Genk is a charming little town famous for its coal mine history which has been revamped entirely to a green oasis - top sights include Kattevenen and Cycling through water. Make sure to eat some local italian food - the town is famous for Italians that moved here years ago.

Genk

Belgium, small but packs a punch. Not known among its fellow Europeans as a destination hub nor among those beyond the continent but look close and you will find some hidden gems. A confusing country with 3 official languages! We're here to help you navigate it and find the best best places in Belgium. 

Lying on the North Sea coast, Belgium's immediate neighbours are France, Luxembourg, Germany and the Netherlands. The small nation of Belgium might leave you surprised by its rich and gorgeous heritage. It boasts a number of fascinatingly historic cities packed with medieval and Art Nouveau architecture and famous for their long traditions in arts, fashion and fine dining. If you've seen the best of them, the Belgian countryside offers anything from sandy beaches to the densely forested hills and ridges of the Ardennes. Brussels, the country's vibrant capital, is a modern world city with a highly international character. It combines massive postmodern buildings in its European Quarter with impressive historic monuments, such as the World Heritage listed Grand Place, surrounded by guildhouses and the Gothic town hall. There's Laken Castle and the large St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, dedicated to the cities patron saints. The Royal Palace is a more recent but no less grand structure. One of the city's most famous landmarks is the Atomium, a remarkable steel structure and remnant of the 1958 World's Fair.

Belgium

Meet Limburg, Flander’s eastern most province, bordered by the Netherlands to the east and Wallonia to the south. This small part of Belgium is off the tourist track with plenty of hidden gems to discover. Wandering around the charming towns, you’ll discover why Limburg is Flander’s friendliest province and also the greenest. With Flanders’ only national park, Hoge Kempen, Limburg is the perfect place to get outside and enjoy the great Belgian outdoors.  There is Flemish culture aplenty and Belgian history from the Roman’s to WWII. 

Limburg BE

Paths & central bridge for bike rides over a mirror lake surrounded by wildflowers & roaming cattle. © iStock/Kim Willems

https://itinari-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/activity/images/original/9c53df86-4031-40f2-81f1-c287f583cc00-kim-willems-path-water.jpg

Cycling through water, Bokrijk

Hike, bike, mini-golf or stargaze your way into the Kattevennen

Family having a picnic in a hollowed out tree in the Kattevennen, Hoge Kempen National Park in Limburg, Belgium.

Kattevennen - Kattevennen official_activity1.jpg

Bike Park for mountain bikers and BMXers in the nature reserve Kattevennen in Genk, Limburg

Kattevennen_bikepark_Sport Vlaanderen_activity3.PNG

People strolling and walking on a wooden path in the forest of the Kattevennen, part of the Hoge Kempen National Park in Limburg, Belgium

kattevennen.jpg

People playing minigolf at the Kattevennen in Limburg.

minigolf stad genk.jpg

People having a picnic under a tree structure at the Kattevennen national park, near Genk, Limburg

Luc Daelemans - picknickplek Corpus Kattevennen.jpg

Astronaut Kattevennen - Cosmodrome jupiter.jpg

107496690_996935044095637_6941344380887585433_n.jpg

Stokkeman trail, a path with a treasure hunt for kids, in Kattevennen, Hoge Kempen National Park in Limburg Belgium

stokkeman-houten-pad-kattevennen-kattevennen official_activity 2.jpg

Kattevennen at Hoge Kempen National Park

Go for a walk, hop on a bike, get in a boat and even sleep on a floating raft at De Wissen at Rivierpark Maasvallei. 

Whisper Boats (fluister boten) on the Maas (Meuse) river in De Wissen, Limburg 

De wissen - toerisme vlaanderen.jpg

Whisper Electric boats in De Wissen, Limburg, Belgium

De Wissen 2 - toerisme vlaanderen .jpg

Animals wading in the river at De Wissen, Limburg

De wissen - toerisme vlaanderen 3.jpg

De Wissen at Rivierpark Maasvallei

Who doesn't like a good deal? Enjoy a day of quintessential US-like suburban outlet shopping and chain dining at this mock-up shopping village. 

Maasmechelen Village.jpg

People shopping at the outlet shopping center Maasmechelen Village in Limburg, Belgium.

maasmechelen village _ Emile Krijgsman.jpg

Maasmechelen Village Outlets

Fancy a day out on the water pushing some pedals? Check out this place where you can rent a kayak, canoe or raft. 


