|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
Bruges (Brugge) – Ride the canal
boats (boottocht) around Bruges. One place to get the boats is G. Stael,
Katelijnestraat. There’s also a very nice park to run around next to
the Begijnhof (Beguine convent) near the canal. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Go to the beach (Knokke-Heist, Oostend) – Belgian families go to the beach all year round. Even in bad weather,
kids love a walk on the beach in the rain. Rent go-karts on the beach or
shop for unusual shells. In Oostend, watch the big ferries coming in from
England. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Abbaye de Villers-la-Ville –
This old abandoned 12th century abbey is what a ruined abbey
should look like – decrepit, covered in vines, open to the sky and
plenty of rooms to explore. A gem. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Battle of Waterloo – Even
if you don’t think you’re interested in battlefields, Waterloo
is not to be missed. Walk up the Butte du Lion and look out over the scene
of the battle (topography played an important role). The excellent visitor’s
center has a movie that shows the battle in detail. For more information, check out Waterloo
Battlefield. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Le Grand Hornu (near Mons) –
Le Grand Hornu is a coal mining town that’s been made into a tourist
site. This is a fascinating look into the Industrial Revolution, in a planned
city where people worked and lived. Visit the mines, climb on slag heaps
and tour these 19th century period houses. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Grotte de Han (Han-sur-Lesse) – The
Grotte de Han is a huge limestone cave with spectacular stalagmites and
stalactites. Truly memorable! Take the tram up to the cave entrance; then
walk down through the cave, about 3km. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Chateau de Bouillon (Bouillon) – Visit the medieval fortress
of Godefroy de Bouillon who went off to fight in the First Crusade. In
the castle, be sure to see the Godefroy de Bouillon room, hollowed out
of the rock, with a large cross carved in the floor. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Gorge de Loup (Echternach, Luxembourg) – This corner of Luxembourg is know as Luxembourg’s "Little
Switzerland" because of its amazing rock formations, caves and gorges.
Visit the Gorge de Loup – there are well marked footpaths and you can
take little kids on this walk. |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Wonderful
exploration of a single painting by Pieter Bruegel. The Tower of Babel, set in Antwerp, is a microcosm
of the city itself. Fabulous detail of daily life and builders at
work. (Picture book)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Lively look at Pieter Bruegel, Belgium's famous painter of landscapes and everyday people in the 16th century. He painted snowy winter scenery, children's games, peasants at work in the fields, wedding feast and dances. (Picture book)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Before you visit Waterloo, where Napoleon fought his great battle and lost, read about the meteoric life and career of the "little corporal." Rich historical illustrations of the time. (Picture book)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Step
in the puzzling and mysterious world of Rene Magritte, where stones
float like clouds, shoes have toes, day and night appear in the
same painting. A native of Belgium, Magritte's works are on display
in Brussels, and this is a lovely introduction to a surprising
and enchanting painter. (Picture book)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Nancy Drew and
her two friends travel to Belgium, following an old mystery –
lace cuffs with a secret message, a cavalier and his true love,
a hidden room in a house along the canals in Brugge. (Chapter book)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Can you spot pictures of phrases (talk until the cows come home, cat got your tongue, eat your words, and more) in the illustrations? A completely original children’s book by Belgian artist Anne Herbauts. (Picture book)
|
|
|
|
(Nancy Drew)