Flanders Travel Planner 2011 - (Page 3)

Antwerp Antwerp, home of 16th and 17th century Flemish masters and long-time center of the global diamond trade, is a masterpiece of a city—a modern-day portrait of European “cool” with an emphasis on contemporary chic that’s evident in everything from fashion and design, to its trendy one-of-a-kind boutiques and shops, dining and clubbing. All put together in a cosmopolitan mix only the second largest port in Europe could muster. But with all its modern vibe, this is, in fact, one of Europe’s oldest cities, and visitors will find it more than a little difficult to ignore the city’s classical reputation as a historical icon. Antwerp was, don’t forget, home to the likes of Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck and Jacob Jordaens, an artistic legacy that was not lost on this city over the centuries. That very legacy, combined with its centuries-old history as an important port and trade city, is juxtaposed today with Antwerp’s international reputation as a modern and avant-garde artistic and design center, plus the present-day home to the so-called “Antwerp Six,” the much-heralded contemporary fashion designers who have gained the kind of worldwide recognition that’s as prestigious as the city’s famously classical artisans. 48 Hours in Ant werp Morning—Day 1 Start off your day with breakfast at the Berlin Cafe, offering Belgian specialties in a stylish atmosphere. Or, take some time at The Cafeteria, offering up healthy fare, sweets and a variety of other breakfast selections that helped put it on the Antwerp Tourist Guide’s “Best Antwerp Breakfast” list. After breakfast, head over to Grote Markt, Antwerp’s main square and starting point for many city tours. But there’s plenty to see right around the square such as the 16th century City Hall finished in 1564, plus the nearby eye-catching Guild buildings, a photo op from heaven, with their magnificent architecture topped by decorative gilded statues, all filled today with a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants. Still more photo ops await at the beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady and the imposing Central Rail Station. Finally, finish up the morning with a visit to The Rubens House—certainly one of the world’s great artists whose famous preference for the more voluptuous female form led to the phrase, “Rubenesque”—a must-see on a visit to Antwerp. There’s a significant collection of Rubens’ work displayed here, as well as art by his students Jacob Jordaens and Anthony Van Dyck. The house itself, too, gives visitors a good idea of what 17th century artistic life was like, since this place was also party central for that period’s movers and shakers. self—originally built in the mid-19th century—has been recently renovated and its interior has been called one of the most classically beautiful buildings in the city. This is a great place for a drink in the theater’s De Foyer Bar, famous for its ambiance. For lunch, you might want to pop into Lombardia, a vegan and organic food and juice bar, with tasty salads and sandwiches and ginger teas. Expand your sightseeing beyond the city-center by hopping on the Diamond Bus, Antwerp’s version of the Hop-on and Hop-off buses so popular in the larger tourist cities around the world. The afternoon is a good time to take advantage of the tour because tickets are good for 24 hours, which means you won’t have to do it all in one day. Here’s a tip: do the whole route first without getting off and make note of what you want to see in the afternoon and leave the rest for the next morning. Tips from Loca Some of the places you might ls want to spend some time at either ✔ High-end ‘t Zilte for dinner the first afternoon or in the morning ✔ People-watc h at Cocktails at of the second day would be some of Nine ✔ Shop for choc olate at The the city’s wonderful museums (take Chocolate Line at Paleis op de advantage of the new Antwerp Meir ✔ Stroll the Ar t Nouveau distr ict, City Card, which offers discounts Zurenborg for all attractions). The Plantin✔ Hang out at the Park Spoor Noord, a great outdoo Moretus Museum, for instance, a r park with cafe in summer World Heritage site, is a museum complex that archives the history ☞ www.visitflanders.us / F3 Afternoon—Day 1 After all that sightseeing, head over to the nearby Bourla Theater, located in what was once called the city’s Latin Quarter. The theater it- http://www.visitflanders.us

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flanders Travel Planner 2011

Antwerp
Brussels
Bruges
Ghent
Practical Information

Flanders Travel Planner 2011