Enjoy a wonderful spring break in Flanders

themodernleper

We're gradually leaving the cold days of winter behind us and here in Flanders' cities, on our (cobblestone) hills and in our green (national) parks, we're busy welcoming in the spring. In fact, a great number of experiences await you here, so we thought we'd treat you to a handful of tips and an invitation to discover Flanders by bike. Flanders’ Finest Cycling Routes are a good way to start.

Set off on a Flemish Master Tour

Bruegel and Van Eyck, Rubens, Van Dyck and Memling, the expressionists and the surrealists. These leading Flemish Masters enjoy international fame, but are at home in Flanders. Many of their masterpieces were produced with a specific place in mind, such as a church, a monastery or a town hall, and you can still admire them there today, in the location for which they were created. Flemish Masters in Situ opens up the doors of more than 100 heritage sites scattered across Flanders' major cities and picturesque villages, which are connected in a way that can't possibly be undone. What our Master Tours do is reveal the common thread that links these special places together. For example, Masters by the Lys will guide you around the charming villages on the banks of this ‘golden river.’ There, you'll discover a world full of quaint homes, studios and inspiring museums.

Visit the Flemish Masters in Situ

Flanders’ Finest Cycling Tip: The Flanders’ Finest Cycling Routes will take you all over Flanders. Why not combine your Master Tour with an enjoyable cycling adventure nearby?

Piet De Kersgieter

Discover an opulence of colour in the gardens of Flanders' majestic castles

As spring begins to dawn, the flowers once more come into bloom and in April, the gates of the stately Groot-Bijgaarden Castle will swing open for Floralia Brussels. This will be the 22nd time that this lush flower exhibition has been held. Graceful tulips, daffodils and hyacinths will provide a colourful backdrop to your spring walk and age-old trees will be surrounded by a carpet of colours, forming a floral labyrinth that's a treat for your senses. And the surroundings themselves are also worthy of note. This stately moated castle is just one of the many palaces, fortresses, country houses and castles you will find in Flanders. Whether they're situated along waterways, overlooking pristine greenery, or unwaveringly watching over a historic city centre, Flanders' castles and their gardens will take your breath away.

Discover the castles and gardens of Flanders

Flanders’ Finest Cycling Tip: Impressed by Groot-Bijgaarden Castle? The Castles Route will take you past magnificent palaces, country houses and fortresses in the rural outskirts around Brussels.

Kasteel Groot-Bijgaarden - Floralia Brussels

Welcome to Abby Kortrijk, a new visual arts museum

We can never get enough of beauty, which is also the reason why we're already eagerly looking forward to the end of March, when Abby Kortrijk, a quirky visual arts museum, will open its doors. Situated inside the walls of the historic Groeninge Abbey, Abby Kortrijk celebrates human imagination. This brand new house of art is curious, playful, approachable and multi-voiced. Its opening exhibition F**klore will set the tone right from the start, by exhibiting some exciting works by contemporary masters such as Wim Delvoye, Dennis Tyfus and Rinus Van de Velde. Discover the dazzling start of a new artistic story in Kortrijk this spring!

Discover Kortrijk

Flanders’ Finest Cycling Tip: Curious to know more about Kortrijk? The Flax Lys cycle route will lead you on a journey of discovery into the rich flax and textile history of this city on the river Lys.

Barozzi Veiga - Tab Architects

Let's celebrate 600 years of KU Leuven together!

The sound of celebrations is in the air this year, including in the historic city of Leuven, as its university, KU Leuven, is celebrating its 600th anniversary. This makes it one of the oldest universities in Europe. Even today, it remains a beacon for knowledge and science. and that's now being celebrated in style! You can enjoy year-round exhibitions, inspiring lectures, heritage, music, poetry and – how could it be otherwise – science. M Leuven and the University Library will be focusing on 600 years of history. Starting in May, And So, Change Comes in Waves will be bringing together work from a variety of artists. You'll also be get well and truly lost in Dwaaltuin (Wandering Garden), a green labyrinth by the artist duo Gijs Van Vaerenbergh. And that's just a sample of the activities on offer. Experience it all in the vibrant city of Leuven.

