Antwerp, Belgium – Planning Your Stay In The City Of Diamonds

October 31st, 2010 by Use_6_76 Leave a reply »

Antwerp, Belgium is a very old place known for its super friendly people, its trade in diamonds, delicious food, and relaxing, low-stress lifestyle. The mixture of old and new combines to create a city with a very unique sort of atmosphere. So if you’re looking to take an easy-going, laid-back vacation, consider visiting Antwerp. Just remember that you’ll need a passport to travel outside the United States. And now, USA passport services are available online, making trip preparation a breeze.

Going online grants you access to services like rush passport renewal and passport applications. The website is extremely easy to use. All you do is fill out your application, check a date when you want it delivered, and continue on with your planning. This revolutionary new way to get passports means you can travel more with less hassle.

Antwerp is definitely a city composed of history. The Farmer’s Tower – called Boerentoren by the people – is considered to be Europe’s first skyscraper. You can get one of the best views of the city around on the 25th floor observation deck. Het Steen, translated as The Stone is an extremely old castle that was built originally in 1220-1225. This age makes it Europe’s oldest building and castle. Now on the inside there’s a little naval museum. At the bottom of the castle marks the beginning of Wandelterrassen, a board walk with some scenic routes. Rubenshuis, or Rubens House, is where the world famous artist used to live and paint. You can still see some of his paintings on the wall.

City Hall and the Old Market Square designate the historical center of town. The City Hall is a very unique building, mixing Renaissance and Gothic architecture. This sort of building design is found almost nowhere else. Surrounding the square are Medieval houses, and everything comes together to create a feeling like you’re stepping back in time. The Cathedral of our Lady, built in 1351, is the tallest building in Antwerp, standing at over 400 feet tall. It is also one of the largest Gothic Cathedrals in Northern Europe.

Because this city is so old, it is a prime location for ghost tours. So if you’re the type that enjoys a little paranormal phenomena, be sure to check out what ghost tours are available. Another little mysterious part of Antwerp is the hidden street Vlaeykensgang. This street is only accessible through a pair of Medieval doors. See if you can find it yourself.

The Port of Antwerp is a historically and culturally significant location in Antwerp. This Port is the largest in all of Europe, and one of the largest on the planet. There are tours that can give unfold for you the background of this commercial site, and because it has been so pivotal in Belgium’s development, it’s worth seeing for yourself.

This is only a smattering of things to do in Antwerp, Belgium. There is so much you can do for little to no cost, and sometimes this is the best way to experience a city. Antwerp is the perfect bicycle town, so be sure to save time for a little exploring. Just don’t forget your passports. Now, U S passport services are available online. These sites can handle rush US passport renewal or any other sort of passport issue you might have. So get exploring!

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