Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for belgium
A Magic Carpet in Belgium
By Linda Tancs
Every two years in Brussels an array of colorful begonias graces Grand-Place in the form of a giant Flower Carpet. This year marks the fourteenth happening of this horticultural phenomenon, opening this weekend to the public from 13 to 15 August, preceded on 12 August by a fireworks display at 10 p.m. celebrating a day of construction of this floral masterpiece by over 100 volunteers. This year’s arrangement honors the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union, with the EU logo appearing in the carpet’s center. Surrounding that design are locally relevant images like patron Saint Michael slaying the dragon, the region’s emblem of blue and yellow iris and depictions of the city’s striking Gothic architecture. Be sure to view the work from the balcony of the Hotel de Ville between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
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A Fête in Belgium
By Linda Tancs
July 21 is National Day in Belgium, marking the day on which Leopold I took the constitutional oath as the first King of Belgium on this date in 1831 following the country’s independence from the Netherlands. For those lucky enough to have arrived for the opening of the urban Brussels Beach (Bruxelles les Bains), today’s events from 10 a.m. till midnight include merry makers parading in the capital amidst streets filled with black, yellow and red flags, music, theatre, an army exhibition at Place Poelaert and an arts and crafts market on the Rue de la Régence. That’s enough entertainment to keep you busy until the fireworks over the Royal Palace.
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The Heart of Europe
By Linda Tancs
Ask anyone to define the heart of Europe and you’ll get as many responses as there are possibilities. One of those possibilities is a tiny region known as the Eastern Cantons of Belgium, stretching from the Dutch border to Luxembourg. With French, Dutch and German influences (Germany hugging the eastern border), you might think the area suffers from a bit of an identity crisis, but the multilingual populace seems to embrace its diversity. The three cantons comprising this area–Eupen, Malmedy and St. Vith–offer a range of natural wonders and cosmopolitan flair equal to any European cultural capital, from the outdoor cafes of Marktplatz in Eupen to the Michelin-starred eatery in St. Vith. Between the northern and southern reaches lies a mix of dense forest, marshes and wetlands for the avid hiker or cyclist. Over 70,000 inhabitants call this region home and home, as they say, is where the heart is.
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Cruise Ports Unite in Marketing Alliance
By Linda Tancs
In a bid for attention among the better known (and used) ports of the Mediterranean and Baltic, fifteen European ports have united to market their appeal to cruise travelers. Calling themselves the Atlantic Alliance, the fifteen members of this cooperative are: Hamburg, Bremerhaven, IJmuiden, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Cherbourg, Saint-Malo, Brest, Nantes, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Santander, Vigo and Lisbon. More West European ports are expected to join in the future.
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Venetian Charms are Everywhere
By Linda Tancs
Venice, Italy, must be one of the most evocative places on earth. Just think of every country, state or city that lays claim to its own Venetian-style heritage. Dubai is dubbed the Venice of the Middle East. Giethoorn is the Venice of the Netherlands. Bruges, Stockholm and Amsterdam vie for the title Venice of the North. Bangkok boasts the title Venice of Asia. Amidst the charms of every Venetian wannabee, however, there’s one thing missing from the equation: the toil and sweat of dedicated public works employees who clean out the billowy thoroughfares of the real McCoy day in and day out to keep it the aqueous paradise that so many seek to adopt as their own.
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Eurostar Bids Adieu to Waterloo
By Linda Tancs
Not even an industrial strike in France affecting the Metro and train service to Calais and Lille can rain on Eurostar’s parade. Beginning today, Eurostar leaves its roost at Waterloo for new digs at St Pancras offering a higher-speed line to Paris and Brussels. Commuting time will now be just over 2 hours to Paris and just under 2 hours to Brussels. Those morning croissants might still be fresh when you get there.
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Canal Views of Bruges
By Linda Tancs
In this week’s edition of Travelrific Travel Show, the topic is Bruges, Belgium. In this canal city, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to another century as you marvel at row after row of ancient and graceful townhouses lining the waterways. Learn why it’s been called the Venice of the North. Visit www.travelrificradio.com.
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