On Saturday 27 September 2025, a special heritage train will operate across the Netherlands and Belgium to mark the approaching withdrawal of the last Intercityrijtuig (ICR) coaches from regular service.
Tag: Brussels
End of the line for Grand Bazar: Antwerp’s and Belgium’s shopping centres face new reality
The Grand Bazar shopping centre on Antwerp’s Groenplaats is set to disappear entirely to make way for the expansion of the Hilton Hotel, both Het Laatste Nieuws and Gazet van Antwerpen report. The once-busy mall will be largely dismantled, with only the ground-floor retail units remaining. These shops will no longer be accessed from within…
Brussels Airlines carried nearly 2 million passengers this summer
Brussels Airlines reports a strong 2025 summer season, having transported over 1.9 million passengers on almost 13,000 flights in July and August, a 12% increase compared to 2024. The addition of more aircraft to the fleet enabled the airline to expand capacity and meet high demand.
Gemini Trains partners with Uber for Stratford to France Channel Tunnel route
Gemini Trains in the United Kingdom has revealed ambitious plans to launch high-speed rail services beneath the Channel Tunnel from Stratford International in east London.
Flanders greenlights bicycle bridge over River Scheldt in Antwerp
Just days before the 2025 summer holidays for politics in Belgium, which starts after the National Holiday on 21 July, the Flemish Government approved the project for a bicycle bridge over the River Scheldt in Antwerp. Flanders will pay the bill, Gazet van Antwerpen reports.
CHANNEL TUNNEL | UK and Germany renew London-Berlin vows, Virgin Trains promise Alstom Avelia Stream train sets
Summer break in politics? The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany signed a ‘Joint declaration of intent between DfT and Federal Republic of Germany: direct international rail connection‘ for a direct London to Berlin train. In the mean time, Virgin Trains‘ Richard Branson announced a contract with…
ANTWERP | Restored masterpiece ‘Christ & John Group’ shines in exhibition ‘Public Favourites’
After an absence of nearly two years, the ‘Christ & John Group‘ or ‘Christus-Johannesgroep‘ can be admired in again in Antwerp since July 2025. This Flemish masterpiece, a rare and moving highlight of Gothic sculpture, is now on display in the exhibition ‘Public Favourites An Intimate Look at Masterpieces from the Museum Mayer van den…
Pride Museum pop-up draws 4,000 visitors and strengthens case for permanent queer space in Brussels
From 15 June to 15 July 2025, the former Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art (MIMA) building on the Quai de Hainaut / Henegouwkaai in St. John’s Molenbeek (Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Sint-Jans-Molenbeek) in Brussels served as the temporary home of the Pride Museum, a new cultural initiative dedicated to queer history and expression.
Antwerp 5th on 2025 Happy City Index
The 18th edition (since 2008) of Antwerp Pride takes place from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August 2025 in Antwerp. This year’s theme is “Do not just march! Listen. Understand. Commit”. Prides are a mix of celebration – parties – and activism and advocacy. For the 2025 edition, the organising committee focuses on belonging. Belonging…
NMBS / SNCB sees popularity increase of international train travel
Year after year, Belgian railway operator NMBS / SNCB is seeing growing interest in international train travel during the summer months. Since 2019, the number of bookings via NMBS / SNCB International has increased by more than 50 per cent, the operator says in a press release.
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