Anima 2018, Brussels

The Brussels International Animation Film Festival, 2018 “Anima” will take place in Flagey, Brussels from 9^th February-18^th February, 2018. It is one of the major events that take place in Europe for the films in the animation category. The International Animation Film Festival seeks to promote films under this category from all across the globe and enable dialogue between the filmmakers, professionals and public too.

Besides awarding the animated films in national and international competitions, Anima nominates selected films from its European prize-winners for the Cartoon d’Or and is also qualified by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences under the short animated films category. This film festival is only dedicated to the animated films and this year it received 1659 films out of which only 196 short films were selected combining all the countries from some forty countries of the world. Founded in the year 1982, Anima not just offers a ticket to the Oscar Awards but a great international career in animation and film-making.

The pre sale of the tickets starts on January 17^th, 2018 and the price of the tickets is EUR 8 for the adults and EUR 7 (children under 16 years). For more information about the festival, you can visit the website of the event http://www.animatv.be/index.php .

So, plan your Belgium Visa and book your Belgium Visa appointment to enjoy this amazing animated film festival and the capital city of Brussels. 

Ice Magic - Hasselt, Belgium

The Belgian Town Hasselt has its own Ice Sculpture Festival which it holds every year during the festive winter season. With the most amazing Christmas markets, festivities, light displays in Belgium every year, this Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival is just like the cherry on the cake.  Christmas is an amazing time to be in Belgium, so why not plan your Belgium Visa this winter, to enjoy this mind-blowing and incredible festival of ice-sculpting called “Ice Magic”. Some of the really talented and amazing artists from across the globe transform this Belgian town into a Snowy Paradise by creating unbelievably marvellous artworks with only ice. Hundreds of tonnes of crystal clear ice and snowflakes are used to create these magnificent artworks depicting scenes and characters from ancient stories.

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This wonderful festival takes place during the winter season, so if you are planning your Christmas or New Year vacation, Hasselt should definitely be the part of your travel itinerary. This festival is bound to mesmerize you for the extraordinarily awe-inspiring creations are displayed in an exhibition with an overall area of 1200 square meters. Warm clothes are advisable because the temperature inside the thermal tenet is maintained at minus five degrees. For more details about the entrance fee or timings of the festival, you can visit http://www.ijssculptuur.be/en/ . 

Resource Link:- http://www.belgiumvisa.co.uk/blog/ice-magic-hasselt-belgium/

What to do in Ardennes, Belgium

The hilly heaven or green paradise! What should one call Ardennes? Well, Ardennes is both! Rolling hills and rough terrain are some of the geological features that truly describe the region of Ardennes which is located in southeast of Belgium. If you are a nature lover, find solace in the lap of nature, and wish to explore the beauty of nature away from the rush of cities, then Ardennes is your place. So, when you plan your Belgium Visa with any of the Belgium Visa service provider and your Belgium Tour, make sure that Ardennes is on your travel itinerary.

The lush green forest areas and hills are perfect for someone who loves pursuing activities like hiking, rock-climbing, cycling, camping, kayaking or mountain biking. Those who love to explore the place and wish to have super active holidays in the embrace of nature are bound to fall in love with what Ardennes has to offer. Spring is the best season to take your Ardennes tour as you will find the perfect conditions for kayaking and canoeing. The spring season also see a popular cycling event which take place here named as “Spring Classics”. So, this event along with picturesque towns of Ardennes is the best things while you plan your tour to Belgium. The fun doesn’t end here itself as the hills, greenery has stored various caves, castles, citadels, and forts, which can be a topic of interest for those who would love to, explore the region’s past. The Castle of Bouillon, built in 13^th century and Castle of Sedan are two stunning castles in the region of Ardennes, which are definitely worth exploring.

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If you love photography as much as you love nature, then Ardennes will attract you the most in autumn season when the region is covered in golden hue with golden leaves falling everywhere around, making it even more alluring and heavenly irresistible. Exploring the caves running throughout the green pastures and hills along with horse riding in the closely packed woodlands of Ardennes would be the best thing you can do here during the autumn season. But if you are a skier and love snow, then what could be better than winters to explore this region. In winters, you can take up skiing or snowboarding, taste the local beers produced in the region and have the delectable mushrooms and game meat, which are the popular local dishes of this region.

