate also boasts wonderful woodland walks, a nice café and shop and terrific vistas and far-reaching views over the River Deben from a 17-metre viewing tower.
From 23 July, it is also hosting the National Trust’s Summer of Play, featuring lots of exciting activities for families to get involved in over the course of the summer, including archery, axe-throwing and much more.
How to get there
Suffolk itself is one of England’s less touristy regions yet its links to Belgium go back further than you might think – all the way to 1327, in fact.
Back in the 14th century, one Abbot Richard, who then ruled the roost in these parts, was kidnapped and smuggled to Brabant in the southern half of Belgium (an event recalled on a plaque in Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds).
It’s hard to know why the county is not the tourist magnet for overseas visitors that some other UK regions are because it is easy to reach from London and the cross channel border ports like Dover and is chock-full of beautiful English villages, gorgeous countryside dotted with thatched cottages and sweet churches.
In fact, getting to Suffolk from Brussels and the rest of Belgium couldn’t be much easier via a DFDS ferry.
Its super-efficient Calais to Dover ferry route is the perfect way to cross the Channel, with the shortest crossing time of any of its routes at just 90 minutes each way. You can relax and enjoy the pleasant on-board facilities, including duty free shopping and, if you fancy travelling in style, treat yourself to the Premier lounge (which comes complete with complimentary drinks and snacks and is a lovely way to travel to/from England) and then look forward to exploring Suffolk from the comfort of your own vehicle.
Worth recalling there are no luggage restrictions and this is also a pet-friendly way of getting to the UK.
Like the Unruly Pig, DFDS is a multiple award winner and has been nominated as Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator for 2025. This follows its 2024 European and World award wins and is an indication of the quality of service it continues to offer – the anchor of its growth and evolution and ongoing success from as far back as 1866 when it was founded by Danish financier Carl Frederik Tietgen.
The East of England itself is known for its beautiful landscapes, sunny weather and a whole world of interesting places to visit and this makes it the ideal destination for a family getaway.
The region is sometimes referred to as “Britain’s breadbasket”, where a combination of climate, landscape and soils are well suited to growing wheat (sufficient to produce 5.7 million loaves of bread).
For people from Belgium this may still be a relatively undiscovered corner of England but, with its great heritage, ample places to stay and fabulous food, this year, surely, is the time to (re) discover Suffolk.
