Antwerp (Belgium)

...you why you should include Antwerp in your tour of Belgium.

I now live in a Hall of Residence in England and I'm very nostalgic! Living here has shown me how ignorant people are of little Belgium. When I first came and everyone was asking the same questions (where do you come from? What do you study? etc.) I told them I lived in Belgium and memorably one boy asked "Is that in Ireland" (he was quite embarassed affterwards). ...
...in general and Antwerp in particular.

Antwerp is in the Dutch speaking part of Belgium, and the city is called
"Antwerpen" by the locals, in the French part of Belgium it is commonly referred
to as Anvers. The way Antwerpen got is name is quite an interesting story. By
the side of the river Schelde (the river that Antwerp is situated on) there is a
statue of a handless man and at his feet are some ... more

I have now lived in Antwerpen for the past 2 years and in that time I have
discovered basically everything there is to know about this great city! I will
try and explain to you why you should include Antwerp in your tour of Belgium.

I now live in a Hall of Residence in England and I'm very nostalgic! Living here has shown me how ignorant people are of little Belgium. When I first came and everyone was asking the same questions (where do you come from? What do you study? etc.) I told them I lived in Belgium and memorably one boy asked "Is that in Ireland" (he was quite embarassed affterwards). Anyway enough little anecdotes, let me enlighten you about Belgium in general and Antwerp in particular.

Antwerp is in the Dutch speaking part of Belgium, and the city is called
"Antwerpen" by the locals, in the French part of Belgium it is commonly referred
to as Anvers. The way Antwerpen got is name is quite an interesting story. By
the side of the river Schelde (the river that Antwerp is situated on) there is a
statue of a handless man and at his feet are some smaller people clinging on to
his legs. Legend has it that many years ago a giant placed his hand across the
Schelde thus blocking it. Ships were trapped and trade was cut off. The people
of the village cute off the giants hand and threw it away and this is how
Antwerpen got it's name as 'twerpen' in Dutch means to throw and the 'an' is
the shortened version of the word 'hand' (it's the same in Dutch I think!). To
prove this incredulous tale there is a large stone hand in the middle of the
Meir (the main shopping street). So there is a bit about the history of the
city!

As I mentioned previously Antwerpen is on the river Schelde this is a large and
beautiful river and it means that there are also many beautiful dock areas.
There are promenade paths along the river where you can take a long stroll and
enjoy the view. This walk is not just beautiful because of the river but also
because of the views on the other side of the footpath. The architecture in this
city is amazing. Modern is perfectly integrated with the new. There is a black
and white stripped house that is situated right next to a beautiful old building
and you may not believe it but it looks amazing (you'll have to go see with your
own eyes!). This mixture of old and new would never be permitted in England but
I think if you go to Antwerp would realise how well the two combine.

The city centre is also very beautiful. In Groenplaats there is a large fountain
of a man throwing a giant hand (yet another allusions to the city's name). In
the summer this square is crowded with people cooling by the fountain and having
a cool drink at one of the local cafes. Also in this square is the cathedral, it
is a very impressive building and well worth a visit. Just around the corner is
an Irish pub (The Irish Times) where you can enjoy a cool English beer and watch
whatever football match may be on. If however you want a more Belgian experience
there is a pub across the road that is full of religious relics it has a cosy
atmosphere and of course famous Belgian beer.

Antwerp is a fashion capital, the Antwerp six are world famous they include
Sophie van Noten. If you leave the Meir and go to the backstreets then you will
find that they are full of top designer shops. These shops are only really good
if you have a budget or if you like to do what I do... look round these shops
get some inspiration and head for the Meir! The Meir is the main highstreet and
has shops such as Zara, H&M, Inno (large department store), Van Daalen (shoe
shop) and my favourite shop Maximo Dutti. My favourite time to shop is in the
sales season. The sales in Antwerp are legendary, people come from all over
Belgium and Holland to enjoy them. Belgian law prohibits shops from starting
their sales early so all the shops start their sales together and it is a mad
scramble to get the best bargains! It is definitely worthwhile to find out when
the sales are before you go. This is also the time when the designer shops
become affordable. I was able to afford a wonderful, long, black Versace dress
at 90% off (the shop's name is Moggies and you really have to wait till the END
of the sales to get these kind of bargains!).

