Eastern Belgium
 

Visiting friends in Kortrijk (SW of Gent) in June and then driving to a wedding in Roermond in the southern 'tail' of the Netherlands. Renting a car and driving for flexibility. Does anyone have any suggestions for things to do on the way or around that area of Belgium/Netherlands/Germany? Maybe just a nice village to stop for lunch or something?

According to www.mappy.com, Kortrijk to Roermond is 217 km and a 2h18 ride. You'll pass by Gent, Antwerpen and Eindhoven on the way. If you haven't been to Gent or Antwerpen, I would definitely recommend stopping there.

I don't know the Limburg area (that's the name of the province in the Netherlands were Roermond is, and of the bordering province in Belgium as well) very well, so I can't really recommend any nice villages over there.

Over on that side, we like the little village of Oerle in the Netherlands. No major sights, just a pretty village with a fun restaurant. Nearby is the wonderful Dutch Parrot Refuge (if you like birds) not far from Eindhoven: http://www.papegaai.org/index.php?ta...amp;paginanr=1

In eastern Belgium, one of our favorite spots is the Jardins d'Annevoie. http://www.jardins.dannevoie.be/

Maastricht is lovely and a great place to stop for lunch. Go to the Onze Lieve Vrouweplein, one of the nicest squares in the country, and light a candle in the chapel.

Or go to the white town Thorn. More a village really, its officially a city; very pretty.

Eindhoven is a bit too far and not worth a visit. Antwerp and Brussels will take more time to visit.

I would drive past Brussels, then on to Maastricht and stop there, then to Thorn which is very close to Roermond.

cindy....Eastern Belgium is full of lovely villges and towns, and not as frequently visited as mid and west parts of the country. Drive through the forested hills and stop in the town of Spa (where the word got its original meaning)...visit the old spa for a session. Bastogne is a big part of WW II history...see the memorial, an old German tank, etcthe Battle of the Bulge (Dec-Jan '44 '45)...It is beautiful country side, and more pretty villages everywhere. Into Luxembourg, more of the same..and a stop in the city is worthwhile, too. Enjoy.
Stu T.

Spa, Bastogne, Luxembourg ... all are very much out of the way.
If it were me, I would spend half a day (incl. lunch) in Leuven. It's a very pretty university town with a great atmosphere, a breathtaking city hall and some impressive churches, nice squares with dozens of cafés and restaurants, etc. You can also make a city tour by bus.