A celebratory festival is scheduled to take place in Brussels at the Grand Place and the Place de la Monnaie, with live music, guided tours and events for children all on the programme.

The day also marks a holiday for employees of the Flemish government, though private employers are not required by law to award their employees a day off work.

Guldensporenslag took place on July 11, 1302, when the French King Philip IV sent an army to crush a rebellion led by the Flemings of Bruges, who earlier that year had risen up against King Philip’s attempted annexation of Flanders.

Thousands of French army soldiers and members of Flemish militia units clashed outside of the town of Kortrijk; the battle ended with an overwhelming victory for the Flemish. The large number of the golden spurs collected by the Flemish from fallen French cavaliers after the battle gave the battle its name.

The post July 11th marks the Day of the Flemish Community of Belgium appeared first on Brussels Express.

A relatively short journey from this country, Ramsgate has always been a popular destination for Belgians and this pleasant Kentish seaside town could soon become even closer following news that the port is being dredged in order to turn the harbour into a « second Dover » in preparation for a no-deal Brexit.

Under UK Government plans revealed last week, the seaside port is being excavated so that ferries and large cargo ships can begin operating out of the harbour again. Ramsgate, which used to operate passenger ferry services to Ostend, was Charles Dickens’ favourite holiday home and it’s easy to see why.

The town, though, was once just a collection of fishermen’s cottages clustered around a harbour. But by the end of the 17th century a burgeoning shipping trade saw the port growing in importance. Fast forward to the present and, having been named as one of the UK’s ten Heritage Action Zones by Historic England and with the opening of the Grade II-listed Royal Victoria Pavilion, there is a real feel-good factor in Ramsgate.

Little wonder that Coast Magazine says, « If its regeneration continues at its current pace,this historic Cinque Port could easily outshine its neighbours. » With its historic waterfront and lively cosmopolitan feel, Ramsgate’s a good spot to head for for a short break.You can select an alfresco café, sip a drink and see the yachts bobbing in the picturesque working marina (this Cinque Port is the only ‘Royal Harbour’ in the country).

An excellent base to explore the area is Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour Hotel, located a short drive from Dover. Owned by a go-ahead local businessman, James Thomas, this is a lovely hotel on Ramsgate’s best known historic garden crescent. From its wonderful position perched on a hill, it directly overlooks the small marina/port of this vibrant town.

When James, formerly of Claridge’s, the famous London hotel, took over in 1999, it had just six rooms and two bathrooms. It has multiplied in size and also houses a locally highly renowned restaurant called « The Empire Rooms » serving excellent British food. James and his enthusiastic team have introduced some quirky touches, such a great collection of old-style vinyl LPs that guests can play on a record deck in the comfy lounge where an impressive large portrait of the Queen of England seems symptomatic of the « patriotic » feel of the surroundings.

This delightful Georgian hotel, made up of adjoining Georgian Grade 2 listed townhouses that date back to 1799, boasts pleasant family and disabled-access guest rooms. It was awarded a 5-star review by « An Inspector Calls » in the Daily Mail, voted « Best Small Hotel » by the Oldie Magazine Travel Awards and is often No.1 in Trip Advisor’s popularity index for Ramsgate.

It all makes for a very satisfying and relaxing stay and, from here, you can marvel at Ramsgate’s panorama (the vista affords views of the French coast on a clear day).

After taking in the refreshing North Sea air, you’ll have worked up a hearty appetite and a very good spot locally to sate any hunger is  the hotel’s Empire Rooms, ranked an impressive three out of 152 restaurants in Ramsgate.

Seating up to 45 the appropriately called « Empire » serves excellent British food (the lamb, pork and hake curry are particularly recommended), much of it sourced locally. The nicely balanced menu features a range of meat, fish and veggie dishes. Open for lunch and dinner, the fact that 80 per cent of diners (at weekend) are non-guests testifies to its wide appeal.

To reinforce its  British colonial connections, the restaurant walls are adorned with pristine front covers  of the old BBC magazine « Empire » which James, being passionate about British military history, used to collect. Its warm red walls, original mixed wooden tables and chairs and history books lining the walls, all combine to make this restaurant elegant and stylish, yet comfortable and informal (diners with dogs are also welcome).

