Belgium is not on everyone’s road trip wish-list, but for those with a love of history, this small country offers a great deal. In terms of getting there, only France is more easy to reach, which makes it an ideal driving holiday destination, particularly if you do not wish to spend too much time driving on motorways.
You can get to Belgium directly by ferry – from Hull to Zeebrugge, or from Ramsgate to Oostende. Or you can take the Eurotunnel and drive up to Belgium from Calais.
If cathedrals are your thing, Belgium has plenty. The only problem is choosing which ones to visit. Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady) is arguably a must-see, with a 400ft spire and a Madonna and Child marble statue by Michelangelo, together with a painting by Anthony Van Dyke. The cathedral aside, Bruges itself is wonderful old town with lots of family friendly restaurants and good hotels.
Another beautiful cathedral is the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal (Cathedral of Our Lady) in Antwerp. Its spire is also over the 400ft mark and can be seen from miles around. A wonderful example of Belgian gothic architecture, this cathedral also boasts no less than four works by Rubens.
If you’ve got smaller people in tow and they reach a limit as to how many churches and paintings they can take, you might want to redress the balance with a trip to Walibi, a theme park that boasts over 40 rides and attractions. It’s close by to Brussels, and should easily fill up an entire day – and make the little ones extremely happy.
Don’t forget to take out some short term European cover if your normal policy doesn’t cover EU countries.