Recommend September 2011 - (Page 44)

where why? What Bruges F landers THE NETHERLANDS Antwerp Ghent BRUSSELS Hasselt Leuven FLANDERS GERMANY FRANCE WALLONIA BELGIUM EUROPE It’s not like people who live in North America are totally geographically challenged. They know, for example, that there is a Flanders, most are even pretty confident that it’s in Europe somewhere...they’re just a tad unsure about where it is and even what it is, for that matter. Flanders is the Dutch- or Flemish-speaking region in the north of Belgium. Its capital is Brussels, which is also the capital of Belgium as a whole. The south of the country is French speaking. More than anything though—as you’ll see in the following pages—Flanders is a state of mind. Yeah, it’s got its traditions and a very visual pride of ownership in them, but it’s not a stodgy sense of ownership. Brussels, for example, home to the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, is often referred to as the very, very prestigious capital of Europe. But it’s also a city where comic strips are king and where fries are a national treasure. Flanders itself is the only place in the world where beer—this is, in fact, beer heaven—chocolate and lace play well together. And it is in Flanders where travelers looking for truly authentic craftsmanship will feels like kids in a candy shop. Here, there, everywhere, the diamond-cutters, the painters, the fashion designers, the chocolatiers produce a cutting-edge craftsmanship that is truly something the people of Flanders are proud of, and rightfully so. Visitors will see it in the cuisine—there are more Michelin star-rated restaurants per capita here than in any other European country—the art, the beer, even the heritage. F2 / www.visitflanders.us Flanders—It’s in Belgium But one of Flanders’ best features is that it’s a small, compact region—it’s the size of Connecticut—with easy travel time, under 1 hour by transit, between cities. There are also great hotel values throughout; in fact, accommodations here are more affordable than in other European capitals. But, more importantly, Flanders is a region of deliciously wonderful secrets like the little jewel of a town called Ghent, an often overlooked paradise of canals and cobblestoned streets leading you to whimsical little shops, charming little cafes and pubs and clubs where fun is foremost on the menu. Just north of there, Bruges, its more well-known look-alike canal city often referred to as the “Venice of the North,” also capitalizes on traditional charm, along with a generous helping of Flanders hospitality. And then there’s Antwerp—Europe’s second largest port and a dazzling diamond of a city that also happens to be the diamond capital of the world— that’s also gaining a reputation as a major capital of cool in Europe, with a focus on fashion, design and trendsetting that’s making a lot of heads turn toward Flanders. And so will you as you flick through the following pages. Table of Contents Antwerp...............................................................F3 Brussels..............................................................F7 Bruges............................................................... F11 Ghent................................................................F13 . Practical.Information.........................................F15 This travel planner was written by Rick Shively. http://www.visitflanders.us

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend September 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Abercrombie & Kent
Sunset Key Guest Cottages, Key West
Can't Get Enough of Jupiter Beach, Florida
Hanging Out in the Outer Banks
Aloha to Families in Hawaii's Resorts
Cruise Stockholm
Galapagos Islands- Cruising 101: Back to Basics
The Ultimate Family Adventure in Costa Rica
Flanders Travel Planner
Fabulous Family Voyages
China: A Wonderland for Kids
India: Pure Wonderment
An African Adventure
Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa, D.R.
The Bahamas: Islands of Adventure
Cayman Islands: A Home Away from Home
Mazatlan Reinvigorated
CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort

Recommend September 2011