Partly in Belgium, and partly in France, Flanders is sometimes regarded as a country in its own right. With its own flag, and its own history and traditions, there is maybe some justification for this point of view.
What is undeniable, though, is the vast array of things to see and do here. Generally, the land is flat, but there are several abrupt hills - rather optimistically called “The Mountains of Flanders” – and dozens of tall church-spires and belfries to break the horizon. The distinctive Flemish architecture of the gabled buildings in the medieval cities of Bruges and Ghent is well-known and those cities are must-sees, but there is much more. The hill-top town of Cassel and the painstakingly rebuilt centre of Ypres are both superb places to visit and stroll around, and both have strong associations with the Great War of 1914-18.
a canal in FlandersThe coast has good, sandy beaches and the walking is surprisingly varied – rural strolls, coastal and wetland walks with plenty of interesting birdlife, some (fairly gentle) hill walking around Cassel and the Kemmelberg, towpath walks along peaceful, poplar-lined canals and riverside walks along the Rivers Aa and Lys and, of course, plenty of town walks around Bruges, Ghent, and some of the French fortified towns such as Bergues and Gravelines.
The atmosphere is one of laid-back enjoyment: Flemish “café culture” is deservedly famous. You can enjoy a meal, a snack, a coffee or a beer and just sit and watch the world go by. Talking of beer, Flanders is home to what many experts consider to be the world’s finest beers. Many of the breweries can be visited, and some have their own cafes and bars where it is possible to taste the beers before you buy. There are few more enjoyable experiences than travelling in search of the best beers on the planet!
We can promise you a relaxing holiday with a fascinating mix of walking and sight-seeing. (And we haven’t even mentioned the French fries (invented in Flanders, by the way) and the chocolate).
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