The top 5 getaways in Belgium without a health pass

How about going to Belgium for fun? Without a health pass, it is difficult to enjoy tourist attractions in France. There is therefore the Belgian option where the famous sesame is not (yet?) Necessary. 20 Minutes offers you five weekend destinations to enjoy the month of August anyway, while respecting health measures (wearing a mask, respecting social distancing, etc.).

The reconstituted world of Pairi Daiza (near Ath)

Is there a need to present this animal park, located in Brugelettes and awarded for three years the title of “best zoo in Europe”? The place, famous for its giant pandas, offers a real change of scenery throughout the world and is enriched each year with new things. This time, it is a penguin cave where twelve individuals from 1 to 28 years old have occupied an area of ​​850 m2, under a temperature of around 4 °. “We hope to have births next year,” explains one of the caregivers, Günther Van Nieuwenhuyze. The dedicated space can accommodate 80 individuals ”.

A little wool will be welcome to visit them! Not to mention that wearing a mask is compulsory everywhere on the site. In addition, Pairi Daiza has been developing an accommodation offer for two years to enjoy this immense park for two days. The opportunity to live a unique experience with certain animals (tigers, for example) as room companions.

The spectacular caves of Han (on the border of the Ardennes)

In another area, the Han geopark is also worth a detour. Unesco stamped, it offers a tour on foot or by safari-coach of a vast forest animal park where the latest innovation is the hill of bears. But the other attraction of the site, it is the descent into the caves to attend in particular a rather bluffing sound and light show.

Without forgetting the prehistoric exhibition presented in the small village of Han-sur-Lesse. Here too, it is impossible to see everything in one day. So, an original accommodation center, the Cocoon village, was born: it is about thirty cozy tents. The caves had to close their doors for five days in July because of the floods that hit the Liège region, but don’t worry, everything is restored.

The thrilling water games of Aquapark-Bellewaerde (near Ypres)

Opened in 2019, Aquapark has become a benchmark in terms of aquatic entertainment: vertiginous descent in a buoy, race on two parallel slides … If the sanitary pass, as elsewhere in Belgium, is not requested, it is however necessary to reserve its came to the website in order to respect the imposed gauge.

And if the thrills in the water weren’t enough for you, you can extend your stay with a visit to the Bellewaerde entertainment park, which sits right next to Aquapark.

The scientific and fun adventure of the Pass (near Mons)

Cause a mini-tsunami, find yourself in the heart of a storm, discover the activity of a volcano or play archaeologists… The scientific and social adventure park (Pass), planted in a former mining site, in Frameries , multiply experiences and activities for adults and children from 4 years old. The opportunity to learn the secrets of life, while having fun, on the same model as the Cité des Sciences in Paris.

There is also an outdoor playground and, since April, a biodiversity garden, around a pond, a flowery meadow and an observatory, where you can walk barefoot to discover certain sensations. The Pass must close its doors at the end of August to reopen on September 24, under a new identity still kept secret.

Nature and birds in Zwin park (near Knokke-Heist)

The Het Zwin Nature Park is located on the territory of the upscale seaside town of Knokke-Heist. Not to be missed for nature lovers: 150 hectares (the equivalent of 300 football pitches) to explore to meet migrating or nesting birds. An observatory makes it possible in particular to contemplate the nests of storks in spring and summer. Don’t forget your binoculars! Admission is chargeable.

Guided tours are also organized on weekends (in French) and, at the moment, a temporary exhibition is being held around the “Zwin’s missing port” resuscitated thanks to virtual reality. Reservations recommended. Finally, to complete this walking tour, a ride – free this time – by bike around the park, is essential, on the paths of the Zwin between Belgium and the Netherlands.