General summary of the city:

Leuven (Louvain in French) is a university town and the capital city of the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Catholic Univeristy of Leuven) is the oldest catholic univeristy in the world. It is also one of the world’s oldest universities. With respect to the adage “old is gold”, the univeristy which is the hallmark of Leuven, is one of the most beautiful sights in the whole of Europe.

An ancient town Leuven, grew industrially from 11th century onwards. The town soon became famous for linen production (known as lewyn, then) by the late 15th century. Historians argue that linen is actually a corruption of the word “leuven”. By the 18th century, the Beer brewing industry came into existence. The local “Stella Artois” brand of beer became a household name. Things turned out even better for Stella Artois when it merged with the Walloon based brewer Piedboeuf to manufacture Interbrew. The brand Interbrew grew exponentially as one of the most famous brewing companies in the world offering some of the most popular beer brands in Europe. Couple of years ago, Interbrew merged with a Brazilian brewer AmBew to merge InBev which is now the largest and the most popular brewer company in the world with a sizeable marketshare.

The city of Leuven suffered setbacks during the World Wars and the library of the university was destroyed and rebuilt twice. Ten percent of the students attending the university in Leuven are international students. All in all, Leuven is an historically gifted intellectual place for learning and spreading of knowledge.

Places of interest:

St.Peter’s Church on Grotte Markt ( Great Market Square) founded in the later part of the tenth century is a Gothic building. The Church bore the brunt of warfare during the world wars and had to be renovated. The best part about the church is the treasury of St.Peter which houses the 15th century paintings like the “The Last Supper” and the “Martyrdom of Saint Erasmus”.

The Grotte Markt and the Oude Markt (Old Market) reflect the ethos and splendor of the 15th and 16th century BC. No visitor worth his salt should miss the Stadhuis, the townhall of Grott Markt. The Stadhuis is the most beautiful building in Leuven and one of the most popular structures of Belgium. You can take a guided tour of the Stadhuis everyday from 3pm. During the months of April through September, the Stadhuis is open for guided tours from 11 am on weekdays.

The Beguinages built during the period between the 13th and 16th century are the collection of small buiding used by Beguines. They were more than 300 women during those times who lived religious lives, without taking monastic vows. A visit to the Beguinage reminds people of how these sisters dedicated their lives to God without isolating themselves from the world. Quite recently the Beguinages have been able to hold public interest because of their inclusion to the World Heritage List by UNESCO.

Things to do:

Leuven is one place which can make you feel young. There is a continous feeling of learning and education. No prizes for guessing why; Leuven is a “student city” with most of the citizens being students. The Old Market is famous for bars and cafés. Onder den Toog is well known for being Belgium’s smallest bar and a haven visitors who want to absorb the folklore and ambience of the Louven culture.

A visitor cannot afford to miss the Rock Werchter festival held for three days in July. Though the city radiates a Catholic sentiment, the festivals in Leuven do not have any religious or historic appeal. They are purely indulged in for fun, merriment and get-togethers. The Rock Werchter features rock bands from parts of Europe and the USA. The other music festival known as Beleuvenissen play more jazz and blue, folk and classical concerts. Come August, and you can see the rise of pop fever in this city with interntional pop and rock bands coming together for the rock festival Marktrock. If you are into sports especially football, then you can pay a visit to the Oud-Heverlee Leuven, a Belgian football club, from the municipality of Leuven. You can also head to listening to some pleasing orchestra like the famous Arenberg Orchestra in Leuven.

Food and Drink:

The Belle Epoque and the Orange par Roland Debuyst restaurants are famous for gourmand delights. Also famous is the French restaurant offering the best in French cuisine called Ramberg Hof. Oesterbar is another beautiful eatery offering the choices of seafood and oysters for people who love seafood.

Since the place is famous for its cosmopolitian outlook, Leuven brims with the choicest international and ethic cuisinE ranigng from Italian, Mexican, Spanish to Chinese, Moghlai and Indian. There are around 1765 cafes and more than 215 restaurants in Leuven. The quality standards for food and drink are quite high as they are strictly monitored under the watchful eyes of the Leuven Catering Inspectorate.

The popular starters consists of soupe à la bière (beer soup) made with chicken stock and onions; a cold pate made of veal, pork and rabbit; flamiche, a tasty cheese pie with leeks or onions; and tomatoes filled with mayonnaise and shrimps. The main course include chicken stew or fish stew, lean beef cooked in a casserole with onion and beer among other favorites. A popular sweet dish is the Gaufres which are waffles served with chocolate syrup or icing sugar. Frijtes is a popular snack here.

Like the rest of Belgium, beer reigns high among the list of favorite drinks in Leuven, the most popular brand being the good ol’ Stella Artois. There is also a good demand for French and Luxembourg variety of wines. Other popular drinks are gin and coffee. Leuven Peckhke gin with peach juice and Leuvens Nootje, gin with hazel nut are quite popular among jins. Popular brands of Coffee are Margogyp and Mysore.

