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HiBrussels
Brussels, the capital of Europe
As the home of the European Parliament, one of the most striking things about Brussels is how multicultural, dynamic and open the city is.
The Belgian capital is full of life, and you’ll find lots of things to do, no matter your interests. From the history and art that fill its many museums, to the beer and bars that make its nightlife famous, the city has an energy and atmosphere that makes it the perfect weekend getaway destination.
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HiAntwerp
Antwerp, the capital of cool
Antwerp is a city of trendsetters - as it has always been. You'll find the city's style reflected in its architecture (check out the railway station and the Port House!), its museums (oh, the MAS with its 360° panoramic views, and the stylish art at Museum Mayer van den Bergh!) and even in the food on your plate. Where else would a Michelin-starred chef open a deluxe fries stand? That's right, in the beautiful city on the river Scheldt.
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HiGhent
Ghent, Belgium's hipster capital
What makes Ghent so special? That's easy: the unique combination of respectable old and rebellious new! You can exit the medieval Castle of the Counts (Gravensteen) head straight into a museum of contemporary art (SMAK), or stroll through experimental graffiti street to stately St. Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal) that houses the Ghent Altarpiece (except for that one stolen panel, of course). Here, you can tuck into some trendy haute dogs and finish off with a few authentic, sweet Ghent neuzekes, a cone shaped candy also called cuberdons. According to Lonely Planet, Ghent is 'Europe's best-kept secret' - we couldn't agree more!
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HiBruges
Bruges, the capital of heritage
The heart of Bruges, surrounded by an almost continuous ring of canals, is the best preserved example of medieval Flanders. The city centre is so picture perfect, that it is nigh on impossible to take a bad photograph. All the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city can be easily explored on foot, by boat ride along quiet canals, or by horse-drawn carriage over cobblestone streets. Although Bruges is a small city, it will easily take more than one day to explore all of its architectural and artistic treasures, folklore, chocolate shops, lace boutiques, and local restaurants.
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HiLeuven
Leuven, the capital of ideas
Leuven is a versatile city - offering both age-old heritage and fresh innovation. The 15th-century late-Gothic town hall is truly an architectural gem, as are the many Gothic and Baroque churches. The university and the Botanic Garden are the oldest in the country. And then there's the Stella Artois brewery, which tells a story of tradition and craftsmanship. On the other hand, the university brings a young crowd and buzzy vibe to the city, especially visible on the Oude Markt, the beating heart of the nightlife and bar district.
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HiMechelen
Mechelen, the capital of diversity
Mechelen is on everybody’s doorstep, located in the heart of Flanders, midway between Brussels and Antwerp. Brussels Airport to Mechelen is a mere 11 minutes by train. The whole city is within walking distance, so you can stroll from one landmark to the next highlight. You’ll stumble upon historic buildings, a treasure of arts and heritage and some exceptional experiences. And the people of Mechelen are more than happy to give you a warm welcome!
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HiYpres
Ypres, the capital of peace
Ypres is a city with a rich and diverse past. It was a flourishing place of commerce during the Middle Ages, when the city was one of the leading textile centres in Flanders. The charming city was reduced to rubble during the First World War (1914-1918). Today Ypres is the centre of The Flanders Fields Country. The Cloth Hall houses the internationally renowned In Flanders Fields Museum and - from the summer of 2018 on - the Yper Museum. At the Menin Gate you can witness the daily, chilling rendition of The Last Post at 8 pm sharp. Several other museums, World War I sites, cemeteries and relics around Ypres tell the history of 100 years ago in order to never forget the past.
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HiCharleroi
Charleroi, the capital of dynamism
Town of a thousand faces, Charleroi is both bourgeois and industrial, offbeat and good-natured, bohemian and trendy, just like its inhabitants and cultural proponents. It is the seedbed for the unusual where alternative culture has found fertile soil. The old industries now become showcases for artists, desolate walls become large-scale canvasses for street artists, slag heaps are scaled, the ring road is photographed and the underground becomes the vehicle of choice for sightseers.
Fashioned on industrial urban landscapes such as Liverpool, Birmingham, Bilbao or Metz, which have opted in favour of urban regeneration and where culture has played a determining role, Charleroi is now undergoing a complete transformation. The changes to come will make the town unmissable.
