May 2025. I have a few days off so I decide to take a train to Leiden (Leyden, Leyde) in the Dutch province of South Holland to visit the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, or the National Museum of Antiquities. Steve, my former Latin and Ancient Greek teacher in my teen years, says it’s quite good. As…
Tag: Netherlands
ANTWERP SUMMER 2025 | 2.9 million day-trippers and 552,161 overnight stays
The City of Antwerp reported on 2 September a successful 2025 summer season, with events such as Bollekesfeest, Antwerp Pride and concerts by international artists including Ed Sheeran drawing significantly more international visitors to the city.
GERMANY | Münster in North Rhine-Westphalia
The weekend before Christmas 2024, Dennis and I went to Münster in North Rhine-Westphalia for the Weihnachtsmarkt, the Christmas market. Germany is a master in Christmas markets. And a successful excursion to Bonn in 2023 left us wanting a sequel. On our way to Germany on Friday night, we learned about the 2024 Magdeburg Christmas…
5 September = Benelux Day
Did you know 5 September is Benelux Day? For only the second time, the Benelux countries are officially celebrating Benelux Day, an annual occasion that highlights the deep-rooted partnership between the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
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.
27 SEPTEMBER 2025 | Farewell Tour for ‘Benelux’ Intercityrijtuig (ICR) coaches in the Netherlands and Belgium
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.
MÜNSTER | Peace of Westphalia signing venue Friedenssaal at the old Rathaus
The weekend before Christmas 2024, Dennis and I went to Münster in North Rhine-Westphalia for the Weihnachtsmarkt, the Christmas market. Germany is a master in Christmas markets. And a successful excursion to Bonn in 2023 left us wanting a sequel. On our way to Germany on Friday night, we learned about the 2024 Magdeburg Christmas…
Iron Rhine gets renewed political attention in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany
Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany are accelerating talks to revive the Iron Rhine railway, a 19th-century line linking the Port of Antwerp with Germany’s Ruhr industrial region, amid mounting concerns over security in Europe and the need to strengthen military mobility in response to Russia.
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…
RAIL TOUR OF GERMANY | Avoiding delay-plagued ICEs in favour of regional trains
October 2024. During a week-long whistle-stop tour of Germany, we visit Dessau-Roßlau in Saxony-Anhalt, Weimar in Thuringia, Coburg in Upper Franconia (Bavaria) and Kassel in Hesse. Smaller cities, yes. But each with their own significance. Untouched by overtourism. We’re avoiding using the white trains of DB Fernverkehr, Deutsche Bahn‘s long-distance section and opt to use…
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