Hotel and Accomodation:

Het Klooster Hotel

Hotel Ibis Leuven Centrum

Hotel New Damshire

Begijnhof Congreshotel

Hotel Binnenhof

Theater Hotel Leuven Centrum

Entertainment:

You can take your kids or friends to a beautiful recreational partk known as Kessel-Lo Provincial Recreation Park. Children can have a gala time playing, riding electric boats, driving mini-cars etc. You can indulge in row-boating, pedal boating, go-karts and playing to your heart’s content in a spalsh pool. For sports afficionados, there are football pitches, basketball and volleybal courts, a tennis court, two skate ramps and a roller skating rink. The eco-house along with a permanent water exhibition attract a lot of visitor attention. Those who love nature can also find peace and solace watching the greenery, the tree orchard and the blooming flower garden in the recreation park.

Those who prefer night entertainment, can visit some of the zaniest bars which are found around the Oude Markt and the Grott Mart. For people who love shopping, there is the Fochplein, which is famous for popular shops selling everything from food to outfits. There are also some smaller shops in the market area which sell interesting as well as commonplace items. Be it the park, the bars, the museums or the univeristy; the sheer magnetism and the chemisty of Leuven is quite entertaining. The friendly hospitality of the students of Leuven, the humor and the camaraderie shown by them to visitors is really commendable.

When you are looking for a place to vacation, there is no place better than London, England. Surround yourself in beauty, history and culture and this is sure to be the best place you will ever visit! This beautiful place is the perfect city for visiting because they are so open to visitors and there are many wonderful places to stay in London. Whatever type of London accommodation you are looking for, there is sure to be something for everyone!

If you are looking for a London hotel, there are plenty of them to choose from. London has some of the classiest, upscale hotels that you could ever ask for and not only are they some of the most beautiful buildings you will ever see but many of them are located conveniently in the heart of the city, close to everything you will want to check out. Some of these hotels include Sanctuary House Hotel, St. Martin’s Lane, and Strand Palace to name just a few! Combine old world culture with all of the modern amenities that you could ask for in any fine London hotel.

If you’re looking for something a little homier and cozier in your London accommodation, you may want to consider one of London’s many fine bed and breakfasts. These small little nooks can be found just about anywhere in London and they are a truly wonderful way to spend your vacation. The bed and breakfasts are often houses that have been converted to suit guests and it is in these bed and breakfasts that one will often see one of the best views of London! Some very quaint London bed and breakfasts are At Home London Bed and Breakfast, the Chiswick Guest House, and BB London Maida Vale. Stay at one of these fine London accommodations and know that you are truly staying in London in style!

If you’d prefer to save your money for all of the entertainment and culture that London has to offer, you are probably looking for cheap places to stay in London. There are many wonderful London accommodations that won’t break your wallet but will make you feel as though you are staying in one of the priciest places in town! Many of these accommodations are also located right downtown, close to the tube and many sights and attractions including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and many more! These fine hotels also everything that five-star hotels do but at half the cost! Maximize your London vacation with comfort by staying at the Travelodge or Ibis.

Of course another way to find a cheap place to stay in London is to move out of the heart of the city into the surrounding areas. There are many beautiful London hotels and bed and breakfasts in these areas that will offer lower rates due to their quiet location and they will also often offer lower rates during certain times of the year or days of the week. To find cheap London accommodation, consider Paddington, Bayswater, and Euston.

In a city like London, there is sure to be something for every need, desire and budget. Whether you want a cozy stay, or an exciting one in the heart of it all, you are sure to find the perfect London accommodation!

Gent, also known as Ghent, is an incredibly popular destination in Belgium. The word “Gent” is actually the Dutch spelling for the city of “Ghent” and the two terms are often used interchangeably. Gent is filled with exciting things to see and do and travellers will not be disappointed by the recreational offerings in Gent. Travellers can immerse themselves in the culture and history of Belgium by seeing the myriad abbeys, beguinages, churches, castles, historic landmarks, and museums strewn throughout the city of Gent.

Gent was, at one time, second only to Paris in terms of popularity and size. In the 1830s, Gent showed the significant signs of industrialization, as more and more factories were established within the city. Gent is a thriving city, one that possesses a population of well over 500,000 people. It is also estimated that well over 30,000 people travel into Gent each day, for work and social activities. Since 1950, the city has undergone a significant phase of revival: the canal has brought many businesses into Gent. Currently, with its transportation network and many working opportunities, the city of Gent continues to thrive and it is the capital of East Flanders, Belgium.

