BRUSSELS

Brussels is more than a 1000 years old. Today the name Brussels stands for an agglomeration of 19 communes forming one of the three Regions of the federal Belgian state; the capital of the Kingdom of Belgium; the headquarters of the French and Flemish Communities. Brussels also has an important international vocation: as the European capital the city is home to the European Commission and to the Council of ministers of the European Union (EU).  Brussels is the bilingual capital of Belgium. This means that both French and Dutch are the official languages of the city. Street names and traffic signs are always in these two languages. Furthermore, it is a cosmopolitan city where many different cultures live together and where different languages can be heard on each street. This liveliness and international flair is, of course, intimately related to its role as a crossroads for all of Europe. The same variety and contrast can also be found in the different architectural styles that can be found in Brussels, the former capital of the medieval Duchy of Brabant. Gothic cathedrals and churches are next to – and sometimes in stark contrast with – gracious classical facades like the buildings around the Royal Square.

What do we see

LEUVEN

Whatever you are looking for in a city, can be found in Leuven. A university city with a small-town feel, but completely in pace with a rapidly changing society. Leuven is situated right in the centre of Belgium. Its easy accessibility is an advantage. But there are many more good reasons to visit the “Jewel of the River Dyle”. You will soon find out: this city will never let you go.

What do we see

BRUGES

Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, such as Amsterdam and Stockholm, it is sometimes referred to as “The Venice of the North”. Bruges has a significant economic importance thanks to its port. At one time, it was considered the “chief commercial city” of the world. “Rise, fall and resurrection make up the life story of Bruges, a city that glittered in Northern Europe with as much panache as Venice did in the Mediterranean World.”

What do we see

GHENT

The history of Ghent begins in the year 630, when St Amandus chose the site of the confluence (or ‘Ganda’) of the two rivers, the Lys and the Scheldt, to construct an abbey. Nearly 1400 years of history are still palpable in the city today: a medieval castle surrounded by a moat, an imposing cathedral, a belfry, three beguinages. Nowhere else does one find so much history per square metre than in the historical heart of Ghent!From the year 1000 to around 1550, Ghent was one of the most important cities in Europe. It was bigger than London and second only to Paris in size. The 60,000 inhabitants it had in the 14th century clung forcefully to their rights: earls and princes discovered that the proud and rebellious people of Ghent would not relinquish their hard-won privileges and freedoms without a fight.The emperor Carl V was born in Ghent in 1500, the king of the first worldwide empire after the discovery of Americas: the Empire where the sun never sets.

What do we see

ANTWERP

Antwerp, where we can admire the largest and highest Cathedral of northern Europe, the Notre Dame Cathedral, inside the wonderful paintings of Petrus Paulus Rubens, considered the best Flemish painter of all time. The Meir, the shop avenue with the Ruben’s house museum and the Diamondland, the museum of the diamonds. The Scheldt it’s also the most important river of Belgium: 355 km and was strategically important for the ambitions of Napoleon and Hitler.

What do we see

MECHELEN

Mechelen is a small and picturesque city that is big on charm and history, thriving with quaint shops, car-free areas and pleasant little squares. The grace of centuries-old palaces and majestic churches appeals to everyone. There are no less than 336 listed buildings and monuments, including eight gothic and baroque churches from the 14th-17thcentury. The Begijnhofkerk is especially unique, with its feminine art schemes and pastel colors. Mechelen is a city for all ages. Young people can actively enjoy themselves in the Toy Museum or the Tivoli Children’s Farm, whereas the young at heart can entertain themselves at the Anker, one of the oldest operating breweries in Belgium. Students from all over the world come to learn to play church bells at Mechelen’s carillon school. Sitting outside on the terrace of a cafe sipping a local beer while listening to the bell music coming from the sky is nothing short of delightful. It is also home to one of the last remaining places in the world that restores and repairs antique tapestries, at Royal Manufacturers De Wit.

What do we see

LIÈGE

Liege is a historical city on the river Meuse, the birthplace of the Emperor Charlemagne & the writer Georges Simenon and at the crossroads of an important motorway network linking Paris, Amsterdam & Cologne -Germany, it is only a few miles away from Maastricht, Holland. By train, Liege is just two hours from Paris by Thalys or one hour from Brussels. This is the cultural center of Wallonia with an intense artistic life as well as an important architectural heritage.

