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Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is a fairytale canal city with some of Belgium's finest chocolate shops and craft beer cafes. Visit the Vismarkt (fish market) for fresh North Sea catch. The surrounding polders and windmills offer lovely flat cycling through open nature.
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Ghent, Belgium
Ghent is Belgium's most underrated food city with a thriving vegetarian scene and excellent local restaurants along Graslei. Try the waterzooi stew, a local speciality born here. The medieval Gravensteen castle and canal walks make for a perfect mix of culture and scenery.
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Brussels, Belgium
Start in the foodie heart of Belgium — don't miss the Place Sainte-Catherine neighbourhood for fresh mussels and frites. Explore the Marolles district for waffles and local bistros. The Grand Place area is stunning for an evening stroll after dinner.
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Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Luxembourg City combines dramatic Alzette valley gorges with a sophisticated dining scene influenced by French, German and Belgian cuisine. Walk the UNESCO-listed Bock Casemates and descend into the Grund neighbourhood for riverside restaurants. The Mullerthal trail nearby offers spectacular rocky landscapes known as 'Little Switzerland'.
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Liège, Belgium
Liège is the bold, gritty food capital of Wallonia — famous for its Sunday market La Batte, one of Europe's largest street markets. Try the iconic boulets à la liégeoise (meatballs in sweet-sour sauce) and local Liège waffles. The Meuse riverbanks and nearby Ardennes hills hint at the nature ahead.
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Maastricht, Netherlands
Maastricht is the culinary capital of the Netherlands, with more restaurants per capita than any other Dutch city. Stroll the Wyck neighbourhood for artisan food shops and the Markt square for local cheese and produce. The Sint-Pietersberg caves and Geul river valley nearby are ideal for hiking.
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Hoge Veluwe, Netherlands
Hoge Veluwe National Park is the Netherlands' largest nature reserve, featuring vast heathlands, sand dunes, forests and abundant wildlife including red deer and wild boar. Explore by free white bicycle — the park's iconic system. The Kröller-Müller Museum inside the park houses a world-class Van Gogh collection as a bonus.
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Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam's food scene has exploded with world-class restaurants and incredible street food — try raw herring from a canal-side stall and visit the Albert Cuyp Market. The Jordaan neighbourhood hides excellent brown cafes and farm-to-table spots. Day trips to the tulip fields of the Bollenstreek (in season) or Hoge Veluwe National Park are unmissable.
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Rotterdam, Netherlands
Rotterdam is the Netherlands' most forward-thinking food city, with the famous Markthal food hall offering dozens of local and international specialities under one stunning arched roof. The innovative architecture and harbour walks give the city a unique energy. Day trip to the Biesbosch National Park — a stunning freshwater delta teeming with beavers and birds.