Wevelgem

Day Trips

Settle into your accommodation in Wevelgem and unpack your bags before heading out. Stroll through the lively Markt square to admire the town hall and hear the gentle ring of the Belfry bells. Stop at a local bakery for a fresh pastry and strong coffee to fuel your first day.

Join a guided walking tour to learn about Wevelgem’s history and architectural landmarks, from the Sint-Salvator church to the scenic canals. Browse antique shops and boutiques along Meensestraat, picking up unique souvenirs and Belgian lace. Pause at a sidewalk café for a cold Picon bière and people-watching on the cobblestones.

Dine at a cozy bistro serving Flemish stews and regional cheeses, enjoying warm hospitality. Take a leisurely post-dinner stroll along the River Lys promenade as the lights reflect on the water. End the evening at a local pub, sampling a variety of Belgian craft beers while chatting with friendly locals.

Rent a bicycle and set off along the Lys River cycle path, known for its flat terrain and scenic views. Stop at the historic windmill in Rollegem for photos and learn about its restoration and milling heritage. Enjoy a mid-morning snack of fresh fruit and crisp bread by the riverbank as swans glide by.

Continue pedaling through pastoral landscapes dotted with quaint farmhouses and blooming fields. Dive into local life by visiting a small dairy farm, meeting the farmers, and tasting artisanal cheeses. Stop at a riverside picnic spot to savor your packed lunch while listening to birdsong.

Return your bike in Wevelgem and freshen up before heading out for dinner. Savor fresh trout caught from the Lys, prepared with seasonal vegetables at a waterfront restaurant. Conclude your evening with a moonlit bike ride back to your lodgings, the river’s surface glimmering under muted street lamps.

Take the local tram to neighboring Heule, where you’ll explore the lush Kasteelpark and its majestic trees. Enjoy a guided nature walk that highlights indigenous plant species and hidden woodland trails. Pause at a park bench for tea and muffins, listening to the chirping of songbirds around you.

Head to Bissegem to visit the family-run pottery workshop, watching artisans shape clay into beautiful tableware. Participate in a hands-on session to create your own souvenir mug under the guidance of a skilled craftsman. Afterwards, explore the town square’s weekly market stalls filled with fresh produce and handmade goods.

Return to Wevelgem for an authentic family-style dinner at a local home-restaurant, sampling recipes passed down through generations. Share stories with your hosts over hearty Flemish carbonades and apple tart. Wrap up the night with a gentle walk through illuminated streets, soaking in the serene atmosphere.

Board a coach for a full-day tour of the First World War battlefields of Flanders, starting at the Menin Gate in Ypres. Reflect at the Last Post ceremony and pay respects at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries. Your guide will recount poignant stories of soldiers to bring the history to life.

Visit Hill 60 and the preserved trenches, imagining the challenges faced by soldiers amid mud and barbed wire. Explore the In Flanders Fields Museum to view personal artifacts, letters, and immersive exhibits. Pause at a commemorative garden for a moment of quiet reflection.

Return to Wevelgem, stopping at a local brewery for a twilight tasting of Trappist ales. Discuss the day’s emotional impact over platefuls of hearty potato waffles and cheese. End the evening with a peaceful lakeside walk before retiring to your hotel.

Catch a morning train to nearby Kortrijk, known for its vibrant arts scene and medieval roots. Tour the Broel Towers and Meuse Bridge, marveling at the 14th-century architecture and river views. Then explore the Texture Museum to learn about flax’s role in Flanders’s textile history.

Visit contemporary galleries showcasing emerging Belgian artists and installations in repurposed industrial spaces. Stop for lunch at a trendy café in the university district, sampling gourmet tartines and organic salads. Take a guided street-art stroll in the Kuurne neighborhood, photographing colorful murals and sculptures.

Return to Wevelgem and dine at a modern brasserie that fuses Flemish classics with international flavors. Sip a glass of crisp Belgian white wine while sampling small plates like shrimp croquettes. Round off the night with live jazz at a local bar, winding down to mellow tunes.

