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…
Tag: Mechelen
REVIEW | ‘Belgian Railways Under Occupation: Between Collaboration and Resistance’ at Train World in Brussels
Opened in late September 2025 at Train World in Schaarbeek / Schaerbeek in Brussels, the exhibition ‘Belgian Railways Under Occupation: Between Collaboration and Resistance‘ examines the complex and often painful history of the Belgian railways during World War II.
BELGIUM | More than 9.5 million travellers took the train this summer
In Belgium in July and August 2025, more than 9.5 million passengers travelled by train, almost 3% more than last year, the NMBS / SNCB reports in a press release.
Antwerp hotels fully booked ahead of Ed Sheeran, Drake and Antwerp Pride weekend
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…
Mechelen to organise a Pride Week from 2026?
At the Mechelen city council meeting on 27 May 2025, opposition party N-VA called on the city to organise a dedicated Pride Week, arguing that current efforts to promote inclusion and combat homophobia and transphobia are insufficient and poorly communicated.
The Rolling Tables dinner train experience in Belgium from 1 August 2025 and in the Netherlands from 1 November 2025
In 2024, Dinner Train was going to offer dine and ride train experiences in Belgium after doing so in the Netherlands. It never happened. Now, the concept gets a second chance under the brand The Rolling Tables.
REVIEW | Speelgoedmuseum Mechelen Toy Museum
In 2024, the Speelgoedmuseum Mechelen or Mechelen Toy Museum in Mechelen (Malines, Mechlin), moved from the Nekkerspoel area of town to the Koning Allbertplein or King Albert Square adjacent to Mechelen Railway Station. Danny and I went to visit on a cold January 2025 Sunday.
PHOTOS | ZOO Planckendael ‘Dragons of the North’ Light Festival until 5 January 2025
Currently and until 5 January 2025 ZOO Planckendael near Mechelen (Malines, Mechlin) hosts a Light Festival. This year’s theme is ‘Dragons of the North‘. Dennis suggested this excursion… and why not?
Benelux fast EuroCity Direct and slow(er) EuroCity from 15 December 2024
The train service between Belgium and the Netherlands doubles from December 2024, with significant travel time savings. NMBS / SNCB issued a press release.
Benelux trains to be rebranded EuroCity Direct and EuroCity, allowing new market position
The train service between Brussels and Amsterdam which is nowadays known as ‘the Benelux‘ in Belgium, will be (re)named EuroCity Direct and EuroCity, the Dutch train enthusiasts website Treinreiziger.nl reports.