The annual Steam Train Festival in Maldegem in East Flanders by Stoomtrein Maldegem-Eeklo is fast approaching, with organisers reporting that preparations are in full swing ahead of the 2026 edition. The museum site is being readied, rolling stock is undergoing final maintenance, and a full promotional campaign is underway, as the team aims to match…
Tag: East Flanders
Flanders welcomed over 15 million visitors in 2025
Flanders is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination. In 2025, an estimated 15.4 million people visited the region, marking a 3% increase compared to 2024, according to provisional figures from Visit Flanders (Toerisme Vlaanderen). The number of overnight stays also rose to 36.3 million.
Queer March Ghent returns in March 2026 with month-long programme
Ghent in East Flanders will once again host a month of queer-focused activities in March 2026 as Queer March Ghent rolls out a city-wide programme of talks, workshops, exhibitions, performances and community gatherings. The grassroots initiative, run by a collective of queer-identifying volunteers, positions itself as an independent platform without political or institutional affiliations, aiming…
BELGIUM | Stoomtrein Maldegem-Eeklo presents 2026 heritage runs season ft. Balgerhoeke Bridge
Stoomtrein Maldegem-Eeklo has scheduled a busy 2026. One of the most visible highlights will be the Balgerhoeke Bridge, which will regain its former splendour following a thorough renovation. The first train to cross the renewed bridge is scheduled to be the Valentine’s Orient Dining Express. Further details are outlined below.
Satisfaction surveys outline profile and strengths of Antwerp Airport and Ostend–Bruges Airport
Passenger satisfaction surveys conducted past autumn at Antwerp International Airport (ANR) in Deurne and Ostend–Bruges Airport (OST) in Ostend confirm both the strong appeal of Belgium’s regional airports and a clear profile of their typical users. Travellers cite proximity, short walking distances and personalised service as the main reasons for choosing regional airports, with older…
BELGIUM | Naming towns and cities: municipalities with Dutch, French, English and other translations
15 November is Dynasty Day or King’s Day in Belgium. 15 November being the name day of Leopold, the name of three of the seven Kings of the Belgians. To mark this occasion, and inspired by a Belga News Agency post, let’s take a look at names of villages, towns, municipalities and cities in the…
Antwerp-Linkeroever Railway Station to reopen after all?
Belgium‘s train operator NMBS / SNCB and and rail infrastructure manager Infrabel are examining the feasibility of reopening a train station on Linkeroever (Left Bank) in Antwerp. Koen Kennis (N-VA), alderman for Mobility, expressed cautious optimism about the idea during a recent city council meeting.
Belgium to host Eurovision Song Contest 2026? But in which city?
Coming Saturday, 1 February 2025, a jury and the television watching public will decide will represent Belgium for Flemish public broadcaster VRT at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel in Switzerland. Oddly, Belgium has been on top of the bookmakers’ charts for the outright win. Íf, and it’s a big íf, that happens, which…
MUSEUMS IN BELGIUM | museumPASSmusées looks back onto 2023 and forward to 2024
Belgium‘s museumPASSmusées or Museum Pass looks back ont 2023 and forward to 2024. In 2023, museumPASSmusées included over 235 participating museums all over Belgium. In Flanders, the Brussels-Capital Region and Wallonia.
Riding the Kersttram or Christmas Tram in Antwerp
As they did in 2022, heritage tramway organisations in Flanders scheduled tram rides in the Advent to Christmas 2023. In Antwerp, this is done by VlaTAM, the Vlaamse Tram- en Autobusmuseum or Flemish Tram And Bus Museum. It’s called Kersttram or Christmas Tram.