TRAVELLIVE 5-2016

YOU CAN EASILY ATTEND MUSIC EVENTS EVERY WEEKEND IN VARIOUS
BELGIAN CITIES FROM ABOUT APRIL TO NOVEMBER.
Mechelen is a small ancient city in the
north of Belgium located on the 50km
stretch between the Antwerp seaport
and Brussels’ industrial axis. The
main language is Dutch, but don’t
worry, you can speak English here.
Historical city
Mechelen entered to the industrial
age in the 19 th century. In 1835, the
first railway in Europe linked Brussels
with Mechelen, which became the
central and most important part of
the Belgian railway network. The city
will take lots of time to explore since
it contains around 336 buildings and
monuments including 8 medieval
Gothic and Baroque cathedrals. Make
sure to check out St. Rumbold’s
cathedral (Sint-Rombout’s kathedraal),
which was built starting in the 13 th
century. Its 97 meter tower up 514
stairs will give you a great panoramic
view of the city. There's nothing better
than when you're standing at the top
of the tower and seeing Mechelen with
the clouds hovering around you.
I loved visiting the Mechelen town
houses from the 15 th century along
with the clock tower and House De
Clippel from the 16 th century. After
walking along the surrounding streets,
you ought to take the time to visit the
Post office De Bayaert, which was
built in the 12 th century and originally
used as an overnight shelter for
pilgrims. It was purchased by the
city in the 14 th century and enlarged
afterwards to serve as the Mechelen
Town Hall, but now it’s the Central
Post Office. Going downtown around
Grote Markt , then visiting Margaret
statue, De Nekker Park, Plankendael
Park, museums, and the local markets
around the square, I feel like I’m lost
in a massive medieval studio. If you
want to learn more about people’s
lifestyle and have a good time, you
can try sailing along the river from
Haverwerf Dyle (Dijle) to the pier and
observe the colorful riverside houses,
Vismarkt (the fish market), and
Grootbrug (the stone bridge).
Get drunk on music
and beer
Belgium is a land of music festivals.
You can easily attend music events
every weekend in various Belgian
cities from about April to November.
The variety of genres ranging from
pop, rock, electronic, classical,
chamber music, and more makes
the atmosphere festive and enjoyable
for all tastes. Even in the villages
and small towns, there are unique
carnivals styled to their region. If you
come to Belgium in the summer, you
will enjoy the vibrant atmosphere with
compelling musical performances,
concerts, as well as meetings for
performers to extend their chamber
choir repertoires.
In Mechelen, the hometown of famous
composer Raymond Schroyens,
you might especially enjoy the Van
Vlaanderen Mechelen classical music
festival from April 23 rd to May 15 th .
The concerts take place at the Grote
Markt, Manufactuur De Wit, and St.
Rumbold Cathedral. There is also
TENSO Days (mid-May), a series of
professional courses aimed at helping
young composers and conductors
develop their skills. TENSO has been
held in Berlin, Paris, Marseille, Oslo,
and Amsterdam. 2016 will be the third
edition held in Mechelen. Apart from
the Belgian artists, you will find artists
from around the world.
Itinerary:
ü From Vietnam, you
can take the straight flight
to Belgium (Brussels) with
Vietnam Airlines or other
airlines. If you are from
Paris, you can travel with
Megabus or Ouibus to
Brussels for a cheap price
around 20 euro/turn in 5
hours or take Bla Bla Car
with a similar price but the
time will be shorter. Then
from Brussels, you will
have some options:
ü Buy train tickets from
Brussels Centraal or
Brussels Midi station only
4.50 - 7 euro/turn to
Mechelen in 25 minutes.
ü From Brussels Airport,
take the bus De Lijn (282,
681, 682, 683) with 2
times/hour and the price
is 3 euro/turn. The time is
around 50 minutes.
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TRAVELLIVE