Two kids kayaking in the Maas/Meuse in Limburg, Belgium

kayakmaasland- kayak maasland official - activity 1.jpg

Man kayaking in the Meuse  (Maas) river in Limburg, Belgium.

Kajak Maasland  Rafting_ visit limburg_activity2.jpg

Sunrise at the riverpark Maasvallei, Belgium

Maasvallei_external_Jeroen Erkamp_Flickr

Kayaking in the Maas at Rivierpark Maasvallei

You don’t have to go to Japan to experience Japanese culture, nestled in the heart of Limburg province is Europe’s largest Japanese garden!

A view through the decking of the Japanese tea house looks out on a pond, mini waterfall and greenery.

JapaneseGarden_activity1_TonNolles_Flickr_teahouseview.jpg

Cherry blossoms are seen on the background of a bight blue sky.

JapaneseGarden_activity10_theaucitron_Flickr_blossoms.jpg

Two orange, white and black multi-coloured koi fish swim in a shallow, clear pond.

JapaneseGarden_activity2_TonNolles_Flickr_koi.jpg

Through some trees a pond, stone lantern and the mossy surroundings of the Japanese Garden are visible.

JapaneseGarden_activity9_theaucitron_Flickr_stonelantern.jpg

A miniature landscape in the Japanese garden looks over a small waterfall, rocky stream and mossy grass.

JapaneseGarden_activity8_theaucitron_Flickr_landscape.jpg

A large tree with red leaves in front of the pavilion at Japanese Garden, Hasselt

1.jpg

A branch covered in cherry blossoms with a river and trees in the background at Japanese Garden, Hasselt

3-2.jpg

4-2.jpg

A tree filled with pink blossoms at Japanese Garden, Hasselt

2-2.jpg

A river amongst some trees at Japanese Garden, Hasselt

WhatsApp Image 2021-04-29 at 16.09.45.jpg

A small lake with a wooden walkway and waterfall at the Japanese Garden, Hasselt

WhatsApp Image 2021-04-29 at 16.09.47 (2).jpg

Japanese Garden

Roam around like royalty as you explore Hoge Kempen National Park’s ruins, forests, valleys and heathland. 

A family walks towards the entrance of the ruins of Pietersheim's watercastle and a wood paneled archway displays information about its history. 

Pietersheim3_Kristien Wintmolders_Visit Limburg.jfif

The bridge over the moat of Pietersheim's watercastle leads to the front entrance to the castle's brick ruins.

Pietersheim4_Kristien Wintmolders_Visit Limburg.jfif

A ruined wall of Peitersheim's watercastle is reflected in the the surrounding moat with the modern visitors centre in the background.

Pietersheim1_Kristien Wintmolders_Visit Limburg.jfif

Pietersheim at Hoge Kempen National Park

The beautiful Haspengouw region is famous for its blossoms during the month of April. Even though we know all of the hotspots, we loved the roadtrip through our own backyard with a “geitje” like we call it in Flemish. We even discovered some new places!

Roadtrip! You, your family or friends, a classic Citroën 2CV and some beautiful Limburgian landscape. Need we say more? 

A family in a red Citroen 2CV popping their heads up through the sun roof in the middle a field in the Limburg countryside.

IMG_2310.jpg

A red citroen 2CV driving along a small road in the Limburg countryside

IMG_2319.jpg

A field with a couple of trees filled with blossom in the Limburg countryside.

IMG_2407.jpg

A blue Citroën 2CV drives down a muddy track surrounding by trees and snowy fields.

Route38(1)_Route38.jpg

A blue Citroën 2CV is parked in the snow in front of a brick building.

Route38(2)_Route38.jpg

A blue Citroën 2CV is parked amidst the ruins of a brick building. 

Route38(5)_Route38.jpg

Four people sit in a white Citroën 2CV in a courtyard.

Route38(3)_Route38.jpg

A road going through the Limburg countryside towards a small village with a church.

