Best Travel Destinations - Belgium
Bruges, a UNESCO world heritage site is perhaps one of the most under appreciated cities in Europe. The pristine and immaculately preserved medieval city will instantly arrest your senses. Bruges is inadequately dubbed ‘The Venice of the North’ and thus, erroneously equates the city’s series of canals as an oversimplified comparison to the Venetian model. However, the comparison ends abruptly there. Bruges espouses a vanity that is in no regard subjugated to the storied Venice. The city’s affinity for 12th century architecture is a clear indication to resist modernity and celebrate Belgian tradition. Bruges’ city centre is large enough to occupy yourself for a few days, but also small enough to transverse on foot. From the moment you cross the four-lane roadway from the train ...
The entrance gate to Vondelpark in Amsterdam provides a perfect first impression. Distinguished doors frame the park in green and regal gold, and the swirl embellished bars of the gate suggest that art antiquity lies just beyond. Although works of Van Gough and Rembrandt are found outside of Vondelpark, the ornately sculptured park is actually the art form implied upon. There is, however, a sculpture by Picasso (The Fish), and an abundance of places for repose and tranquility. By far the best way to explore the lush grounds is to use the beloved local means of transport in Amsterdam: the bicycle. A bicycle ride through the 47 hectares of Vondelpark is reminiscent of travelling back in time through art history, as many artists absorbed inspirations ...
When traveling in Belgium, you can't just ask for "a beer", doing so will only produce a lager of some sort that can be found practically anywhere in the world. Belgium is home to many unique beers including abbey beer, lambic beer, and trappist beer, who derive their distinct taste from ancient brewing traditions. It is said that you can taste a Belgian beer everyday for a year, and still leave some brews untouched. With such deep history and selection, the best way to learn about Belgian beer is the equivalent of a pub crawl through Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp. To taste a new and exciting beer in Belgium you can go pretty much anywhere. Even convenience stores have hundreds of different kinds. A great ...
Handmade lace was once integral to Bruges’ industry, particularly because it was a craft that many poorer families would pass down through the generations. Although Bruges lacemakers only usually made a pittance, it was enough to support their families in a time of great poverty. The history surrounding this craft, which dates back to the sixteenth century, is absolutely fascinating. Many people view Bruges as synonymous with lacemaking, but they know little about the industry and the lives of the Belgian workers. Taking the time to delve into the heart of this beautiful medieval city, and really experience the artistry of the Bruges lace industry, is definitely well worth the trip. Lacemaking in Bruges was predominantly for the upper classes as the fashionable nobility were ...
When you visit Belgium, make sure to do it on a Tuesday—but don’t just pick any Tuesday. Be sure to choose the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Why? Because on this day, a quiet Belgian town hosts Belgian’s best festival: The Carnaval de Binche. The Carnaval de Binche (Carnival of Binche) is an annual event that takes place in a dreamy Belgian town called Binche, located south of Brussels. The industrialized town is invaded by tourists from everywhere to participate in the festival that involves a lot of street dancing, musical acts, parades and costumed-men throwing oranges at the crowd. The Belgian festival is for everyone, with unwavering focus on unity within the community and people coming together for some honest to goodness fun. The Carnaval ...
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