|
| |
WORLD ▫
EUROPE ▫
BELGIUM ▫
MECHELEN
|
Mechelen
Mechelen is a historically important city located on the river Dyle in the center of Flanders, one of the three regions in Belgium. It lies about halfway between Antwerp and Brussels and has approximately 75,000 inhabitants.
Understand
Mechelen is developing into the center of non-profit or non-gouvernamental organisations for flanders. Some famous examples are Natuurpunt, AFS, the Red Cross, ...
This is mainly because it's very easily reachable (by train or by highway) but not as expensive as Brussels.
Inhabitants are called "Maneblussers" (moon-firemen). The story goes that one day long time ago the moonlight was shining on the unfinished St.-Romboutstoren and that some people thought it was burning. The whole city was mobilised to extinguish the fire but there was no fire to extinguish.
Get in
Mechelen is easily reached by train. From Brussels and Antwerp it takes about 25 minutes.
You can also reach by taking a bus from Antwerp.
Mechelen lies at the E19-highway.
Just outside the main train station you'll find a bus station with connections to many places in the vicinity.
Get around
The city center is about 15 minutes walk from the train station. Mechelen is a very compact city, so you can reach most places on foot. There are a few bus routes through and radiating from the city center in case you need them.
See
St. Rumbold's Cathedral (Sint-Romboutskathedraal)The Museum of Toys (Speelgoedmuseum)The Market Square (Grote Markt) and the surrounding shopping streets Bruul and IJzerenleen.Planckendael Animal Park (Dierenpark Planckendael) http://www.planckendael.beVrijbroek Park (Vrijbroekpark)Refuge of Tongerlo now there's the manifacture of De Wit in it. Which are royal manifacturers of tapistry. They conserve and create tapestries. There are guided visits. http://www.dewit.be/
Do
Maanrock, on the Grote Markt and in the IJzerenleen. End of August. A 2-day free festival. http://www.maanrock.be/
Drink
Brewery Het Anker. Features locally brewed Mechelse Bruynen and Gouden Carolus. http://www.hetanker.be/ Guido Gezellelaan 49' (on the ringway around the city center'').De Stille Genieter Café with 350 different kinds of beer, has the feel of a brown café not far from the Vismarkt.'''Various cafes on the Vismarkt
Sleep
Hotel Vé (opening foreseen July 2006), . A stylish hotel located on one of the most ancient markets of Mechelen: the fish market. The hotel is constructed in a factory where they used to smoke fish. Impressive how they mixed the former destination of the building with the hotel-accommodation. During the weekends prices are very affordable!Zandpoort Youth Hostel, Zandpoortvest, 27 85 39 (fax: 27.85.40), . 20 min. from the main train station, 15 min. from the city center. 15-20€.
Contact
The city code for Mechelen is 15.
Stay safe
Mechelen had some problems with some youthgroups. There is no immediate threath if you stay on touristic routes, but certain neighbourhoods are to be avoided at night.
The city used to have one of the highest criminality rates of Flanders. Since 2003 the city is reviving again.
...
|
Hotels in Mechelen
 | Hotel Victory  |
Score 7.85 from 49 reviews | | Nieuwe Gentsesteenweg 6 |  |
| All rooms are equipped with a television, a telephone, a minibar with water and beer for free, and a bathroom with WC.
Some rooms have air conditioning.
... more | | |
 | Campanile Bruxelles Vilvoorde  |
Score 7.4 from 164 reviews | | Luchthavenlaan N 2 | |
| By Car (from Mons-Charleroi/Gand):
- Take Ring 0.
- Take the exit 5 signposted Vilvoorde/Machelen.
- Then head towards Woluwelaan until you reach the roundabout.
- And follow the road signs towards Vilvoorde Gare/Parking Gare.
From Luxembourg/Namur:
- Take the Ring 0.
- Take the E19 motorway towards Anvers.
- Take the exit 12.
- Head towards Luchthavenlaan and then towards Vilvoorde Gare.
From Antwerp:
- Take the E19 motorway.
- Take the exit 12.
