Tourism Flanders Brussels Mice

Flanders
Flanders lies tucked away in the northern part of Belgium between France,
Germany and the Netherlands. The region offers an assortment of
cosmopolitan, easy to reach towns and cities offering visitors far more than
just traditional main squares and conventional architecture. Situated in
Northwest Europe, this Dutch-speaking region of Belgium, surprises visitors
with locations that are filled with historic attractions and architecture as well
as offering world-renowned cuisine, chocolate and good quality beer.

If travelling by train, Brussels, the capital city special venues on offer, your choice of
of Flanders, is less than two hours away from location for your perfect meeting,
London and just under three hours away conference or event is endless.
from other major European cities such as
Amsterdam, Paris and Cologne. Every city is distinctive in its own way.
Undoubtedly, Flanders makes the perfect Unquestionably, each one captivates its
destination for business or pleasure. visitors with endless opportunities for
culture, gastronomy, nightlife, shopping, art
In times like these when it is becoming and architecture. Antwerp, Ghent, Brussels,
increasingly important for businesses to and Bruges are the largest cities in the
reduce environmental impact, Flanders can Flemish region.
offer you the tools to organise a truly green
meeting with great rail links, compact cities With meeting venues for every occasion, from
and quiet countryside. Public transport simple conference facilities, luxury 5-star
throughout Flanders is fast and efficient. hotels to grand historical buildings, whatever
Local people are extremely friendly and are the size of your meeting or the complexity of
always happy to help guests and English is your requirements, Flanders can certainly meet
widely spoken throughout. your needs and exceed your expectations.

One unique feature of Flanders is its array of
venues available to meeting planners. With a
wide variety of museums as well as countless

visitflanders.co.uk/mice fabulous flanders Meetings, Incentives and Conferences

Flanders
Fabulous Flanders: a captivating destination.
Flanders hosts picture perfect cities, sumptuous art and cutting edge fashion
all less than two hours away by train from London. Flanders is also centrally
positioned with frequent flights to Brussels from most UK airports.

We’re here to help.....

Getting There
Less than 2 hours away from the UK by train.
Over 200 flights per week from numerous airports in the UK.
Contact
Sarah Mathews
Meetings, Incentives & Conferences Manager
Flanders-Brussels Convention Bureau
Good to Know
Impartial Advice Practical input Our Support Partners Support
Tourism Flanders-Brussels • There are more castles per square mile in
• With our in-depth • We can help you • Organise regular • Brussels Airlines
knowledge and obtain proposals in familiarisation trips. Official Carrier
Flanders House Belgium than anywhere else in the world.
experience we’ll a prompt fashion. • Providing free Programme. 1a Cavendish Square
search for the • Belgium produces 172,000 tons of chocolate
• Put you in contact with promotional material • Eurostar Group London, W1G 0LD
most suitable the key people to including brochures, Travel tickets for per year in over 2,130 chocolate shops.
venue/locations facilitate your event. visitor guides meeting planners.
for your event. Tel: 0207 307 7734 • There are over 400 different types of beer in
• Coordinate your and maps.
• We keep you Fax: 0207 307 7731 Belgium running the gamut from white to
site inspections. • Dedicated Welcome
informed of the latest Desk at Brussels Email:mice@visitflanders.co.uk raspberry beer.
developments and Airport to welcome www.visitflanders.co.uk/mice
trends in Flanders. your delegates. • Christmas comes early in Belgium; St Nicolas
• Our services are Day, 6th December, is the first day of gift giving
totally free of charge.

Image Copyright: Jasper James, Carl Pendle, The Dominican, BELvue Museum, Toerisme Antwerpen, Stadsfeestzaal, Lux, N Matsumoto, Hotel Bloom, D. de Kievith, Ghent Tourist Office,
Hotel Harmony, Marriott Ghent, Belga Queen Ghent, Meeting In Brugge, Patrick Devos, Kempinski Duke’s Palace and Tourism Flanders-Brussels


Antwerp
Appreciated by fashionistas, art lovers and diamond dealers, Belgium’s
capital of cool, and the country’s second-largest city, revels in fame and
fortune. The whole city is something of an architectural masterpiece and
most distinctive is its Gothic and Flemish baroque architecture. During the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, it was the home of Pieter-Paul Rubens,
northern Europe’s most notable baroque artist.

