Antwerp Day - November 4th

 

 

PRICE : 40 €
DEPARTURE TIME : Meet at Brussels north train station at 7:30AM
DEPARTURE PLACE : Brussels North train station (5 min. walk from HQ hotel)
ARRIVAL BACK IN BRUSSELS : 6 pm
FLYER : [pdf]

INTRODUCTION
In the 16th century, Antwerp was one of the most important financial centers of the world, where traders from all over Europe and Asia sold and bought their goods. After the siege of Antwerp in 1585 by the Spanish, this role as a financial center was taken over by Amsterdam. Nevertheless, since the 19th century and especially the 20th century, Antwerp has made a serious economic comeback. At a population of over 472,000 (2008), it is the second largest city in Belgium, after Brussels, and it has a major European port.
Due to its long and culturally rich history, the city of Antwerp houses many interesting historical buildings from different historical periods, as well as a lot of interesting museums. Recently it has become a trendy city, attracting a lot of Flemish and foreign artists, writers, intellectuals, and actors. This is reflected in the city's many trendy bars and shops. Antwerp is a city with many faces. It is a very dynamic city, offering a perfect mix of history and present-day modern life.
PROGRAM

  • 8:00 Meet at the Brussels North train station (close to the world congress HQ Hotel). You will be welcomed in the Brussels North train station. A short trip by train will take you to Antwerp. There in our 19th century railway station you will be offered a nice breakfast. Our day has three genuine themes and following programs*. These are diamant, harbor and fashion. You will need to choose one program, combination of programs is not possible
  • DIAMOND
    Renowned for being the "world's leading diamond city", more than 70% of all diamonds are traded in Antwerp. The Diamond Market is the hub of the economic section in Belgium. More than 85% of theworld’s rough diamonds, 50% of cut diamonds, and 40% of industrial diamonds are traded in the city.
    Overview program:
    • 9:00 : Breakfast in the 19th century railway station
    • 9:30 : Presentation of the diamond industry in Antwerp
    • 10:30 : Visit of the bourse, the “Wall Street” of diamonds
    • 11:00 : Visit of a diamond cutting and polishing workplace
    • 11:30 : Visit a high-end jeweller shop
    • 12:30 : Included lunch
    • Afternoon : Visit the diamond museum OR Possibility to visit the city on your own
    • 17:00 : Trip back to Brussels by train
  • HARBOR
    The port of Antwerp is a port in the heart of Europe accessible to capesize ships. The estuary is navigable by ships of more than 100,000 Gross Tons as far as 80 km inland. The inland location means that the port of Antwerp enjoys a more central location in Europe than the majority of North Sea ports. Antwerp's docks are connected to the hinterland by rail, waterway and road. As a result the port of Antwerp has become one of Europe's largest sea ports. In 2009, the Port of Antwerp handled 157,800,000 MT of trade and offered liner services to 800 different maritime destinations.
    Overview program:
    • 9:00 : Breakfast in the 19th century railway station
    • 9:30 : Pick-up by designated coach
    • 9:45 : Presentation at the “House of Harbor”
    • 10:45 : Boat trip passing the harbor and the “Schelde” with lunch aboard
    • 13:15 : Visit of the “Deurganck” container shipping terminal
    • 16:00 : Drop-off at the Central Station Antwerp
    • 17:00 : Trip back to Brussels by train
  • FASHION
    Antwerp is a rising fashion city, and has produced designers such as the Antwerp Six. The city has a cult status in the fashion world, due to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, one of the most important fashion academies in Europe. It has served as the learning centre for a large number of Belgian fashion designers. Since the 1980s, several graduates of the Belgian Royal Academy of Fine Arts have become internationally successful fashion designers in Antwerp.
    Overview program:
    • 9:00 : Breakfast in the 19th century railway station
    • 9:30 : Visit of textile designers
    • 10:45 : Visit of the work place of the internationally famous “Dries van Noten”
    • 11:30 : Visit of the Belgian shop of “Dries van Noten”
    • 12:00 : Lunch included
    • Afternoon: Visit the fashion museum OR Possibility to visit the city on your own
    • 17:00 : Trip back to Brussels by train
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Questions?If you would have any questions left, don't hesitate to contact Karolien mail karodmjci@yahoo.com; Mobile +32 477/66.96.67

Register: please register below and wire transfer the amount of the tour to the account of the World Congress :
IBAN : BE23 7330 5612 0691
BIC / Swift : KREDBEBB
Don't forget to mention your name, the number of persons and the reference of the tour!
Your registration is valid after payment only and cant' be refunded.