Brussels Airport welcomed almost 11.7 million passengers during the first six months of 2026, despite industrial action and disruption caused by the conflict in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz. The airport also reported strong growth in cargo traffic, underlining its role as one of Europe‘s leading freight hubs.
Tag: Spain
DENVER | History Colorado Center
September 2025. After Oscar came to London in June 2024 and I joined him there for a day, I’m now going to his hometown of Denver in Colorado. My second trip to the United States in 2025, after visiting my uncle and aunt in Wilmington, North Carolina. No, Denver is is not on foreign tourists’…
France welcomes 102 million visitors and earns €77.5 billion from tourism in record-breaking 2025
I turned 45 in June. I have this tradition – when possible – of not being in Belgium for my birthday. From Sweden in 2013 to the Châteaux of the Loire Valley in 2014, Lake Orta in 2015, Rome in 2016, London in 2018, North Carolina and Virginia in 2019, England in 2022, and Rotterdam…
Arriva expands Paris rail ambitions with extra The Hague to Belgium connections
Dutch rail operator Arriva has unveiled plans to significantly expand its international rail ambitions by adding direct services from The Hague and Amersfoort to Paris, complementing its previously announced Groningen to Paris route. The company is now targeting a launch in early 2028, although it acknowledges that the timeline remains uncertain.
NMBS / SNCB: International train travel continues to grow in popularity among Belgian holidaymakers
International rail travel is becoming an increasingly popular choice for Belgians heading abroad during the summer holidays, according to new figures from NMBS / SNCB. Belgium‘s national railway operator says bookings for international journeys continue to rise, supported by an expanding network that now offers connections to more than 6,000 destinations across 15 European countries.
France’s Intercités: a long-awaited renewal for the ‘forgotten’ rail network
For decades, France’s Trains d’Équilibre du Territoire – commercially branded as Intercités – have played second fiddle to the high-speed TGV and regional TER networks. These conventional long-distance services, encompassing both day and night trains, were established in 2011 to consolidate routes previously operated under brands like Corail Téoz, Lunéa, and Interregional.
Brussels Airport is expecting 5.2 million passengers this summer holiday
5.2 million passengers will travel via Brussels Airport in July and August 2026, 4% more than last year. The summer holiday is traditionally the peak season at the airport, with the holiday rush starting as early as Friday 26 June.
United Kingdom tourism surges past 45 million visitors as cross-Channel travel with Belgium grows
In 2024, I showed Oscar from Denver, Colorado the highlights of London. It was his first time in England. In contrast, Thanh and I have been to the capital of the United Kingdom many times. During the weekend of Pentecost 2026, we went together for a weekend of museums, food, and a concert.
GAY MONACO | Monaco Pride 2026?
I visited the Principality of Monaco past Sunday. At the start of Pride Month, which is mostly an American affair, I wondered if Monaco has a Pride. It has, but not at a scale we’re used to. The principality on the Mediterranean Sea isn’t exactly known to be a queer hotspot.
RAIL | Spain and Portugal keep on-board train ticket sales
Belgium’s national railway operator, NMBS / SNCB, will stop selling tickets on board its trains from 1 July 2026. The decision, NMBS / SNCB’s leadership argues, follows a sharp rise in aggression towards staff, with 2,602 incidents recorded in 2025 – an average of seven per day – up from 2,103 in 2024. Will the…