Antwerp displays a list of endless Besides the large international hotels with
possibilities that starts with its manageable great conference facilities, there are also
and timeless quality. The old city centre, stunning boutique properties in Antwerp.
built around the country’s most impressive These are exclusive locations in their own
cathedral, is as beautiful and intimate as it right and have already gained a huge
was centuries ago. Tucked away in cobbled international following. Housed in beautiful
lanes are countless restaurants and bars, old buildings, but decorated in a
antique shops, art galleries, exclusive contemporary style, these hotels are perfect
chocolate outlets and designer boutiques. for small meetings that wish to take over
entire properties.
Antwerp’s role as a celebrated fashion hub
means it is a magnet for shoppers. For a city The city is also very easily accessible for
of its size, it boasts an astonishing number of English visitors, not only by train but also by
world-acclaimed fashion designers and plane as Antwerp has its own airport just a
brands: Dries Van Noten, Kipling and Dirk 15 minute taxi ride from the centre of town.
Bikkembergs to name but a few, and many From here there are regular direct flights to
have set up boutiques on the both London City Airport and Manchester.
Nationalestraat and surrounds.

On the backbone of the fashion scene,
Antwerp’s club culture has expanded greatly
in recent years and the city runs on party
time. Party extravaganzas burst out in summer
as well as Het Eilandje, the regenerated
docklands and to the north and south of the
city all beat to the coolest city vibes.


Antwerp
Cosmoplitan, confident and full of contrasts...
an essential meeting destination for your Belgian itinerary
This metropolis of Antwerp is a haven for all meetings and has long provided
a reason for every conference organiser to visit this beautiful city.

Getting There
“ What appeals to me Antwerp has direct flights from London and Manchester.
about Antwerp is that Antwerp is less than three hours from London by train.
it's a place of high
fashion and design
Art & Architecture Attractions Cool Antwerp Gastronomy savvy but remains
• Take a trip to • Antwerp is widely • Ever since the mid- • Whilst in Antwerp, unpretentious and Good to Know
Pieter- Paul Rubens’ acclaimed as the 1980s fashion has why not sample
house and journey diamond capital of played a central part to traditional Antwerpen
friendly. I get excited
• Antwerp was named as one of the top 10
back in time with the world so be sure the city. Wander along delicacies; frietjes about cities that have
cities in the world to visit in 2009 according
this Antwerpen to make a journey to Nationalestraat to see met stoofvlees with a a thriving modern art
Great Master. the diamond district Antwerp’s International glass of Antwerp’s to experts at Lonely Planet
scene.... And Antwerp
• Head to the heart of of the city. fashion designers and own De Koninck
is one of those places • Is the second largest city after Brussels
the city and see the • Head to MoMu, the discover the crop of beer, brewed by one
Cathedral of Our fashion museum and new talent setting up family since 1827. that really has it.” • Antwerp has been the world diamond centre
Lady. Construction discover Antwerp’s their shops in the • Wander around Laura Dixon,
surrounding area.
since the 15th century.
began in 1325 and was fashion scene. Antwerp and pop Grazia Magazine
completed in 1521. • Take a leisurely • Sip champagne into one of the many • Is a hub for designers
Standing at 123 metres boat cruise along the at the stunning bakeries to sample
in height, it is the river Scheldt and Stadsfeestzaal, Antwerpse handjes, • Antwerp is the fourth largest port in the world
largest Gothic church discover Antwerp’s Antwerp’s hippest a delicate biscuit
in the Low Countries. shopping arcade. in the shape of a • Is home to Antwerp Zoo, one of the oldest
maritime metropolis.
hand, which is a in Europe
symbol of Antwerp.

Congress & meeting venues • 45 conference centres and special venues • 235+ meeting rooms • 54 hotels with 4175 rooms


Bruges
Suspended in time centuries ago, Bruges is now one of Western Europe’s
most-visited medieval cities. Picturesque market squares, dreamy canals
and whitewashed almshouses all evoke a world long since past.

