Blog

As we soak up long summer days and warm evenings, it’s also the perfect time to start dreaming about your next trip. Before you know it, the season of cozy scarves, twinkling lights, and the irresistible scent of winter treats will be here. And there’s no better place to experience that festive magic than at the Christmas markets of the...

An island in the north of the Netherlands In the northernmost point of the Netherlands, you can find the Wadden Islands. You really do not have to go that far to enjoy unspoiled nature, fresh seafood and adventure. You can find all of this on one of the most beautiful Wadden Islands "Schiermonnikoog". Nature in Schiermonnikoog is so special that the island was...

North of the Netherlands is a veritable paradise for cyclists. Similarly to the rest of the country, the network of cycle paths is well established and is a great basis to explore the region. But especially here, you are constantly surrounded by nature and by authentic villages and also by water. You will make river crossings on small ferry boats, get...

The Taste of the Wadden is salty. Fish, shellfish and edible marsh plants, but also various meats and vegetables get their characteristic flavours from the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site.  But that doesn't mean everything is salty. The salt is mainly a flavour enhancer that gives all the natural ingredients from the Wadden area that extra boost of flavour.  Despite the risk...

The project for the 5-star superior Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp, which nestles in the Botanical Garden, was a challenge of gargantuan proportions. This exciting restoration scheme on the historic monastery site was implemented with plenty of innovative spirit, as well as profound sensitivity for the environment, sustainability and the historic building fabric. The mission: to preserve its legacy, which dates back...

Tomorrowland is not just a music festival. It’s a world of magic and an unforgettable expierence! Why not enjoy this beautiful festival in style with your own 5 bedrooms / 10 people Villa? This is the ultimate experience in luxury on-site accommodations located in a private area surrounded by nature but still within walking distance of the Tomorrowland festival site. On arrival, the Villa...

---TEFAF Maastricht will take place from Saturday 9th of March until Thursday 28th of March, 2024--- TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair) Maastricht is widely regarded as the world's leading fair for art, antiques and design. This fine arts fair is a yearly feast for thousands of curious and art lovers. Maastricht showcases some of the best works of art currently on the...

While foodies flock to Paris and London, those in the know are sneaking off to the Benelux. Did you know that Belgium has a total of 139 stars at the Michelin Guide 2019, which makes the country one of the most Michelin-starred tables in the world? Belgium is still too much identified with waffles, chocolate, fries & beer. But Flanders Kitchen...

To get to know Piet Mondriaan, most of the aficionados of abstract art go to the largest Mondrian collection in the world - the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag - which is home to 300 of his works. But the Mondriaan House in Amersfoort, the house where Piet Mondriaan was born in 1872, is unique in how it brings knowledge of Mondriaans' life...

Beside beer, chocolate and so many other Belgian delicacies, there is one that is less known but has to be on that long list. Belgian wine! The Belgian climate is just the limit of what is possible to make wine. Climate warming, new techniques and knowledge have put Belgian winegrowing on the map a few years ago. Discover beautiful and pirorsque vineyards...

The city boasts one of the world's oldest academies and one of the most renowned fashion colleges. Many alumni from the Antwerp Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts belong to the top of the international fashion scene. The academy came to fame with the Big Six - with for example Dries Van Noten and Drik Bikkembergs - but has evolved...

Summer is just around the corner! Not only The Netherlands but also Belgium is a paradise for cyclists. You cycle on comfortable and secured bicycle paths along romantic rivers winding between quaint towns, charming castles, outdoor cafés and incredible restaurants. Besides guided bicycle tours through cities such as for example Ghent, Antwerp or Brussels you can choose for a thematic cycling...

The Mustang is probably the most recognized fighter-plane of World War II. Its speed and range made it the ideal bomber escort. “SCAT VII” was the personal plane of Major Robin Olds, a triple ace who scored his 4 last kills in this particular machine. Its now very well maintained and taken care of, flying in the same color scheme...

Yes, Amsterdam has several great 5* and some gorgeous boutique hotels, but what about something special for your next stay in town?! Why don’t you sleep up high in a crane, or with a view on the canals from a bridge house or in a 1744 hidden chapel in complete Rococo style? ...

From 1914 to 1918, Flanders Fields was a major battle theatre on the Western Front during the First World War. With due reason. The lands surrounding Ypres and the town itself became infamous as one of three major battlegrounds. These days the Ypres Salient is dotted with silent graveyards, commemorative museums and monuments. The fallen heroes are honored every evening with...

The Carnival of Binche is a living and exceptional heritage, a popular, human and social event, recognized as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO. During a few months, the inhabitants and the City prepare their Carnival, in a real communion, with the strong commitment from the family and carnival societies. The next Carnival will...

