Social program
Belgium fires one's imagination. Tourists from all over the world are attracted to Belgium and its cosmopolitan capital, Brussels. It is no surprise then that Belgium has a lot to offer to the tourist.
Those with a craving for art, culture or architectural beauty, will be pampered by our cities of art. Those who would like a taste of our gastronomy and cultural events will have their every wish granted. Belgians are well known for their exuberant lifestyle and they take pleasure in their guests enjoying themselves.
The social program of IUMI conference is fully booked.
Please turn to the hospitality desk during the IUMI conference for last-minute subscription.
Last-minute subscription is only possible when there are no-shows or last–minute annulations during the IUMI conference.
Bruges: Defiantly surprising...
This small town of around 25.000 inhabitants only, was an important centre of commerce in Northern Europe between the 13th of 15th century. Thanks to major Italian bankers such as the Medici family, the town also became a financial centre of international standing.
Attracted by the wealth, artist came to Bruges to work and as such created the Flemisch School of Primitive Painting which had a strong link with the school of Florence. However, the fortunes of Bruges turned at the end of the 15th century due to the silting up of its port. Today, Bruges is again a wealthy and prosperous town. It has become a real open air museum and is the most notorious tourist centre of Belgium.
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Sunday 13 September 2009 at Oud Sint-Jan at 6 p.m. (location C on the map) |
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Wednesday 16 September 2009 at Concert Hall at 7 p.m. (location D on the map) |
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...or ‘Brugge, die skoone’, as the old local dialect has it. And quite rightly, for beauty seems to pour from the walls of this picturesque town, which stands as a silent witness of the wealth and business guile of Bruges in the late middle ages. The historic centre still exudes the atmosphere of those times, with streets, avenues and buildings in their original state or magnificently restored. It is no surprise that the small 'heart' of Bruges has been included on UNESCO's World Heritage list.
The guided tour (3 languages) through the town centre is also more than city watching. It is a fascinating cultural journey which leaves a lasting impression. Escorted by an experienced guide, groups of 20 to 30 people (most of them will speak your language) explore the narrow cobbled streets which are often kept traffic-free. There are the many stepped façades, typical of the neo-Gothic style in which the heart of the city was built. You'll discover the famous Bruges lace, with its unique patterns and lavish air, the statue of the medieval heroes Jan Breydel and Pieter De Coninck in the Grote Markt, and the three surviving city gates.
The Minnewater with its legendary swans flows out through the Reien, dozens of canals which meander through the historic heart of Bruges. During a unique boat trip on these city ways you will see for yourself that Bruges richly deserves its fame as the 'Venice of the North'.
We serve you a quick and light lunch in a restaurant we've selected specially for you, which has three things in common: a unique location, a view over a charming square or building, and a menu to make every gourmet's heart beat faster.
Replete and satisfied, it's back to the city for a gourmet or cultural afternoon program. (choice)
For those who want to delve further into Bruges' rich past, we recommend the cultural afternoon program. The Basilica of the Holy Blood with its two chapels has a surprise in store: the lower part is the only completely preserved Romanesque church in Flanders, while the upper part, the Chapel of the Holy Blood, was built in the Gothic style. In the Chapel of the Holy Blood is preserved the relic of the Holy Blood of Christ, brought back to Bruges from Jerusalem by the crusader Diederik van de Elzas. Every year the relic is carried in procession through the streets of Bruges on Ascension Day. During the cultural tour you will also visit a lace museum and pass by the old court of Bruges. A horse and carriage will take you through the sights of the historic centre, such as the famed Begijnhof, where words like peace and silence acquire a new dimension. Finally, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe church can be visited.
Epicures will be served up an afternoon's exploration of the culinary delights that put Belgium on the world map: chocolate and beer. In the chocolate museum you'll learn about the history and manufacture of the original Belgian chocolate. And trying real Belgian beer is another essential part of your visit to Bruges. At café Vlissinghe, the oldest and most authentic pub of Bruges, you will taste several famous Belgian beers. A professional beer ‘sommelier’ will guide you during these tasting sessions. After all, there is a lot to tell when it comes to Belgian beers! All the while enjoying one of the finest city views in Bruges in a horse carriage.
Finally, you are free to stop for a delicious cup of coffee in one of the many authentic Bruges coffee-houses, before returning to your hotel with an unforgettable impression of a unique city.
Timetable
09.15 a.m.Gathering in Bruges
09.30 a.m.Guided tour in 4 languages (personalised visit)
11.00 a.m.Boat promenade
12.00 a.m.Lunch at a unique location / restaurant
01.00 p.m.Cultural afternoon (guided visit through Bruges in a surprising way – 3 languages) OR
01.00 p.m.Culinary afternoon (guided visits with typical Belgian products!)
03.30 p.m.End + free coffee break
www.brugge.be
www.choco-story.be
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Belgium is full of towns and cities with that little bit extra. Barely fifty kilometres from Bruges stands Ghent, the capital of the province of East Flanders, and like Bruges a city that fizzes with cultural activity. As one of the most important university cities in the country Ghent is also very different. The original residents (the ‘Stroppen’ or noose-wearers) mix easily with the many students. And with the incomers from other Belgian towns, because Ghent is not just a handsome city but also a hip and cool place to live, with a lively music and arts scene.
