Within a 50-mile radius, Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Mechelen and Leuven are each less than an hour travel from each other. Nowhere else in the world will you find so much history and such great art and architecture in such concentrated form. The Flemish are not just the custodians of all that beauty — they live in it! Gothic and baroque main squares form the heart of each of these six cities. At the crossroads of Europe, they might have a cosmopolitan allure as well, all six have remained true to their rich medieval heritage. In Flanders, you are never far away from the next cafe and there are more festivals, concerts, opera and ballet performances than you can pack in any given week. And did we mention the chocolates? BRUSSELS At the Grote Markt, one of the most spectacular squares in Europe, a gothic town hall and baroque guild houses form the theatrical decor for the most diverse events such as the historic Ommegang pageant, several summer jazz and rock concerts and a daily flower market. The square is lined with cafes where Belgians and visitors alike spent time to discuss politics, the latest fashion or just plain gossip. Brussels combines the elegance of its uptown boulevards, with little places called Butter Street or Cheese Square downtown. It is multicultured, multilingual and sophisticated, yet it has remained a warm city full of provincial charm. The town's big art and great museums come as no surprise to anybody who knows his art history but what could come as a surprise is the creativity of Brussels' younger generations. Iconoclastic fashion gurus, young sculptures and painters, new furniture and jewelry designers, great jazz and electronic musicians, and adventurous chefs launching ever more daring food for the ever more demanding gastronomes make Brussels a capital with a beat! ANTWERP Boisterous, energetic, bigger than life, the “Antwerpenaar” (or what an inhabitant of the city is called) is envied by many of its countrymen, because Antwerp has it all. A mighty river, a soaring cathedral, a great painter like Rubens to call its own, trendsetting fashion designers, chic and funky restaurants, and a maze of little streets to get lost in. It's a city where one can go from a romantic stroll along the river Scheldt to dancing the night away in one of its numerous fancy nightclubs. Make sure you keep some money for your visit to Antwerp. There are diamonds, of course, but you may also be tempted by a brand new fashion designer, or what could be even more fun: go for a treasure hunt in an Antwerp thrift shop. GHENT Less known than Bruges or Antwerp, Ghent deserves more attention because, historically, it is one of the most interesting cities in Europe. The entire city center is a pedestrian maze of little streets, all leading to the focal point of Ghent: St. Michael's Bridge. From there, you can see the city's three fabulous gothic towers: Saint Bavo's Cathedral (housing the world-famous polyptych of the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the brothers Van Eyck), Saint Nicolas' Church and the Belfry. At the same time though, the Museum of Modern Art, called SMAK, offers the best in contemporary design and art. BRUGES Going to Bruges is like being in a time capsule and finding yourself in the midst of the Middle Ages. Grey stone bridges span canals that crisscross the town, and white swans on the lake guard the entrance to the mysterious beguinage. St. John's Hospital and its collection of paintings by Memling (including the Shrine of St. Ursula) are also extremely beautiful and well worth the trip. Bruges is of course also known for its beautiful lace, and a boat trip on the canals is an absolute must do. MECHELEN Mechelen's landmark is the huge St. Rumbold's Tower. This impressive late-medieval tower can be seen from far away, and a climb up the 514 steps rewards visitors with a great view over the town. One of the most important art treasures of the cathedral is a painting by Anthony van Dyck. Mechelen is the home of a unique carillon school, and nothing is more romantic than walking the streets of Mechelen listening to that heavenly music cascading from the mighty tower. It is an absolute must to catch the renowned carillon summer-evening recitals. Another must is a visit to the Royal Tapestry Factory Gaspard De Wit. For more than a century this factory has been renovating the famous Flemish tapestries, and museums from all over the world bring their treasures here to be repaired and treated. LEUVEN The town owes much of its character to the famous university founded in 1425. Together with Cambridge and Oxford, the Alma Mater became the most famous learning center of the 15th century. Erasmus, Copernicus, Vesalius, they all contributed to its fame. Today, the university of Leuven remains one of the most famous in the world – attracting over 50,000 students per year. Follow them to find the best cafes. Leuven's gothic Town Hall is one of the most ornate in Belgium, adorned by hundreds of sculptures. Across the street, in the magnificent gothic Saint Peters Church, you will also find the Last Supper by Dirk Bouts – another giant of the Flemish school of painting. In brief, Flanders is a region of deliciously wonderful secrets, where romantic canals and cobblestoned streets await. Pocketsize art cities are yours to discover and the cuisine is sublime – from Michelin star restaurants to traditional dishes like mussels and fries. Honestly, they're called ‘French fries' but the Belgians are really the ones who perfected them. For more information www.visitflanders.us
