DAY 1
Start at Tourist Information Point Kaatsheuvel
We start our 72-hour mini vacation at the Tourist Information Point (TIP) in Kaatsheuvel, located in the Primera. An ideal place to start your adventure in De Langstraat well prepared. Here you can gather inspiration, handy tips and practical information for on the road. You will also find Gerard here, the face of the TIP. Read his story here.
Take your time to browse through leaflets and magazines and stock up on bicycles or hiking maps for the coming days. That way you can go on an adventure in the region with a well-stocked bag and a clear plan.
Curious about the other information points in the region? Check them out here.
More about TIP Kaatsheuvel
Alpaca walk at De Smulhoeve
After a good start at the Tourist Information Point, it is time to really go on an adventure in the region. At De Smulhoeve , slow down the pace and immerse yourself in Brabant farm life. The yard has a cozy, rural atmosphere where ponies, horses, alpacas, goats and rabbits roam freely and provide a lively backdrop.
Go on an alpaca walk and explore nature together with these curious animals: a relaxing experience that fits in perfectly with slow travel. Afterwards, join us for a nice lunch at the farm, a moment to relax, enjoy and take it all in. If you want to linger here longer, you can even spend the night in one of the luxury glamping tents, where comfort and nature experience come together effortlessly.
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Eating pancakes at D'n Berepot
After a day full of impressions, it is time to sit down at D'n Berepot in Nieuwkuijk. This cozy pancake restaurant has been baking pancakes the traditional way since 1996, simply in the frying pan. On the menu you will find a wide choice: from familiar classics to surprising specials, supplemented by seasonal pancakes and a changing pancake of the month.
Even if you're not a pancake lover, you'll be fine here thanks to the wide selection of other dishes. The relaxed atmosphere makes D'n Berepot a great place to end the day quietly and talk about everything you have experienced on the road.
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Stay overnight at Abdijhof Mariënkroon
After eating pancakes, we move to Conferentiecentrum Abdijhof Mariënkroon, a special place to end the first day of our mini-vacation. This former monastery is located on a vast, green estate where nature, history and silence come together. As soon as you walk onto the grounds, the pace slows down and the bustle gives way to peace and space.
The serene atmosphere and buildings full of character invite you to take a short evening stroll or end the day in peace. You can stay here on a Bed & Breakfast basis, in simple rooms or rooms with a little more comfort. A nice place to recharge, so that the next morning you can continue your adventure in the region rested.
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DAY 2
Shopping at Smits Schoenen
After a quiet night, we travel on to the fortified town of Heusden, an atmospheric place where history and shopping come together effortlessly. We begin our shopping tour at Smits Schoenen, a true Heusden classic. The store has a rich history dating back to 1905, when Jan Smits started his artisanal shoemaking business here.
What once started as a small family business has grown into a modern shoe store, where quality, craftsmanship and personal advice are still central. In the characteristic building you will receive a warm welcome and they will be happy to help you find a pair that really suits you.
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Tasting the region at Slijterij de Waterdrager
After our visit to Smits Schoenen , we continued our shopping tour towards the cozy Engstraat, perhaps the nicest street in the fortified town of Heusden. Here we step inside Stadsslijterij De Waterdrager, where owner Stef van Helvoirt gives you a warm welcome. With enthusiasm he tells you about his carefully selected collection of wines, beers and spirits.
The atmospheric store invites you to look around quietly and pick out something special like a nice bottle for home or a local drink.
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Lunchtime at the Vismarkt: 't Wapen van Heusden
After wandering through the streets of Heusden, it is time to take a break. We settle down at 't Wapen van Heusden, located in characterful buildings over four centuries old, in the middle of the lively Vismarkt. The location alone makes this stop special and invites you to sit back and take in the atmosphere of the fortified town.
The dishes are prepared with products from local entrepreneurs, with an eye for taste and presentation.
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Staying overnight & horseback riding at Natuurpoort van Loon
At the end of the day we exchange the historic streets of Heusden for the tranquility of nature. We conclude at Natuurpoort van Loon, a special place where nature, inn and stables come together. Here we spend the night in the middle of the greenery but before it gets that far, we take a relaxing horseback ride.
Thanks to its unique location on the edge of the nature reserve, this is a place where everyone feels at home: from families and nature lovers to those seeking peace and quiet. In the inn you can enjoy a tasty regional dish and spend the night in the B&B or a bungalow in the yard. Don't expect excessive luxury, but a warm, relaxed atmosphere where you can let the day sink in and start the next stage of your adventure with renewed energy.
