Looking for a deal on a rural vacation in some of Belgium's most beautiful countryside? You'll want to check out farm stays. But be aware that some "farm holidays" are made-up affairs. Sure, you'll get a bed and breakfast room in a big house in the boonies, but you'll wonder where the barnyard animals went.
The answer, of course, is there weren't ever any animals in the first place. Many farm stays aren't stays on a farm at all, but simply rural retreats. Maybe there's a horse for you to ride. Maybe not.
But Hoeve Spreeuwenburg isn't like that at all. It's a real working farm; but you won't have to rise to feed the chickens, or be awakened by a tractor rumbling past at six in the morning either.
What you do wake up to is fresh air and, if you wish, a fine breakfast by proprietress Marijke. This farm stay comes highly recommended.
But what's there to do at Hoeve Spreeuwenburg?
Well, the walking (or bike riding) here is fabulous. You won't be trundling up hills or scuttling down slopes. Tree lined dikes mark the way for an off-road excursion along the waterways between polders. It's absolutely gorgeous countryside. For a bit of what it looks like, see our Belgian Countryside Picture Gallery.
But if it's historic cities you're after, Gent is only 40 km away, and Brugge only 50.
What's to Eat nearby?
Well, now things get interesting. Your best bet in a restaurant is to put on your walking shoes and take the five minute trek to the old smuggler's hut you can see from the farm that sits almost on the Dutch border. The place is the well-known Roste Muis, the Red Mouse. Read page two if you're interested in the Roste Muis.
And the world's best mussels are to be had at a small Dutch Village called Philippine (just 15 km away). Actually, I don't know if they were the world's best mussels, but since they've erected a huge mussel statue smack in the middle of the Philippine I figure they're serious about these black bivalves.
And I didn't actually taste any. Alas, there is a season for mussels. They won't serve them before the fourth of July or so, so beware and plan accordingly. Still, the alternative isn't bad. The whole town and pretty much all Philippine restaurants substitute white asparagus in the June off season. There's even a special wine selection for it.
And don't miss the breakfast at Hoeve Spreeuwenburg. It's cheap, satisfying, and while you're eating you can ask questions of your host about touring the area--in many languages no less.
The Accommodations at Hoeve Spreeuwenburg
Hoeve Spreeuwenburg features three large rooms independent of the main house. Each has a private bathroom. There are picnic tables and chairs just outside. A small refrigerator and Electric Heating Ring round out the kitcheny stuff. You're in Belgium, so some of the local beer and wine is available in your refrigerator for consumption at a small fee. You can save a bit of money by buying the local cheese and drinking the beer while and sitting at your picnic bench instead of eating out.
We found our stay quiet and restful. We were never bothered by the presence of other renters. In fact, being able to talk to fellow travelers at the breakfast table was a plus--by striking up a conversation we learned about off the beaten track attrations as well as foreigner's attitudes to American travelers . The breakfast room also features a huge map of the surrounding area, so you can choose your walking routes or just get oriented. Bikes are available to rent.
The price? Cheap at 22 Euros a person including breakfast (check the website for more recent prices). It's a steal. Hoeve Spreeuwenburg is a fine place to bring your kids, who stay even cheaper than adults.
