Full day excursion, lasting eight hours, in which we will visit two important and totally different Flemish cities.
Description
A specialized guide will first discover you the secrets of the city that desires to be the capital of Belgium, famous for its port, for fashion and for its precious stones. In which it stands out among several attractions, the largest cathedral in the country, one of the most exclusive chocolate shops and the house museum of the famous painter Pablo Pedro Rubens. In the second part of our visit we will visit the city of Mechelen with its modern river path, its imposing palaces, and its majestic cathedral tower. Mechelen is a city that has a lot to offer to those who want to discover it.
- Be dazzled by an entire neighborhood full of diamonds and jewelers. For a reason, Antwerp is the diamond capital of the world.
- Get to know the city where the famous baroque painter Rubens lived, his house-workshop, churches where some of his works are preserved or the most majestic Cathedral in Belgium.
- Belgium is synonymous with chocolate and in Antwerp you will find one of the most exclusive and special chocolate shops in the country, The Chocolate Line. Taste Antwerp through the most extravagant cocoa. If you do not have time and want to visit two cities in the same day. We recommend our Antwerp and Mechelen in one day tour from Brussels.
- Discover one of the Flemish medieval little hidden gems, Mechelen. City where Carlos I.
- Grew up Take a route through the most important places of the Burgundian era, since one day this city was the capital of this duchy.
- Stroll through the "Champs Elysées" of Belgium.
Once we will arrive to Antwerpen, the first place we will visit will be the imposing Antwerp Central Station and the famous Diamond neighborhood. In the same area we will be able to discover its famous zoopark. Then we will move to the modern and commercial part of the city and the best place to start is Stadsfeestzaal, a municipal space, that rise from the ashes. Then we will move to one of the most important places of the city, Rubens’ House and after explaining why Rubens and its works are so important for Antwerp, we will have the chance to visit one of the oldest palaces of the city, Meir Palace. Today it is used as a chocolate shop, but not just any one, but one of the best in the country, Chocolate Line.
Leaving behind this famous commercial street, we will gradually enter the old city center. We will cross the Green Square, that already allows us to dazzle one of the best views of the Antwerp Cathedral, one of the most famous monuments in the city and the largest Gothic construction in Belgium. In a return to the 16th century we will pass through the Vlaeykensgang alley, then we will visit the impressive St. Charles Borromeo church, which is par excellence the church of Rubens. The master was commissioned the sculptural decoration, but we will explain the tragedy that hit this church in the 18th century. Then we will move to the heart of the old town. The Grote Markt square will welcome us, surrounded by its restored guild houses. The City Hall occupies an entire wing and in the center of the square is located the fountain with the sculpture of Silvio Bravo, throwing the hand of the giant Antigoon, symbolism that gives the city its name. We will discover this beautiful square and we will go to the old guild house of the butchers.
On the last part of our tour, we will move to the river path of the Scheldt. We will be able to see
the castle Steen, originally from the 13th century, which means stone whose name was given by Carlos V. For the brave or rather for those who are not class phobic, we will tell you a secret.
We expect you would be already booking our tour to discover Antwerp.
The guide will give one hour free-time to eat, drink a beer or just take a walk around. At the time and meeting point designed by the guide, we will travel to our next city of the tour: Mechelen.
Mechelen: capital of the Spanish Netherlands 500 years ago. In this small but powerful city, the Court was established during the Burgundian period, leaving their mark on the city two important women: Margaret of Austria and Margaret of York. The seat of the Great Council was established in the city and many nobles moved their residence to Mechelen. Due to this historical event, Mechelen is a living proof of the power of the Court thanks to its imposing medieval buildings.
Our tour will start at the train station and we will go to the modern river path of the Dyle. We could discover imposing buildings of the medieval times: palaces, like the two Margaritas ones, market halls, exquisite guild houses, historical churches or the oldest stone-made bridge of all the city. We will finish our tour at the Cathedral, with its imposing bell tower. The tower could be visited if you want to hill its more than 300 steps.
Once our tour in Mechelen is finished, you will have one hour free-time to walk around, enter into the Cathedral or discover the two beguinage. Then we will rejoin at the meeting point designed by the guide, and we will come back together to Brussels, hoping you have enjoyed a wonderful journey in two of the most impressive Flemish cities.
Route
Antwerp
• Antwerp Central Station
• Zoo
• Quarter of diamonds
• Meir Street
• Pedro Pablo Rubens House Museum
• Palace of the Meir
• Green square
• Cathedral of Our Lady
• Church of San Carlos Borromeo
• Grote Markt
• Town hall
• Fountain of Silvio Bravo
• Castle Steen
Mechelen
• River Dyle Walk
• Palaces of the two Margaritas
• Medieval markets
• Commercial markets
• Guild houses
• Cathedral of the city
• Town hall
Price
Details
Availability
Sunday and Monday 9:00 am
Duration
8h
Language
English
Included
• English speaking guide.
• Round trip transportation.
• City map.
Not included
• Food and drink.
• Tips.
Pets
Allowed
* Read useful information.
Accessibility
Suitable for people with reduced mobility.
People per booking
It has to be formed a group pf minimum 5 PAX to operate the tour.
Cancellations
Free before 48h. 50% will be charged between 48h to 24h before the activity takes place. No refund within 24 hours of the activity.
Meeting point
Carrefour de l'Europe, next to Brussels Central Station. (Carrefour de l'Europe, 1000 Bruxelles).
Our guides will be waiting for you with the umbrella with the Mundistour logo. It is recommended to show up 10 minutes before the start of the activity.
• It is appreciated to show up 10 minutes before the start of the activity.
• Despite always wanting to provide the best service to our travelers, it may occur in some circumstances outside our organization, either due to provisions or activities of local authorities, modifications or omission of any of the points of our tours. If so, we appreciate your understanding.
• As it is an activity that is carried out by train, in order to carry out sustainable and environmentally responsible tourism, Mundistour is not responsible for any delay from the transport company.
• During the visit it may be necessary to use headsets, it is recommended to bring your own headphones. In the case of not having them, the guide will be able to provide you with headphones for a symbolic purchase value.
• Pets allowed. Bear in mind that there are places where you will eventually not be able to enter. Any action taken by your pet will be your responsibility. And you must meet the safety standards required by the city. In the case of excursions, you must pay the train supplement, communicating it at the time of booking at: reservas@mundistour.com.
• The activity will take place as long as a group of at least 5 people is formed. If for this reason the activity is not carried out, we will contact you 24 hours a day. If canceled because the minimum is not met, you will be offered another date to perform the experience or a full refund.
• Cancellation: free before 48h. 50% will be charged between 48h to 24h after the activity takes place. No refund within 24 hours of the activity.
- Guide complies with all sanitized measures recommended by the Belgian Government.
- Social distance enforcing throughout the activity.
- Use of the mask.
- It is provided hand sanitizer.
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use of them
- Contactless payment provided.
We keep you safe!
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