- And head towards Luchthavenlaan and then towards Vilvoorde Gare. ... more | | |
 | 'T Land Van Bornem |
Score 7.475 from 20 reviews | | Kardinaal Cardijnplein 10-12 | |
| The picturesque vilage of Bornem is home to the attractive hotel- restaurant " 't Land van Bornem". Its luxury rooms have telephone, minibar, television, bath and/or shower and toilet. The restaurant is a perfect place to have a cosy and intimate dinner. Its renowned cuisine offers you refined meals. The magnificent beer cellar accomodates up to 40 prople, and the rural party room up to 50 people. They are ideal for parties and seminars. ... more | | |
| | Budget Flats Leuven  |
Score 6.75 from 38 reviews | | Bierbeekstraat 75 | |
| Our reception is located at CITY FLATS LEUVEN at another address: Dekenstraat 87. Keys need to be picked up at this reception.
... more | | |
 | Brussels Hotel Belgium  |
Score 7.05 from 231 reviews | | 315 Avenue Louise | |
| Our hotel offers 69 extensive rooms, equipped of all the modern comfort (including modem and telephone with reporting line) whose 16 suites duplex are ideal for the familiar stays (up to 5 pax). Of a surface of 60 m², they are distributed on two levels and they have kitchenette entirely equipped. We also have a conference room to 20 to 25 people. ... more | | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | More hotels in Mechelen |
| Private Full Day Walking Tour of Bruges with Lunch at De Halve Maan Brewery and Canal Cruise |
8 hours |
|
You will be welcomed at your hotel by your private guide for the morning and take a walking discovery tour of the historical center of Bruges.
During the 2 hour walk you will discover the most important sightseeing places of Bruges such as Market Square with its belfry, the Burg Square with the gothic town hall and Holy Blood Basilica, the Fish market, Our Lady Church and St Saviour Cathedral.
Following the walking tour you will have a guided visit of the brewery De Halve Maan with a local guide. At this family owned brewery, a delicious local beer named Brugse Zot is brewed.
Lastly at around 12:00 (noon), indulge in a three course lunch at the brewery, with a beer and coffee included.
Continue your discovery of Bruges with a visit of Beguinage, and a visit of the famous Groeninge Museum (well-known for its art collection of Flemish Primitives).
You will end the day with a relaxing cruise on the canals.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
|
| Full Day Tour to Amsterdam |
12.5 hours |
|
Holland is only a stone's throw away and nevertheless the country is strikingly different. Along Antwerp, cross the Dutch border, and drive through the endless polders with countless windmills before reaching the Amsterdam area.
First you will visit a traditional craft center at a traditional farm to get familiar with everything that made the glory of Holland: tasty cheese, traditional clogs and beautiful pottery. There's also time for lunch (optional).
In the afternoon you can admire splendid Amsterdam. Take the opportunity to join a boat tour along the many picturesque canals (optional) or have a break and enjoy some free time at the "Dam" square which is famous for its royal palace.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
|
 |
1 - 2 hours |
|
The miniature model park of Mini Europe allows you to sample the charms specific to each European country. An adventure you'll experience nowhere else! Stroll in the typical ambience of the most beautiful cities of the Old Continent. The unmistakable chimes of Big Ben welcome you to the heart of London. The gondolas and mandolins serenade you with the charms of Venice. Take the Thalys from Paris to the furthest end of France. At the airport, planes are ready to take off to the Copenhagen Stock Exchange, the Acropolis in Athens or the canals of Old Amsterdam. Many animations create a lively atmosphere... let Mount Vesuvius explode and feel the earthquake. Break down the Berlin Wall. A little Finnish girl will dive into the icy waters of the Olavinlinna Lake as often as you want. Cry 'ole, ole! to encourage the matador in the arena. More than 350 sites and monuments have been reconstructed down to the finest details and set in a suitable green setting with their own typical ambience. You have the option to combine entry to Mini-Europe with entry to Oceade. This water attraction park contains open air and covered zones featuring waterslides, wave swimming pool, sauna land, amusements, Aqua fun house and whirlpool. At a barmy 29 degrees, Oceade is the perfect place to cool off in the heat of a European summer.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
