Villa Odyssee

Villa Odyssee

Holiday home Odyssee is located only a stone"s throw from the famous Arboretum of Kalmthout. At the edge of the heath, by the original back entrance of the arboretum, this cute and quiet villa awaits its guests. This cheery holiday villa, with its rich history, will assure a pleasurable and carefree holiday. The house offers a great deal of privacy, and with its many rooms, it is perfect for families with kids. The immense and quiet garden with vegetable garden, chickens, sheep and beehive is will surely offer fun for all. You can watch your children play while you enjoy a barbecue with family or friends. And in the winter, the large fireplace will make you really feel cozey and warm. The area offers many options for beautiful walks and cycling excursions. In the immediate vicinity you will find the Spike and Suzy Museum, the Bee Museum and the world renowned Arboretum, a wonderful botanical garden. And you shouldn't miss a day out in Antwerp! Kalmthout counts a number of excellent, affordable restaurants. Oh, and please, do not forget to try out the local Turfbier. It is a villa with a rich history dating back to 1919. Hans Christoffel, Swiss-born captain of the Royal Dutch Indian Army (KNIL), the most highly decorated officer in Dutch history, built the house for his retirement, because he wanted some peace and quiet. After his death, the house stood empty for a time before it was sold just before WWII to businessman Joseph Mandel. He turned the villa into a "pleasure house" for officers. After the liberation in 1944, the villa still retained its function for a time. In the 60's, change arrived and Mandel's heirs sold the house to a Doctor Gaston Lefebvre. He was known as a bit strange because of his hobby, collecting minerals. He turned all of the rooms into display cabinets. The present owner acquired it in 1995. It took months to restore the villa to its former glory. She collected everything in a huge bin, shards of shellac gramophone records, old bills, minerals, Indian coins and pieces of old newspaper which provided a glimpse into times past.