Vodatent at Eurocamping Vessem

Don't miss out on a bike ride or walk through the nearby Neterselse heath, a gem of the North Brabant region: it's teeming with wildflowers and butterflies while overhead kestrels circle the wide skies. Sometimes humans can improve on nature... Dutch know-how has engineered an inland beach from the fens at Eersel (15 minutes' drive), so sandy and inviting you could be on the coast; the waves are plentiful and windsurfing and waterskiing are both available. Another nearly natural local attraction is Safaripark Beekse Bergen (25 minutes), roamed by lions and tigers and around a thousand other beasts: drive the trail keeping pace with the cheetahs, take a boat cruise past resting crews of antelope or just potter around. For gentler animal encounters, Paardensportcentrum de Kempen (15 minutes) is devoted to all things horsey and pony, and has treks through the surrounding countryside. Those who like it faster can drive 40 minutes over the border to Belgium and Bobbejaanland, one of northern Europe's best loved theme parks: with 50 ways to hurtle through the air at high speed, along with monorails and ferris wheels for the less fearless.