Enjoy a whirlwind year of festivities in Leuven

Flanders’ Finest Cycling tips: On the Meerdaal Route, you'll discover part of the Brabantse Wouden National Park; the Horst Route explores the green Hageland around Leuven and the Dieric Bouts Route will take you on a journey following the footsteps of the Flemish Master of the same name.

VISIT Universiteitsbibliotheek Leeszaal ©KevinFaingnaert

Visit Leuven

Experience the Flemish cycling classics, a magnificent festival for the people!

Right from the very first glimmers of spring, cycling fever takes over in Flanders. It's at that time of year when the peloton sets out across our scraggy hills and challenging cobblestone sections time after time. While the cyclists are busy defying both the course and the weather gods, a sea of spectators is on hand, cheering them on. All of this begins with the E3 Classic and is followed by the Ghent-Wevelgem and the Dwars door Vlaanderen (Across Flanders) cycle races. This cornucopia of cycling colour then reaches a brilliant apotheosis during the Tour of Flanders. Every year, this monumental event can be relied upon to deliver an impressive people's celebration. Want to feel what it's like to be a racing cyclist for a while? if so, the Flandrien Challenge on STRAVA is for you. Anyone who conquers 59 iconic berg and cobblestone sections in less than 72 hours will become a legend for eternity. Your own personalised cobblestone will be inserted into the wall of fame at the Tour of Flanders Centre.

Keep up to date with the cyclinginflanders.cc calendar

Not a Flanders’ Finest Cycling Tip, but a tough challenge nevertheless. Discover the Flandrien Challenge or find what you're looking for on the course of one of our famous spring classics.

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Cycling between Terrils in the Hoge Kempen National Park

Don't worry, Flanders is not just for seasoned cycling enthusiasts. Those with a less competitive frame of mind will also find what they're looking for. For example, Cycling between Terrils takes you through the mining history of the Belgian province of Limburg, across a floating bridge, past glistening water and the green spoil hills of the former mines in the Hoge Kempen National Park. And that's just one of the many cycling adventures you can experience in Flanders. As you already know by now, the Flanders’ Finest Cycling Routes will take you to a whole host of beautiful landscapes and locations.

Even more micro-adventures to experience in Hoge Kempen National Park

Flanders’ Finest Cycling tips: Limburg defies the laws of physics. The Flanders’ Finest Cycling Routes will take you right across the water and the heathlands, or along the treetops.

Visit Limburg

Festivals where foodies are at home

Visit Flanders and you'll meet an entire nation of bon vivants. Good food and drink are at the very top of our priority list and you'll discover that for yourself this spring at a handful of food events, all over Flanders: Gent Smaakt, Antwerpen Proeft, Brussels Streat Fest and Ostendaise North Sea Fest. At the Ostendaise North Sea Fest, you'll be introduced to, among others, our famous North Sea shrimp, one of the jewels in our culinary crown. There is also a fascinating history behind this, which you can still discover today in Oostduinkerke. This coastal town is the only place in the world where you can still see fishermen on horseback at work. Feeling excited by the North Sea? If so, immerse yourself in a wonderful adventure on the Flemish coast.

Flemish regional products in the spotlight

Flanders’ Finest Cycling Tip: Explore your surroundings, before or after the food festival, by bike. The possibilities are many in Ghent, Antwerp, on the outskirts of Brussels or in Ostend.

Sofhie Legein - gemeente Koksijde

Flanders is once again showing off its best side again this spring and you're warmly invited to go on the Flemish Masters Tour visiting places you might recognise from famous paintings. To celebrate the opening of a new museum, or the 600th anniversary of one of Europe's oldest universities and to enjoy Flemish cuisine at our food festivals. Flanders welcomes you to a wonderful spring break.