After an extensive seven-year restoration, the monumental St James’ Church (Sint-Jacobskerk) in Antwerp will fully reopen its doors to the public. From Friday 15 May, visitors will once again be able to explore the church and its rich heritage in all its glory.
Tag: Flanders
Belgium slips to 4th in European LGBTQIA+ rights ranking: stagnation and unaddressed gaps
Belgium has dropped from second to fourth place on the Rainbow Map & Index 2026, ILGA Europe’s annual ranking of LGBTQIA+ rights across the continent. The ranking, published on 12 May 2026, reveals a troubling trend: while Belgium has long been regarded as a pioneer in LGBTQIA+ rights, its failure to address critical gaps has…
Antwerp remains the top conference destination in Flanders
Antwerp remains the top conference destination in Flanders – and the wider region – and continues to impress with strong experiences, accessibility and professional support. New large-scale research from Visit Flanders, conducted between September 2024 and July 2025, confirms the international appeal of Flemish conference cities including Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, Leuven, Mechelen and Ostend.
Antwerp shopping streets renewed: more variety and less vacancy
In 2025, the City of Antwerp has carried out an inventory of commercial activity in its shopping streets. This triennial study maps out various dynamics, including which shops, hospitality venues and services are active, and also examines vacancy levels. As Flanders’ leading shopping city, Antwerp closely monitors developments in its retail streets.
COLOGNE | Belgisches Viertel or Belgian Quarter
November and December 2017. During my solo trip to Taiwan – the vacation which was a catalyst to start Trip By Trip – I met Ugo. Fast forward to August 2025. Ugo is touring Europe and we decided to meet up. Showing him Antwerp was an option, but fitting the metropolis into his itinerary was…
Antwerp-Linkeroever Railway Station reopens as temporary hub during premetro tunnel renovation works
Linkeroever Railway Station has reopened today as a temporary solution to ease disruption caused by the upcoming renovation of the Antwerp premetro tunnel. The works, set to begin on Monday, 4 May, will last until the end of March 2027, suspending tram services between the left and right banks of the Scheldt. The station is…
Antwerp Hotel Association laments disappointing 2026 Easter Holiday
Antwerp’s hotels experienced a less successful Easter Holiday than hoped, according to the Antwerp Hotel Association. While rooms were well occupied during the Tour of Flanders weekend, a poor second week dragged the average down.
BELGIUM | Infrabel to upgrade Antwerp-Berchem and add second track between Mol and Neerpelt, amongst other major projects
Belgium’s Federal Government has approved an update to the performance contract of rail infrastructure manager Infrabel, paving the way for a series of new railway investment projects aimed at improving safety, reliability and capacity, particularly in port areas.
Leuven wins silver at European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Awards
The city of Leuven (Louvain) in Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium received a silver award at the fifth European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Awards, held in Brussels on Tuesday 21 April 2026. The awards, organised by the European Commission, recognise cities, municipalities, and regions that excel in promoting inclusion, diversity, and combating discrimination.
WEST FLANDERS | Westhoek World War I ‘Monuments & Moments’ theme year 2027-2028
From 16 June 2027 to 11 November 2028, the Province of West Flanders, together with Westtoer/Toerisme Westhoek, Toerisme Vlaanderen and local partners, will organise ‘Monuments & Moments‘, a new World War I theme year in the Westhoek region.