The seasonally-adjusted menu, overseen by 36-year-old head chef Nick Cobley, is also very good so little wonder it’s been called by respected food critics as a « hidden gem ». Birmingham-born Nick says he tries to use local products from local producers as much as possible, adding, « That way, we can spread the word about the quality of local ingredients. It’s a win-win for both the producers and us. »

Nick and James also offer invaluable work experience to young people from a local college. Thanet is the furthest south-east you can go in Britain, almost touching mainland Europe and has many wartime related tales to tell. Ramsgate Tunnels, which housed over 1,000 people during the darkest period of WWII, has reopened while 2015 marked the 75th anniversary of Operation Dynamo when hundreds of ‘little ships’ set out from Ramsgate Royal Harbour and Margate to rescue troops from the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940.

Ideally located on the seafront, « Little Ships » is also the name of another of another local restaurant owned by James. Its walls contain lots of military-related memorabilia plus a framed jacket worn on active service by James’ grandfather, an army medical officer. The idea is not to turn the place into a mini-museum but, rather, to highlight Ramsgate’s role in WW2 (very timely, as this summer marks the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landings).

The restaurant is run by Broadstairs-born Craig Mather, a locally renowned chef who started cooking at the age of 13 to earn pocket money. In the space of just one week last year, James  et al transformed it from a very rundown café into the stylish and atmospheric eatery it is today (the chairs were salvaged from a scrapyard in Boulogne).

Unlike the Empire, this eatery relies more on a walk-in trade and offers simpler, bistro-style cuisine, including seafood such as oysters and mussels which 33-year-old Craig is currently keen to promote to locals.Some of the delicious dishes are cooked from the open kitchen on a locally-crafted £5,000 « Harrison » charcoal-fired oven which affords a particularly tasty and moist BBQ-type flavour to the food including sea bass and pork chops.

The very affable James has done a lot to help revive the town’s fortunes and he and Caroline, his wife-to-be, are not above lending a hand and serving here on busy nights. With the possible reopening of Ramsgate as a commercial port for the first time in five years, there’s likely to be a surge in cross-channel trade as people from Belgium and mainland Europe.

For people travelling by car from Belgium, « the Garden of England » is the most accessible part of the UK and the fine hospitality epitomised by James and his team can also be found just up the road in Margate at GB Pizza, which has rightly won a clutch of awards since it opened.

Located on the town’s historic seafront, it is notable not just for its very flavoursome pizzas, cooked in a wood-fired oven and using the best of Kent produce, but also for the many accolades it has received, including inclusion in the Guardian´s « top 10 budget restaurants. » This place boasts really  great tasting and authentic pizza served by a friendly staff, with good local beers and all in a relaxed and casual atmosphere (it’s small so booking is advisable).

It too sources locally wherever possible and also has a « special pizza », proceeds from which go to a brain tumour cancer charity, an issue close to the heart of owner Lisa Richards. The importance of the area’s long and rich maritime history was recognised by King George IV when he awarded Ramsgate its harbour Royal status – a unique accolade in mainland Britain.

But if you’re looking for a short winter break – or just to do a spot of sales shopping – the area is a great choice for lots of other reasons. Just down from Ramsgate, for instance, is Walmer Castle which commemorates some key political figures in the area’s history, including the Duke of Wellington who resided here after defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.At the nearby Hornby visitor centre, you can relive the story of Britain’s best loved toys. It has some fascinating displays, featuring rare products from the Hornby, Scalextric, Airfix and Corgi archives.

For people travelling from Belgium, this part of the UK is the main point of entry to England and, especially for military-minded folk, 2019 is a particularly good time to visit. The coming year marks 80 years since the start of WWII, of which Thanet has a number of connections – Ramsgate Tunnels, the RAF Manston History Musuem and the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum and their Spitfire simulator.

Getting to Kent from Brussels and the rest of Belgium is relatively easy, with leading ferry operator DFDS by far the most popular choice for mainland Continental travellers. Northern Europe’s largest shipping and logistics company, DFDS is an award winner (the world’s leading ferry operator in the 2015 World Travel Awards) and has seen a huge rise in both passenger and freight traffic volumes on its Dover-Calais and Dover-Dunkirk routes.

It now has a second ferry, the Côte des Flandres, on its Dover-Calais service which has increased its daily schedule of sailings between Dover and Calais to up to 30. When combined with DFDS’ three ferries on the Dover-Dunkirk route, the company now operates six ships in total on the Dover Strait, with up to 54 daily sailings to the two French ports. For a small extra charge you can upgrade to enjoy the delightful and peaceful on-board lounge and very useful priority boarding.

Back in 1821, King George IV was particularly impressed by Ramsgate harbour as well as the warm welcome and hospitality he received. Today, visitors are assured a similarly friendly welcome and, whatever prompts you to come, Ramsgate and Thanet won’t disappoint.