IMG_2322.jpg

A family inside a red Citroen 2CV on a track in the middle of a field in Limburg

IMG_2249.jpg

Route38

As a photographer, a keen cyclist and a nature lover I can say with no hesitation that Vroenhoven is one of my favourite places in Belgium! It encompasses 3 elements that make me happy - an interesting modern architecture, endless cycling paths and a stunning landscape. It is a great spot to hang out on the weekend, where you can meet some cool people. I always come back! Either with my camera or with my bike or both!

Visit the place where WWII started in Belgium: learn its military history, see the peace flame and enjoy panoramic views over the Albert Canal.

A man riding his bike across the bridge of Vroenhoven.

Vroenhoven 8.jpg

Two people standing on the steps from underneath the bridge at Vroenhoven.

Vroenhoven 3.jpg

The view from underneath the bridge of Vroenhoven onto the steps and trees behind.

Vroenhoven 6.jpg

Three women standing on the steap leading underneath the bridge of Vroenhoven.

Vroenhoven 7.jpg

Vroenhoven Bridge is lit up at dusk and stands over the Albert Canal in Riemst, Belgium.

Bridge at Vroenhoven_Visit Limburg.jpg

Interactive panels are displayed at the inland shipping exhibition at Vroenhoven Bridge in Riemst, Belgium.

Bridge at Vroenhoven_ Jonathan Ramael_Visit Limburg.jpg

An old diving suit is displayed at the inland shipping exhibition at Vroenhoven Bridge in Belgium.

Bridge at Vroenhoven(2)_ Jonathan Ramael_Visit Limburg.jpg

The exhibition center and restaurant at Vroenhoven Bridge sit over the Albert Canal in Riemst, Belgium. 

Bridge at Vroenhoven_Paul Hermans_Wikipedia.jpg

The old World War Two bunker at Vroenhoven Bridge at sunset in Riemst, Belgium.

Bridge at Vroenhoven_Tijl Vereenooghe_ArcheoNet Vlaanderen_Flickr.jpg

The curved walls and view from underneath the bridge at Vroenhoven.

Vroenhoven 1.jpg

The curved walls underneath the bridge at Vroenhoven.

Vroenhoven 2.jpg

Two people riding their bikes towards the bridge of Vroenhoven.

Vroenhoven 5.jpg

Vroenhoven 9.jpg

The Bridge at Vroenhoven 

Relax in nature, enjoy some history and...share breakfast with an alpaca at this secluded castle just outside of Sint-Truiden. 

Kasteel Nieuwenhoven sits in a green field on a sunny day near Sint-Truiden, Belgium. 

Castle Nieuwenhoven(2)_Raoul Heremans_Flickr.jpg

A large green pond, filled with reeds and surrounded by trees sits in Nieuwenhoven forest, Belgium.

Castle Nieuwenhoven(1)_Johan Neven_Flickr.jpg

An old fallen tree in Nieuwenhoven forest near Sint-Truiden, Belgium. 

Castle Nieuwenhoven(4)_Raoul Heremans_Flickr.jpg

A red brick gated archway leads into Kasteel Nieuwenhoven near Sint-Truiden, Belgium.

Castle Nieuwenhoven(8)_Raoul Heremans_Flickr.jpg

A green, reed-filled pond in Nieuwenhoven forest near Sint-Truiden, Belgium.  

Castle Nieuwenhoven(9)_Raoul Heremans_Flickr.jpg

The courtyard of Kasteel Nieuwenhoven and the brick castles building near Sint-Truiden, Belgium.

Castle Nieuwenhoven(7)_Raoul Heremans_Flickr.jpg

An old tree in Nieuwenhoven forest near Sint-Truiden, Belgium. 

Castle Nieuwenhoven(5)_Raoul Heremans_Flickr.jpg

Nieuwenhoven Castle & Forest

Upon arrival, hostess Im will welcome you with a delicious cup of coffee and / or tea accompanied by a typical Limburg treat and provide you with the necessary (regional) information !!

She is happy to help you find the best restaurant (7 within walking distance!), That nice shop or the most beautiful walking and / or cycling route.

https://itinari-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/activity/images/original/69d3b51e-07a9-4a4b-b403-766d7ddd5296-26951987_1841210029246004_5018447268765502220_o.jpg

Bed and Breakfast Im's & Wim's

Hi, I’m Atlas, your personal AI travel assistant. I can help you plan a trip, recommend destinations, recommend hotels, or answer any travel-related questions.

Cycling through water, Bokrijk

Book a nearby experience