The Ghent Festival, which is held every July, is still the largest city festival in Europe.
A bus takes you to the historic heart of Ghent, after a walk of 10 minutes, where you first visit the cathedral of Saint Bavo. This is one of the largest cathedrals in Belgium, and world famous for the 'Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’, the polyptich altarpiece by the brothers Hubert and Jan Van Eyck. This is one of the master-pieces of Belgian painting, and also has an interesting history. In 1934 two of the twelve panels were stolen, one of which - The Just Judges – has still not been found. The guide will tell you all about it.
Ghent is full of traces of a rich past. A guided tour leads you through the most important places, such as the lively squares of the Vismarkt, Bij St.-Jacobs, The Gravensteen, which is the only medieval castle in Flanders which still has an intact defence system, it also belongs among the greatest historical treasures of Northern Europe.
The Graslei and the Korenlei will also catch your eye: these quays on the banks of the Leie are lined with guild houses which are a reminder of Ghent's importance as a medieval port city. The guild houses were completely restored for the World Exhibition in Ghent in 1913 and are a delight to the eye. The handsome stepped facades bring Bruges to mind.
A delicious lunch awaits you on board an authentic Leie boat. For two hours, while you are eating, you can admire the splendid landscape around Ghent.
The destination: St.-Martens-Latem, by some way the most prosperous municipality in Belgium. Along the river you will see some of the most beautiful private houses of Belgium.
St.-Martens-Latem is also a favourite spot for artists who draw inspiration from the Leie and its many tributaries. From the Meersstraat, behind the church of St.Martens-Latem, you will understand why for yourself.
This is the origin of the group of painters known as the 'Latem School', which has supplied an imposing list of internationally renowned painters over many generations. We will take you around the studios of the Latem School, which was the cradle of Belgian expressionism with famous names such as Albert Saverijs, Valerius de Saedeleer and Constant Permeke. During 1 hour you will be able to walk around in this pittoresque village and its surroundings.
Timetable
09.00 a.m.Bus departure in Bruges
10.00 a.m.Arrival and visit to St.-Bavo's Cathedral and Guided tour in Ghent (in different languages – personalised visit)
12.30 a.m.Boat trip to St.-Martens-Latem with seated lunch
02.30 p.m.Arrival at St.-Martens-Latem + walk in village
03.30 p.m.Bus to Bruges
04.15 p.m.Arrival in Bruges
www.gent.be
www.sint-martens-latem.be |
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Outside the historic heart of Bruges, there's also a lot to experience and discover. The Damse Vaart for example, a way which links Bruges with Sluis in the Netherlands and which was excavated in 1810 on the orders of Napoleon. The Damse Vaart is lined on both sides with an impressive row of trees. A unique sight, and depending on the weather or your personal preference, you can admire it from a bike or a bus shuttle.
After the bike tour, a guide will take you to explore this picturesque medieval town. You'll see the Gothic town hall, the statue of local medieval writer Jacob van Maerlant and the Church of Our Lady, one of the many famous landmarks in the Bruges district. The guide will also tell you the story of Tijl Uilenspieghel, a legendary but fictitious figure from the history of Damme who was famed for his pranks. Chat about Damme over an authentic farmhouse lunch in De Stampershoeve, after which a shuttle bus will take you to stylish beach town Knokke.
Knokke is a flourishing seaside town with two distinct faces, so we offer you the choice between shopping and an afternoon's nature walk. Knokke is the most sophisticated seaside town in Belgium.
You can shop until you drop in the town centre. On the Lippenslaan, the Kustlaan and the Zeedijk in particular, the range of exclusive brand shops is impressive: Lacoste, Bruphils, Donaldson, Façonnable, Hermès, Natan, Louis Vuitton, Xandres, Olivier Strelli, Scapa, etc. to mention just a few. A paradise for the true shopper.
With Het Zwin you'll meet the other face of Knokke. This bird sanctuary and nature reserve extends along a 2.3 km stretch of coastline on the Dutch-Belgian border. Over the years it has grown into a resting and nesting place for many fascinating birds, such as storks and cormorants. Although the greater part of the reserve is not open to the public, we take you for a walk along the raised dike from which you can see the nesting sites without disturbing the birds. In Het Zwin's bird park you can see the birds from close by, and an ornithologist guide will tell you all you want to know about Het Zwin.
After the walking or shopping tour, the bus takes you back to Bruges. We bet you'll have lots to tell... or to try on!
Timetable
09.00 a.m.Bike departure (choice)
10.00 a.m.Bus departure in Bruges
10.30 a.m.Arrival at Damme and guided tour
11.45 a.m.Farm lunch at De Stampershoeve
01.15 p.m.Bus to Knokke
01.40 p.m.Shopping OR
01.40 p.m.Nature walk in Knokke
03.30 p.m.Bus to Bruges
04.00 p.m.Arrival in Bruges
www.damme.be
www.knokke-heist.be
www.west-vlaanderen.be/zwin |