Good to know

https://royalharbourhotel.co.uk/

https://theempireroom.co.uk/

http://greatbritishpizza.com/

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/hornby-visitor-centre

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk

https://www.dfdsseaways.co.uk/

www.littleshipsramsgate.co.uk

The post A trip to Ramsgate, UK’s one of ten Heritage Action Zones appeared first on Brussels Express.

• Monday, April 22, 2019: Easter Monday
• Wednesday, May 1st, 2019: Labor Day
• Thursday, May 30, 2019: Ascension
• Monday, June 10, 2019: Whit Monday
• Sunday 21 July 2019: Belgian National Day
• Thursday, August 15, 2019: Assumption
• Friday 1st November 2019: Toussaint
• Monday, November 11, 2019: Armistice
• Wednesday, December 25, 2019: Christmas

And the school holidays are fixed on the following dates:

• Relaxation leave (Carnival): from Monday, March 4 to Friday, March 8
• Spring Break (Easter): Monday, April 8 to Friday, April 19
• Summer holidays: from Sunday 1st July to Saturday 31st August
• Autumn holidays (Toussaint): from Monday, October 28 to Friday, November 1
• Winter Holidays (Christmas): Monday, December 23, 2019 to Friday, January 3, 2020

The post List of public and school holidays for 2019 appeared first on Brussels Express.

Happy Brussels

Happy Brussels reveals all the right maps in terms of bars and unusual places to party and celebrate New Year’s. It also includes free entry to any screening you choose at the Galeries Cinema. To cap it all, the pass includes a visit to the Atomium, the must-see architectural giant, a symbol of Europe’s capital, as well as two exclusive exhibitions on the subject of music and clubbing.For party people who are curious to discover the capital’s buzzing night life, Happy Brussels offers a pass granting access to the unmissable after-dark events lined up for the 2019 new year.

FCKNYE Festival

This year again, for the 9th edition, some 12,000 festival-goers from all over Europe will be celebrating New Year’s Eve at the FCKNYE Festival! 35 international artists will perform on 4 stages, in the 10,000 m² space of Palais 12 (Brussels), Belgium’s biggest event room. Celebrate 2019 with music from dusk to dawn!

Hard Rock Cafe

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Hard Rock Cafe in Brussels, and enjoy a special 4 course meal, open bar and a DJ until 4 am. Book online for 2 up to 15 persons and enjoy the exclusivity of having a guaranteed reservation.

Casino VIAGE

Start New Year in style!

This year Casino Viage invites you to the Moulin Rouge! Let’s have a midnight countdown altogether before we’ll set the dancefloor on fire with our DJ that plays all your favorite hits from the retro years til nowadays.

L’Os à Moelle: The Sassy Cabaret – Special New Year

« The Sassy Cabaret » it’s a trip back in time, it is the meeting of different  artistic universes, it’s a real old-fashioned cabaret, a Berlin-style cabaret. It is also an atmosphere: a particular link made of sensuality, poetry, glamor and  humor with a hint of forbidden, which is created over the show between a public  amazed and artists transcended.

Wolubilis: Bibot distinguée – Only in French

After the success of Bibot Debout , his new stand-up makes us scream with laughter. Bibot, she’s like that. With her aristocratic manners and heavy truck driver’s lugs, she dexterously handles the consummate art of the discrepancy between the elegance of the packaging and the triviality of the subject. A detonating mix that makes it irresistible!

 

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About last night 🎆🎇🌌 My son was so amazed he dropped his hot chocolate 😅☕️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #minieurope #minieuropebynight #atomium #fireworks #brussels #brusselsfireworks #laeken #laekenbrussels #atomiumbrussels #фейерверк #салют #атомиум #миниевропа

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Or you could always visit your favorite site and enjoy the firework display with your loved one.

The post 6 ideas on how to spend New Year’s in Brussels appeared first on Brussels Express.

I have noticed over the years how people increasingly dread Christmas shopping, choose to buy less presents, or rather propose games like Secret Santa. The slew of reports on the damages of over-consumption on the environment have accelerated this trend.

This considered, a tendency has been to choose ethical gifts. For many people Christmas is a spiritual time of year when values such as solidarity, acceptance and forgiveness should be demonstrated. Altruist presents are great in this sense: in the name of someone you can give a goat or a chicken to a family in need through Oxfam. To be clear your financial contribution does not always directly purchase a goat, but will go towards a program that provides these benefits. An alternative is simply to donate to one of the many Belgian NGOs that supports a cause that is dear to you or to the person you want to donate on behalf of.