The historic towns situated in the province of Liège, Namur and Luxembourg located nearby are worth a visit for their natural beauty and splendour. The adjacent regions of Liège and Namur are gateways to Ardennes and have some of the most beautiful and picturesque towns like Bouillon, Dinant and Spa etc. A trip to Belgium will undoubtedly be incomplete without visiting these hidden gems.

 

Last but not the least, you can visit the beautiful villages along with some notable sights like Grand Curtius Museum in Liège which is an impressive building built with red bricks rendering it, its own charm.  So, while you are about to end your Belgium tour, make sure that you end it with visiting these beautiful regions and gems of the country not demanding much of your time.

Resource link:- http://www.belgiumvisa.co.uk/blog/what-to-do-in-ardennes-belgium/

What to do in Spa, Belgium

Spa is a beautiful Belgian town, which is located in the Liège Province of Belgium. The town is situated in a valley and is encircled by the Ardennes Mountains. The town is one of the top tourist destinations of Belgium and is quite popular among the tourists all across the world pertaining to its natural mineral springs. Tourists flock to this town for the various health and wellness advantages its water springs offer. The town is known for its cultural and natural attractions and the world got the term “Spa” from this town itself. Famous for its mineral water, this town offers many entertainment activities, finest of the places to eat and historical monuments for the travellers. 

If you wish to pamper your skin and rejuvenate yourself, then head towards Themes de Spa, which is an excellent facility, embraced in the lap of nature featuring warm swimming pools of 8600 square feet approximately. You can enjoy the beautiful views around and indulge in a relaxing experience with Steam Baths (Indoor and Outdoor), Mineral Water Baths, Aquagym sessions, Turkish and Niagara Baths, Relaxation Massages, Bubble Seats, Massage Jets and Geysers and many other relaxation therapies. This same place had been known and visited since centuries by people for the therapeutic effects of the healing waters present here.

Apart from the Spa, you can visit Musée de la ville d'eaux which is a city museum featuring artefacts of the history of the town of Spa with specific focus on the springs of this town and their related developments. If you want to relax and have some great time in evening, then just go for the oldest Casino in the world, which is situated in Spa, Belgium. Built in the year 1763, The Casino of Spa is a beautiful building worth a visit. You can play or just take a tour of this building without spending even a single euro. Laundry Museum in Spa, Belgium features the entire history and evolution of the methods of washing from the medieval period to current time. Pay a visit to this museum to get an insight into the lives of washerwomen of Spa.  Make sure to visit some other small museums and art galleries located in Spa, which can offer you a perfect day out. Encircled by mountain and valleys, the Spa is a perfect location to go for hiking or a walk as well. 

If you are on a vacation to Belgium with your beloved, then you should definitely plan a trip to Spa to have an utmost amazing time. You can climb or walk around and not just this, relax with any of the massages or aromatherapy in Spa at the dusk to make your day even more fulfilling. The beautiful location of Spa and presence of springs makes it popular and worth visiting. You can fill the Belgium Visa Application Form UK with any of the Belgium Visa Service providers on the payment of Belgium Visa Fees few weeks in advance of your trip so that you can get your Belgium Visa on time without any delay. 

Resource link:-  https://belgiumvisa.tumblr.com/post/166704698844/what-to-do-in-spa-belgium

The Belgian Coast - An escape into scenic beauty!

If you are on a trip to Belgium and want to enjoy the sun on the beach, then Belgian coast is the best way to have calm, relaxing day with your beloved and kids. With around 67 kilometres of coastline, Belgium offers some of the finest and very less crowded beaches. The Belgian coast is quite peaceful with almost empty beaches, wide stretches of white sand, summer sunshine, unbelievable scenic beauty and much more. You can enjoy beach sports like ball games or beach surfing, recreational activities like bike ride, sailing, fishing, horse riding etc at the Belgian Coast. There are many options to eat and drink including restaurants, cafes, bistros, tearooms etc so that you can have an overall amazing summertime at the coast.

