Travel bucket list for a European Summer

The Netherlands

First of all, finding a base to stay at is highly important. The Netherlands has so many great options, starting with apartments, boat houses, bungalow parks etc. In this thread, we would like to highlight Bergvliet Villa’s in Oosterhout North Brabant. This holiday park knows how to offer a great, relaxing time with its cozy bungalows, its very own SPA facility, and a large golf course for anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors. It’s prime location offers access to many hidden gems in the region, worthy of any traveler’s bucket list.

15 Minutes from Breda

Breda has slowly but surely become on important destination for tourists. It enchants with an air of culture, beautiful historical buildings and moats. One of the many things to do in Breda is discovering Ginneken Market (Ginnekenmarkt) and spending time at this bustling square, choosing between cafes and boutique shops which best suit your needs. Other fun activities in Breda are:

• Taking a walk in Old Town Breda
• Seeing Breda Town Hall from the inside
• Touring the Grote Kerk
• Discovering Breda Castle
• Seeing Spaniard's Hole
• Visiting Ginneken and Castle Bouvigne

50 Minutes from Eindhoven

Eindhoven isn’t your run of the mill tourist town which actually works in favor for the place! It’s packed full of culture and art while it is built upon the triumphs of technology (known for such companies as Philiphs, DAF) but also has a notable connection to Vincent Van Gogh, who lived and painted for a while in the nearby village of Neunen. Top sights to see in Eindhoven:

• The Van Abbemuseum
• The DAF Museum
• St. Cahterine’s Church
• The Philips Museum
• Van Gogh Village, Neunen

30 Minutes from s-Hertogenbosch

Den Bosch is a welcoming city filled with historical buildings, culture and a joyful social life. You can experience it on foot, by strolling trough the medieval streets and enjoying the architecture or by hopping on a boat and taking a tour trough the centuries-old canal system. What to visit while in Den Bosch:

• St. John’s Cathedral
• Jheronimus Bosch Art Center
• Noordbrabants Museum
• Hett Bossche Broek
• Natuurgebied de Moerputten

Belgium

Vallée les Etoiles, Blaimont, Belgium

If you would like to spend some time in Belgium, there aren’t many places as nice as Vallée les Etoiles holiday park in Blaimont. Located right at the foothills of the Ardennes region, it offers all of the comforts of home mixed with elevated cuisine, crisp fresh air and all the stars you have been wishing for above your cozy bungalow. It is a great base to use during your travels, offering access to all of the top bucket list spots of the country.

The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken

Located at 1 hour and 30 minutes from Vallée les Etoiles by car What do you consider to be paradise on earth? There are many natural ones in hard-to-reach places, but here is one right in the heart of Europe, which blooms for its visitors every spring. The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken are a unique concept, mixing art nouveau architecture and exotic plants, this is truly a place which will lift your spirits up and fill your soul with beauty. Built in the 19th century by King Leopold II, the ornate glass building stands to this day and waits for tourists during spring months to bathe them in wonders.

Brussels’ Grand Place

1 hour and 30 minutes from Vallée les Etoiles by car The “home” of the Grand Palace is the best-preserved medieval plaza in Europe and the entire sight has the ability to overwhelm onlookers with its cobbled alleys, baroque houses, the King’s House and the City Hall which dates back to the 15th century. Take a walk down history and drink in the ancient air this entire place emanates.

The Bruges Belfry

2 hours and 20 minutes from Vallée les Etoiles by car While in Belgium, there is one city you absolutely should not skip over seeing: Bruges. It is probably one of the most picturesque cities in the world, and to truly see it in its glory, you should climb the 366 steps of the Belfry to see the landscape at your feet. Obviously, the town itself is a medieval wonderland, with canals and an entire cobweb of small streets, welcoming you into the past with open arms.

Italy

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is Italy’s most famous lake and for good reason. It is the largest in the country and has a view which will get etched in your mind for a long time, complete with alpine foothills and crystalline waters. Because of its varied terrain (sheer cliffs to the north and calm beaches to the south), there are dozens of attractions for tourists, such as sailing, windsurfing, mountain climbing, rappelling, cycling and so much more, you truly must simply visit and see for yourself. The Bilocale apartment is part of a nice holiday park in Manerba del Garda, on the southwestern shore of Lake Garda. It is directly located on the beach, but you also get access to a swimming pool, a tennis court and a playground which is great for visiting families.

Cinque Terre

This region will steal your heart. Cinque Terre is a string of centuries-old seaside villages on the coastline of the Italian Riviera. All of the 5 villages have richly colored houses, surrounded by vineyards, harbors, fishing boats and steep terraces. The true beauty of the region lies in the fact that all of the villages are connected by ancient routes etched into the cliffs, used only by the villagers in the past but now open to the public for a nice day of trekking in an ethereal place over the sea. After a long day of walking these paths, you have the chance of bathing in the bright blue sea, under the Ligurian sun. If you want to have a great experience, it is not actually recommended to stay in one of the villages, only if you don’t mind the constant hustle and bustle of tourists. Instead, you should rent somewhere nearby, where your privacy and calm atmosphere won’t get disturbed, such as Cottage 5 Deluxe in Castelnuovo Magra.

Sicily

Sicily is the largest Mediterranean island and has a rich history, spiced with many different eras and sites like Valley of the Temples, Greek Temples, Byzantine mosaics, and the entire capital city of Palermo. Pro tip: if you ever find yourself in Noto, Sicily – do try the world-famous ice cream of Corrado Assenza, probably the best handmade ice cream in the world. A great idea for a stay is at the Castagno Apartment in Gioiosa Marea.

Croatia

This country is the perfect blend between a modern mentality and traditions. It has it all: seaside, cliffs, mountains, and historical cities in their full glory. It is simply a place where you can’t ever get bored and can always find something new to do and discover. Their cuisine is exquisite, ranging from seafood to traditional meals. Visitors often marvel at the gourmet meals served with ease and prepared with a lot of heart, typical for the people inhabiting the region. Top sites to visit:

• Dubrovnik Old Town Walls
• Split and Diocletian’s Palace
• The town of Hvar
• Plitvice Lakes National Park
• The Romanesque churches of Zadar
• Rovinj
• Brijuni National Park

Our selection of great places to stay at: Apartment Marijana in Klek, Apartment Lana in Pag, Poljana Comfort in Mali Lojins.