Another option is to give experiences rather than material presents: give time (for instance offering babysitting to young parents), a gift certificate for a restaurant, theatre or concert tickets, music — the possibilities are endless.

Whatever your choice for others, you can also ask for no presents, or for donations to be made on your behalf to the charity of your choice. Beyond reducing clutter and garbage, you can revive the Christmas spirit of helping others in need in this special time of the year.

The post Last-minute Christmas shopping: some ethical gift ideas appeared first on Brussels Express.

Floating Christmas tree in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro’s floating Christmas tree is back with a bang! Last time it made an appearance was in 2015 when, unfortunately, a snowstorm wrecked it just a few days before its illumination. It didn’t show for two Christmas seasons due to lack of sponsors. But now, the enchanting tree has re-emerged on the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. With over 900,000 LED bulbs all over it, the 70-meter metal tree glows mystically over the lagoon. In 2007, Rio de Janeiro’s tree earned a Guinness world record as the largest floating Christmas tree in the world. 

Walk-through Christmas tree in Bournemouth, U.K.

Bournemouth’s Christmas Tree Wonderland, which opens for the first time this year, offers a spectacle of more than 100 dazzling trees from all over the world. The center of the attraction is the Wonderland Christmas tree which stands over 18 meters tall and features about 30,000 lights individually programmed to deliver fantastic light shows. Not only that, you can also walk through this tree and enjoy the lights up close.

Fantasy Christmas tree of Galeries Lafayette in Paris, France

This fantasy-themed Christmas tree will definitely awaken the child in you. Dressed in green and gold, the four-story tree transports you into the imaginary world of your childhood with its showcase of cartoon-like characters made of wire and twinkling stars dancing all around it. To spread even more kiddy Christmas spirit, the store’s windows are animated with stuffed toys designed by kids themselves. Young and old dreamers alike will be inspired by this youthful Christmas extravaganza.

Sand Christmas tree in West Palm Beach, Florida

What’s something Florida has so much of? Sand, of course. No need to look too far for Christmas ideas. Every year, the city of West Palm Beach sets up the world’s only holiday tree made entirely of sand. This year’s under-the-sea motif features a mermaid named Merry as the main star of the tree which stands over 10 meters and carries about 800 tons of sand.

Mountain Christmas tree in Gubbio, Italy

The traditional Christmas tree of Gubbio is certainly not your conventional type of tree. It is merely an image of a Christmas tree outlined by lights resting on individual trees along the slopes of Mount Ingino. Known as the world’s largest Christmas tree, this amazing visual measures 731 meters long and 450 meters wide.

Floral Christmas tree in Tokyo, Japan

From afar, it may look like a typical technicolor Christmas tree. But look closer and you’ll see that it’s actually lit up by bright flowers of all sizes and colors. Just the perfect Christmas tree for a country famous for its cherry blossoms and other exotic flowers. The 6-meter flower tree stands right in front of the Tokyo Skytree tower which is also illuminated with more than 500,000 light bulbs every Christmas season.

Crystal fir tree in Melbourne, Australia

Now where would you find a Christmas tree that looks kind of spiky? Only in Melbourne’s Federation Square. But check it out. Those bright, colorful spikes are actually 192 crystalline branches. Around 30,000 color-changing bulbs light up the 16-meter high crystal tree.

Giant clock Christmas tree in Vilnius, Lithuania

Just about every year, Vilnius wows the world with its Christmas tree and 2018 is no different. The Lithuanian capital once again presents its 27-meter metal tree which resembles a clock. At the bottom of the tree are 12 shining tables serving as the clock’s numerals. The Christmas tree takes after the clock on the Cathedral Square’s belfry which sits right next to it.

Rockefeller Christmas tree in NYC, New York

The Rockefeller tree is one of the most awaited Christmas trees in the U.S. and all over the world. The 86th edition of this NYC tradition is a Norway Spruce coming from the town of Wallkill in New York’s Orange Country. The amazing tree is 21 meters tall, 15 meters wide, 21 tons heavy, and pulsing with 50,000 multicolored lights. And get this, the Swarovski star on top of the tree is glimmering with about 3 million crystals.

