Antwerp

The Plantin-Moretus Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as being located in the city centre, takes you back to the 16th century, the age of Rubens. This impressive building was once the heart of European printing. Some of the most important works of the time were printed there, such as Thomas More's iconic 'Utopia'. The printing presses are still in almost perfect condition and the walls are covered in gilded leather. Balthasar I. Moretus was a childhood friend of Rubens, whose portraits still adorn the city.

After strolling through the fashionable Kloosterstraat shopping street - also a lively place on Sundays - the impressive Grote Markt, the large market square, is an absolute must. Next to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town hall, a Renaissance building with a few baroque accents, the imposing and legendary Brabo fountain catches the eye. Dominating the city, however, is the Cathedral of Our Lady, a monument that has adorned Antwerp's skyline since the early 14th century. Gothic on the outside, Baroque on the inside, this impressive cathedral once again bears the signature of Rubens. Another must-see for art lovers is the completely renovated and newly opened KMSKA, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, which is the city's art palace with a collection of 13,000 works of art. In addition to the old Flemish masters, the museum also houses the world's largest collection of works by the modern master Ensor, as well as masterpieces by Van Eyck, Memling, Modigliani, Alechinsky and many more. Fashion lovers should definitely visit the MoMu fashion museum.

North of the old town, also within walking distance, you will find the MAS Museum on the docks, which are also lined with hip bars and restaurants and offer breathtaking views of the Scheldt and the city. If you have time, visit the Red Star Line Museum and Zaha Hadid's harbor house.

Rubens, the city artist of Antwerp, designed his own city palace, which is still preserved in all its splendor today. In addition to the living quarters, Rubens' old studio and some of his masterpieces can also be viewed. His work stands alongside illustrious colleagues such as Van Dyck and Bruegel the Elder. Watch out: the Rubens House is currently undergoing extensive renovation. The grand reopening is planned for 2027 - before that, part of the building, including the new entrance area and the Baroque gardens, will be open to the public from August 2024.

A visit to Antwerp inevitably begins at the train station - Antwerp-Centraal is not only a gateway to the city, but also a special attraction. This architectural masterpiece with its vaulted ceilings, monumental bells and grandiose entrance hall is sometimes referred to as the railroad cathedral and has amazed millions of travelers since 1905.

There are numerous other highlights in the immediate vicinity of the station. For example, the zoo, one of the oldest in the world. Then there is the diamond district, where over 80 percent of the world's rough diamonds are traded, and the DIVA Diamond Museum. Heading towards the "Meir", you find yourself in today's pedestrian zone and shopping street with its beautiful rococo buildings, which already played an important role in the city 500 years ago. Be sure to visit The Chocolate Line by renowned chocolatier Dominique Persoone, where chocolates are made in Napoleon's former kitchen.