| Mechelen is very nearby Brussels, another popular | | | | entry into the park. The Plankendael Zoo is open |
| city in Belgium. Mechelen possesses a rich history | | | | every day, from 9 am to 5:00 pm. |
| that can be understood and enjoyed by its | | | | Travellers looking to entertain their children will find |
| existing architecture-Mechelen is a city full of | | | | excellent entertainment at the Toy Museum in |
| historical cathedrals, towers, parks and site seeing | | | | Mechelen. Everything from antique toy trains, |
| opportunities. Lakenhalle and St. Rombouts | | | | cars, teddy bears, and other toys dating from the |
| Cathedral are noted World Heritage Sites and the | | | | sixteenth century can be viewed at the Toy |
| museums in Mechelen are sure to please the | | | | Museum. In contrast, if travelers are looking for a |
| cultural enthusiast. | | | | more sophisticated exploration of culture, they |
| Mechelen has been the former home of many | | | | may find the Tapestry Museum the perfect site |
| famous inhabitants. Famous individuals once | | | | to visit. Tapestry weavings are on display at the |
| heralding from this remarkable city include Michiel | | | | museum, and the city of Mechelen has been and |
| van Coxcie and Bernard van Orley, well-known | | | | remains famous for its tapestries, ever since the |
| Renaissance painters; Margarete of Austria the | | | | medieval era. |
| daughter of Maximillian I; and Rembert Dodoens, a | | | | Food & Drink: |
| famous Rennaissance physician. Additionally, the | | | | The Gasthof Kwaadmechelen at Sluisstraat, 2 |
| famous composer, Philippe de Monte is also a | | | | offers fine Belgian cuisine, and is open every day |
| native of Mechelen. | | | | except Saturdays and Sundays. Public parking is |
| Mechelen is accessible by car, coach, train, plane | | | | available to travellers choosing to dine at the |
| or boat. It is a city that provides fine vacationing | | | | Gasthof Kwaadmechelen and the restaurant |
| opportunities year round, travellers can feel | | | | accepts both MasterCard and Visa. Alternatively, |
| comfortable visiting the city any time of year. | | | | the Theatrium Mechelen at Onder den Toren, 9 |
| Peak tourist times are summer and autumn, so | | | | provides both French and Belgian dining |
| for travellers desiring fewer crowds while site | | | | opportunities, is handicapped accessible; offers |
| seeing, the winter months are more suitable to | | | | meal pricing at an a la carte rate; and also accepts |
| visit Mechelen. When visiting Mechelen it is | | | | a variety of credit cards for payment. |
| important to be prepared for all sorts of weather | | | | The Atlas, at 4 Nauwstraat offers universal |
| conditions, rain or shine, as the weather can | | | | cuisine to its guests, allowing them to find |
| change within an instant. | | | | something to satiate their appetites. Wines and |
| Places of interest: | | | | beers are available at most cafes, bistros and |
| The Grote Market Square in Mechelen is situated | | | | restaurants throughout Belgium and Belgium is |
| right in the heart of the city, and much of its | | | | especially famous for its variety of beer. |
| surrounding architecture are remnants from the | | | | Travellers can enjoy mussels, chips, Belgian |
| medieval era. The St. Rumbold's Cathedral, the | | | | waffles for breakfast and for dessert they can |
| Town Hall and the Tower are all from the | | | | partake and indulge in the finest Belgian chocolate |
| fifteenth century, while the monument of | | | | treats imaginable. |
| Margaret of Austria is dated to the sixteenth | | | | Travellers may also choose to visit the Hanekeef, |
| century. A number of cafes are easily accessible | | | | Mechelen's oldest existing pub. Or, after a day |
| in the Grote Market Square, and on Saturdays, | | | | enjoying the medieval harbour, tourists can stop in |
| travelers can enjoy a day of shopping in the | | | | at any one of the numerous cafes strewn all |
| outdoor market. | | | | around the Grote Market. |
| The St Rumbold's Tower and Cathedral in | | | | Hotels & Accommodation: |
| Mechelen is also a popular tourist spot. The Tower | | | | Hotel Egmont |
| is an astounding 97 metres tall and site seers | | | | Best Western Gulden Anker |
| have the opportunity to walk up the tower's | | | | Carolus |
| 500+ steps to the top of the building. Once at the | | | | Entertainment: |
| top of the St Rumbold's Tower, site seers will be | | | | Mechelen houses many things to see and do. |
| spellbound by the breath-taking view of Mechelen | | | | Places like the Technopolis offer entertainment |
| city. | | | | that the entire family can enjoy. The Technopolis |
| When travelers finally tire of exploring Mechelen, | | | | is a science centre with interactive displays and |
| they can stop over at De Nekker Park for a | | | | exhibits pertaining to aircrafts, rockets, and more. |
| relaxing getaway from the overwhelming site | | | | Dining is never far from any attraction, and after |
| seeing opportunities all through Mechelen. | | | | a long day of site seeing, travellers can partake in |
| Travellers can relax at lakeside and watch others | | | | all the Belgium has to offer in the way of food. |
| engage in myriad watersport offerings. Or, if they | | | | Soupe a la biere, payiesvlees, flamiche, tomate |
| prefer, tourists can partake in some of the | | | | aux crevettes, waterzooi, anguille au vert, |
| watersport offerings themselves-scuba diving, | | | | carbonnades flamandes, boudin rouge, boudin |
| wind surfing, and sailing can be enjoyed at De | | | | blanc, potato puree, apple compote or lapin a la |
| Nekker Park. | | | | flamande are some of the local favourites. |
| Things to do: | | | | Speculoos are a favourite breakfast in Belgium |
| A popular attraction in Mechelen is the Plankendael | | | | and an excellent way to start the day before |
| Park and Zoo at 582 Leuvensesteenweg. The | | | | shopping in the market square. |
| Plankendael Park the Zoo is both a zoo and | | | | Opportunities to shop are in abundance in the |
| petting farm, offering children the opportunity to | | | | historic city of Mechelen. Fine Belgium chocolates, |
| enjoy seeing and touching some of the animals on | | | | Belgian cuisine, cafes and bistros are easily |
| exhibit. Further, when the children tire of viewing | | | | accessible from the city square. Travellers can |
| the animals, a playground is available for them to | | | | walk from booth to booth, purchasing food, |
| access and to work off some of that extra | | | | housewares, clothing and souvenirs when they |
| energy they keep bottled up inside! At the | | | | shop all day at the outdoor market. In the end, |
| Plankendael Park, parents can also take their | | | | the city of Mechelen offers tourists everything |
| children on an adventure trail, and the cost of | | | | they need to make their vacation complete-fine |
| admission is more than reasonable: admission for | | | | dining, excellent attractions, gorgeous and friendly |
| adults is 11 Euro; for children ages 3 to 11, 7.3 | | | | accommodations-there truly is nothing more that |
| Euro; and children ages 3 and under get free | | | | a traveller can ask for! |