The heart of Bruges, surrounded by an Because of the nature of the city, hotels in
almost continuous ring of canals, is the best Bruges tend to be small, charming and
preserved example of medieval Flanders. family-run. There are of course larger
The city centre is picture perfect and is boutique hotels as well as international
often referred to as “the Venice of the properties with great conference facilities
North”, where it is virtually impossible to available to all.
take a bad photograph.
The range of activities on offer in Bruges is
Jules Destrooper, the Belgian biscuit maker, endless. From guided city walks to boat
has paid the city the ultimate compliment trips along the canals, to a tour of the city by
and placed the city’s Beguinage on one of horse tram or activities exclusive to
his delightful biscuit tins. Not surprisingly, individual groups, there are everlasting ways
Bruges is the most popular tourist to discover Bruges’ enchanting city centre. It
destination in Belgium. is even possible to spend an evening in the
home of a local inhabitant. More commonly
It is fair to say that the theme of chocolate known as hobby chefs, small groups are
and Bruges go hand in hand, and there are offered the opportunity to experience
numerous traditional chocolate shops traditional Flemish cuisine prepared by
dotted all over the city. In many parts of residents who not only share their love for
Bruges, and as a speciality of the city, you cooking but will also regale their guests with
can dine at restaurants where entire menus fascinating stories of their city.
are focused on dishes made exclusively
from chocolate.


Bruges
Outstanding architecture and chocolate shops – in Belgium’s picture postcard perfect city
Bruges, the Beautiful is recognised as the most prolific city in Belgium for art and attractions.
Within the surrounds of the city, are instantly recognisable ancient fortifications, meandering
canal ways and medieval buildings.

“ Visitors expect great
things of Bruges Getting There
because of its Bruges is just one hour from Brussels by car or train.
reputation, and it
doesn’t disappoint.
Art & Architecture Attractions Cool Bruges Gastronomy The architecture,
• See Michaelangelo’s • Visit De Halve Maan, • Learn everything you • When in Bruges, atmosphere, cuisine
Madonna & Child at the
Church of Our Lady.
the only brewery
operating in the heart
need to know about
the famous Belgian
sample the traditional
Bruges chocolate
and people all Good to Know
• Enjoy evening of Bruges. “Friet” (chips) at the Swaentje (Swan). combine to form a • The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
entertainment • A great way for wonderfully unique The Swaentje, a very memorable
at Bruges’ groups to see Bruges Friet Museum. symbol of the city of • Bruges was Cultural Capital of Europe in 2002
destination ideal for
Concertgebouw, is to jump on a bike • Follow it up with a visit Bruges, represents
everlasting love. meetings and • Voted one of TripAdvisor’s top 10 World
featuring international or get a hold of an “In to Choco-Story, Bruges’
concerts and local Bruges” movie map fun Chocolate museum. • Head to famous incentives. And, of Destinations in 2008
performances. and follow the • Head to chocolatier Dominique course, it couldn’t be
footsteps of Colin Persoone’s shop and • Has 16 renowned museums offering private
• Wander along to Gruuthusestraat and easier to get to from
Stoofstraat to Farrell and Brendon Dijver and wander sample unique evening viewings for groups
Gleason to the chocolate creations the UK and the rest
t'Verwennerietje, about the art galleries
Basilica of the Holy and antiques stores. like the delicious of Europe. I was • Bruges is pedestrian friendly with everything
which is one of the
few places where Blood and the On summer weekends Cabernet Sauvignon really impressed.” within walking distance to the city centre
you can still see Groeninge Museum. by the side of the canal vinegar caramel
Sally Trelford Associate
authentic Belgian lace Dijver, there is also a chocolate or white
editor M&IT magazine
being made. brocante (flea market). chocolate ganache
with fresh peas.

Congress & meeting venues • 12 conference spaces and historical venues • 22 conference hotels • Over 3100 hotel rooms in and around Bruges


Brussels
Historic versus hip, Brussels is full of contrasts, contradictions and intrigue.
However, this multicultural equation goes much deeper than just
Eurocrats. Besides being home to the European Commission, Brussels is
also headquarters to over two thousand international associations. In an
age where so much is already discovered, Belgium’s capital seduces as
one of Western Europe’s great surprises.

