11 Days Highlights of Belgium

行き先について: 息をのむような中世の中心地からシュルレアリスムまでの21世紀の寺院、新しいマグリット美術館、ブリュッセルは、訪問者にビールとチョコレートだけではなく多くのものを提供し、EU官僚の本拠地としての残念なイメージとは全く異なります。確かに、ブリュッセルは創造的でダイナミックな街です。そのコンパクトな市内中心部には、石畳の道沿いにバー、レストラン、美術館が集まっています。必然的に、ほとんどの観光客はグランプラスに向かいます。その華やかなフランドルのギルドハウス、印象的な市庁舎、賑やかな雰囲気の中で、ヨーロッパ全体でもっと美しい広場を見つけるのは難しいでしょう。それは当然ユネスコの世界遺産に登録されており、街の最高級の宝石です。アートギャラリーやアンティークショップで溢れている近くのロイヤルとサブロン地区の隣にさまよいましょう。あなたの地図を捨てて、無数の脇道を蛇行して、フリーマーケット、アールデコハウス、ブティック店を発見しましょう。 Bruxelloisは、奇妙なことへの強い感謝に支えられた、自己表出的で知的なユーモアのセンスを誇りにしています。街は、ルネ・マグリットによって開拓されたシュルレアリスムの芸術運動と、エルジェの少年主人公、ティンティンによって代表される古典的なコミックストリップとの長年の愛情関係を持っています。街の最も有名なランドマークが小便小僧、小便小児用の小さな像であるという事実には皮肉な皮肉があります。その間、これらのすべては世界クラスの芸術のコレクション、ムール貝、フリット、ワッフルとwheを含む素晴らしい料理、ヨーロッパで最もユニークでユニークなビール（文字通り、何千もの種類があります）、そしてマスターショコラティエとともにあります。毎年7月に開催される大規模で騒々しいFoire du Midiのストリートフェアから、240の屋台が並ぶSainte Catherine広場の中心に位置する伝説的なクリスマスマーケットまで、街の文化カレンダーにはイベントが満載です。大きな車輪、そしてたくさんの乗り物。最大のイベントの1つはアートブリュッセルで、街のエッジーでクリエイティブな面、そして世界中からアート愛好家のためのハブを紹介しています。ユーロを愛する国民なら、シューマンとベルレモンを中心としたヨーロピアンクォーターをチェックしてください。その最も活気のある部分は、Place du Luxembourgです。ブリュッセルが第二次世界大戦後の国際政治の中心になった後、すべてのバーは平日の午後6時頃に市内に居住する2万人の外交官、政治家、公務員によって埋め尽くされます。あなたの目を開いて、あなたはブリュッセルが提供しなければならないことすべてに嬉しく驚かれるでしょう。

About the destination: Bruges is Europe’s sleeping beauty. It is the best-preserved example of northern Renaissance architecture in Europe, with the beauty of its romantic canals and remarkable facades matched only by its art. Bruges is a museum pulled inside out, displayed with loving touch and subtlety that most curators can only dream of. After dark buildings and canals are beautifully illuminated and the sight is just breathtaking. The centre of town is the Markt, a gorgeous square presided by the remarkable Beffroi, a medieval bell tower and one of the city's most prominent symbols. For a beautiful panorama of the city’s circular perimeter, climb the steps of the Beffroi. The 14th century Stadhuis, the town hall, is a good example of flamboyant Gothic architecture. Many Flemish masters worked in Bruges, some of their masterpieces are housed in the excellent Groeninge Museum. The perfectly preserved medieval tower of Our Lady's Church is the highest tower in Bruges. The Church of our Lady contains Michelangelo´s soft and touching Madonna and Child, there is also a fantastically ornate wood pulpit. Located in the right-hand corner of Burg Square, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, dating from 1150, is made up of a Romanesque lower chapel and a Gothic upper chapel. Two levels are strikingly different: the Romanesque lower level is austere with little ornamentation, whereas the Gothic upper level is pulses with colourful detail. The two chapels are connected by a grand brick staircase, which climbs behind the grand facade facing the square. Today’s stairs and facade are a 19th-century reconstruction of the 1533 Renaissance versions, demolished during the French occupation following the French Revolution. The Minnewater, dubbed Lake of Love, and its lovely park is one of the first things you see in the city of Bruges, when arriving by train or coach. The lake and surrounding park offer an excellent retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city`s sights and streets. The many resident swan couples form the finishing touch to its romantic character. At the Lake of Love Bruges seems even more picturesque than usual. Charmingly medieval, Bruges is a unique place. Strolling along its alleys, picturesque canals and verdant ramparts you cannot but fall hopelessly in love with her elegant mysteriousness.

