The northern part of Belgium is known as Flanders, the inhabitants are called Flemings, are Flemish and speak Dutch. The Cultural lesson aside, there are numerous historical cities in Flanders ready to be explored. Each city of Flanders is brimming with quaint medieval squares, tree-lined canals, gorgeous architectural facades, world class museums and friendly outdoor cafes perfect for a special honeymoon destination.
The scenic Flemish countryside is painted with soft green hills and winding roads dotted by black heather bordered by proud farms and peaceful canals. Cities in Flanders exhibit their charm with cobblestone streets, beguinages, gothic cathedrals and artistic treasures of internationally renowned paintings from the Flemish primitives to Breughel and Rubens and such modern masters as Permeke, Ensor and Magritte.
But there is a lot more to Flemish cities than just architecture and history. Discovering the colorful open-air markets, shopping galleries, breweries, European nightlife and stylish restaurants overflowing with local culinary delights are just some of the little things that Flanders can offer to its Indian visitors.
Festivals, exhibitions and feasts are part of daily life in Flanders from local parades, carnivals and pageants steeped in medieval history.
Indians are avid shoppers and Flemish cities provide an excellent opportunity for those opting for the retail therapy. A case in point is Maasmechelen Village, which has more than 95 boutiques offering collections from prestigious Belgian and international brands in fashion. They have up to 60% off original recommended retail prices all year round. Indians are one of leading patrons of Maasmechelen Village besides Chinese visitors.
Considering Belgium produces 172,000 tons of chocolate per year in over 2,130 chocolate shops, it becomes customary to pack them as a souvenir back home. For those who have a penchant for chocolates Belgium is the perfect place to go. With Antwerp established as the world's capital for diamonds, it's an important item in the shopping agenda of those in love with this most-celebrated stone. 70% of the world’s diamonds are cut, polished or traded every year. Mostly we think of diamonds as being “white” but they can also be orange, brown, pink, green or blue in colour. And with prices approximately 30% cheaper than in Britain it makes sense to buy that “girl’s best friend” from the city that specialises in the three “c’s” of diamonds – cut, clarity and colour.
Interestingly, a significant share of the diamond trade in Antwerp is controlled by the rich Indian community with roots in Gujarat. Indian travellers also indulge in gourmet experiences with Belgium boasting of the highest density of Michelin star-rated restaurants in Europe. Beer lovers also cherish the enormous range available in Flanders, it offers over 400 different types of beer running the gamut from white to raspberry beer. The heart of Bruges, surrounded by an almost continuous ring of canals, is the best preserved example of medieval Flanders. So picture postcard perfect is the city centre, known as 'the Venice of the North', it is almost impossible to take a bad photograph.
Today, Indian travellers are increasingly looking for “rich experiences” through a varied range of activities and attractions in Flanders. The destination offers countless ways to enjoy the better things in life. There is also a new league of discerning travellers, who appreciate contemporary art at our vibrant art galleries, musical concerts, designers and fashion scene of Antwerp. A young segment of Indian visitors are also enthusiastic about TinTin - a home grown comic legend and the comic strip route in Brussels. Indian travellers are often looking for a human interface to understand and experience the local culture. We do have an advantage over other European destinations in terms of language of communication. English is widely spoken in the region, which is a major factor of comfort for Indian visitors to Flanders.
With increased connectivity from India (Jet Airways has daily flights from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai to Brussels and 21 weekly flights from India), this region has seen a steady influx of Indian tourists in the last 3-4 years.
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