Flanders are found on the north side of Belgium, commonly known as the Dutch-speaking part of the country. The way life is being celebrated in Flanders depicts how its culture, tradition, and heritage are highly-preserved. Its festivals are colorful and upbeat, its works of art are impressive and its people are warm and welcoming—just a few of the many reasons why Flanders has become one of Belgium’s most interesting places to visit.
Truly a tourist destination, Flanders has four major airports that serve tourists accessing the city by air: Brussels Airport, Antwerp Airport, Kortrijk-Wevelgem International Airport, and Ostend –Bruges International Airport. Meanwhile, there are several ports for those who are entering Flanders by boat. And for tourists coming from not far away, they enter either through cars or trains. Flanders has an impressive road system which makes roaming around hassle-free. Getting a public transport is easy as there are buses, taxis and trams that have regular routes in Flanders; major tourist destinations.
A large area of Flanders is focused on preserving its history and in fact, there are six top historic districts found within its premises. Antwerp, apart from being one of the historic districts, is regarded as the “world’s leading diamond city” and is also known for being a fashion and shopping hub. Bruges is postcard-perfect in any angle and the historic district here has a compact size, very ideal for short walking tours. Ghent, on the other hand, has an interesting blending of historic district, cosmopolitan city and provincial town—features that make a trip there worth the experience. The historic district in Leuven is upbeat because it is dotted with universities and learning centers, not to mention that the oldest university in the world is also located here. The historic district of Lier takes pride of Beguinage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the Gothic architecture that is evident in all the district’s corners. Lastly, Mechelen is an important historic district known for its wood carvings that are still very much visible in the district’s old churches.
This side of Belgium is also noted for its traditional events, most particularly the colorful and lively music festivals. The summer calendar is filled with concerts and music fests. Ironically, the big and highly-anticipated music events, such as Rock Werchter, Maanrock, and Sfinks happen in the small towns, probably because of the abundance of open spaces. Other events that easily attract thousands upon thousands of attendees include the beer festivals, such as the Bruges Beer Festival, that begins its celebration in February. The festival gathers over 70 breweries and the attendees are granted the opportunity to taste about 300 varieties of beer.
Flanders is an all-in-one destination that showcases various interests appealing to the discerning traveler. From historic places to nature’s wonders, from shopping centers to dining spots, there are unlimited attractions and opportunities to be explored in this gorgeous side of Belgium.
