A weekend for slowing down in North Brabant

Maybe you still need to gear down from a busy week or recover from a trip by car. No worries. A soft landing awaits you in the southernmost part of the region. The first stop immediately invites you to slow down. On the outskirts of De Groote Heide nature reserve lies the Achelse Kluis, an abbey that is located right on the Belgian-Dutch border. Here, tranquillity, nature and craftsmanship have been a part of daily life for centuries already. In the brasserie, on the edge of the woodland, your day starts with a cup of coffee – or, if you arrive somewhat later, an authentically brewed Trappist beer.

In North Brabant you never have to travel far for another new experience. From the Achelse Kluis at the border, it is only a 45-minute drive to Veghel, which is in the centre of North Brabant. It is almost impossible to imagine a greater contrast when you arrive at De Noordkade. This former feed mill has been transformed into a food and culture hotspot, a place to embrace the industrial charm and to wonder at the colourful street art, non-conformist businesses and the delicious flavours that come from North Brabant’s soil.

The latter may cause some stress when choosing, since deciding where to sit for lunch can be difficult.  Make a selection from a variety of foods, starting with chips that are very North Brabant (and prize-winning!) at Pieperz and ending with a culinary experience at an altitude of 32 metres at Sillyfox – and everything there is between the two. De Afzakkerij puts a lot of feeling into pure and honest food dishes served at the spot where feed used to be bagged. Wherever you choose to sit, take the time to look around and spot the creative references to the history of the building.

Time to check into your accommodation and recover from all of the day’s impressions. A weekend away can be made extra special with a unique overnight stay. Plenty from which to choose! There is Hotel Reyder, for example, a stylish boutique hotel located on the historic site of Fort Isabella, in lush green surroundings and only fifteen minutes away from Heeswijk Castle. Here you are within cycling distance of the centre of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, so you can enjoy the city life in North Brabant tonight if you want. But right in front of your hotel is Fort Isabella, which you can also explore with its various small restaurants. Tip: Stroll past the many food stalls at Foodhall Het Fort and choose from among the many delicious foods!

Perhaps you already explored Fort Isabella last night. Did you already know that, in the 17th century, this fort was most southern bulwark of the Zuiderwaterlinie? It was built to protect ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The site later housed military barracks. You will see reminders of that history at various locations, like the old gatehouse that used to serve as a checkpoint. Before you leave, pick up a tasty snack at the Foodhall for along the way. Have you already tried the traditional sausage rolls at Keilekker bakery?

Next comes the drive to DePetrus centre in Vught, which is less than ten minutes away. It is a church that may seem quite standard from the outside but is an entirely different story inside. You will notice as soon as you enter. What once was a classic Catholic church is now a meeting place where there is plenty to see and do. The original vaulted ceiling and stained-glass windows are now part of the decor of a library, coffee bar and the Vught Museum. It is a good place to pause for a moment.

From a fairy-tale castle, follow the route to a city that could easily be a film set, just a little more than a half hour’s drive to the charming fortified town of Heusden. The fortress was built around one of the oldest moated castles in North-Western Europe. The historic drawbridges and paved alleys hark back to the rich history. Today you will find numerous studios, boutiques and good restaurants there. Just drop in at the Governor’s House if you would like to know more about the history of the fortress. Then follow your route to places of interest like the Fish Market and harbour with charming terraces and, of course, the city walls with views of the fortress.

If you plan to stay for a meal before heading home, treat yourself to a multi-course dinner at In den Verdwaald Koogel or choose a table near the lively Fish Market at ‘t Wapen van Heusden. Or you could enjoy a truly Dutch bite to eat at De Pannenkoekenbakker (a pancake restaurant) or watch the sun go down at the harbour. Whichever you choose. In this way, you conclude your mini-holiday in North Brabant in exactly the way you want. Just be sure to come back again!