Holiday Village Knokke

Knokke town centre (a few minutes' drive) has a well-maintained beachfront promenade with shops and seaside eateries – every August it’s also the backdrop for the spectacular International Fireworks Festival. It's home to Belgium's biggest and glitziest casino, too, so perhaps swing by for a round of roulette or two if you feel that Lady Luck's on your side. There are loads of other beaches hereabouts, many of which have a more natural feel. Het Zwin coastal nature reserve (20 minutes) is one such spot. Bring your binoculars if heading here – the place bills itself as Belgium's premier 'international airport for birds'. Don't rule out cross-border trips to the beach either – Kruishoofd (25 minutes) is just over the border in the Netherlands and has wide sandy beaches and windswept dunes to admire. Local culture options include Heist's Sincfala museum (10 minutes), Oostkerke castle (10 minutes) and Bruges’ Gothic belfries and medieval churches (25 minutes). Gorgeous Ghent (55 minutes) also has its Castle of the Counts, guided boat tours along medieval canals and, of course, the far-famed Ghent Altarpiece to see.