Brussels-based city maps are conquering Europe. Some tourists can make do with a selfie stick picture at Manneken Pis, but the younger and more alternative kind want to break through the tourist bubble. Where do you guys from Brussels go for free live shows? Where do you lunch? And should we be more careful now, with the attacks and all? The answer is on the USE-IT city map. It shows the way to metal at Magasin 4, lunch at the Albertina library and a coworking space in Molenbeek. “We’ve reached the point where Lonely Planet doesn’t do,” the map makers say. “Those guides are sparsely updated, and they lack those nice tips on how not to stand out as a tourist. For instance: don’t order a waffle with whipped cream and four kinds of fruit, because we Belgians don’t either. And perhaps a mi
Read MoreTag: ghent
We have always heard about Belgian glasses, somewhat in tune of- neighbour's envy, owner's pride! But once you are in Belgium, you realise the actual beauty of glasses in Belgium. Specially the stained glass windows of its churches. Most of them are actually piece of art. Few of them have been actually painted by top artists of their times. All of them have historical, architectural value. Actually until medieval times, churches had been the prominent patrons of the art. Many renowned painters did their all well-known works for the church. That's the reason churches in Europe still preserve many those artefacts and hence they are major source of attraction for tourists. Yasmine Hafiz from Huffington Post had once written, "When stepping into a holy place, our eyes seek the light. If we’...
Read MoreThis is the Memmelocke Statue at Botermarkt 17 in Ghent, Belgium. A classical sculpture on the top of a building which was once the entrance to the city prison and also the wardens house. This building is located between the Belfry and the Lakenhelle. In the crypt of the Lakenhelle the city jail was housed for almost 150 years from 1742 to 1902. This sculpture depicts a scene from a Roman legend that tells how a prisoner was condemned to death by starvation and thirst. The man was thrown into a dungeon by the Roman prefect in Ghent. Only his daughter was allowed to visit her. But she was not allowed to take any food or drink to her father. Daughter was an adult. The father remained alive still after six months. Apparently the daughter had just become a mother. In attempt to save her...
Read MoreDisclaimer: Well, I know it is World Whisky Day! But this post is not to commemorate that, rest assured. It was long due. I am not a teetotaller but not a tippler even. My research about Belgium indeed told me that Belgian chocolates are the best, but I came to know about Beers and Wines of Belgium, only once I landed there. SO, once I was there, that aspect was duly explored. And, it turned out to be very interesting indeed. Well, Belgian is well-known for it Beers world-over. Its said that Belgium has been churning out beer since the crusades. Capital Brussels is proudly included in one of the top beer cities in the world. It is considered also as the capital of Belgian beer culture. There are countryside monasteries that brew monk-made Trappist ales. Cantillon Brewery is said ...
Read MoreWe have already read about how city of Bruges in Belgium showcases its Public Art. Another city in Belgium is know for its different form of art- graffiti. This is Ghent. We are talking about Graffiti Street in Ghent. This narrow alley called Werregaren straat, between Vrijdagmarkt and Groentenmarkt is know as Graffiti Street- a street full of graffiti. Ghent is a university town and hence obviously a city with active youth culture. We associate this generation with more expressive behaviour such as graffitis. Belgium has historically been a big centre of art. Combined with a historical interest in art, in Ghent we see streets where whole walls are covered in cartoons. Ghent is also territory of renowned artists such as ROA and the Blue Warrior. So this street has graffiti al
Read MoreHow one feels while looking down deep! Is it a feeling of fear... or of being high up then others! Does it make you any humble or too realistic about life! Does it make you feel in thin air! Or it gives you a new meaning to life... A collection of images clicked at various times to reflect upon feeling of 'Looking Down' and my interpretation to them... Just because, I like these photos. Hope you too (See them all)! Looking down at your means to gain height! (Male Airport, Maldives) Looking down at speed you gain to move ahead! (Somewhere in Indian Ocean, Maldives) Looking down at lines nature creates! (Pacific Ocean, Eastern Japanese coast) Looking down at lines we move on! (Singapore) Looking down at jungles we love! (Ranthambore, Rajasthan) Looking down at Jungles we crea
Read MoreTo every comic lover the name Tintin brings an exciting feeling. Steven Spielberg’s- The Adventures of Tintin- The Secret of the Unicorn, released last year might have renewed interest in Tintin’s country and even inspired a few to be there. Surely, whether you love comics or chocolates, Belgium is a traveler’s delight. And, it certainly has a lot more to offer. Belgium is the country which gave birth to Tintin. Capital Brussels is fondly called as capital of Tintin by comic lovers around the globe. It all started here when Georges Remi, who would go on to world acclaim as Herge, was born in 1907. Here he grow up, went to school and created his first comic strip. Brussels was his life and obvious source of inspiration. In 1929, Herge first breathed life into his most celebrated hero...
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