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HiEupen
Eupen, the capital of nature
Eupen is the capital of Ostbelgien, in the Eastern cantons. It is situated at the crossroads of Roman and Germanic cultures. The town is characterised by its multilingualism, and also a rich and varied way of life. Spared during the war, the town of Eupen is home to a stunning built heritage, which dates from the 18th and 19th centuries, and a significant cultural heritage. Encircled by woodland, Eupen is also situated at the entrance to an exceptional marshland site: the Hautes Fagnes (high fens). The “Hertogenwald” (Duke’s wood), the peat bogs of the Hautes Fagnes Nature Reserve and the dam of the Vesdre Valley make Eupen a remarkable place waiting to be explored.
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HiLiege
Liège, the capital of pleasure
Just an hour from Brussels by train, Belgium's third most populous city and most touristic city of Wallonia is perfect for a weekend getaway. As your train pulls into Liège, the first thing you'll notice is the hyper-avant-garde Calatrava train station Liège-Guillemins. There are plenty of buildings which have recently undergone extensive renovation such as the famous Opéra Royal de Wallonie, the Théâtre de Liège, the Grand Curtius boasting an awesome collection of artifacts, the splendid La Boverie museum of Art which acts in partnership with Paris’ Louvre, and the Musée de la Vie Wallonne, all showcases of Liège's cultural diversity. Other new emblematic buildings should also be mentioned: the Tour des Finances, La Mediacité designed by Ron Arad, the Design Station of Wallonia, the Passerelle “La Belle Liégeoise” and so forth. They show evidence of a dramatic urban renewal.
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HiLouvain-la-Neuve
Louvain-la-Neuve, the capital of novelties
Located in the heart of Walloon Brabant, 30 minutes from Brussels, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve is composed of two urban centres. Home to the Catholic University of Leuven, Ottignies district has extended its cultural and tourist treasures with the building of a new town: Louvain-la-Neuve. Harmoniously nestled in the landscape and a true university town, Louvain-la-Neuve was designed from the outset, on the model of medieval Italian towns and with the idea of making it accessible to all. The result is a pedestrian town centre on a human scale, combining all the facilities of a town with an unmatched friendliness and atmosphere. Louvain-la-Neuve is also full of tourist attractions such as the Hergé Museum and the Musée L (University museum – reopening in autumn 2017), works of art on every street corner, parks to stroll through, a 220-hectare wood with a nature reserve and lots of paths, restaurants and cafés.
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HiMons
Mons, the capital of culture
The whole region has been revitalised with numerous cultural infrastructures thanks to Mons being awarded European Capital of Culture in 2015. This transformation has been most notable in Mons itself where the town has since opened no less than 5 museums… Culture is here! During the time that Mons was European Capital of Culture in 2015, 2.2 million people visited the city, so the town acquired an unprecedented cultural expertise, and welcomes you with open arms. From now on, the region of Mons offers a vast array of diverse activities for holidaymakers. Explore right now our world-class tourist attractions and museums or discover our cultural programme, which has a multitude of dance or theatre performances, and not to forget, plenty of concerts!
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HiNamur
Namur, the capital of Wallonia
Namur, daughter of the water, is a city full of charm. Its part-pedestrian centre invites you to stroll amongst the shops or along the water's edge. But this city centre with its old quarters is above all places with undeniable character!
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HiTournai
Tournai, the capital of views
With its 2000 years of history, Tournai is the oldest city in Belgium. Its two most impressive monuments? The belfry and the Cathedral, listed as UNESCO world heritage. But that's not all: the city is also full of many other architectural treasures that can be easily explored by foot: Romanesque, Gothic and Louis XIV houses, the Museum of fine arts in Art Nouveau style with its beautiful collection of Impressionist painters... Its major asset: conviviality linked to its human scale. You can quietly stroll on the renovated waterfront of the Scheldt, follow one of the circuits proposed by the Tourism Office, taste local specialities like real ales, Belgian fries, rabbit à la Tournaisienne, Clovis cake... and why not, party with the locals because there always is an occasion.
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HiOstend
Ostend, trendy seaside fun
This ‘City by the Sea’, boasts over five-and-a-half miles of sandy beaches, perfect for sunbathing and a refreshing dip in the North Sea. After frolicking in the sun, take a walk down the promenade where you’ll find many fantastic shops, bars and restaurants. As a cosmopolitan city, you’ll find plenty to do across the harbour, yacht-basin, and at incredible year-round activities like the Christmas Market or the phenomenal Theatre by the Sea. One of Ostend's main, though perhaps lesser known, attractions is gastronomy. Where better place to sample the ocean’s delicacies than at the seaside? Choose from high-end restaurants to cosy bistros, but make sure to order specialities such as Dover Sole, shrimp croquettes and tomate crevette (tomatoes filled with shrimps).