Vlaamse Ardennen

The Vlaamse Ardennen (Flemish Ardennes) has little to do with its namesake, which lies around 100 km (62 miles) to the southeast. Roughly bound by the rivers Leie, Scheldt, Dender, and the southern border with Wallonia, it sits apart from the rest of Flanders—in every respect. It isn’t wealthy, nor does it have a grand history. Yet for a hit of unfiltered, wild countryside, there’s little else here to match it. Some fine medieval relics can also be found in its towns, including the "original" Manneken Pis (a whole other story).