Brussels is a city of fine food, café and has long been the adjoining areas of
culture, Art Nouveau, architecture and the St Catherine and St Géry where come
surreal. It is easily accessible from every part nightfall, the young arrive to party. There are
of the UK and offers plenty of attractions to many trendy bars that line Place St Géry
keep delegates amused for days! but it is also great for quiet dining or sitting
in a café and watching the world go by.
Pull up a chair and join locals who treasure
the city’s casual atmosphere. Watch as For a long time Brussels seemed content to
visitors saunter down swish Avenue Louise remain in the shadows but its stint as
or Rue Antoine Dansaert, where many of Cultural Capital of Europe in 2000 saw the
Belgium’s trendy designers have their city dusted and polished in a flurry that
boutiques. Some of the world’s most brought renewed life to historic buildings
enduring images of surrealist art were and sleepy streets. A new spirit emerged
created in the northern suburb of Jette and fanning outside interest and inner-city
the architecture ranges from monumental regeneration. Nearly a decade on, Brussels
edifices to intricate Art Nouveau façades. is looking better than ever.
A perfect example of this is the Museum of
Musical Instruments. Take the elaborate Undoubtedly, Brussels is an awe-inspiring
glass elevator to the top and see the EU’s conference destination. The city itself is
real-life Gotham City. ranked fourth in the world by UIA for
International Meeting Cities in 2007 and
Constant throughout the city is the quality of offers meeting planners all of the necessary
everyday life; the shopping is great, the tools to organise a successful event. With
restaurants are stunning, the chocolate nearly one hundred museums to choose
shops sublime and the bar scene from, and over sixty extraordinary venues,
extraordinary. The centre of cool in Brussels organisers will be spoilt for choice.


Brussels
Quick and easy to get to, the capital has couture, culture, cuisine and much more!
As the Belgian capital, Brussels has nearly 100 museums, a cornucopia of Michelin starred
restaurants, bars and bistros on practically every street corner. It’s quite simply a melting
pot in terms of culture, heritage, arts and entertainment.

Getting There
Don’t forget to use Brussels is only 1hr 52 minutes away by train from London.
the Brussels MICE Less than 20 minutes away from Brussels international airport.
Card giving you
Art & Architecture Attractions Cool Brussels Gastronomy access to 30 free
• For cultural immersion • Visit the Grand’ • Wander around the • With more Michelin museums, free
visit Place Royale.
This central location is
Place, considered
one of the most
Belgian Comic Strip
Museum and
stars per head of
population than
transport and 27 Good to Know
the museum hub of beautiful squares in understand why anywhere else in the exclusive offers
• Brussels is ranked 4th in Union of International
Brussels. Learn about Europe. Pick a café, Brussels is known as the world, Brussels is a
the history of Belgium order a Belgian beer capital of the comic great place to set
Associations International Meeting Cities in 2007.
at the BELvue and and simply sit back strip. Not only will you aside all diet plans
• Brussels has 138 restaurants per square mile
while you are there, and enjoy the view. see many familiar and indulge.
discover the former • Head towards Place comic strip characters • No visit to Belgium • Home to more than 1,000 international associations
Coudenberg palace, du Grand Sablon such as Tin Tin and the would be complete
a vast archaeological which is packed with Smurfs, but also without tasting the • Brussels is home to over 2,000 foreign companies
site submerged antique shops, elegant admire the building national dish of
beneath the Place restaurants, art galleries which was designed Moules Friet. For • Actress Audrey Hepburn was born Edda van
Royale. Also, see 200 and gourmet by famous Art Nouveau dessert, order a Heemstra Hepburn- Ruston in Brussels.
works by renowned chocolatiers. Pick up a architect, Victor Horta. traditional Brussels
surrealist artist René box of designer • In the evening, head to waffle made with a • Brussels sprouts have been grown in the Brussels
Magritte at the chocolates from Pierre Place St Géry and try special waffle iron area for over four hundred years.
Magritte Museum. Marcolini or Wittamer. a beer or two and only found in Belgium.
watch the beautiful
people go by.

Congress & meeting venues • 60 special venues • 165 hotels • Over 30,000 rooms • Over 2,000 restaurants


Ghent
Ghent is Flanders’ hidden gem, sandwiched between Brussels, Bruges and
Antwerp. This attractive medieval canal city has long been overlooked by
visitors on the traditional art-town hop between Belgium’s big three. Its 900-
plus listed buildings are testament to the fact that not only did the city survive
the World Wars, but also that it was very wealthy in medieval times. During
the fifteenth century, Ghent was Europe’s largest cloth producer importing
wool from England, and was also the continent’s largest city outside Paris.

Known as Gent in Flemish and Gand in French, If you wander down Vlaanderenstraat, you
the city sits on the junction of the Leie and will find all sorts of one-off boutiques in this
Scheldt Rivers and was the seat of the Counts up and coming part of town. Or, for a quirky
of Flanders who built a fearsome castle that is take on a museum, head to Patershol and
still visible today. These days, Ghent is the visit the house of Alijn, otherwise known as
capital of the province of Oost-Vlaanderen The Museum of Things That Never Pass and
and has a large university population. you will be lead through displays of
curiosities from popular culture and everyday
This compact medieval city is ideal for life. In the evening, for something completely
meetings, incentives and conferences. There different, go to De Dulle Griet where the
is a range of stylish international hotels on speciality ale is “Max of the House” served in a
offer in addition to many trendy smaller glass so unique that you have to hand over a
boutique hotels. shoe as collateral. It may seem strange to you
and I, but it is just another night in Ghent!
The locals, while intensely proud of their city,
are very modest about its merits. There are
two sides to Ghent; the historic and the
quirky, with the latter offering visitors a hip
and trendy location.


