Flanders Fly & Drive

Sobre el destino: Desde su impresionante centro medieval a su reciente templo al Surrealismo, el nuevo Museo Magritte, Bruselas ofrece al visitante más que la cerveza y chocolate y es rotundamente diferente a su imagen sobria como hogar de los burócratas de la UE. De hecho, Bruselas es una ciudad dinámica y creativa. Su compacto centro está abarrotado de bares, restaurantes y museos a lo largo de calles empedradas. Inevitablemente, la mayoría de los turistas se dirigen a la Grand-Place. Con sus ornamentadas casas gremiales flamencas, impresionante ayuntamiento y ambiente animado, sería difícil encontrar una plaza más hermosa en Europa. Es la joya de la corona de la ciudad y Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO. Pasee junto a los distritos cercanos Royal y Sablon repletos de galerías de arte y tiendas de antigüedades. Tire a la basura su mapa y deambule por las innumerables calles laterales, repletas de mercadillos, casas art-deco y boutiques. Los bruselenses se enorgullecen de su modesto, sentido del humor intelectual, apoyado en una fuerte apreciación de lo bizarro. La ciudad profesa su amor por el movimiento de arte surrealista, liderado por René Magritte, y por las historietas clásicas, personificadas por niño héroe de Hergé, Tintín. Irónicamente lo más emblemático de la ciudad es el Manneken-Pis, una pequeña estatuilla de un niño orinando. Junto a las colecciones de arte de gran nivel, está la fabulosa oferta gastronómica típica de la ciudad, incluyendo mejillones, patatas fritas, galletas, algunas de las mejores cervezas y singulares de Europa y los deliciosos chocolates. El calendario cultural de la ciudad está repleto de eventos para todos los gustos, desde la masiva y ruidosa feria callejera Foire du Midi en Julio al legendario Mercado de Navidad, que ocupa un lugar central en la Place Sainte Catherine con 240 puestos, una pista de patinaje, una gran noria, y numerosas atracciones. Uno de los eventos más importantes es Art Brussels, una muestra del arte más transgresor y creativo y un punto de encuentro para aficionados del arte de todo el mundo. Si usted es un amante de la Unión Europea, eche un vistazo al barrio europeo, centrado en torno a Schuman y el Berlaymont. Su parte más animada es la Place du Luxembourg: todos los bares se llenan alrededor de las 6 pm los días entresemana con algunos de los 20.000 diplomáticos, políticos y funcionarios que residen en la ciudad después de que Bruselas se convirtiera en el centro política internacional. Mantenga los ojos abiertos y Bruselas le sorprenderá gratamente con todo lo que tiene que ofrecer.

Sobre el destino: En nuestra mente, una ciudad universitaria es sinónimo de diversión y fiesta mezcladas con estudio y trabajo duro. El ambiente suele ser dinámico, joven, fresco, del que nos pone una sonrisa en la cara. Tal sensación, unida a las palabras “cultura” y “cerveza”, se convierte en una razón muy apetecible para visitar Lovaina (Leuven), a media hora escasa de Bruselas.

Sobre el destino: Desde su impresionante centro medieval a su reciente templo al Surrealismo, el nuevo Museo Magritte, Bruselas ofrece al visitante más que la cerveza y chocolate y es rotundamente diferente a su imagen sobria como hogar de los burócratas de la UE. De hecho, Bruselas es una ciudad dinámica y creativa. Su compacto centro está abarrotado de bares, restaurantes y museos a lo largo de calles empedradas. Inevitablemente, la mayoría de los turistas se dirigen a la Grand-Place. Con sus ornamentadas casas gremiales flamencas, impresionante ayuntamiento y ambiente animado, sería difícil encontrar una plaza más hermosa en Europa. Es la joya de la corona de la ciudad y Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO. Pasee junto a los distritos cercanos Royal y Sablon repletos de galerías de arte y tiendas de antigüedades. Tire a la basura su mapa y deambule por las innumerables calles laterales, repletas de mercadillos, casas art-deco y boutiques. Los bruselenses se enorgullecen de su modesto, sentido del humor intelectual, apoyado en una fuerte apreciación de lo bizarro. La ciudad profesa su amor por el movimiento de arte surrealista, liderado por René Magritte, y por las historietas clásicas, personificadas por niño héroe de Hergé, Tintín. Irónicamente lo más emblemático de la ciudad es el Manneken-Pis, una pequeña estatuilla de un niño orinando. Junto a las colecciones de arte de gran nivel, está la fabulosa oferta gastronómica típica de la ciudad, incluyendo mejillones, patatas fritas, galletas, algunas de las mejores cervezas y singulares de Europa y los deliciosos chocolates. El calendario cultural de la ciudad está repleto de eventos para todos los gustos, desde la masiva y ruidosa feria callejera Foire du Midi en Julio al legendario Mercado de Navidad, que ocupa un lugar central en la Place Sainte Catherine con 240 puestos, una pista de patinaje, una gran noria, y numerosas atracciones. Uno de los eventos más importantes es Art Brussels, una muestra del arte más transgresor y creativo y un punto de encuentro para aficionados del arte de todo el mundo. Si usted es un amante de la Unión Europea, eche un vistazo al barrio europeo, centrado en torno a Schuman y el Berlaymont. Su parte más animada es la Place du Luxembourg: todos los bares se llenan alrededor de las 6 pm los días entresemana con algunos de los 20.000 diplomáticos, políticos y funcionarios que residen en la ciudad después de que Bruselas se convirtiera en el centro política internacional. Mantenga los ojos abiertos y Bruselas le sorprenderá gratamente con todo lo que tiene que ofrecer.

