While much of Europe is being roasted at 38°C, 40°C, and sometimes higher, more and more travellers are asking the same question:
Why go on holiday just to spend the whole day hiding from the sun?
De oplossing heeft een naam: de coolcation. En de Ardennen zijn één van de best bewaarde geheimen van Europa als het gaat om precies dat.
What is a coolcation — and why is all of Europe booking one?
A coolcation is simply a summer holiday in a cool destination, rather than a hot one. Sounds logical. And yet in 2026, it has become one of the fastest-growing travel categories in Europe.
Searches for cooler northern destinations have surged 74% year-on-year, with content around "escaping the heat" and "summer retreats" trending at record levels. Google searches for cooler holiday destinations have increased by nearly 3,000%. And climate change is increasingly baking southern Europe — temperatures of 40°C are no longer unusual in Greece, Spain, and Portugal during peak summer.
People are done with it. They want a summer where they can actually be outside. Hiking. Eating outdoors. Sleeping with the window open. Children playing freely without overheating.
And that is exactly where the Ardennes come in.
Why the Ardennes is the perfect coolcation destination
A climate that works for you
The Ardennes is the highest and coolest region in Belgium. In summer, July mean maximum temperatures in the Ardennes are the lowest in the country, thanks to the higher elevation. Average temperatures in June, July and August range between 20°C and 24°C — pleasantly warm, but never suffocating.
No heatstroke. No scorching midday sun. No children crying for water by the pool.
Just: good weather. The kind you actually go on holiday for.
Nature that breathes
The Ardennes is largely made up of dense forest, deep valleys, and cool rivers. Even on the warmest summer days, the trees offer shade, the streams offer refreshment, and the trails offer an escape from the crowds.
This is not nature for the Instagram photo. This is nature to disappear into.
No tourist mass mobilisation
While Barceloneta is packed towel to towel and the Acropolis temporarily closes because of the heat, the Ardennes is still a destination where you have real space. Forest trails without hordes of tourists. Restaurant terraces with a view — no reservation needed a month in advance.
That is increasingly rare in Europe — and increasingly valuable.
A coolcation in a private castle: the best version
And if you're going to do a coolcation, you might as well do it properly.
Château Guillermo is a fully private castle estate in the Ardennes, just 10 minutes from Sedan. For groups of 8 to 15 people. No one else. No other guests. No shared terrace.
What makes your summer coolcation here different
Sauna & hot tub — ook in de zomer is een avond in de sauna gevolgd door de koele buitenlucht een ervaring apart. Met het kasteel als achtergrond bij schemering.
4-hectare private park — hammocks in the trees, campfire area, space for children to play freely without restrictions. No fences between neighbours, no crowds.
Fully equipped kitchen — cook with local produce from the market. No fully booked restaurants. No queues.
Campfire under the stars — the Ardennes are dark enough to actually see stars. A summer evening campfire surrounded by your group is the kind of moment people talk about for years.
Indoor fireplace — for the rare cool evening in the Ardennes. Because yes, those exist too.
See all facilities on our castle page and check the rates.
What do you do during the day? Coolcation activities in the Ardennes
A coolcation is not a lazy holiday — it is an active holiday you can finally enjoy because the weather cooperates.
Kayaking on the Semois
The Semois is one of the most beautiful rivers in the Benelux. In summer, the water level is perfect for kayaking, the water is clear and the banks are green. The route from Bouillon to Membre takes half a day and is suitable for all ages.
Hiking in the Meuse valley
Starting directly from Bazeilles, walking trails take you through forest and fields. Routes for every level, from a relaxed woodland walk to a challenging day hike with panoramic views.
Château Fort de Sedan
Op 10 minuten rijden: het grootste versterkte kasteel van Europa. Plan je bezoek via de officiële website. Ideaal voor een halve dag cultuur — en daarna terug naar je eigen privékasteel. 😉
Bouillon
The picturesque hilltop fortress town of Bouillon, 25 minutes away, is worth a morning visit. Cheese tasting, the market, the view over the Semois from the castle ramparts.
Local markets and farm products
Ardennes ham, local cheeses, craft beer, strawberries. The region produces it all, and the markets are there to be enjoyed.
Meer activiteiten in de buurt vind je op onze pagina Omgeving & activiteiten.
How far is the Ardennes from you?
That is the beauty of a coolcation in the Ardennes: you don't have to travel far.
| Vertrekpunt | Reistijd |
|---|---|
| Brussel | ± 2u |
| Antwerpen | ± 2u15 |
| Amsterdam | ± 3u30 |
| Parijs | ± 3u |
| Rotterdam | ± 3u15 |
| Keulen | ± 2u30 |
No flights. No jet lag. No carbon guilt. Just get in the car and drive — and you're there.
Coolcation with a group: why a private castle wins
The coolcation trend isn't just for couples or solo travellers. It is also — and perhaps especially — perfect for groups.
Bookings for groups of four or more are rising across Europe, and more than half of all summer bookings in Germany and France go to rural countryside destinations.
A private castle brings those two trends together: group + rural + private. You share the space only with who you choose. No strangers at the campfire. No compromises about the pool.
Read our blog on the best group getaway near Belgium and the Netherlands for more inspiration.
What do previous guests say?
"The wellness made for a wonderfully relaxed weekend. Hot tub, sauna, outdoor shower and campfire — absolutely amazing."
"Nicest experience ever — nice to be the lord of a castle for a few days."
"We aim to return annually and keep this new castle tradition alive."
Read all reviews on our reviews page.
Summer 2026 doesn't have to be hot
The heatwaves keep coming. Flights south get more expensive and more crowded. And more and more people are realising: there is a better way.
A cool, green, private summer in the Ardennes. With your people. In a castle.
Summer weekends at Château Guillermo are limited. Popular dates go quickly.
Questions? Get in touch — we're happy to help.
Also read
- De Beste Groepsgetaway Vlakbij België & Nederland (Geen Vakantiepark)
- Spring in the Ardennes: Your Perfect Château Escape Near Sedan
- 5 Reasons to Visit the French Ardennes in Autumn
Château Guillermo · Ardennes, Belgium · Up to 15 guests · Memories in Majesty
