Hageland

To the east of Leuven lies the splendid Hageland: your region of choice for rural tourism. From your holiday farm or country house you'll get to know the local hospitality, with Hoegaarden's wheat beer and the great rural outdoors. Marked trails offer a whopping 1,200 km of walking pleasure. Go and visit Father Damien in the Pater Damiaanmuseum, relax in the provincial Halve Maan estate or stroll among the vineyards.

Hageland, where you can really catch your breath. Get away from the hustle and bustle, and try some fresh air in the fields and nature, be seduced by the warmth of village people or the uninhibited charm of small provincial towns. Go by bike or on foot through the hills to experience the region at its best.

But you can also go on horseback, in a balloon or even on a donkey. Children will have a great time in the provincial estates, hunting for elves in the woods or letting their imaginations run wild in Horst Castle.

In the Hageland there's also some delicious dining in typical brasseries with a fresh Hageland wine or local beer. Each village or town has its own culinary specialties which local residents are only too happy to share with you. (The same is true of their past, by the way.) The little towns teem with historical heritage: ancient churches, the finest beguinages and fascinating museums. Many traditions are still alive, particularly in festive form. Ancient processions are still genuine folk festivals. And parties and music, they know all about that in Werchter.

Art City Leuven

If you're spending some time in the Hageland, you should definitely pay a visit to Leuven, the mecca of books and beer. No other town in Flanders captures the imagination as much as the ancient university city of Leuven. Stroll through Leuven and enjoy the many terraces, the Grand Beguinage, Museum M, the pretty town hall, and so much more. At the tourist office in Leuven you can even arrange a tour of the town hall. Great for a cultural city trip amidst students!

photos ©visitflanders ©milo-profi