Sobre el destino: Malinas es una ciudad del distrito del mismo nombre de la provincia de Amberes, en la región de Flandes (Bélgica). Situada a mitad de camino entre Bruselas y Amberes, ciudades de las que dista unos 25 km. El idioma oficial es el neerlandés, aunque se habla también un dialecto propio. El término municipal de Malinas comprende además de la propia ciudad de Malinas las poblaciones de Walem, Heffen, Leest, Hombeek, y Muizen. El 1 de enero de 2018, contaba con unos 86.304 habitantes. El alcalde la ciudad es Bart Somers. Esta también es la localidad natal de Hanne Verbruggen.

Sobre el destino: 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.

Sobre el destino: Spiritual bulwark of Flanders, second Belgian port and major industrial centre, Ghent is also a university city that has a feeling of vitality. Built at the confluence of the Leie and the Scheldt, the city is crisscrossed by numerous canals and waterways. Hometown of Charles V, Ghent is full of history and monuments, and old neighbourhoods and docks are full of poetry. The lighting makes a simple evening stroll into something extraordinary. Gravensteen, meaning castle of the counts in Flemish, is an impressive sight. Built in 1180 by Philippe d’Alsace, count of Flanders, Gravensteen Castle is a worthwhile visit for anyone who enjoys history. Featuring walls that measure two meters thick, Gravensteen includes a torture museum, showcasing various torture methods that were once used at the castle. The Gravensteen Castle is located on the eastern bank of the river Leie, right in the heat of Gent's historic city centre. The impressive gothic cathedral is one of the landmarks of the city. Saint Bavo’s Cathedral is a beautiful structure with so many things to see inside that you should think of it as a visit to a museum. The tower rising up in front is impressive, one of the three tower that dominates the city centre, the others belong to Belfort and St. Nickolas church. The cathedral houses the famous altarpiece painting, the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. The Belfry Tower, Belford, was erected in 1380 as a symbol of the self-governed and independent city of Gent. It was later also used as a treasury and watch tower. The Belfry is one of the three towers, which dominate the skyline of the historic city centre. The Brabant Gothic style tower is 91 metres tall and can be climbed for panoramic views. The third tower that dominate the skyline belongs to St. Nicholas' Church. The church was constructed in the 13th century and is the best example of Scheldt Gothic in Belgium. One of the oldest churches of the city it stands right in the heart of Ghent. Beautifully classical, Ghent is a compact, authentic city where the past and present co-exist in perfect balance.

Sobre el destino: 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.

Sobre el destino: From its breathtaking medieval centre to its 21st-century temple to Surrealism, the new Magritte Museum, Brussels offers the visitor a great deal more than just beer and chocolate and is resoundingly unlike its unfortunate staid image as the home of EU bureaucrats. Indeed, Brussels is a creative, dynamic city. Its compact city centre is clustered with bars, restaurants and museums set along cobbled streets. Inevitably, most tourists head to the Grand-Place. With its ornate Flemish guild houses, impressive Town Hall and buzzing atmosphere, it would be difficult to find a more beautiful square in the whole of Europe. It deservedly is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the city’s crowning jewel. Wander next to the nearby Royal and Sablon districts teeming with art galleries and antique shops. Throw away your map and meander down a myriad side streets, discovering flea markets, art-deco houses and boutique stores. The Bruxellois take pride in their self-effacing, intellectual sense of humour, underpinned by a strong appreciation of the bizarre. The city has a long-running love affair with the Surrealist art movement, pioneered by René Magritte, and with classic comic strips, epitomised by Hergé's boy hero, Tintin. There's a telling irony in the fact that the city's best-known landmark is the Manneken-Pis, a tiny statuette of a urinating boy. Meanwhile, all of this sits alongside world-class collections of art, fabulous cooking including mussels, frites, waffles and whelks, some of Europe’s best and unique beers (literally, there are thousands of varieties), and master-chocolatiers. The city’s cultural calendar is packed with events for everyone from the massive, raucous Foire du Midi street fair every July teeming with stalls and fairground attractions to the legendary Christmas Market that takes centre stage in the Place Sainte Catherine with 240 stalls, a skating rink, a big wheel, and numerous rides. One of the biggest events is Art Brussels, showcasing the city’s edgier, creative side and a hub for art connoisseurs from around the globe. If you’re a Euro-loving national, check out the European Quarter, centered around Schuman and the Berlaymont. Its liveliest part is the Place du Luxembourg: all its bars fill up around 6pm on week days with some of the 20,000 diplomats, politicians and civil servants who reside in the city after Brussels became the centre of international political following WWII. Open your eyes and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all that Brussels has to offer.