After a tired days shopping and sight seeing you may want to eat in one of
Antwerp's great restaurants. If you want cheap and quick food then I would
recommend you had a pizza in one of the Italian restaurants down by the side of
the Cathedral (Giovanni's is the best in my opinion). The waiters are true
Italians and will call you in from the doorstep "bella bella!" and you will have
great service guaranteed! Another of my favourite cheap meals is Tapas in one of
the Spanish bars situated in the city the staff is Spanish so you get really
authentic food. Moules and Frites and Groenplaats is very good but beware the
helpings are HUUUUGE! My favourite 'posh' restaurant in Antwerpen is the
"Pomphuis" it is a restaurant in an old pump house and the food and atmosphere
is wonderful. It is on the edge of the North side of town. You would probably
need a car to get there or it would be a long walk. Ask for a map at the Tourist
information (situated in Groenplaats).

For children Piraten Island is a indoor play-centre that will guarantee fun!
This is situated on the "Island" just across London Bridge and it is very close
to the Holiday Inn hotel nd also the Docklands so if you're staying there and
you have kids this could be a fun thing to do especially on a wet day.

Antwerp's other claim to fame is the diamond quarter. This si situated at the
top end of town near the train station. It is every bit as big and famous as
Holland's and is the original diamond centre of the world. No less than 70% of
the world's diamonds pass through Antwerp. The shop windows are crammed with
gold, diamonds and other jewels and are generally run by Jews, Indians or
Lebanese.

Another thing I have to recommend is the Horse ride from Groenplaats. In the
summer there are individual horse and carriage rides which I think are about 15
euros for a short ride but what I suggest is you take a ride on the Palm bus (an
old beer barrel carrying cart which has been done up to seat about 20 people)
it's only 5 euros and you get a 45 minute ride and a free postcard. I have done
this ride 5 times and completely love it!

Antwerp has a great nightlife. In the Summer Hangar 26 is a club right next to
the river it has great music and if you get hot then you can go out onto the
balcony overlooking the river and relax. Entrance fee is 5 euros and Saturday
night is the best. Another good club is Cafe d'Anvers, this is in the red light
district although there is nothing 'kinky' about it. It plays the best house
music in the world and also has and R&B room. This is my favourite club and you
just can't miss it out on your visit! Entrance is usually free for girls
variable between 2 and 5 for guys but this varies depending on the DJ etc. Also
in the red light district is gay bar 'Red and Blue' I've never been in but I
heard it's good!

There are also clubs in the town centre on Groenplaats there is Zenon which is
really small but with free entry. Bonaparte a karioke bar where you can sing the
night away (in English) and there are also various other karioke bars very close
to that one. There is also of course two Irish pubs one on Groenplaat and the
other on Groetmarkt. But beware nightlife does not start till late and I would
not recommend leaving the bar to go to a club till 12 or 1 at the earliest. Most
clubs close about 6 or 7 am so don't worry there is plenty of time to party!

A special event that takes place every summer is Navigaytion (yes i have spelt
it right!). Europe's biggest gay party on water!! There is Bungee jumping,
rides, very load music and I think it is generally good fun. People flock from
miles around and last year I think there were over 30 000 people there. I think
it is a good example of how culturally aware Antwerp is and how diverse the
people are.

I hope you now realise why you have to visit Antwerp! It is so close to England
that you really have no excuse not to take a weekend break there, especially now
crossings from England are so cheap. Currently the cheapest crossing is with
speed ferries but only if you book early. Once you are across the channel it is
a mere 2 hour drive. There are so many things to do in Antwerpen that you really
should not overlook it when you plan a trip to Belgium (Europe's most underrated
country!).

Sorry a lot of the information I had to fill in below is irrelevant, but i had to put soemthing!
 

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