Arboretum Kalmthout

Antwerp Travel Guide - Belgium Magical Experience

Antwerp Travel Guide - Belgium Magical Experience

Antwerp is a major destination in Belgium in the region of Flanders. It is renowned for being the world's leading diamond city and more than 70% of all diamonds are traded there. The Diamond Market is the hub of the economic section in Belgium. More than 85% of the world’s rough diamonds, 50% of cut diamonds, and 40% of industrial diamonds are traded in the city. Antwerp is the second largest city of Belgium. It has a beautiful historic city center, and is world-renowned for its fashion industry. The port of Antwerp is the second largest in Europe, and a major economic player in Belgium.

The name Antwerp is most likely derived from aan de werpe, which is Dutch for at the throw, referring to a place where the bending river throws its sand. Locals might tell you of an ancient urban legend, saying it comes from Hand werpen, which translated is throwing (a) hand(s). In the official flag, the castle het Steen and the hand of Antwerp are shown.

In the 16th century, Antwerp was one of the most important financial centres of the world, where traders from all over Europe and Asia sold and bought their goods. After the siege of Antwerp in 1585 by the Spanish, this role as a financial centre was taken over by Amsterdam. Nevertheless, since the 19th century and especially the 20th century, Antwerp has made a serious economic comeback.

The public transportation company De Lijn operates a dense network of buses, trams, and pre-metro (underground tram) connections in the city and its surroundings. Most things to see are near or within the Boulevards, the half-moon of avenues where there were once 16th century city-walls. This old town center, with a diameter of about 1.5 km can be walked, but there is excellent public transport.

The municipality comprises the city of Antwerp proper and several towns. It is divided into nine entities (districts):

Antwerp
Berchem
Berendrecht-Zandvliet-Lillo
Borgerhout
Deurne
Ekeren
Hoboken
Merksem
Wilrijk

Antwerp is the focus of lines to the north to Essen and the Netherlands, east to Turnhout, south to Mechelen, Brussels and Charleroi, and southwest to Ghent and Ostend. It is served by international trains to Amsterdam and Paris, and national trains to Ghent, Bruges, Ostend, Brussels, Charleroi, Hasselt, Liège, Leuven and Turnhout. A small airport, Antwerp International Airport, is located in the district of Deurne, with passenger service to various European destinations. A bus service connects the airport to the city centre.

A lot to see in Antwerp such as :

Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp
The Rubens House
Museum aan de Stroom
ZOO Antwerpen
Plantin-Moretus Museum
Grote Markt
Antwerp City Hall
Meir
Museum of Modern Art, Antwerp
Museum Mayer van den Bergh
Middelheim Museum
Red Star Line Museum
ModeMuseum
St. Charles Borromeo Church, Antwerp
Brabo Fountain
Rockoxhuis
Photo Museum of Antwerp
GroenplaatsPark Spoor Noord
Port of Antwerp
Museum Vleeshuis | Klank van de Stad
Provincial Domain Rivierenhof
Port Authority
St. Paul's Church, Antwerp
Cogels-Osylei
Provinciaal Recreatiedomein De Schorre
De Zoom–Kalmthoutse Heide
St. Anna's Pedestrian Tunnel
De Ruien
Stadspark
Nachtegalen Park
Kalmthout Heath
Béguinage
Comics Station Antwerp
deSingel
Boerentoren
St. James' Church, Antwerp
Museum De Reede
Paleis op de Meir (Koninklijk Paleis)
Castle Den Brandt
Arboretum Kalmthout
Chocolate Nation
Vrijdagmarkt
Steenplein
Boekenbergpark
Kammenstraat
Maison Guiette

Antwerp is famous for its local products. In August every year the Bollekesfeest takes place. The Bollekesfeest is a showcase for such local products as Bolleke, an amber beer from the De Koninck Brewery. The Mokatine sweets made by Confiserie Roodthooft, Elixir D'Anvers, a locally made liquor, locally roasted coffee from Koffie Verheyen, sugar from Candico, Poolster pickled herring and Equinox horse meat, are other examples of local specialities. One of the most known products of the city are its biscuits, the Antwerpse Handjes, literally Antwerp Hands. Usually made from a short pastry with almonds or milk chocolate, they symbolize the Antwerp trademark and folklore. The local products are represented by a non-profit organization, Streekproducten Provincie Antwerpen vzw.

( Antwerp - Belgium ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Antwerp . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Antwerp - Belgium

Join us for more :

Simonの茶の間 in 無常(Mujou) Sakura livestream

Today I went for a spring walk at the Arboretum of Kalmthout in the province of Antwerp in Belgium. Its spring here and just like japan the cherry blossoms are in full bloom (they should be as they are genuine japanese cherry blossom trees imported from Japan :p )

Thanks to Zach 'Phoenyx787 and my sone Tom who kept an eye on comments for me via facebook chat. I was able to livestream from my phone without the need for the youtube mobile app :)