When Frank, Steve, Philippe, Nicolas, and I meet up, it’s usually in Antwerp. But Nicolas being a Brussels resident, it was time for the rest of us to go to the capital of Belgium. That’s what we did on 29 November 2025, the opening weekend of Winter Wonders, the Brussels-Capital Region‘s Christmas Market.
Tag: Madrid
European Commission wants to link all EU capitals by high-speed train by 2040… and that’s not going to happen
On Wednesday 5 November 2025, the European Commission unveiled a comprehensive plan to accelerate the development of high-speed rail across the European Union, offering passengers significantly reduced travel times. By boosting fast, comfortable, safe, and reliable rail services, the plan supports the EU’s twin goals of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050 and strengthening Europe’s global competitiveness.
The best cities for gay cruising? London, Berlin, Paris, Madrid and Barcelona
A new Global Gay Cruising Index published by Erobella in September 2025 reveals where gay men around the world have the best chances for spontaneous erotic encounters, and Europe emerges as the undisputed leader.
Osaka wins, Brussels is 42nd: 2025 Yanolja Attractiveness Index for tourism
In 2025, Osaka in Japan has claimed the top spot in the Yanolja Attractiveness Index, overtaking Kyoto, also in Japan, (#3) and surpassing long-established tourism powerhouses such as Paris in France (#2), New York in the United States (#4), and Seoul in South Korea (#5).
AUSTRIA | Introducing Vienna, hosting the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest
Austria’s capital Vienna (Wien) has been selected by host broadcaster Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to host the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in May 2026.
Spain’s Renfe sends Talgo VI rolling stock to Leo Express in Czechia and Slovakia
Private rail operator Leo Express in Czechia is advancing its ambitious expansion plans, combining the recent transfer of retired Talgo VI trains from Spain with exploratory filings for new international night services.
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.
RAINBOW EUROPE MAP AND INDEX 2025 | United Kingdom, Hungary and Georgia drop dramatically on LGBTQIA+ rights ranking
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has dropped six places on this year‘s ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map and Rainbow Index, as Hungary and the Republic of Georgia also register steep falls following anti-LGBTI legislation. The data highlights how rollbacks on LGBTI human rights are part of a broader erosion of democratic protections across…
REVIEW | F1 The Exhibition in Amsterdam
The Kromhouthal in Amsterdam currently hosts The Formula 1® Exhibition / The F1® Exhibition / F1 The Exhibition. No, I don’t know what the definitive name is. On site, I felt ‘F1 The Exhibition’ was prevalent. I first saw Formula 1 live on television on 1 May 1994. Since 1996, I follow F1 closely. Amsterdam…
Brussels Airlines set to transport 1 million passengers during Easter and spring 2025 holiday season
Brussels Airlines is gearing up for the 2025 Easter and spring holidays in Belgium, expecting to transport approximately one million passengers throughout the season. The airline, the fastest-growing carrier within the Lufthansa Group, has increased its capacity by 20% compared to the same period in 2024.