If the concrete jungle of Brussels is getting to you, if you're tired of noise and traffic, or if you just want to do something out of the ordinary, then there's still time to check out the Belgian coast before the end of the stage!
Unspoilt beauty it isn't, but there are some nice spots along Belgium's 65 km coastline. During the April spell of good weather, I went to De Haan, a seaside village not far from Oostende. It's small and pretty, and reminded me of Toytown with its orderly pathways, immaculate gardens and neat houses. There is a promenade along the coast, which is dotted with hotels and cafés (though they can be a bit pricey...).
We were lucky to be on an almost-deserted beach, and since the tide was out, the sand stretched for kilometres in either direction. It can be very relaxing to watch the ships coming and going, and it's great to get away from the city for a day.
Knokke is also to be recommended – and if the weather stays good, the Belgium National Day on Thursday 21 July could be the perfect opportunity.
How to get there:
Take the train to Oostende (it takes just over an hour). If you're under 26, use the Go Ticket to get there! Then take the World's Longest Tram Line to De Haan – this is completely true; at 68 km, it stretches all the way from De Panne near France to Knokke near the Netherlands.
Don't forget to bring:
- Swimwear if you want to get wet
- Towel to get dry again
- Sun-cream in the unlikely event of Belgian sun
- Umbrella in the likely event of Belgian rain
- Book, iPod, football, bucket and spade to keep you busy
- Sunglasses (preferably reflective for people-watching…)
- A picnic basket full of food
- A bottle of wine to cheer you up if it rains!
Cian Finnerty,
DG EAC
A left and right foot towel would be nice too if it fits in the bag...could be good in the event of getting wet in the waters or if it rains.
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