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 A tiger at the zoo in Antwerp by Ann75
*Bobbejaanland: A family park for young and old including roller coasters, farris wheel, other rides, shows and much more. This park is located in the Province of Antwerp. Official Website: Bobbejaanland
*Parc Paradisio: A vast park with hundreds of different species of flora and fauna . Located close to Mons. Official Website: Paradisio
*Bellewaerde: This amusement park provides you with the option of a carefree day out with its numeroes attractions, roller coasters and other rides. This park is located in Ieper. Official Website: Bellewaerde
*Walibi Belgium:
Walibi Belgium has some fantastic roller coasters, shows and much more. Located in Wavre, near Brussels. Official Website: Walibi Belgium
*Plopsaland: A great park for families, especially with smaller children. There are many rides, attractions, shows and more. Located in de Panne. Official Website: Plopsaland
*Zoo of Antwerp: The best zoo in Europe, I would say. There's a huge variety of animals and so much more. Located in Antwerp. Official Website: Antwerp Zoo Leave a Comment
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 Gare centrale, Brussels by Norali
Railtripping to hop from a city to another and walking to visit each city. For sure, you can walk to hop from a city to another but you can't discover Belgian cities with train.:)
For the country being so small, its railway net is one of most dense in the world (if not, the most). Best place to base yourself is Brussels and from there, nip over Antwerp, Ghent, Leuven go to Tournai, Ardennes, Namur, Liège... etc.. and lesser known towns.
Check http://www.b-rail.be/
Also, Belgian cities are to discover looking up in the air !!
Belgian architecture is as varied as its peoples got influences of other countries. Think of centuries of exchanges, French, Dutch influences and at lesser extent, Italian or Spanish inspirations.
However, Belgian cities stand alone thanks to interpretation of foreign styles as for architecture. For instance, I read that while rebuilding Brussels Grand-Place Guildhouses, circa 1695- 1700, guilds took inspiration from Italian baroque (for one or more buildings) that they have to adapt to the size of Brussels. The then aim was to get those buildings in harmony with their environment, the city they are located in... As a result, different styles coexist in same place: Italian baroque adjoins with gothic for instance ... Elsewhere, Victor Horta, Van de Velde, Lambeaux and the likes introduced Art Nouveau that eventually spread over Europe as Roman Gothic had gave up, centuries ago, its seat to Brabant Gothic ... Still, much to see.. Art déco and modernism moulded Brussels' Bozar, Ghent's Vooruit...
So take time to enjoy spring, just wander, look up in the air and discover... by starting your visit from the Grand-Place/ Grote Markt (often presenting assembling of different styles) or train stations (my fave: Antwerp- Centraal and Namur).
Also, don't miss the food specialties.. varying from a region to another.. according to existing local products. Yes, folks! This is the country par excellence for culinary trip. Styles that many budget types would allow. Leave a Comment
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 A map of Belgium and its
provinces by Ann75
*Province of Antwerp: The province of Antwerp is situated in the North of Belgium and in the centre of Western Europe Capital is Antwerp and is Flemish speaking. The most popular cities in this province are
Antwerp, Mechelen and Turnhout.
*Province of Flemish Brabant: This province was created in 1995 Since then this area of Flanders has been known for its fascinating when the single province of Brabant was split into three: a Flemish part, a Walloon part, and the capital region of Brussels.and varied character. Some cities of interest are Tienen, Scherpenheuvel, Hoegaarden and more.
*Province of Walloon Brabant: Walloon Brabant was created in 1995 when the single province of Brabant was split into three: a Flemish part, a Walloon part, and the capital region of Brussels. The most popular places in this province are Waterloo, Louvain-La-Neuve, Wavre and more. This is a French speaking part.
*Province of Hainaut: This province is the westernmost province of Wallonia. It's capital is Mons. The most popular places in this province are Mons, Tournai, Chimay and more. This is also a French speaking part.
*Province of Liège: This province is the eaternmost province of Wallonia. It is predominantly French speaking with a German speaking minority along the border with Germany to the east. The most popular places here are Liege, Spa, Malmedy and more.
*Province of Limburg: This province is the easternmost province of Flanders and located west of the Meuse River. The capital of this province is Hasselt. The most popular places are Hasselt, Genk, Tongeren and many more. This is also a Flemish speaking part.
*Province of Luxembourg: This province is the southernmost province of Wallonia. In this province you'll find The Ardennes and the Gaume regions. Popular places are Durbuy, Arlon, Bastogne, La Roche-en-Ardenne and more. This is also a French speaking part.
*Province of Namur: The Province of Namur offers you the richest range of activities that you could ever dream of: underground visits to caves and caverns, exciting trips down rivers in kayaks, guided discovery tours of these Meuse towns, their museums and historical fortifications, not forgetting the many nature trails. Popular places are Namur, Dinant, Han-Sur-Lesse and more. This is also a French speaking part.