Northern Christmas tree in Brussels, Belgium

Of course the list won’t be complete without this one. Not just because we love Brussels, but also because it’s a magnificent tree, isn’t it? The 22-meter sapin de Noël at the Grand Place is graced with almost 200 white and blue baubles, 40 blue pearl lights, and a 1.8-kilometer white wreath to represent the colors of Finland, this year’s guest country in the Brussels Plaisirs d’Hiver or Winter Wonders. The lights on the tree are synchronized with 1,600 LED lamps installed on the buildings of Grand Place, making for a fantastic symposium of lights this season.

The post 10 fabulous Christmas trees from around the world appeared first on Brussels Express.

The symbol of Brussels folklore will be honoring Albania on the occasion of their national holiday.

Background Information

Albania proclaimed its independence on the 28th of November, 1912 in the town of Vlora (Vlorë). After 50 decades of Ottoman domination, an independent Albania was declared by Ismail Qemali, who was the first head of state.

This day coincides with the day on which Skanderbeg (Skënderbeu) raised the Albanian flag in Krujë (1443).

The 28th of November is celebrated annually as Albania’s Flag Day (Dita e Flamurit) or Independence Day (Dita e Pavarësisë). It only makes sense that this historic public holiday is celebrated by the ceremonial raise of the flag in Tirana, Albania’s capital, with the presence of all public authorities. Oblivious of the cold temperatures every year Albanians flood the main square wrapped up in flags to take part in celebrations and activities.

As with every other major holiday, the peeing boy of Brussels will wear his costume of Albania from 9 am to 4 pm.

The post Manneken Pis will wear his traditional Albanian costume appeared first on Brussels Express.

Around a thousand children aged between five and eight, accompanied by their teachers, will have a warm welcome for the patron saint of schoolchildren. The party will be in full swing from early in the morning. On the programme: entertainment, music and hot drinks.After the Great Saint lands at the port, Minister-President Rudi Vervoort, a band and a throng of enthusiastic children will give him the warmest of welcomes.

St. Nicholas’ boat will land at Beco quay. The Great Saint will then go to Quay01 to welcome several groups of children and share a special moment with them in his “Throne Room”. They will go back home with some wonderful surprises.

The activity has been suggested to all schools in the Brussels-Capital Region. As happens every year, great numbers of them wanted to take part. A total of 18 schools in Brussels will take part in the event.

Good to know:

• Date: 30 November
• Program: 09:30 a.m.: Welcome speech to the children
  • 10:00 a.m.: Arrival of Saint Nicholas
  • 10:00 to 10:15 a.m.: Welcome speech for the Great Saint from Minister President Rudi Vervoort
  • 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Meeting with Saint Nicholas for children aged between 5 and 8
  • 12:30 p.m.: Departure of Saint Nicholas

• Venue: Quai Béco – 1000 Brussels
• Attendance confirmation via email to:  n.wibail@visit.brussels

The post Saint Nicholas will make his joyful entry into Brussels on Friday November 30th appeared first on Brussels Express.

3,000 more passengers booked a cruise in 2017, bringing a record number of 71,000 Belgian cruise passengers for the year alone. This is a significant increase of almost 4.5 per cent against 2016. The three most popular cruise destinations chosen by Belgians are the Mediterranean Sea, Northern Europe and the Caribbean.

The Mediterranean remains the number one cruising region for a third of Belgian holidaymakers, despite a small decline in numbers against 2016.

In 2017, Northern Europe was the second most popular cruise choice and was up 13 per cent compared with 2016, and in third place, the Caribbean saw a significant rise in passengers of up to 10 per cent more passengers from the Belgian Kingdom.

A boom in short cruises of two to three days – showing a 37 per cent on 2016 figures – is a great sign that more people are trying a cruise for the first time as these are excellent entry-level choices.

 Key figures for CLIA Belgium: 

• Almost 4.5 per cent more travellers chose to cruise in 2017.
• Over a third of Belgian passengers chose western and central Mediterranean itineraries.
• For an over seven percent drop in eastern Mediterranean destinations, due to socio-political issues in the area, there is a 8.3 per cent increase in Northern Europe, and nearly 28 percent growth of Caribbean, but also the Baltics and Canary Islands, even with a limited number of Belgian passengers saw a significant increase of Belgians with over 90.5 per cent more in the Baltics and a 276.5 per cent increase in the Canary Islands against 2016.

Asia and China also became new route options for Belgian travelers. 

• The Caribbean remains the first choice after European itineraries with 21,000 people booking a cruise to the islands
• The average cruise length in Belgium is of 7.9 days
• Youngest travelers average 49 years and stay on board for 6-8 day

Youngest travelers average 49 years and stay on board for 6-8 days whilst over 60 years old can stay between 12 to 17 days at sea.

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