Lucy and guide dog Molly explore Mechelen and Antwerp

Woman smiles while talking on the phone in a shop with a wooden counter, vintage posters and an old rotary phone.

An accessible trip through Flanders

In autumn 2026, we welcomed a number of travellers with disabilities to Flanders. On their social media channels, they talk about their accessible trip to Flanders. They were the first to try out the new Selfie for All spots. These tactile paving slabs position blind and partially sighted people in the ideal stance for a dream selfie. In this article, you can read more about Lucy and her guide dog Molly's visit to Mechelen and Antwerp.

Who is Lucy?

@lucyedwardsofficial
#blindnotbroken
United Kingdom
Content creator and media personality
Disability activist
Regular travel companions: husband Ollie and guide dog Molly

A Selfie for All in the Grote Markt in Mechelen

Lucy, Ollie and Molly begin their trip in Mechelen, a historic city full of heritage. Fancy a stroll? You'll soon find yourself at the beating heart of the city: the Grote Markt. There, you'll discover the centuries-old town hall, the iconic St. Rumbold's Tower, and recently, a brand-new Selfie for All tactile paving slab! “It was such a wonderful experience,” Lucy shares on her Instagram stories. “People always assume blind people aren't interested in selfies. That couldn't be further from the truth. I was thrilled that Miss Molly and I could do this together.”

Discover Flanders' accessible selfie spots

Step into the Burgundian era at Museum Hof van Busleyden

By the way, you will find another tactile paving slab for a selfie in the gardens of the stately Museum Hof van Busleyden! Inside the museum itself, you'll discover all about the history of the Burgundians and their impact on the world. Along the way, you'll meet remarkable locals from Mechelen: host Hiëronymus van Busleyden, grande dame Margaret of Austria, the gentle Hospital Sisters, and many others. Lucy explores this museum entirely at her own pace, thanks to an audio-described tour. “And the tactile booklet that showed me all the surrounding buildings is really cool, too.”

Plan an accessible visit to Museum Hof van Busleyden

Sunlight streams through arched walkway toward a courtyard and brick buildings, with trees and a bicycle.

Pleun Samuels

'If walls could talk,' an audio trail full of stories in Mechelen

After visiting Museum Hof van Busleyden, Lucy dives even deeper into the Burgundian era. For this, she follows the audio walk 'If walls could talk.' Armed with an antique-looking listening horn, she walks through the city. This way, she catches snippets of conversation from times long gone. Prominent figures, labourers, and prisoners from the Burgundian period talk about daily life, mysteries, and events that made Mechelen the city it is today. Led by medieval master builder Antoon I Keldermans, you are taken on a tour of the city's finest historic spots. The tactile booklet that shows you all the surrounding buildings is the cherry on top.

Explore Mechelen with an audio trail full of stories

Person under stone arches holding a wooden cane, with an assistance dog on a lead in a cloister gallery.

Belgian chocolate, a tasty adventure at Chocolate Nation Antwerp

After Mechelen, Lucy and her companions travel on to Antwerp. There, they find a historic metropolis with flair. Their visit begins at Chocolate Nation. That is the world's largest museum dedicated to Belgian chocolate. During an interactive adventure, you discover the story of this delicacy. You follow the cocoa bean from the plantations along the equator all the way to the port of Antwerp. Of course, a chocolate tasting is part of the experience. "It is amazing to sample all those different kinds of Belgian chocolate. Miss Molly does not get any, of course, because that can be dangerous for her. The team at Chocolate Nation even clean the floor extra thoroughly, so she is sure not to find any leftovers."

Discover Chocolate Nation, a temple to our culinary heritage

A fashionable exploration at the Fashion Museum Antwerp

Antwerp is a vibrant place and one of Europe's fashion capitals. In and around Nationalestraat, you can stroll past the most cutting edge boutiques. At the Fashion Museum (MoMu), you dive straight into the history of contemporary Belgian fashion. In a stately and accessible building, you get to know enchanting creations. For Lucy, it becomes a tailor-made tactile visit. "In the MoMu library, I get to run my hands over gorgeous textile pieces. I am living my fashion dream."

Dive into fashionable Antwerp at MoMu

Two women look together at parts in an open box on a table in an office space.

Visiting the old masters at the KMSKA

This visit to Antwerp ends at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA). A stop that really counts: this is an art temple like no other. Here you stand face-to-face with towering masterpieces by Peter Paul Rubens, discover the world's largest James Ensor collection and much more. Blind and partially sighted visitors are given guided tours here by Radio Bart. Through this initiative, you tune into careful descriptions of artworks narrated by sighted visitors. With those voices in your ear, you wander through the museum. "A must if you are ever in Antwerp. Through those descriptions, you notice details you would normally never spot. An unforgettable experience."

Explore the KMSKA with Radio Bart as your guide

Visitor touches a white bust in a museum gallery while a man beside her gestures.

We welcomed Lucy, Molly and Ollie with open arms. She had a wonderful visit, and for us, it was exceptionally enlightening. We remain committed to making Flanders as accessible a place as possible. Do you have any comments, suggestions or tips? Let us know via toegankelijk@toerismevlaanderen.be.

Practical information about the trip by Lucy, Ollie and Miss Molly

Transport
Lucy and her party travelled to and from Flanders with Eurostar. Guide dog Molly was able to travel along free of charge. Longer journeys took place by taxi. They covered the shorter distances on foot.
Accommodation
Hotel Vé in Mechelen and Hotel 't Sandt in Antwerp.
Restaurants
Bistro Fuego
Bracc