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