The Bucket List - Winter 2012/13

Upon visiting Bruges, you will immediately notice that this city has carefully cherished its architectural and artistic treasures from the past.

One strength of Bruges' museum collections is its great diversity, from the Flemish primitives to contemporary art, from the classic 'fine arts' to archaeological excavations, furniture, silverware, folklore and so on.

A destination that's easy to reach. This cosmopolitan city that loves good food lives life its way and expresses itself in a style very much its own: sometimes mischievous, sometimes thoughtful and composed, but always very likeable. Despite its European dimension and despite all the different languages spoken on the corner of every street, Brussels is still inspired by a very "village-like" spirit. Of course, it's well known for its Grand-Place, its Atomium, its Manneken-Pis, its Gueuze and its Kriek, its waffles and its chocolates.

A Volksmarch is a great way to enjoy a day with family and friends, get some exercise and meet new people. It is also a great way to find out more about your local community and see places off the beaten path. A list of Volksmarches is provided in the Gazette each week or you can use the two Volksmarch icons to find more.

Located between Liège and Maastricht, Blegny Mine is one of the four authentic coal mines in Europe with underground drifts accessible for visits through the original shaft. They allow a complete discovery of the process of coal mining.
Since July 2012, Blegny-Mine and the three other major mining sites in Wallonia (Le Bois du Cazier, Bois-du-Luc et Grand-Hornu) are recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

If you have a taste for history and atmosphere, Antwerp may even fill the bill better than Brussels.  While visiting the town, you will discover an incomparable cathedral, remarkable houses, magnificent architecture, and numerous museums, some of which display some of the most famous Belgian paintings.  The Central Rail Station dates back to the early 1900s.  It is located in the center of town, right next to the zoo. You can also visit the Diamond Museum.  In the evening, visitors can enjoy the atmosphere in one the numerous cafés and jazz bars.

The Battle of the Bulge was the largest land battle in the U.S. Army history.  The siege was Germany's last major counteroffensive of the war in Europe.   On December 16, 1944 with the onset of winter, the German army launched a counteroffensive that was intended to cut through the Allied forces in a manner that would turn the tide of the war in Hitler's favor. Discover the impact of the battle on the local populations and the Allies’ roles in liberating towns and villages.  Combine educational visits to battle monuments and museums with an enjoyable trip in the beautiful Belgian Ardennes.