What do we see

AACHEN

(Aachen, Aix-la-Chapelle) belongs to the district of Cologne in North Rhine-Westphalia. It is located in a fertile plain in the northern part of the Eifel, near the borders with Belgium and the Netherlands.
It was a Celtic settlement until the conquest of the Romans, who probably used as a retreat and heal Legionnaires, leveraging its hot springs (they have discovered remains of Roman baths). They gave the current name of the city, dedicated to the god ‘Aquae Granni’ Celtic god of health, who was credited with healing qualities.
It was the city where Charlemagne installed his government and residence in 794, and which eventually die (814), making it the most important moment Christian cultural center, which historians call “revival of the Middle Ages”. There he built his palace (on the site of the present town hall) and the Palatine Chapel, the core of the present Cathedral.

What do we see

NAMUR

Only a short distance from Brussels, Namur, the capital of Wallonia, is increasingly attracting attention. Around the city, a whole region of great charm is opening up to the world. Easily reached by road, air, rail or waterway, Namur keeps its heart for pedestrians.

What do we see

DINANT

Squeezed between the River Meuse and the high rocks that overlook it, Dinant is a little town indeed. Its main features are the river, the imposing citadel high above the town and the Collegiate Church of Our Lady with its characteristic pear shaped bell tower.

What do we see

ROTTERDAM

In the thirteenth century was just a fishing village that gave rise to a market and the first ports. In the nineteenth century, Rotterdam takes possession as an international gateway building a connection to the North Sea through a canal in 1866; this brought an acceleration of population growth which God possibility of opening new ports, which attracted merchants and builders. Rotterdam was almost completely destroyed in the first and second world war. Today is the city with the highest buildings in Europe, city builders experiment and innovation in architecture. Besides the city with the largest port in Europe and second worldwide.

What do we see

DELFT

Delft, famous for the production of blue and white ceramic (Delfts Blauw) city. This pottery had a great popularity during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Delft was the city of Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) painter Girl Pearl. It is located between Rotterdam and The Hague, also known for its link with the House of Orange when Guillermo Taciturn his residency in 1572, leading the uprising against Spanish rule from its headquarters in Delft, gain the victory for the Dutch who they provide religious freedom and independence.

What do we see

THE HAGUE

The Hague, it is located beside the North Sea, with its beach of Scheveningen; famous best known holandesea. The coast resort city is the seat of government in the Netherlands, peace, law and the residence of members of the royal family. The Hague is the visible proof that you can perfectly combine a modern skyline and a historic center.

What do we see

AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam, magical city that combines its extensive canals and numerous bridges with original architecture of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries , concentrated in a small area. Amsterdam is the city with more museums in the world, (the Van Gogh museum, the Anne Frank House, the Hermitage Museum and the Rijksmuseum, where Rembrandt’s Night Watch is exposed).

What do we see

VOLENDAM

Catholic city that is 20 km from Amsterdam was an old fishing town and offers a different landscape. Volendam is a charming village; here you can watch the Dutch in their traditional dresses, in addition find a variety of souvenir shops. On the way to Volendam you can admire the farms where the cheese is produced and manufactured the Dutch Swedes.

MARKEN

It is a small village separated by the sea located 20 kilometers from Amsterdam. Marken was a place where there was an island that joined the mainland via a fixed dock. Since the middle Ages it has lost a third of its total area. In the eastern part of the island under water, they are still remnants of a medieval cloister that was destroyed by the waves. The hills of Marken remain a cluster of wooden houses. The island became peninsula in 1957; it is considered as part of the national heritage and also has an official heritage. Marken is a very green place exudes happiness. Take advantage of this town in their homes, their gardens, farm animals, the harbor, canals, bridges and church.

THE WINDMILLS OF KINDERDIJK

Located 25km from Rotterdam this place offers the best view to capture in your photo album: the 19 mills were built in 1740, as part of a larger water management system to prevent flooding. Today it is the symbol of the struggle of man and his need to reclaim land from the water. Alignment in two rows, facing each other, offers a spectacular view that has been awarded the UNESCO recognition in 1997. In July and August you can see the mill in operation and in winter the most beautiful moments are captured, when people ice skate along the rows of mills.

KEUKENHOF

Keukenhof, the best day out among the flowers! There are more than 7 million bulbs in bloom this spring, with a total of 800 varieties of tulips. An unique and unforgettable experience! Besides the spacious 32 hectares of flowers you can enjoy the spectacular flower shows, surprising inspirational gardens, unique artwork and wonderful events. We can’t miss the Tulpomania exhibition in the Juliana Pavilion.Keukenhof is also one big party for children. They will have a blast with the treasure hunt, petting farm, maze and the playground.

Andrea Belfiore
Tour guide BENELUX
andrea.belfiore@hotmail.com
Tel +32 488 69 66 24
skype: ilpolposplendido