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DAY 3
Morning walk through the Loonse and Drunense Dunes
We start the day with fresh air and a relaxing morning walk through the Loonse and Drunense Dunes. From Natuurpoort van Loon you walk straight into the woods and dunes. Let go of the planning and follow the rhythm of the landscape.
With an area of over 3,500 hectares, an impressive and varied scenery of forests, quiet fens, purple moors, rolling hills and vast sandy plains unfolds. Because of these drifting dunes the area is also known as the 'Brabant Sahara'.
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Brunch at Duinrand Drunen
After a relaxing morning in nature, we bid farewell to Natuurpoort van Loon and join Duinrand Drunen for a sumptuous brunch. This hotel‑Restaurant is situated in a beautiful location in Drunen, a stone's throw from the Loonse and Drunense Dunes.
In the restaurant you will be welcomed in a warm, welcoming atmosphere and choose from a varied menu of tasty classics and surprising seasonal dishes. The kitchen works with seasonal ingredients, paying attention to products that have been gotten locally as much as possible.
More about Duinrand Drunen
Rent a bike at the De Rustende Jager
After brunch, we get in the car towards De Rustende Jager, a place that has been known for more than a century as the place to stop on the edge of De Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park. Here we rent a bicycle and set out this afternoon to explore the surroundings in a relaxed manner.
De Rustende Jager is a nice place to rest for hikers, cyclists, families and anyone who wants to escape the hustle and bustle. In the pleasant, Brabant atmosphere, you feel immediately welcome. In addition to a snack and a drink, you can rent a bike here every day, making it the ideal starting point for a beautiful tour through the varied landscape of forests, sandy plains and rural roads.
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Dinner at Grandcafé Sands
After an afternoon of cycling we return the bikes and travel on to Kaatsheuvel, where we end the day with a nice dinner at Grandcafé Sands.
Grand Café Sands is suitable for any time of the day: from a cup of coffee or tea to an extensive lunch, drinks or dinner. The relaxed atmosphere also makes it an ideal place for families. For example, you can find both an outdoor and indoor playground.
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Balloon ride with Roza Balloon Tours
In the evening we travel further to the west of De Langstraat, towards Raamsdonk and Geertruidenberg, for an experience you won't soon forget. At Roza Balloon Tours, we'll board the hot air balloon for a peaceful flight over the landscape of this part of the region.
At Roza Balloonflights everything is about attention and experience. With a passion for ballooning that has been palpable for over thirty years, they provide a safe, relaxed and perfectly organized ride. As soon as the balloon takes off, the silence is striking. The landscape slowly unfolds beneath you and the world below becomes smaller and smaller.
More about Roza Balloonflights
Stay overnight at Stadshotel Geertruidenberg
After the special experience in the air, unwind during an overnight stay at Stadshotel Geertruidenberg, located in the historic town hall of the fortified city. Read here the entrepreneurial story behind this special location.
The city hotel exudes a royal and refined atmosphere, matching the stately surroundings of the historic center. Here luxury and history come together: you sleep in an iconic building while enjoying contemporary comforts. The next morning, plop down for a sumptuous breakfast overlooking the garden.
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DAY 4
Sniffing up culture at Museum De Roos
After a relaxing night, we stay a while in the heart of Geertruidenberg. Just a few doors away from Stadshotel Geertruidenberg, we step inside at Museum The Rose.
This atmospheric museum takes you on a journey through the city's rich history. On the first floor you will discover both the ecclesiastical and secular side of Geertruidenberg, complemented by impressive scale models showing how the fortified town has developed over the centuries.
In the basement you go even further back in time with archaeological finds and an exhibition on the Zuiderwaterlinie. On the second floor, changing exhibitions surprise you, making each visit different.
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Closing lunch at De Kersenhof
We end our days in De Langstraat at a special place in Raamsdonk: De Kersenhof. In the middle of the countryside you will find this peaceful location, where nature, hospitality and enjoyment come together in a natural way.
During the cherry period from June to early August, you are surrounded by flowering orchards and plenty of greenery here. It is the ideal place to slow down the pace one more time and enjoy after everything you have experienced. The Kersenhof is known for its fresh products, straight from the orchard or from the region. In season, cherries naturally play the main role, complemented by other regional products and homemade delicacies that make a visit extra special.
More about De Kersenhof
I hope you enjoy your mini vacation in De Langstraat. Do you prefer a shorter getaway? Then read our article24 hours in De Langstraator 48 hours in The Langstraat.
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