Ghent
This medieval beauty is a melting pot of art and history
For a quick jaunt across the centuries, make a trip to Ghent
and immerse yourself in its successful fusion of old and new.

Getting There
“ Ghent was a stunning Ghent is 45 minutes away from Brussels airport.
city with an exciting Less than 30 minutes by train from Brussels.
Art & Architecture Attractions Cool Ghent Gastronomy mix of historic Less than 2 and half hours by train from London.
• Ghent has several • Cruise along Ghent’s • Stroll down Jan • Be sure to try waterzooi buildings and new,
museums of note, canals whilst Breydelstraat, and when in Ghent. This dish modern and cutting
with SMAK
(Municipal Museum
sampling a Jenever, a
type of gin found in
visit shops like Fallen
Angels, an authentic
is a speciality of the city.
• Head to the Patershol,
edge hotels and Good to Know
of Contemporary the Low Countries. curio shop or in the one of the oldest districts restaurants. It is also a
• In 2008, National Geographic Traveller
Art) being the best You’ll be surprised by summer taste one of of Ghent which is famed city that offers the
known and the most the number of the delicious flower Magazine listed Ghent as the third most
for its narrow alleyways business, corporate
famous for its bold different flavours scented ice-creams and cobbled streets. Try authentic historical destination in the world
and original which range from from Papavers. any of the many intimate
and incentive
exhibitions of both sweet vanilla and • Sip Flemish beers restaurants located here. traveller everything • Ghent has more listed buildings than any
Belgian and apple to chocolate and sample local other city in Belgium
• Visit Het Groot they could wish”
international artists. and hazelnut. delicacies along the Vleeshuis, the 15th Colin Gibson,
• No visit to Ghent • Experience Ghent by atmospheric Graslei. • Ghent is the birthplace to: Charles V (Holy
century former meat Director of Communications,
would be complete taste. Try the many With imposing 13th market. Now a café and English Cricket Board
Roman Emperor), Jacques Rogge (head of
without going to Saint different types of to 16th century restaurant that serves International Olympic Committee), Bradley
Bavo’s Cathedral to gastronomy walks that facades, these produce from the East Wiggins (British Olympic Gold medallist)
see the famed are available to visitors. restaurants have Flemish region, including
“Adoration of the merged medieval the famous Ghent ham
Mystic Lamb” by the structures with that can be seen hanging
van Eyck brothers. stylish interiors. in the rafters above.

Congress & meeting venues • 3 congress centres • 28 hotels • More than 1750 rooms


Getting There

Flanders is one of the most easily accessible regions to get from the UK. By train, plane car or
ferry, organisers are spoilt for choice.

For any queries about Group bookings on
Eurostar, Brussels Airlines, VLM and other
flights please contact :
Tourism Flanders-Brussels
Train Plane Ferry Car 0207 307 7734
Less than 2 hours away Over 250 flights per week to There are a number of Less than 3 and half hours Email: mice@visitflanders.co.uk
from London. Brussels from the UK. different routes from the drive from UK to Belgium.
UK to Belgium. Or have a look at the Special offers at
Eurostar is the ideal way to Brussels Airlines has frequent From the UK there are www.visitflanders.co.uk/mice/special_off
travel to the region. flights from a number of UK P&O North Sea ferries goes frequent services on the
Frequent services from St airports.
ers
from Hull to Zeebrugge. Eurotunnel from
Pancras London to Brussels Folkestone to Calais.
in under 2 hours. Eurostar VLM flies from London City Norfolk Line goes from
tickets to Brussels are also airport and Manchester to Rosythe to Zeebrugge
valid for any onward and Brussels & Antwerp.
return travel to/from any TransEuropa Ferries goes
Belgian station. Brussels International Airport is from Ramsgate to Ostend
eight miles north-east of the
city centre. There is a shuttle by
train between North, South and
Central stations. There is also a
direct bus to Antwerp and
Brussels.

www.visitflanders.co.uk/mice

Tourism Flanders Brussels Mice

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