Experience a wonderful autumn holiday in Flanders

ToerismeVlaandere-COF-Meerdaalwoud-Herfst-Winter-HR-042

MEDIALIFE.BE

Discover the most beautiful castles in Bruges and in the Bruges hinterland. Explore the Burgundian Renaissance via virtual and augmented reality. Experience top-level cycling with the World Gravel Championships in the stunning National Park Forests of Brabant. Enjoy art, culture and a delicious glass of Belgian beer. Our ingredients for a wonderful autumn holiday in Flanders.

Castles you really must have seen in Bruges and the Bruges hinterland

Times have changed. When the medieval nobility of Bruges travelled to their country houses in the Bruges hinterland, it took them half a day to get there. Today, we can do it in barely half an hour. Either by car or (e-)bike. Why would you not want to seize that opportunity? This autumn, discover the most beautiful routes along castles in the green belt around Bruges. The Castles Year Bruges Hinterland highlights hundreds of castles, abbeys and religious heritage sites. Admire that opulence with an extensive range of tours, bike rides, exhibitions, concerts, and much more.

Kastelen in het Brugse Ommeland - Kasteel d'Aertrycke (3)

westtoer

Relive the Burgundian Renaissance in Mechelen

We fly through history. From the Middle Ages we move on to the Burgundians. In the 15th and 16th centuries, a renaissance swirled through our region. In that Burgundian time period, Mechelen was one of the most important bastions of power and knowledge. Under the banner Burgundian Renaissance, Mechelen takes you back to that period in history. Rediscover all that beauty on the vibrant listening walk, via virtual and augmented reality on top of the St. Rombold’s tower, or with a culinary experience that recreates the flavours of the Burgundian Renaissance on your plate.

Stef Keynen

The World Gravel Championships: top sport in National Park Forests of Brabant

Flanders loves the bicycle and the bicycle loves Flanders. That love is on display (among other things) at this year's World Gravel Championships. A sporting highlight in an unspoilt nature spot, on breathtaking gravel roads . Are you feeling the excitement too? Get on your bike and discover the sporting beauty on the Rainbow Gravel Ride, or go solo on the World Gravel 2024 cycling route. And after the World Championships have finished, the fun is not over. In mid-November, the Six Days of Ghent once again guarantees a unique marriage of top-class sport and folklore. Still not satisfied? Cycling in Flanders tells you all about the many events on our legendary cycling terrain.

Golazo - Kramon.be

Margaret of Parma, an early 'celebrity' in the Flemish Ardennes

The Flemish Ardennes are known as the Mecca of cycling, but did you know you can admire unique heritage here as well? You can do so, for example, at the impressive tapestry museum MOU in Oudenaarde. That offers a surprising sidestep with Margaret this autumn, Emperor's daughter between power and image. This exhibition revolves around Margaret of Parma; governess, socialite, art lover and patron. From her hometown of Oudenaarde, she conquered the world. Her portrait does not hang in Buckingham Palace by chance. This MOU exhibition tells her special story.

MOU Oudenaarde

Visit Flemish Master Peter Paul Rubens

This autumn, we can visit Flemish Master Peter Paul Rubens once again. The first renovation phase of the Rubenshuis has been completed. So you can once again visit this palace in the city (at least in part), where the master lived and worked for many years. Through a new entrance, you enter an extraordinary building. It seems to consist of two large bookcases, a nod to Rubens’ library. That entrance also gives you access to the colourfully redesigned baroque garden, with 17,500 plants, trees and shrubs. You can also discover the Rubens Experience there. The story of this master comes to life via immersive images and sounds. An interactive, accessible and instructive introduction to this genius of the baroque, while we wait for the Rubenshuis to be reopened in full.

Ans Brys

Take a moment in Flanders Fields to mark the remembrance of the Great War

From 1914 to 1918 hundreds of thousands of soldiers fought in the muddy landscapes of Flanders Fields. This region continues to commemorate that horror. Every evening, The Last Post resounds beneath the Menin Gate. Just a stone's throw from there, the moving In Flanders Fields Museum brings to light the full story and horror of the First World War. Moreover, in this region, you find numerous monuments, memorials and cemeteries, some of them recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Here's a tip: discover it by bike on this stunning Peace Route. There it all becomes clear: the memory remains alive in Flanders Fields. On Armistice Day, 11 November, we invite the world to pause with us and reflect on the Great War.

Belgian beer: craftsmanship from here

Heritage exists in all sizes, colours and shapes. Here in Belgium, it is even liquid. In small but plucky Belgium, you can find no less than 3,000 unique beers. This incomparable beer culture has even made it onto the UNESCO list of cultural intangible heritage. Why exactly? Find out for yourself at the bar, or at one of our vibrant festivals such as BXL Beer Fest. Do you want more of that? Then pay a visit to Belgian Beer World. This experience centre in the Brussels Stock Exchange tells you all about our special heritage. And while we are in the capital: pop into Brasserie Surréaliste. You can enjoy a wealth of delicious beers in the unique atmosphere of an old industrial complex. Highly recommended. Cheers!

Autumn in Flanders brings many beautiful things with it. And that does not stop as temperatures drop towards zero. Here is a glimpse of what winter in Flanders has to offer. That is when our Masters Tour in Flanders begins. We follow in the footsteps of our illustrious Flemish Masters, along all the places and stories that connect them. This will be another wonderful trip.