Information about the best visiting places in Belgium
Located at the heart of important trade routes, Belgium and its cities have long attracted wealth and riches – along with the accompanying battles to control them. Its lovely centers are soaked in history, with impressive cathedrals, churches and castles dotting the land. The home of waffles, chocolate, beer and fries, Belgium’s cities have numerous fine dining options and atmospheric bars which cater to any palate. Whether it’s the medieval heart of Bruges that attracts you, the multicultural streets of Brussels or the pounding nightlife in Antwerp, the best cities in Belgium surely won’t disappoint.
Charleroi
Once voted the ugliest city in Europe by readers of a Dutch newspaper, it is fair to say that Charleroi is a bit of an eyesore. Formerly the industrial heart of Belgium, its coal industry collapsed in the 70’s and its decaying factories and dilapidated steelworks now attract urban explorers to its streets. Despite the ugly side, the city is strangely picturesque. There is some great architecture to check out on the streets, as well as some great museums. With an international airport on its outskirts, most visitors stop by on a layover.
Hasselt
Pedestrian friendly, the historic center of Hasselt is a pleasure to stroll around and has some fantastic antique buildings, restaurants and bars. Known for its gin, the museum dedicated to this craft is well worth a visit. Each year, there is a fun and buzzing gin festival, attracting huge crowds to its streets – the fountain in the town center even pumps out gin! A great place to visit is the nearby Bokrijk – a huge open-air museum and park that has a plethora of old buildings highlighting Flander’s ancient past.
Kortrijk
Founded by the Romans, this ancient city has many attractive old buildings and monuments for visitors to enjoy, despite being heavily bombed during the Second World War. Once a key city in the linen industry, Kortrijk is still a prosperous place and there are lots of great shopping options on offer. With a lovely Begijnhof and a delightful belfry at the Grand Place to explore, Kortrijk is well worth a visit.
Mons
The European Capital of Culture in 2015, Mons’ delightful medieval center and picturesque Grand Place make it a fine option for a day trip. With some interesting and modern museums, as well as great bars and restaurants, the best time to visit is during the annual week-long festival that takes place in its streets. With origins stretching back to the 14th Century, the Ducasse de Mons of Doudou festivities are a raucous affair, full of local traditions washed down with delicious Belgian beer.
Namur
Located at the spot where the Meuse and Sambre Rivers join, Namur’s strategic position means that it once housed one of the mightiest fortresses in Europe. Now, the large citadel is the main tourist attraction in the city and impressively dominates a hilltop, overlooking the mess of buildings below. While Namur initially appears a bit run down, its picturesque old town is full of delightful old structures, and there is a lively atmosphere. The capital of Wallonia, from Namur you can easily explore the region surrounding the city.
Nivelles
Located in Wallonia, Nivelles has a picturesque old town which is dominated by the spectacular and unusual looking collegiate church of St. Gertrude. Rebuilt after being bombed in WWII, the city and surrounding region has been inhabited since 4000 BC and there are some charming old buildings scattered around the city. The best times to head here are during the Nivelles carnival and the Saint-Gertrude procession.
Ostend
The most popular seaside resort city in Belgium, every weekend locals head to Ostend to enjoy its delightful promenade and expansive, sandy beaches. Heavily bombed during the Second World War, drab and unattractive tower blocks which were built in the aftermath now overlook the sands. Despite this unfortunate feature, there are some refined cafes and restaurants along the seafront and a huge casino for visitors to try their luck – as well as bustling nightlife. With historic sites throughout the city, the rebuilt sea defenses are particularly impressive.
Tournai
With one of the most impressive cathedrals in the country, as well as a lovely old Grand Place and myriad little bars and cafes, Tournai flies under the radar but is definitely worth visiting. While the spectacular cathedral dominates the city, numerous 12th Century churches and military buildings line its streets. Tournai has remarkably been controlled by everyone from the Franks and Romans to the English, Austrians and Spanish! With Lille only thirty minutes away, Tournai is a great day trip option.
Russian Pallada Sailing Ship Training Crew in Rigging, Victoria BC Canada
The Pallada arriving in Victoria Harbour in grand entrance format with her crew atop the yardarms.
The Pallada Russian tall ship is in the harbour of the Canadian port of Victoria, which is known to be a sister-city of Russia's Khabarovsk.
The tall ship set out on July 1st on an expedition that's dedicated to the discovery of Russian America by Russian sailors 270 years ago.
The Pallada has already been to Alaska and is now about to call at a third port on its route along North American lands that Russian sailors and path breakers discovered and developed in the middle of the 17th century.
The local authorities say they will accord a hearty welcome.
Following Victoria the Russian frigate is due to call at the ports of San Francisco and Los Angeles, and then at those of Honolulu, on the Hawaiian Islands, and Japan.
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When in Victoria book your stay at our B&B
Vanessa von Schellwitz is the owner operator of the Gingerbread Cottage Bed and Breakfast, an idyllic 1905 heritage B&B in beautiful downtown Victoria BC, a half block off the Salish Sea. Website is
As a child, Vanessa was a real life “Heidi” living in the Eschen Villa on the clean, cold alpine Attersee Lake, in Seewalchen Austria, 50 KM East of Salzburg
Vanessa’s birthplace was located 50 meters from her Godmother’s famous Paulick Villa – the Summer Playground to Vienna’s Elite Art Noveau Community including Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Richard Teschner and Friedrich Paulick at the turn of the 19th century.
In fact, the aunt of Vanessas’s Godmother, Gertrude Floege, was the famous fashion designer Emelia Floege – life companion of the famous artist Gustav Klimt who frequently painted at the Paulick Villa..
Also the last Countess Maria dei Medici, who lived adjacent to the Eschen Villa hand wrote a poem for Vanessa as a child… Not many People can say that!
Vanessa got her teaching Degree in Salzburg but her real love and talents were for cooking.. after moving to Vancouver Island, she honed her chef skills under the eye of her brother in law Dieter von Schellwitz who had been the first executive chef at the famous Ilikai Resort in Waikiki, and had chef career in New York and San Francisco.
Coming to Vancouver Island via Culture City itself – Salzburg Austria – A true Austrian,Vanessa has pure Mozart flowing through her veins and a delicious piping hot Austrian ApfelStrudel in the Oven for her many guests! Vanessa and her 70’s husband owned and operated the Austrian Chalet, an 80 room hotel with 3 Restaurants in Campbell River BC
Vanessa spent many years as Victoria BC’s busiest and most Versatile Culinary Instructor from her Veni. Vidi, Coxi Cooking School, and operating her busy “Vienna Catering” Business
Author of 7 Cookbooks, Vanessa also wrote a food Column, had her own TV cooking show and did food styling for other local authors.
Vanessa makes all her guests feel like Austrian Royalty in her c. 1905 Victorian “Arts and Crafts Heritage Home” with Cozy Themed rooms and Elegant 3 Course Breakfasts in her “Bavarian Gasthaus” Style Breakfast Room
Please Feel Free to Contact us for booking information. Call Tollfree 1-877-767-2121 iMessage or Text 250-812-5457 Email: gingerbreadcottagebb@gmail.com
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Dean Brandhagen Chimney Services
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