Blogs from Antwerp Province, Belgium, Europe - page 8

After an overnight stay in Dover (where we visited a great restaurant called The Allotment), we took a Norfolk Line ferry from Dover to Dunkirk. Driving from Dunkirk to Antwerp took just over an hour and was easy. The tricky bit was driving around Antwerp. I knew our hotel was somewhere near the Central Station - always an easy landmark to find in a city - but unfortunately there were roadworks right outside the Radisson Hotel where we were staying. This meant we couldn't turn directly into the road we needed but had to go round the block, get stuck in a traffic jam, avoid cars, pedestrians, cylists and trams! But eventually got to the hotel and checked in. This meant we had the afternoon and evening to explore Antwerp. For me, it felt like a ... read more

A relaxed day in Antwerp. It was the first day in too long, that was were able to sleep past 8:00am. We moved quite slowly the entire morning, and didn’t make it to downtown Antwerp until 2pm. I had no idea what to expect from Antwerp, but it was soo cute! It was a very midevil little town, with a great story behind it. On the water’s edge, there is an old beautiful castle. As we walked through the castle Banjamin and Carolyn told us the history of Antwerp. The tale goes that a giant used to live in this castle. One man defeated the giant, cut off his hand, and threw it into the water. Where the hand fell in the water is where Antwerp poped up! All around the city there are hand chocolates, ... read more

Today got off to a slightly disappointing start as there were no croissants or pastries for breakfast! Things perked up, however, as we walked along the riverside to the train station, bound for Antwerp. As we neared the station Clare decided we were in the wrong place but I disagreed - it turned out I was right. However, my victory was short lived when I realised that the Interrail tickets required to get reduced reservation fees (or even fares free of charge) were not in my bag and I had left them back at the Hostel...1-1. Instead of trapesing all the way back to the Bauhaus we reluctantly forked out the 30 Euro charge for two returns, paid the grumpy man, and continued with a large dint in our daily budget. After leaving the very grand ... read more

Mechelen... read more

Tuesday 23.2.2010 day 133 Belgian - Antwerp We drove though Antwerp on the way to Ypres. ... read more