Places of interest:

The city of Gent holds so many things to see in do. Travellers can get the perfect scenic overview of the entire city by touring the Belfry or the Castle of Counts in the historic city of Gent. In fact, from the top of either location, other famous sites are easily viewable; sites that include the Veerleplein, the Vleeshallen, the St. Niklaas Church, the Library of the University, The medieval harbour, St. Michiels Church and Gent’s shopping centre.

In the heart of Gent, travelers will also find St. Baafs Cathedral, a historic building filled with biblical artwork. The artwork in St. Baafs Cathedral includes images of Adam, Eve, and the Serpent in the Garden of Eden; the Tree of Life; the Holy Cross, and the images of the different counts of Flanders also appear in the Cathedral. Further, the cathedral holds the tombs of the Flemisch Bishops and houses four pillars that were a gift from the Tudors of Britain. Finally, the cathedral possesses some of the most stunning stain-glass art imaginable.

While in Gent, travelers shouldn’t miss out on touring the fifteenth century canon, now a monument, located near the Vrijdagmarkt. The Vrijdagmarkt is a square in Gent, offering opportunity for the travellers and residents of Gent to get a taste of medieval life by viewing the existing medieval architecture.

Things to do:

While staying in Gent, there is certainly no lack of things to do. First, travellers will want to make sure they see as many of the churches and cathedrals as possible, because no two churches are exactly alike; each church holds its own unique artwork and architecture, thereby making each religious site seeing destination more difficult to pass up while touring the city!

The Sint-Baafskathedraal Cathedral was built in the fourteenth century. Sint-Baafskathedraal in St. Bavo’s Square has no entrance fee, unless the traveller is looking to view “The Adoration of the Lamb,” a prized and cherished painting by Jan Van Eyck. The entrance fee to see Van Eyck’s work is nominal, and the cathedral is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.

The Gravensteen, also known as the Castle of the Counts of Flanders, at Sint-Veerleplein 11 was built by Philip of Alsace in the late 1100’s. The word Gravensteen is actually Dutch which, when literally translated means “castle of the counts.” It is the very first stone castle erected in Gent. Prior to the Gravensteen, only wood structures existed. Finally, the Gravensteen has been restored to its former glory and a number of medieval displays can be viewed within the castle: offering viewing enjoyment for the entire family.

Food & Drink:

Those in the mood for seafood can dine at Vier Tafels on Plotergracht 6. The Vier Tafels is a bar and a restaurant, offering international delicacies, wines, cocktails, fresh seafood, salad, rice, salmon, Gambas, mussels and more. Vier Tafels is honoured for its universal cuisine, so there is something for everyone’s palate.

‘T Keteltje at Nederkouter 1 is the perfecting dining spot if one is looking for a romantic dinner while staying in Gent. Fully dressed tables and a variety of season dishes make the ‘T Keteltje one of the finest places to dine in Belgium. Likewise, the De Foyer Brasserie at Sint-Baafsplein 17, is housed in the former Royal Dutch Theater. The De Foyer serves fine dishes like tomato crevettes, grey shrimp, chicken waterzooi, crème brulee, chocolate mousse, tiramisu, and tarts, among other incredible desserts.

The Chez Leotine Restaurant at Groentenmarkt # 10-11 also serves Waterzooi, Flemish Beef Stew, and frites. Waterzooi is a unique Belgium dish, much like Cream of Chicken Soup, that has chicken, carrots, celery and onions in the mix. After having your meal at the Chez Leotine Restaurant, travellers may find that the size of the servings offered there has left little to no room for dessert!

Hotels & Accommodation:

Minotel Gravensteen

Hotel Den Yzer Gent

Hotel Ibis Gent Centrum Opera

Holiday Inn Gent

Campanile Gent / Gand

Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere

Carlton

Entertainment:

Travellers looking for entertainment can enjoy the nightlife of Gent when they stop into the Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant. The Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant at Groente Markt 9 offers a fine choice of beers, both guest and seasonal. Weary travellers can rest and relax as they sip at the beer of their choosing and take in the scenic view of the canal.

Families can also take in a little culture when site seeing at the Alijnhuis, a museum located at Kraanlei 65, that offers hours of viewing entertainment and enjoyment. With craft rooms, displays portraying medieval life in Gent; bridal artifacts and the like, the Alijnhuis proves entertaining for the entire family. Finally, some children’s games are offered at the Alijnhuis.

The Friday Market in the city centre of Gent, is an outdoor market that gives travellers a chance to enjoy a day of shopping. Olives, fresh fish, sausages, chicken, cheeses, fruits and vegetables, breads, and bakery items are offered at many of the booths in the market. Further, travellers can purchase souvenirs, clothing, furniture, woodcarvings, knick-knacks and an array of items are sold every Friday. The Friday market surrounds one of the popular monuments in Gent’s city square: the Jacob Van Artevelde, a monument to one of Gent’s formidable political figures.