through Belgium

Start by taking a guided tour through the city centre. Discover the Grand-Place (UNESCO) & the famous Manneken-Pis. Don’t forget to visit the city of Brussels’ Town Hall, the main building on Grand-Place. Now you have some time left to taste an authentic Belgian waffle at Dandoy! In the evening, have dinner in one of the restaurants around the square to appreciate the unique atmosphere of its medieval streets.

Wake up with a Chocolate Workshop and create your own pralines at Concept Chocolate. When you’re done, check out the Art-Nouveau house where architecture meets art.

One month a year (and under conditions), you can sign up for Brussels’ famous Dinner in the Sky for lunch. However, all year long anyone can enjoy a lunch in the top sphere of the Atomium (at 100 meters) Atomium Restaurant. After your lunch, the rest of the Atomium awaits you. Take a guided tour of the monument and explore the symbol of Brussels yourself.

At the base of the Atomium, the miniature park Mini-Europe is a must see. The whole of Europe is represented in a few square meters which makes it a fun spot to take pictures.

When you head back to the city centre, consider paying a visit to the European Institutions district and the House of European History.

Searching for a restaurant in Brussels? There are so many options. If you enjoy seafood, then travel to the Saint Catherine neighborhood and try amongst others Noordzee a delicious fish bar. Want to eat and drink where the locals go? Head on over to Flagey or Châtelain, where you can discover a ton of little international eateries and plenty of bars such as the Café Belga in the Flagey theater.

Start your trip in Tournai, finish it in Charleroi.

Tournai

Tournai is best seen from its 15th century belfry, which is included on the UNESCO world heritage list. Built on the site of the 1218 original after that one burnt down, it’s the oldest out of seven belfries in Wallonia and the only one with outdoor viewing platforms.

The Tournaisian specialties and craft products make the reputation of the city, beyond its borders. Whether salty or sweet, Tournai’s cuisine often has a hidden history behind it and is part of the culinary heritage! So go ahead and try a Tournai style rabbit, salad or a clovis cake and some sweets called Ballons noirs.
Find more inspiration here

© WBT Anibal Trejo

Grand Hornu

After lunch, head east to this former mining site. Grand-Hornu, built in a neoclassical style, was designed as both an industrial complex and a village where the workers could live: 450 spacious homes with hot water and a garden, school, a library, a dance hall, shops and even a dispensary.
Now managed by the province of Hainaut, this fascinating location is also home to the CID (Innovation and Design Centre) and the MAC (Museum of Contemporary Art).

© Visitmons Gregory Mathelot

Mons

Mons architectural heritage and ancient alleyways give it an historic atmosphere. The Belfry, Collegiate church, Garden of Mayeur, Havré castle… are sure to leave an impression! Make sure to pet the head of the ‘Monkey of the Grand Garde‘ with your left hand, a local tradition meant to bring you luck. Folklore is very much alive here, with the annual Doudou festival even being listed by UNESCO.

Find more about Mons here

Le Canal du Centre

Your second UNESCO-day will start with a visit to the hydraulic boat lifts of the Canal du Centre. These 4 hydraulic lifts, built at the beginning of the XIXth century, are standing monuments to the Belgian Industrial revolution.

Thuin

Wallonia also has its Babylon: Thuin, a sweet city with a rich medieval past. Its 200 terraced gardens, inspired by the ramparts, offers a poetic and peaceful stroll. Most are now planted with vine plants, managed by the Biercée distillery to make a sweet, pleasant, wine.

Fancy a drink? Enjoy a refreshment in one of the many bars and cafés around. At some you can play games with the locals, get your bike fixed, bring your horse or simply dream away, admiring the city’s belfry. Among our favourites are:

• Le Mousse-Tier
• Le Terminus
• Au Beffroi

Find more about Thuin here

Charleroi

© Luc Denruyter

Last stop! Wallonia’s second largest city is an industrial and engineering centre. That fact alone might persuade some visitors to avoid it, but there are many good reasons to slip off the motorway and take a wander.

Visitors can explore the fascinating Bois du Cazier, a former coal mine that has been turned into a museum and memorial to the region’s industrial past. Art enthusiasts can enjoy the vibrant street art scene and the impressive photography exhibitions at the Musée de la Photographie.

Find more about Charleroi here

Whether you’re in the central train station or at the MAS, the remarkable town museum, it’s impossible not to find the architecture attractive. It ranges from medieval buildings like the impressive town hall and square, to the contemporary courthouse, to numerous Art Nouveau gems in between. From stylish buildings to well-dressed window displays, Antwerp is a good-looking city.

This isn’t a new accolade either as it was one of the greatest, richest cities in all of Europe in the 1500’s.  A century later, the iconic Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens called Antwerp his home, along with Anthony Van Dyck.  In more recent years, canvas has been replaced by cotton and the artists of note are fashion designers. This city is home to world-renowned shopping, the famous Antwerp Six and a bustling diamond trade.

Antwerp is also a hub for contemporary art, with more than 60 art galleries. The Royal Academy of Fine Arts, the fourth oldest in Europe, plays a pivotal role in shaping the city’s big creative community.

The undiscovered Flemish jewel of a city boasts an opera house, a handful of museums, even more ancient churches, and countless bridges spanning the two rivers that wind themselves through the city. The true joy of the town is to be found whiling away an afternoon in an outdoor café. Whether your wrapped under blankets sipping a coffee in the winter or sunning yourself in the springtime with a cold Belgium brew, you will fit in with the locals if you simply enjoy the great atmosphere this town offers. If possible, find a seat on the Graslei, a scenic canal spot in the centre of town, with a great view on the many bridges, grand houses and medieval buildings.

Alternatively, hop on a bike and explore the nearby Patershol district with a small labyrinth of charming cobblestone streets, the towering Gravensteen Castle and UNESCO recognised bell tower. The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers is one of Ghent’s absolute top attractions. The laid back atmosphere of this liveable, lovable city means enjoying the vibrant nightlight of a university town then quaffing cava at the flower market the following Sunday morning.