Touring Belgium
Its very location, just a short distance from Calais, makes Belgium an ideal destination for a short coach tour, or an excellent stop off point en route to other parts of Europe. Belgium is probably best known for its beautifully preserved Flemish towns, such as Bruges and Ghent, complete with cobbled streets, medieval timber-framed houses and winding canals. Its fame as a top quality beer and chocolate producer, as well a wider gastronomic prowess, make Belgium an ideal place to relax, eat and drink.
Contrastingly, Southern Belgium, which includes the Ardennes region, is an area of rolling hills, winding rivers and relaxing spas. Activities such as canoeing, horse riding and walking can be combined with visits to Liege, Mons, Spa and Namur. The borders of Holland and Germany are very close by, opening up the possibility to visit Maastricht, Vaals, Kerkrade, Bonn, Cologne and the Ahr Valley from this part of Belgium.
OneStage can arrange for your group to stay at any destination in Belgium of your choice.
However, we can highly recommend staying in Bruges, Ghent, Liège or Brussels.
Why not combine your visit to Belgium with a stay in one of the neighbouring
countries such as Germany,
France, or
Holland?
Visiting Antwerp
Antwerp is the second largest city in Belgium and also the second largest harbour in Europe (after Rotterdam). This splendid city has numerous architectural highlights, most of which date from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as excellent shopping and eating out.
One of the most famous inhabitants of Antwerp was the painter Peter Paul Rubens. During his life as Antwerp city painted, he adorned many of the buildings in the city, including the Cathedral, within which some of his most important works can be found.
Antwerp is also known as a major diamond centre and a visit to Antwerp is not complete without a look at the Diamond District, where you can buy diamonds, or simply view a whole industry at work.
Visiting Brussels
Brussels is the capital not only of Belgium but also the European Union. Often described as Europe's most impressive town square, the Grand Place, with its ornate Flemish architecture is the central hub of Brussels. Nearby, the famous statue "Mannekin Pis", depicting a small boy urinating, can be found. Brussels has countless museums, including the Modern Art Museum, Musical Instrument Museum, Brewery Museum and Comic Strip Museum. Modern attractions include the Atomium and Mini Europe and shoppers can enjoy the largest market in Europe near the Gare de Midi.
Visiting Bruges
Bruges is one of Europe's best preserved medieval cities and Belgium's most visited attraction. The ornate 13th century architecture hails back to a time when Bruges was a prosperous cloth manufacturing town. Walk through the medieval Marketplace, (there is the option to ascend the 83 metre high belfry for a view of the city), before continuing on to the Burg, where you will find the elaborate town hall. The ancient Basilica of the Holy Blood is also here, where some drops of Christ's blood are said to be stored. A short walk away is the Begijnhof, a beautiful 13th century convent, which is now home to Benedictine nuns.
For a more intimate view of the city, you can cruise by boat through some of the canals; or visit one of the many museums, such as the Groeninge Museum housing a wonderful collection of Flemish art. And after a day's sightseeing, just enjoy a moules frites and a delicious local beer in one of the pavement cafes, or visit one of the local breweries.
Concert Venues in Belgium
- Outdoor Venues:
- Bruges, Ypres and Maastricht Town Squares, Valkenburg Band Stand
- Churches and Cathedrals:
- St Baaf's Cathedral in Ghent, churches in Bierge and Wavre, the Minimes Church in Brussels, Brussels Cathedral, St Martin's church in Kortrijk
- Other Indoor Venues:
- The Concert Hall at Brussels Musical Instrument Museum, the Shape Chapel in Mons, Talbot House Concert Hall in Popperinge, Bobbejaanland Theme Park
