Reality check: that is what a big city is like. And we only have one of those. Life is too long not to discover how well Brussels, amidst all the hustle, manages to retain its individuality and colour. In just one visit, you come across some amazing people and incre- dibly diverse neighbourhoods, all gravitating around a bustling historic centre. The whole world is right here. For cosmopolitans, one- day tourists and its one million residents, only Brussels will do.
In this protected monument, dating back to the 15th century, a water mill ground grain for the local community until 1983. Making use of the passing stream, the Klapscheutmolen provided milled grain as food for cattle, as well as the ingredients for the neighbouring family De Troch’s brewing activities.
For the past two hours, I've been flying an enormous sail 20 meters in the air as the first step in learning how to kitesurf. A relatively new sport, this ocean- based pastime has been gaining in popularity all over the world. Your body is harnessed to a kite, while your feet are secured to a surfboard with straps. Once you know what you're doing, the winds pulls you along the water and potentially up and out of the water.
Antwerp is a river city par excellence, so the ideal way to capture its essence is to see it from the water. The first thing that strikes you is how the river splits the city. At the level of the old town, it's 500 metres to the other side, which is so distant that the best name they could come up with for the built-up area is Linkeroever - Left Bank.
Trying to peg down Hasselt is a tough job. Its split personality escapes all cliché. Life is a bit slower-paced in this small city, but Hasselt is extremely posh as well. Even Antwerp’s fashionistas descend on Hasselt’s shopping streets like little ants. Clothes and shoes, preferably by local designers, is what they are looking for. Names and labels, darling. If Eddy Monsoon had to pick a Belgian town to live in, she’d do great in Hasselt.
Enter Ghent’s tree-lined Koningin Astrid Park on Ferdinand Lousbergkaai. Every Sunday in August from 14.00 to dusk, the young, creative and often child-carrying enter the park en masse to enjoy a pretty special atmosphere.
In a handful of wading pools near a large sand pit, kids of all ages are screaming, running and having the time of their lives. A small walking path around the park is filled with strollers, Frisbee and games of tag. A van is on hand to teach circus tricks, while parents are camped nearby on benches or picnic blankets.
The proportion of trips made by car remains close to 50%, even for short journeys (under three kilometres) and is on the increase compared to the previous study year. Unsurprisingly, the report shows that “up to 200 meters, we do almost everything on foot”. However, the proportion of walkers falls to 30% for journeys between 500 metres and one kilometre, while regular public transport users make up less than 5% of all travellers.
Nieuwpoort-based Seastar is a third-generation family business focused on offering inland cruises across Flan- ders Fields between Nieuwpoort, Diksmuide and Ypres.
De Gavers is a 170-hectare domain in Harelbeke, a small town located in the southeast portion of the province. It’s known as the green lung of Kortrijk (it’s only about five kilometres away). The park’s woodsy paths and sizeable lake support a wide range of recreational options, from jogging to diving. All ages and personalities will find something here to enjoy.
The Castle of Beersel was built by Godefroid de Hellebeke in the 13th century for the purpose of defending Brussels and Brabant from Flanders. It’s one of few remaining examples in Belgium of a military fortress from the Middle Ages.
Flanders Today is a 
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