*Province of East Flanders: East Flanders has kept alive a flourishing social culture. The conviviality of cafes, festivals, clubs and associations is enjoyed at every opportunity. Hundreds of open-air festivals and events are organized every Summer. Popular places are Gent, Oudenaarde and more.
*Province of West Flanders: This province covers the whole Belgian North Sea coast, an important destination for tourism. The tramline goes along the full coast. Popular places are Bruges, Ypres, Kortrijk and more. Leave a Comment
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 Graffitti walls in
Sint-Andries quarter, Antwerp by Norali
Only those for whom I can say something about are well represented (at least, I would try). Yet, others can have some small pages, to be updated one day... when I would return there for some city exploration.
Thinking, I can now tale you Belgium through my eyes. For sure, the cities are not simply reduced to that but according to what I saw (could see) there, and recurrent elements as part of their landscapes, I say:
- Brussels, my home town, is a Murale and comic strip city
- Antwerp is a Church and Madonna city. It is also, for me, the Graffitti wall city
- Ghent is a Sculpture and statue and flower city
- Brugge, - oh! a page I would not probably build-, a Canal city.. yet, Ghent has many canals too and is my favourite between the two.
- Durbuy, a Stone city
- Louvain, the student and friendship city
You don't agree with me? Fine! It's my point of view. Yet, I appreciate if you tell me why you don't agree. *haha* Leave a Comment
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 View from the citadel of Namur by Ann75
Namur is the capital of Namur province as well as the political capital of Wallonia (the French-speaking Southern part of Belgium). The city has a population of 105,000. Namur is located at the confluence of the Sambre River and the Meuse River
( both major waterways), and thus has had a military significance in centuries past that guaranteed continual assault, from Roman times through the second World War.
The skyline of Dinant, a small town cozied up against the Meuse River, is dominated by its two main buildings: the Citadel, which overlooks the town from a 100 meter cliff, and the Cathedral of Notre Dame, outsized against the surrounding structures and capped by a bronze onion dome. The Citadel, built during the Dutch occupation c. 1820, is the second fortress to sit atop the strategic crest -- an earlier fortification was destroyed by the French in 1703.
Other places to visit in the province are Rochefort, Villers sur Lesse and more. Leave a Comment
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 Facades of Steiner school,
Antwerp by Norali
Dannie explained the difference between a Art Nouveau house and a Art Nouveau influenced house. Whilst the latter has the Art Nouveau "trimmings" (the whip lines, the flowers..), the former requires, in addition, more research in its design. They seem the same but the difference is the cohesion between interior and exterior.
If I understand her well, the Art Nouveau house was thought from the interior first then outside setting was designed, never separately.
Indeed, for Belgian plots of land being cut deep, townhouses use to be rather long than large. Art Nouveau houses are thought according to the need of light. For that, it requires the use of iron-glass structure, central stained-glass ceiling or dome. Windows are also designed according the need of enlightning. Wide windows for study rooms and dining- rooms and less light for smoking rooms, for instance. Inside, skylights are used for staircases too.
One can "guess" from outside, by looking at the buildings, the use of rooms, since you would notice wider windows..etc. Yes, you read "guess" since they wouldn't show you all. Hence the use of a specific glass whose blurry effect allows to preseve intimacy, while letting light come.
Want to know more? I've found this website. Lots of info: historical facts, evolution, research in the use and properties of elements, the influences, the trends, the Masters... Art Nouveau around Europe.
French and Dutch, edited by a team from Brussels.
http://www.bruxelles-art-nouveau.be/
I've been always interested in design, architecture. So far, I've never researched on Art Nouveau. Yet, I live in Brussels, "Art Nouveau capital city". It's at that very moment that I start researching on it. With above website, you'll learn a lot without being bored.
For some reason, I wondered myself why, in Belgium, some Socialist Headquarters (Maison du peuple, Volkshuis) were built by Masters of Art Nouveau?
In fact, I don't know that many but the one that used to be Brussels' Maison du peuple and Antwerp's are Art Nouveau buildings. Ghent's Vooruit too, if I am not wrong.
Well, I told ya! These are my pages so I tend to lay here things that come to my mind as long as they are related to discoveries... Selfish? I know! :)
I am not the only one to have that question in mind. And I found out, on the net, lately, what would be the reason. Officially, Victor Horta built the Maison du peuple in Brussels, in 1895, not regarding to any political trend. Yet, it were the blue-collar trade unions who, first, asked Victor Horta to draw the plans of the then future Brussels' Socialist HQ.
It is reported also that the friendship that tied avant-garde artists (Horta and co.) with intellectuals who embraced Socialist ideology (after the social disaster of that time, strikes in Charleroi...) was determinant in the binding of Art Nouveau movement to Socialist ideology. Unofficial version. Those friends were Jules Destr?e, Max Hallet and Emile Vandervelde, lawyers from Charleroi area. They convinced leaders of Parti Ouvrier Belge (Belgian Labour party) to give to Horta the coordination of the design works...
