Blankenberge Live Cam

• West East

Take a bird's eye view of that tiny geographical spot next to the North Sea, with its inexhaustible cultural and sightseeing possibilities. With Brussel as its capital, Flanders, situated at the crossroads of two cultures, is a place where everyone feels perfectly at home. Flanders may not cover an enormous area, but it possesses a tremendous wealth of art and culture. In its museums and art galleries, but also in the street, you can get to know the rich culture of Flanders in days gone by and nowadays.

As you wander through the cities, towns or villages, you will be filled with wonderment as you contemplate the countless evidence of that rich past thanks to the innumerable monuments, from imposing churches and cathedrals, impressive patricians' houses and chateaux, to modest beguine convents and abbeys. The places of worship, often adorned with monumental works of art, are the cultural and artistic expression of the deep-rooted religious beliefs of the Flemish people.

Typical examples of this are the beguine convents, which are specific and private residential units, populated by beguines. These are women who wanted to devote their lives to God without, as nuns do, "leaving the world behind". The Flemish beguine convents are architectural ensembles of houses, streets, a church and a square, which could actually be described as an attractive village within the city. Thirteen of these architectural jewels are recognised by Unesco as part of the world heritage.

Flemish people need no excuse for a celebration. Celebrations and festivals all year round provide interesting entertainment to suit everyone's taste and budget. Famous festivals and smaller-scale musical events will delight music lovers, whether they prefer classical music or jazz, or the big names of rock or pop. If you would rather find out about folklore and folk festivals, you should collect detailed information about the processions, parades, local fairs and folklore happenings. They form unmistakable evidence that the Flemish like to enjoy themselves.

Every day of the year, you can choose between an extensive range of classical or experimental concerts, theatrical performances in both national languages, as well as in English, and ballet performances by internationally famous choreographers like Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker or Wim Vandekeybus. Lovers of the seventh art can choose from the world's film repertoire, usually in the original language and if need be with subtitles in the locally spoken Dutch and French. You can enjoy watching them in cosy cinemas or huge multiplexes in all the large and medium-sized towns.

Flanders also has epicurian roots. That is why the food and drinks are so good here. Besides its renowned international cuisine, you can enjoy typical regional dishes, tasty Belgian cheeses and gorgeous chocolates. Or quench your thirst with, or just sample a range of beers, jenever and wines. The quality of Flemish cuisine is high. The explanation is simple. Flemish people enjoy cooking, and so are used to eating good food at home. So when they go to a restaurant, they are very demanding. The result is that even a simple establishment can serve you a good meal for a reasonable price. There are good places to eat in Flanders in every price category. A snack at a café, a tub of mussels at a terrace, a dish of the day or tourist menu in a tavern, or a gastronomic menu in a top class restaurant: you certainly get value for money. And then there is the service. In Flanders we know how things should be done, and service is good and friendly. In Flanders, people often eat late. Restaurant kitchens are usually open until 11 p.m. So you can savour your aperitif at a terrace or in a café, before settling down to dinner.

In Flanders even the most demanding snack-addict will feel at home. Top of the snack charts come "Belgian chocolates", which we call "pralines". You can find them in specialised shops in towns, but you will also find home-made ones in village bakeries. And there are many more delicious things in Flanders. Just try one of the "Antwerpense handjes", a "hart" when in Geel, "Vlaaikens" in Lier, "boterkoeken" in Diksmuide, "perenstroop" in Voeren, or "witloofkonfituur" in Brabant. If you have been to Brussel, you will be able to pick the smell of Brussels waffles out of a thousand others.

Finding a souvenir of Flanders is no problem. Souvenir hunters will be tempted by a range of souvenirs of their journey, such as lace, pewter, crystal or diamonds. When it comes to souvenirs, once again you have the choice of a whole range of products. Lace from Brugge or Brussel fits in with any interior. When you get home, you can enjoy another beer or jenever from Flanders. Special gift packages ensure that you can enjoy the drink from the appropriate glass. And how could you go home without a box of Belgian pralines? If you would like something more exclusive, take a stroll around some of the fashion shops, which sell the products of Belgian couturiers, and therefore specialise in reputable and original products. Or perhaps you are hankering after a give that lasts forever? The Diamond Centre in Antwerpen will certainly be able to help.

Every visitor to Flanders should see its historic cities, with their impressive churches and cathedrals, their idyllic Beguine convents and imposing belfries, their broad shopping streets or little alleys to explore. Purple heather, woods and pasture land and both flat and slated landscapes make Flanders an ideal holiday spot for nature lovers. Well-signposted walking and cycle routes lead you through picturesque regions, each with their own character and allure.

Long sandy beaches and rippling waves are the main assets of the Belgian coast. Here the vacationer can find everything he needs, from bustling shopping streets to art galleries and museums, from terraces and restaurants to sports events and all types of events. At the coast the vacation spirit lives on all year long. The wide variety of attractions is guaranteed by the attractive seaside resorts, each with their own distinct character.

Anyone who is young or young at heart, and wants to explore Flanders on a budget will find something to suit them in the many youth hostels or other youth accommodation, which are the sure way of taking "budget holidays". In Flanders, the internationally-famous "bed & breakfast"-formula is known as "gastenkamers (guest rooms)", because in Flanders, you are certain to meet warm and hospitable people, who will teach you everything there is to know about their town or region.