Wake up to the chirping of the birds and rustle of the wind among the trees, while enjoying a cup of coffee and the golden glow of the rising sun. You squeeze your arm for a moment to make sure you are not dreaming. No, you are indeed awake and still lounging in your Treelodge treehouse. After a refreshing shower, you're all set to go on an adventure – or to just kick back and relax. In this article, we will already give you some tips to make your stay at Treelodge even more fun!
For those adventures and relaxation, you don't even have to leave the forest. There are plenty of things to do in and around your treehouse to get you all in the holiday spirit:
Our hot tubs are heated (or not – wonderfully refreshing on a hot summer day) and the ideal place to read a book, take in the nature around you or simply, to have a chat – with a nice drink at hand. Let the stress bubble off you after a hike or bike ride or enjoy an intimate moment under the beautiful starry sky.
Golden hour or blue hour, I love them both. ’waking up first thing in the morning and listening to the chirping and twittering of the birds under a blanket outside on your private terrace. Blessed, I think. And also the golden hour, when the sun is almost down and the forest and its inhabitants settle down again is incredibly beautiful. Everything takes on a golden glow, the perfect time to take the best photos’
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Burning fires, who didn't love that as a child? And admit it: even today, fire has something magical and we find it super fun to see and hear it crackle. Prick some marshmallows on long sticks and roast them in the fire. Or gather around for a nice and cosy aperitif, with your family or together with the other treehouse dwellers. And is it raining? Then you can always take shelter in the Fire Barn!
At our wood stock are bicycles, which children are free to use to ride around in our forest. Just like we used to do with our friends, they make up the most beautiful stories and experience the most exciting adventures. If you feel like playing a game, you can do so in the small square behind our Fire Shed. Room enough to play Cubing or anything else!
Our favourite spot, that's The Venneke. A gorgeous little place near the forest, where you can go on foot or by bike and where it is great to cool off, especially on a sultry summer evening.
Do you want to leave the cosiness of our forest behind? There is a lot to see and experience nearby.
There are some great walking routes in the area that will lead you past historical sites, beautiful forests and heathlands.
For example, about 10 kilometres from our forest is the Talander walk in Arendonk. Really cool walk of about’n 11 kilometres through Hoge Vijvers nature reserve, which is also good to do with small children (and where it is incredibly blissfully quiet). You'll come across a nice theme house along the way, where you can have a drink or eat something. Definitely worth taking a break.
Close to home, you can enjoy a walk and picnic in Prinsenpark. Order your picnic from one of the local sandwich shops (such as Broodjes en Co in Kasterlee, or Foodbar Lingo or Club Met in Retie), then all you have to do is find a cool place to eat. 😉
The Kempen is truly a paradise for cycling enthusiasts. On the website of kempen.be you will find lots of – short and long – routes.
For example, there is the Princesroute of 46 kilometres, which takes you past all sorts of beautiful spots. Prefer the short version or looking for a route perfect to do with the kids? Then there's the 26-kilometre Prinsjesroute. Be sure to stop off at the Kabouterberg in Kasterlee, who knows you might run into gnomes there?
Mountain bikers can also have a great time in Retie. Especially for them, the mountain bike route Zeven Neten has been created, with two routes of varying difficulty. You can easily clean your bike afterwards at our bike wash station.
Located near Treelodge, you can sail up or down the Kleine Nete by kayak or canoe. Fun to do with a group, or very intimate for two. Enjoy nature, peace and quiet and the water and choose how long your trip lasts.
Then you can also go horseback riding at the Poedertoren in Herselt or walking with donkeys at beleefboerderij De vliertuin.
Oké I am a little biased, but still: in the pizza oven in our Fire Shed you will bake the tastiest pizza’s yourself. Just eat them on the campfire.
Or enjoy an incredibly delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner under the trees on your own terrace:
And you can also find cool places to grab a bite to eat in the area. A few that are top of mind with us: Ark van Noë (with animals and playground!), Wine bar Tavino, Kan10 or De Klein Cluys in Kasterlee, Panorama summer bar in Turnhout, summer bar Basil in Gierle, 't Veldt or Brasserie De Klynhoeve in Retie and IJswens in Oud-Turnhout.
Not only can you recharge your batteries in the Kempen in one of the beautiful nature reserves, but also those who want to soak up some culture will find something to their liking. There are great museums that introduce you to Kempen history, such as the Taxandria Museum in Turnhout or the Beguinage. On Visit Flanders you will get a great overview of all the cultural beauty around our forest.
Super cool with kids is the KempenAIR Balloon Festival in Grobbendonk, on 28, 29 and 30 June. Besides the spectacle of the light balloons, there is also plenty of entertainment and children can have fun on the bouncy castles. Afterwards, you can unwind in our forest.
Summer in Retie is a fine series of picnic afternoons in the parsonage garden, combined with live performances and film evenings. More information: https://www.retie.be/zomerinretie.
And because it doesn't always have to be on foot or by bike: from 2 to 4 August, the 36th international Harley Davidson, Buell and Indian Rally will be held in Retie. Motorbike enthusiasts from all countries then gather for music, fun and roaring motorbikes. A nice change from the silence of our forest? 😉
If you want to get out and about with (grand)children, there are plenty of choices nearby. For example, together you can walk the Pagadderpad in Dessel, an interactive trail where children can climb, play and try the barefoot path. The Sas4 tower is nearby and is really worth climbing too. You'll have an incredibly beautiful and expansive view of the surroundings.
The museums in the area also focus on children: if you feel like it, you can bake your own bread or biscuits at the Bakery Museum Ten Aard in Geel, at the Playing Card Museum in Turnhout has an interactive exhibition about playing cards and the Kempens Diamantcentrum in Nijlen is also worth a visit.
You read it: in and around Treelodge there is a lot to do! And you always have a very nice, quiet home base to return to and enjoy the beauty that our forest and treehouses have to offer you in luxury and silence.
Check all free dates and book your treehouse right away on our website.
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