The Belgian ceramist, industrial designer and artist Pieter Stockmans is fascinated by the medium of porcelain. In his studio located on the spectacular C-Mine mine site in Genk, he creates handcrafted crockery that is brought to the table as a gift and is passed on for generations. Over the years, he developed this exceptional blue to combine with the pure white to...

Founded about 60 years ago, the “Association des Sentiers de Grande Randonnée” (long distance footpath) offers hikers a network of over 5,000 routes in Wallonia and Brussels. The association recently launched a 300km itinerary in the South of Belgium to link through beautiful forests and valleys three abbeys famous amongst the beer lovers for their “Trappist” beer – Chimay, Rochefort &...

The Mullerthal Region, often referred to as Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland, owes its name to its hilly landscape reminiscent of Switzerland. This region is home to one of the best treks of the entire Benelux: The Mullerthal Trail. The trek takes the experienced hiker on 112 km of valley trails through a magnificent rocky landscape. The rock formations are dotted with difficult sounding names - Piteschkummer,...

In the Middle Ages, it was common practice to establish a guild for every professional group, the cheese carriers established theirs in 1593! Every Friday morning in spring & summer, the Alkmaar cheesemarket is held on the Waagplein. It’s a particular spectacle which includes a market filled with cheese and men of tradition, the hauling cheese carriers. It’s one of...

Many racing enthusiasts will not have missed it: from 2020 onwards the Zandvoort F1 Race Circuit Zandvoort will be back on the Formula 1 calendar! In order to meet all requirements, the circuit is subjected to a thorough metamorphosis. In this way you can enjoy Formula 1 sport in the Netherlands after an absence of 35 years. Brilliant Ideas is happy to...

The Axel Vervoordt Company is active in the fields of art and interiors & design. From the start, it's always been a family-led business — Axel, May, and their sons Boris and Dick are active in the daily operations with a team of about 100 collaborators.The Company and Axel Vervoordt Gallery are located at a site known as Kanaal — a...

The Besloten Hofjes are the absolute highlights ofthe Collection of Heritage in Mechelen. These 16th-century altarpieces made by the nuns have been registered as Flemish Masterpieces since 2011. The sisters meticulously created their so-called 'courtyards' with representations of an ideal, spiritual and paradise-like world. The Besloten Hofjes are stored in the beautiful Renaissance City Palace in Mechelen 'Hof van Busleyden', Mechelen is...

For all who are passionate about Chocolate, Belgium is the perfect destination. Through generations of chocolatier; the Belgian Chocolate Art stand out from the rest because of its exquisite and authentic handmade style, and also because of the use of only natural products and surprising ingredients like spices, cereals, fruits, truffles and more. It is no wonder chocolate has become...

The Netherlands have a rich nautical heritage and 4,400 km of navigable waterways. It is as easy in some areas to travel on water as it is to travel on land! Enjoy a 2 to 6 nights cruise visiting nature preserved areas & typical villages mooring in the charming harbors & marinas. While on land grab a bicycle - it’s...

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this small one-family house, with its flexible interior spatial arrangement, and visual and formal qualities, was a manifesto of the ideals of the De Stijl group of artists and architects in the Netherlands in the 1920s, and has since been considered one of the icons of the Modern Movement in architecture. A visit will impress...

Located close to the well-visited Amsterdam, we strongly believe that the city of Rotterdam and the city of The Hague deserve more than just a few hours visit.  Rotterdam is a bustling mix of innovative architecture, lively festivals, challenging art and culture. You are constantly surprised by new initiatives: from a city garden on a rooftop or a floating farm to...

There is always something happening at F1 Belgian Grand Prix! The Spa-Francorchamps circuit is considered to be one of the most challenging race tracks in the world due to its fast, hilly and twisty nature in the magnificent Ardennes forests. The F1 drivers get to corner at speeds above 250 km/h and love it. But the F1 Grand Prix is fun...

AfricaMuseum in Tervuren near Brussels is known as one of the most beautiful and impressive Africanist museums in the world. In December 2018, the completely renovated museum will reopen its doors. The new museum immerses you in the very diverse nature of the continent and its cultural riches and creative cities. It shows life as it is, lets you listen in...

Explore the Lowlands with its beautiful countryside, coastal region and historical towns 7 days of biking guided by rider-guide, all gear and support van Private canal cruises, hot air ballooning, … to make the most of your experiences   Day 1.  Arrival Amsterdam Private transfer to your hotel. Check-in and rest of the day at leisure.   Day 2.  Amsterdam Before your bicycle adventure to start, enjoy a...