Begin your day with a private tasting at a nearby family-run brewery, learning the ale-making process from malting to fermentation. Sample a flight of fresh taps, noting differences between blond, amber, and dark beers. Enjoy a cheese pairing workshop to understand how regional cheeses complement each brew.

Join a cooking class led by a local chef to master Belgian specialties such as stoofvlees (beef stew) and speculoos desserts. Shop for fresh ingredients at the weekly market before your lesson, chatting with vendors about their wares. Feast on your self-prepared lunch alongside a selection of craft beer from the hearth kitchen.

Embark on a guided gastro pub crawl through Wevelgem’s cozy taverns, tasting rare barrel-aged beers and artisanal ciders. Pair each drink with small bites like pickled herring or shrimp croquettes as your guide shares tasting notes. Cap the night with a rich dark beer float topped with vanilla ice cream at a hidden speakeasy.

Drive or take the train to Ostend, the ‘Queen of Belgian Coast,’ and feel the sea breeze as you approach the boardwalk. Rent a sailboat or stand-up paddleboard for an invigorating session on the North Sea. Warm up with a steaming bowl of fresh mussel chowder at the seaside harbor.

Stroll the expansive beach promenade, pausing to admire sand sculptures and beachfront art installations. Visit the Mu.ZEE museum to explore Belgian modern art collections spanning the 19th and 20th centuries. Stop for lunch at a seafood brasserie, ordering freshly caught sole and local frites.

Return to Wevelgem and unwind with a seaside-inspired dinner menu at a waterfront eatery. Sip a coastal-inspired gin and tonic infused with locally harvested seaweed. End your evening on the terrace, listening to gentle waves and planning tomorrow’s inland adventures.

Hop on an express train to Lille, France, enjoying the cross-border journey in under an hour. Begin with a visit to Grand Place to marvel at ornate Flemish-Baroque facades and the Vieille Bourse’s antique market. Sip café au lait and sample a warm chouquette pastry at a café terrace.

Explore Palais des Beaux-Arts, one of France’s premier fine art museums outside Paris, admiring works by Delacroix and Rubens. Wander through the Vieux Lille district’s narrow streets, stopping at designer boutiques and chocolatiers. Savor a leisurely lunch of moules-frites with a crisp French lager.

Return to Wevelgem via evening train, then dine on a fusion menu blending Belgian and French influences. Enjoy dishes like duck confit with West-Flemish honey glaze in an intimate bistro setting. Finish the night with a local house cocktail garnished with fresh herbs from the garden.

Make an early start for the bustling Monday market in Ypres, browsing stalls brimming with local cheese, charcuterie, and flowers. Chat with stallholders to glean tips about the best regional products and secret recipes. Sip a freshly squeezed orange juice as you peruse handcrafted souvenirs.

Join a guided tasting tour through Ypres’s artisan food shops, sampling specialties like waterzooi and traditional Flemish gingerbread. Visit a historic mustard mill to see how the fiery condiment is produced and bring home a jar to spice up your meals. Enjoy a light lunch of artisanal breads, salads, and regional wines in a medieval courtyard.

Return to Wevelgem for a relaxed dinner in a historic watermill converted into a restaurant. Sample seasonal dishes crafted from market-fresh ingredients accompanied by a trio of local beers. Stroll along the canal afterwards, observing the reflection of the moon on the gentle ripples.

Venture into the West Flanders countryside for a farm tour at dawn, meeting goats, sheep, and free-range chickens. Learn about organic farming practices and seasonal crop rotations while feeding the animals. Enjoy a homemade farmhouse breakfast of eggs, jams, and freshly churned butter.

Participate in a cheese-making workshop, stirring vats of curd and pressing wheels alongside the farmer. Explore the surrounding fields by tractor, spotting wildflowers and learning about sustainable agriculture. Delight in a farm-to-table lunch served in a rustic barn, complete with heirloom vegetables and cured meats.

Head back to Wevelgem for your final night, choosing a rooftop bar to toast the end of your journey. Sip a bubbly sparkling Belgian cider as you watch the sunset paint the sky in warm hues. Reflect on the past ten days of exploration and plan your next return to Flanders.