About the destination: Antwerp is located on the eastern bank of the river Scheldt, which is linked to the North Sea by the Westerschelde estuary. The city has one of the largest seaports in Europe. Antwerp has long been an important city in the Low Countries, both economically and culturally. Antwerp’s appeal derives from its unique mix of styles and peoples. First there’s the no-nonsense part of town around Centraal Statio; the shipping, diamond, and garment industries are headquartered here. Then there’s the art and culture that wealth has bought throughout the centuries. Flemish Old Masters, particularly native son Rubens, are well-represented here. Finally, there is the immense port with its own smoky trees. There is more to see and do in Antwerp than in any other Belgian city. Start with a walk through the oude stad, old town, beginning at Grote Markt, where the Stadhuis, town hall, stands as a magnificent example of Renaissance architecture. The nearby Cathedral of Our Lady has a spectacular Gothic tower. Its interior is richly decorated with stained glass and it houses some of Rubens' most famous paintings. Close by there is the Steen, a beautiful story-book fortress which dates from the 12th century. The Plantin Moretus Museum is a delightful must. Plantin turned printing into an art during the 16th century, and most of his tools and presses are here on display. The picturesque courtyard and Rubens paintings also make the visit worthwhile. Save time to visit Rubenshuis, one of the best museums of its kind in the world. Rubens lived and worked for nearly 30 years in this sumptuous house. His garret is exquisitely furnished and richly stocked with art treasures. Few tourists get to Cogels-Osylei, an avenue with an uninterrupted procession of art nouveau mansions, each one seeming to outdo the one before it in architectural fantasy. Antwerp is a very cultural and vivid city. Discover for yourself this effervescent trading, artistic and cultural centre with its typical atmosphere of a port for the ships of the world: cosmopolitan, slightly exotic and at the same time so hospitable.

About the destination: Lively Leuven (Louvain in French) is an ancient capital, a prominent brewing centre and Flanders’ oldest university town. In term time, and even during holidays, some 25,000 students give the city an upbeat, creative air. The picturesque core is small enough that you could easily see the sights in a short day trip, but characterful pubs and good-value dining could keep you here for weeks.

About the destination: Liège is Wallonia's largest city and the third largest municipality in Belgium after Brussels and Antwerp. The city lies on the confluence of the Meuse and the Ourthe Rivers. Great river port and economic and commercial metropolis close to Germany, Liège is the seat of economic institutions in Wallonia. Its glorious past has left a rich heritage in churches and museums. Liège is also a university town with a very lively atmosphere. Place Saint-Lambert is the heart of Liège. Nowadays it is a wide open space in modern design. Surrounding the square is the shopping mall Galeries Saint Lambert, the palace of the Prince Bishops of Liege and the Place du Marche, where stands the town hall and the Perron, a column symbolising the municipal liberties. The Place Saint Lambert is the central hub of Liège. It is an extremely busy place that is crowded with people. The Saint Paul Cathedral is the main cathedral of Liege. It was built in the 10th century but underwent many restorations since then. In front of the church is the square called Place de la Cathédrale which is beautifully decorated with flowers. The square boasts several restaurants and is a perfect place to sit down and have a meal or enjoy a cup of coffee. Liège has a number of very interesting museums such as The Arms Museum, where you can find a lot about the history of arms making, The Curtius Museum, with decorative arts, seals, coins and medals, and The Museum of Wallon Art, where you can see the collection of paintings and artefacts. Liège has innumerable riches in store waiting to be discovered. Quirky and lively it has a large number of restaurants and bars to entertain locals and tourists alike. Its vigorous cultural and artistic life and a considerable architectural heritage make Liège an essential part of any trip to Belgium.