Laeken Travel Guide

 
by B-free
  •   Laeken
    by B-free
  •   Laeken
    by B-free
  •   Laeken
    by benidormone
  • royal carriages
      royal carriages
    by irisbe
  • Royal Palace of Laken
      Royal Palace of Laken
    by irisbe

Explore Laeken

Things to Do  

a tradition of over 100 years old

a tradition of over 100 years old, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  When you have left the royal stables you will enter through this building, it is the first building and it houses the "orangerie".You will pass through the orangerie on your way out. There you can buy postcards or catalogues.Each year during Spring, the greenhouses of Laken... 

the azalea room

the azalea room, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  In this huge green house you will find a plentitude of azalea's all ordered accordingly to their colour.Here is the group of the red ones.The contemporary collection in the royal greenhouses is of real big value and more specific in three kind:.First of all, a certain amount... 

then turn to your head to the other side again

then turn to your head to the other side again, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  and watch the magnificien dome, the royal crown on the top.Soon you will find out how it looks inside!In 1873architect Alphonse Balat designed a greenhouse complex for King Leopold II.It had to "communicate" with the classic style of the Palac. The greenhouses addapted the... 

the greenhouse construction

the greenhouse construction, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  It is marvelous to see all the sites of this greenhouse construction.Especially on a sunny day, the green of the metal and the colour of the glas in the sun looks marvelous.During the 19th century, the advanced knowledge and technics and new materials, led to the combination... 

The Royal Palace at Laken

The Royal Palace at Laken, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  Architect Poelaert (same as the one who designed the Palace of Justice in Brussels) has given the 18th century castle a new front in the early 1900ties.When the flag is up, the king is home! 

the walk back to the entry

the walk back to the entry, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  Between the royal palace and the street, seperated by a huge fence, there is this long path you have to walk.Ofcourse the royal family rather drives this path. Our present king, king Albert II is a huge motor fan.At the back you will find the Albert I memorate tower. 

The Japanese tower

The Japanese tower, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  From inside the park you have a look at the Japanese tower, near the Chinese pavilion, that both are located outside the park.I hope the pics taken with my reflex camera will be better :-)then I will add a few of those! 

the way out

the way out, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  well that was it ... this hall will lead to the orangerie where you can buy that catalogue or those postcards :-)I hope you enjoyed! 

arriving!

arriving!, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  a big round dome, an innercircle surrounded by pillars and a walking path in a huge circle at the outside of the pillar row. 

closing in on the big dome, the winter garden

closing in on the big dome, the winter garden, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  Here you can see a detail of the iron inside of the greenhouse.It takes a lot of maintainance to keep it clean and to avoid corosion. 

more tropical plants

more tropical plants, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  the wide stairs (of the previous tip) will bring you in some new rooms with more tropical plants, some of them we are familiar with. 

Transportation  

to get there

to get there, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  There are several means of public transportation to get to Laeken: bus 53tram 19 and 94Metro Heizel, Royal Palace/Koninklijke Parklaan 

To get there

To get there, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  If you drive there by car, then you can park your car on the large parking lot just across the Royal Palace.Local police and signalisation will help you. 

Shopping  

ice cream on wheels !: very mobile shopping!
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irisbe 1372 reviews
ice cream man! ring your bell ! ring! rrrring!

It is yellow, it has 4 wheels and it is waiting for you at the parking space :-)
It is called the icecream van!

What to buy: Icecream of course! in different flavours!

Written Apr 22, 2003

Related to:
 Family Travel
 Budget Travel

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Warnings and Dangers  

crossing the street
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irisbe 1372 reviews
street crossing

Whether you parked your car or you came by bus, don't just cross the street but wait for the local police to help you over.
They are specially there to stop the traffic and let you pass.

Written Apr 22, 2003

Related to:
 Family Travel
 Budget Travel

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Off The Beaten Path  

painted flowers

painted flowers, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  Sometimes pictures doesn't come out the way you liked it. Should you just throw them away? Or should you experiment on them?I thought to do the second and I will add them on my off the beaten path as my t-logues are too limited.off the beaten path of the photographer `-) 

painted flowers

painted flowers, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  Sometimes pictures doesn't come out the way you liked it. Should you just throw them away? Or should you experiment on them?I thought to do the second and I will add them on my off the beaten path as my t-logues are too limited.off the beaten path of the photographer `-) 

painted flowers

painted flowers, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  Sometimes pictures doesn't come out the way you liked it. Should you just throw them away? Or should you experiment on them?I thought to do the second and I will add them on my off the beaten path as my t-logues are too limited.off the beaten path of the photographer `-) 

Favorites  

Another detail of the fence

Another detail of the fence, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  This is a small detail of the fence that is seperating the premises of the Royal Castle from the public road. 

for people that want to have a rest

for people that want to have a rest, Laeken

 irisbe Says:  ... when you walk through the garden of the royal palace, you might find several places where you can sit for a few minutes should your legs don't want to carry you no further or should you just want to enjoy the magnificient view. Spring is lovely!Visiting the garden medio... 

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Map of Laeken