Also, Hallet strongly supported Horta in his project of Institut des Arts D?coratifs.
Another reason behind the binding, maybe, is the fact that some painters switched from a more "egoistic" form of art : painting, only for few well-offs, to arts d?coratifs. Mission is then rather into improving "people's everyday life" (quoting). That, IMHO, can be another inconscient motive of Art Nouveau and Arts d?cos artists in working for such projects.
More info: http://www.labellepoque.de/bruessel/brussels.htm
You may be interested in Horta museum too. English, French, German and Dutch there. http://www.hortamuseum.be/ Leave a Comment
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 Abbeys, Beers are in Flanders,
Brussels & Wallonia by Norali
Since its Independence, in 1831, Belgium has been a constitutional monarchy in a central state. Constitution has been changed in 1993 to grant the country with a Federal state status.
Compared to a country like Madagascar with its 14-15 millions of inhabitants spread in 587 000 sq km, it's a lot dense country. Thing is, Belgium is one of most densely inhabitated countries in the world (!). It is 3 times as dense as neighbouring France with, for instance, 58 millions persons in 549 000 sq km. It's more dense than Germany also**.
Now, try to think that those 10 million belong to:
- 3 Regions (Flemish region, Walloon region and region of Bruxelles- Capitale);
- 10 Provinces (Antwerpen; Western Flanders; Eastern Flanders; Limburg; Hainault; Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant, Liège, Luxembourg, Namur). These provinces are located in only 2 of the regions, Brussels region having another status: a region made up by 19 communes.. erm.. yes!
- 3 Cultural Communities (Flemish community, French community*** and German-speaking community).
Regions and communities are entities that use to have their own council, own government. Flemish Region and Flemish community share the same council and government.
Now, to add to the trouble, I am introducing you the notion of Linguistic regions. There, you have roughly: Dutch-speaking region; French-speaking region; German-speaking region and Bilingual region of Bruxelles-Capitale (Brussel- Hofstad). "
For me, it's fun as it became part of everyday life. Also, some partitionings are only used for administrative purpose. Yet, it took me some time to seize the finesse of "easy Belgium(s)" while studying Belgian and European political institutions. I think that even Belgian students had problem in that typical matter...
**It is said that Belgium is highly dense for it having been in the European crossroads area, the one that used (and still uses) to be highly mercantile and dynamic, North-Western Europe. Plus, it has an access to North Sea from where to convey and unload goods (textile, steel...). That made people come, settle, exchange here.
***Side note: Yes, you read "French". Communauté francaise de Belgique (translated as French Community of Belgium) is not an association of French residents in Belgium, rather the community of French- speaking areas of Belgium. Yet, I don't know why they choose this name.
They have their "Fête de la Communauté francaise" on Sep. 26. Last time, in 2003, I heard on TV some French people who live in Belgium complaining about the use of this name by the Belgian French-speaking community. And they are right.
Communauté Francophone de Belgique (translated as French-speaking community of Belgium) would lead to less confusion, imho. Leave a Comment
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 The coast of Middelkerke with
dyke and appartments by Ann75
Other parts of this province include Ypres The area around Ypres the site of three major battles in World War I. In the First Battle of Ypres the British captured the town from the Germans. In the Second Battle of Ypres the Germans used poison gas for the first time on the Western Front and captured high ground east of the town. In the Third Battle of Ypres the British, Canadians and ANZAC forces recaptured the ridge at a terrible cost of lives. Today you can still visit their graves. Leave a Comment
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 The old market square of
Leuven by Ann75
The Hageland which includes Aarschot, Diest and Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, a large part of which is covered by fruit cultivation (long-stemmed orchards) and where wine is once again being produced, and the Flemish Brabant Haspengouw (Tienen, Zoutleeuw). To the south of Leuven we find the area of the Heverlee Wood and the Meerdaal Forest.
The green zone around Bierbeek, Haasrode, Heverlee and Oud-Heverlee, St-Joris-Weert, Vaalbeek, etc. Flemish Brabant supplies about half the total Belgian production of cut flowers and chicory and, after Limburg, is the country’s most important fruit producer (Hageland-Pajottenland: apples, pears, plums, peaches and small fruit including strawberries, raspberries and other berries). Leave a Comment
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 Beautiful scenery in Bokrijk,
Limburg by Ann75
The province of Limburg offers many different things. It has a rich history, there's culture and art, there's lots of nature, shopping and so much more. Don't miss the historical place of Bokrijk with its Open Air museum that goes back in time.
The province of Limburg is divided into three administrative districts which contain 44 municipalities. *The District of Hasselt with the following bigger cities/towns: Beringen, Genk and Hasselt. There are about 18 municipalities in this district.
*The District of Maaseik with the following bigger cities/towns: Bree, Maaseik and Peer. There are about 13 municipalties in this district.
*The District of Tongeren with the following bigger cities/towns: Bilzen, Maasmechelen and Tongeren. There are about 13 municicpalities in this district. Leave a Comment
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