August 2025. We’re travelling to the Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and more specifically their respective capitals Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. Are they interconnected by rail? Yes, but not in the most straightforward or userfriendly way possible. The Rail Baltica project should remedy this. Unsurprisingly though, this megaproject faces political and budgetary hurdles. It…
City of Antwerp marks 25 years of district governance with city-wide anniversary programme
The City of Antwerp is marking the 25th anniversary of its district system with a year-long programme of activities highlighting the identity of each district and their connections within the city. Since 2001, the city’s districts have had their own elected administrations. With the addition of Borsbeek as the tenth district in 2025, Antwerp currently…
Deutsche Bahn confirms Cologne – Brussels Airport – Antwerp ICE connection from September 2026
German passenger operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) confirmed to Belgian news agency Belga on Friday 20 February 2026 that it will introduce a new high-speed connection between Antwerp-Central Railway Station in Belgium and Cologne in Germany in September. The trains will also stop at Brussels Airport.
Rubens House artworks shine in prestigious international museums
Three artworks from the Rubens House or Rubenshuis collection in Antwerp are travelling to leading museums abroad.
ANTWERP | Archaeologists uncover 17th-century Fort Piémentel foundations and rare 15th-century wooden structure along the River Scheldt
Archaeologists in Antwerp have uncovered significant remains of the 17th-century Fort Piémentel, alongside an exceptionally rare large-scale wooden structure dating back to the 15th century, during excavations linked to the ongoing Oosterweel infrastructure works. The discoveries are expected to provide valuable new insights into the city’s maritime, military and settlement history.
Belgium and the Netherlands work on Brussels to Eindhoven direct train, possibly via Antwerp
Belgium and the Netherlands have taken a step towards improving cross-border rail connectivity, with a potential direct Brussels to Eindhoven train emerging as one of the most symbolic and politically significant projects in a newly signed joint declaration on rail cooperation.
REVIEW | Japan’s Saphir Odoriko in Premium Green Car from Ito on Izu Peninsula to Tokyo Station
Autumn 2025. We – Sam and Danny, Michel and Wille, and Timothy – are travelling to Japan for a quite classic tour of the Land of the Rising Sun. We are flying separately as we used miles. On the planning: Tokyo, Kanazawa, Shirakawa, Osaka, and Expo 2025, Hiroshima, Himeji, Miyajima, Kyoto, Nara, Nagoya, Hakone, and…
ANTWERP | Premetro tunnel between Left and Right Banks to close for nearly a year for major renovation works
The premetro tunnel connecting Antwerp’s left and right banks will close for almost a year for extensive renovation works, starting on 4 May 2026 and lasting until at least mid-March 2027. During this period, no trams will run between the Park-and-Ride Melsele on Linkeroever (Left Bank) and the Astrid and Diamant premetro stations near Antwerp-Central…
BELGIUM | Defence Ministry sees Antwerp Airport as strategic asset as pilot training school expands despite uncertainty over Deurne’s future
The Belgian Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Antwerp International Airport (also: Antwerp City Airport) in Deurne remains a strategic asset for military operations and training, with the armed forces carrying out more than 200 flight movements per year at the regional airport in recent years, Gazet van Antwerpen reports.
28 FEBRUARY | Brussels Pride 2026 looking for input from LGBTQIA+ community
Brussels Pride – In the Capital of Europe. That is the official name of Brussels Pride. The rebrand from Belgian Pride happened for the 2023 edition, as it is now organised by visit.brussels, the tourism board of the Brussels-Capital Region. This year, the pride parade will be held on Saturday 16 May. It will celebrate…