Rediscover Belgium as a holiday destination: Between art, cuisine and cultural regions

Belgium – for many, it's a stopover. For us, it was a discovery. No country is as underestimated as this small kingdom in the heart of Europe. Yet, as a travel destination, Belgium is full of subtle surprises: art that impresses as you pass by. Cuisine that thrives on tradition and creativity. And regions that could hardly be more diverse.

Anyone who visits Belgium quickly realizes: This isn't about spectacle, but about depth. About genuine encounters, honest cuisine, quiet cities, and landscapes that tell more than meets the eye.

We traveled through Belgium in a different way and met people who shared their perspectives with us. Three guests will take you on walks through galleries, across markets, and across the country's language barriers.

A contribution for all those who want to rediscover Belgium as a travel destination – with time, open eyes, and a thirst for culture.Belgien – für viele ist es ein Zwischenstopp. Für uns war es eine Entdeckung. Kein Land wird so oft unterschätzt wie dieses kleine Königreich im Herzen Europas. Dabei ist das Reiseland Belgien voller leiser Überraschungen: Kunst, die im Vorbeigehen beeindruckt. Kulinarik, die von Tradition und Kreativität lebt. Und Regionen, die vielfältiger kaum sein könnten.

Wer das Reiseland Belgien besucht, spürt schnell: Hier geht es nicht um Spektakel, sondern um Tiefe. Um echte Begegnungen, ehrliche Küche, stille Städte und Landschaften, die mehr erzählen, als man ihnen ansieht.

Wir haben Belgien auf eine andere Weise bereist und Menschen getroffen, die uns ihre Perspektive gezeigt haben. Drei Gäste nehmen dich mit: auf Spaziergänge durch Galerien, über Märkte und durch die Sprachgrenzen des Landes.

Ein Beitrag für alle, die das Reiseland Belgien neu entdecken wollen – mit Zeit, offenen Augen und Lust auf Kultur.

"I actually traveled to Liège for a concert – and stayed for the street art."

Lea, 37, graphic designer from Cologne

What Lea discovered in her travel destination Belgium was something she never expected: a country that not only displays art, but lives it. In Liège, she encountered large-scale street art on building walls that tells stories – about industry, change, and identity.

"I simply took my time. I walked through side streets, photographed walls, and discussed the latest mural with a café owner. It didn't feel like a museum visit, more like an artistic stroll through the city."

In Mons she later visits MAC’s, the Museum of Contemporary Art: a quiet place, embedded in old industrial settings. And in Kortrijk, she was inspired by Belgian furniture design and small creative studios.

Everywhere she encountered art that didn't want to attract attention, but still remained. Art that resided in everyday life: in shop windows, cafés, parks, and facades.

But art is also visible beyond the cities: In villages like Watou or along disused railway lines, temporary installations are being created that combine nature and art. Completely free of charge, simply on the go.

Tip: If you want to experience art in Belgium, you shouldn't limit yourself to museums. Many cities offer free street art routes, for example in Liège, Brussels, and Antwerp. Smaller towns like Charleroi or Hasselt also surprise with creative corners.

What Lea took away? That Belgium, as a travel destination, doesn't stage art, but rather takes it for granted. And that this is precisely where its creative power lies.

Many of our Casapilot accommodations are located precisely where Belgium unfolds its special atmosphere: in quiet regions, stylish villages, or near small towns full of character. For all those who travel consciously and want to discover more.

"I just wanted a good beer – and found an entire region that thrives on flavor."

Tom, 51, beer lover & amateur chef from Ghent

Tom isn't a professional chef, but he loves discovering new flavors. For him, Belgium is a paradise: 400 types of beer, artisan cheese, chocolate factories, and, in between, small markets, breweries, and farm shops.

His journey begins in Leuven, where he visits a microbrewery. Instead of mass production, he finds a joy of experimentation: beers with rosemary, with sourdough, even with lavender.

"What impressed me was the attitude: Many of the producers know exactly where their ingredients come from. You can taste the region. That's what makes it special."

In the Ardennes, Tom visits a fromagerie, tastes creamy Herve cheese, and talks to the owner about the differences between raw and pasteurized milk. In Brussels, he discovers the new Belgium: modern chocolatiers experimenting with matcha, salted caramel, or citrus notes, without forgetting the classics.

He also finds something in East Belgium: There, he visits a small family restaurant where the beer and menu are perfectly matched: local, honest, and seasonal.

Tip: Many breweries and cheese farms in Belgium offer tastings or tours. Often spontaneous, sometimes by appointment. Particularly worthwhile: the Beer Route between Brussels and Dinant, as well as culinary routes in Wallonia and East Belgium.

What Tom took away? The fact that Belgium, as a travel destination, doesn't loudly advertise its cuisine, but that's precisely what makes it all the more impressive. Diverse in flavor, regionally rooted. Simply with a sense of genuine quality.

"I didn't know that you could speak three languages ​​in Belgium – and the landscape sounds different in each one."

Anja, 57, teacher from Munich

For Anja, Belgium was initially a blank spot on the map. What she was looking for wasn't a city break, but a sense of diversity, history, and regional identity. What she found: three language communities, three cultural areas, and countless facets in between.

Her journey begins in Flanders, where art cities like Ghent and Bruges have preserved their love of the Middle Ages without getting lost in it. She strolls through cobblestone streets, visits exhibitions in old monasteries, and lets herself be surprised in the evenings in modern bistros.

In Wallonia, she discovers a completely different side of Belgium: French-influenced, quiet, and rural. Castles, forests, vast meadows, and, time and again, small towns that seem as if time has stood still.

In the far east, her path finally leads her to the German-speaking community. Few people know this part of the country, she says, but it's particularly charming: hiking trails, viewpoints, lakes. And a cultural identity that is formed between languages ​​and traditions.

Tip: If you want to experience Belgium in all its diversity, you should consciously change regions. Flanders is ideal for art and architecture, Wallonia for nature and history, and East Belgium for peace and authentic encounters.

What did Anja take away? That Belgium doesn't present a uniform image – and that's precisely what makes it so appealing. Each region tells its own story, in its own language, but all invite you to be heard.

Three people, three perspectives – and a travel destination that touches us in very different ways. Whether through everyday art, authentic cuisine, or cultural diversity across three language areas: Belgium showed us how multifaceted a small country can be.

What all the stories have in common is the pace: slower, more authentic, more personal. This is precisely what makes Belgium so special as a travel destination. For us, it's clear: those who don't just want to travel, but truly explore, will find places here that will stay with them. Quiet, welcoming, and full of character.