Let's get Romantik
By Cindy-Lou Dale
 Just over two hours drive from
Brussels, in a landscape of small green fields akin to a shaken-out quilt just
settling back onto a bed, lies the steepled village of Arcen, a hidden treasure
my Dutch neighbours have understandably been keeping to themselves.
 Arcen, on Holland's border
with Germany, is a quaint picture postcard hamlet with splendid attractions like
the historic Watermolen Distillery where patrons can savour a wide selection of
distilled bitters, brandy, corn wine and Schnapps-like Ijsvogel liqueurs; or the
Arcen Castle Gardens, home to the most beautiful landscaped garden of perennials
in all of Holland, whose appealing little stores sell local arts and crafts.
 Stroll along the village main
street and wander past dainty little shops, like the designer milliner Hoed van't Hof; or the renowned ice cream parlour, Clevi, who supposedly make the
best ice cream in Holland; beside which is the Bekkerke bakery attracting
patisserie connoisseurs from across the border; but perhaps the most peculiar
attraction of all is the National Asparagus and Mushroom Museum.
 Asparagus is big in Arcen. It
was first introduced to the district some fifty years ago by the Smits family
who own and run the stylish Romantik Hostellerie de Hamert restaurant -
legendary across Europe for its marvellous asparagus menu. During the short
asparagus season, mid-April to end-June, Chef Harold Kok, allows his creativity
to flow in the kitchen, producing the most ingenious asparagus based dishes.
 In fact, the Romantik
Hostellerie de Hamert is in such an idyllic location you may decide to stay a
while and book a room in their twenty-room Inn adjacent to the restaurant. All
their rooms are spacious, luxuriously decorated and have large balconies with
uninterrupted views across the lazy Maas River on one side and woodlands on the
other.
 Immerse yourself in the
perfect combination of style and Limburg hospitality. Luxuriate in an ambiance
of an old country inn and spoil your pallet with international cuisine. Enjoy a
Valentine's break at the Romantik Hostellerie de Hamert, and indulge in the 'Romantik
Package' especially created for Away readers.
 Start the evening with a
champagne cocktail followed by a Romantik themed candle lit six-course dinner
and with a wine arrangement. Stay for the one night in a luxury suite
overlooking the Mass River and be pampered with a Romantik breakfast in bed the
following morning.
Romantik Hostellerie de Hamert
Phone: +31-77-4731260
Fax: +31-77-4732503
Email:
hamert@romantikhotels.com
Website:
www.romantikhotels.com/wellerlooi
 A little closer at just 90
minutes out of Brussels, and just as heavenly, is the small historic Dutch town
of Zierikzee, located on the southern island of Zeeland and connected to the
mainland by motorway. Zierikzee has an ancient town centre with buildings dating
back as far as the 15th century and a picturesque yacht harbour straight out of
travel magazine. A great expanse of biscuit coloured beach, with a seductive
hush and suck of gentle waters lapping at the base of wooded dunes, reduces one
to verbal beggary.
 Just outside of the town lies Schuddebeurs, a forest enclave, surrounded by rural countryside. Only a few
hundred people inhabit this charming hamlet where a 300-year old former Inn/Tea
House has been sympathetically restored and elegantly converted into the
Romantik Hostellerie Schuddebeurs.
 The Romantik Hostellerie
Schuddebeurs has a polished gastronomic reputation which Head Chef, Bart de Bree,
nurtures daily using only the finest regional ingredients when creating his
lavish French cuisine inspired dishes.
 This character hotel offers
22 comfortable rooms and a Bridal-Suite which was once a Toll House. Four luxury
bungalows have been converted into tasteful suites with terraces overlooking
wild lush gardens. Throughout, the hotel oozes classic charm. The bar, which has
a superb wine selection, and lounge area have a gentleman's club feel about it
with overstuffed leather chairs, a library, classic art, a maze of chandeliers
and antiques.
 If it's an inexpressibly
gorgeous oasis of rest and romance you're looking you could not better the Romantik Hostellerie Schuddebeurs whose offering Away readers a 'Romantik
Package' which includes champagne, a 6-course candle lit dinner, a wine
arrangement, a deluxe room and breakfast.
Romantik Hotel Hostellerie Schuddebeurs
Phone: +31-1-11415651
Fax: +31-1-11413103
Email:
schuddebeurs@romantikhotels.com
Website:
www.romantikhotels.com/schuddebeurs
Photos and text by Cindy-Lou Dale
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