Sint-Martens-Latem
Skip the highway and slip south along the winding Leie river to this leafy, affluent artists' village. Grab a brilliant coffee at Kafé Latem and take a quiet stroll along the riverbanks that inspired generations of Flemish expressionists.
Muziekbos, Ronse
Head deeper into the Flemish Ardennes, where the flat polders yield to surprisingly dramatic, rolling ridges. The Muziekbos is a peaceful sanctuary of ancient beech trees; a quick loop here clears the lungs and primes you for lunch.
Het Ladeuze, Maarkedal
Perched on a hillside with sweeping views of the Maarkedal valley, this is exactly the kind of lunch spot you hope to stumble upon. Expect a highly creative, vegetable-forward menu that feels incredibly fresh and entirely free of white-tablecloth stuffiness.
Kasteel van Ooidonk, Bachte-Maria-Leerne
Wind your way back north toward this striking, moated 16th-century castle. After a walk through the French-style gardens, grab a local Belgian blonde beer or a coffee at Het Koetshuis, the estate's handsome former coach house.