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The coastal city of Ostend is actually the only “City at the Sea” and offers around five and half miles of scenic and sandy beaches, year round music events ,sports, shopping options and bars & restaurants. If you are travelling to Belgium during summers, you can enjoy Sand Sculpture Festival that takes place during months of June to September in Ostend. Along with the many beach activities and festivities, you can taste some of the most delectable sea food here which is uber fresh and delicious. Next, you can visit the coastal town of Blankenberge, which gives a lot of shopping options to the shoppers and an amazingly wild nightlife with many bars and restaurants. You can eat at the various food shops and stalls at the esplanade or relax in the beach huts, which can be rented on daily basis. If you are among those who would want to explore the coast by yourself and love to ride bikes, then the seaside city of De Haan is the place for you, which offer beautiful surroundings and peaceful beachfronts. Take a stroll around or ride your bike and have a look around the beautiful city where Albert Einstein also lived once. For the natural reserves and beautiful gardens, for the wide range of water sports and beach activities like sailing, fishing, surfing, wave-carting, swimming and boat trips, the best place to go is Nieuwpoort. The famous seaside resort is quite popular among the families for its multiple recreational activities and facilities. So, have a fun-packed day out with family in Nieuwpoort enjoying shopping and aquatic sports. Last but not the least, the Belgian Port and Seaside Resort Zeebrugge, gives you the chance to discover how operations are carried out at an international port. For the seafood lovers, there are many traditional culinary fish restaurants, which offer some delectable fish specialities.

So, don’t forget to include the Belgian Coast in your travel itinerary to de-stress while you visit Belgium. But make sure to fill the Belgium Visa Application Form Online with any of the Belgium Visa UK providers by paying the Belgium Visa Fees. The Visa provider will help you to get the Belgium Visa Appointment well in advance of your Belgium trip.

Resource Link:- http://www.belgiumvisa.co.uk/blog/the-belgian-coast-an-escape-into-scenic-beauty/

Best of Small Towns in Belgium worth your Attention

There is much to see in Europe but the things you will see and experience particularly in Belgium are on the top of the list. This country has a lot more than one can imagine experiencing on a travel visit. The Belgian chocolates, beers, art, and architecture are famous around the globe; particularly its beautiful towns which aren’t considered as a spotlight but are really enchanting for a visit. So, let’s take a look at the fascinating towns of Belgium

Damme – Being located in the West Flanders, this town is home to the monthly books market. It is a town of natural scenery with a spectacular view of the Damse Vaart canal, which is one of the centers of attraction in this town. Overall, this place is a great destination to visit during your trip to Belgium; especially if you are a literature lover.

Dinant – it is one of those towns in the world, which appear to be a destination form a fairy tale. Its amazing beauty is due to the location where it is nestled and i.e. the cliff face of the Meuse River. Overall, it is one of the most visited towns in Belgium due to its never disappointing beauty.

Bouillon – This town is located in the Walloon region of Belgium and is the home to the Chateau de Bouillon, which is a huge castle, situated at the rocky bend near the Semois River. This city is a must visit due to its spectacular castle and the lush forests surrounding it. 

Veurne – This striking town of Belgium is located in the west Flanders and is a town of a wonderful market with stunning architectures. The Grote Markt and the Walburga Park are two of the major attractions of this town from a list of many signature sites of this town.

Rochefort – The Rochefort is famous for its gigantic caves and the most famous one being The Grotto of Rochefort.  This municipality in Namur, Belgium is the best to see the beauty and charm of living in a Belgian village. This destination is also famous for the remains of Chateau Comtal castle, which is located on the town’s medieval hilltop.

Spa – This town of Belgium is famous among travel lovers due to its warm spring waters, which attract people from the 1^st century due to its healing powers. The town also earned the nickname i.e. Café of Europe and as the name suggests, this town is famous for its spa and rejuvenating elements.

These were the best of small towns to visit in Belgium to make sure that you don’t miss on anything which is worth your attention. So! Go ahead and set out for your trip to this fascinating country and if you haven’t applied for your Belgium visa then do it now. The task http://www.belgiumvisa.co.uk/has been simplified by online Belgium visa service providers who provide Belgium visa assistance and consultation at a very affordable Belgium visa fee. So, book your appointment now and get ready to explore the best of Belgium.

Mechelen – A must include city in your Belgium travel itinerary

Mechelen is a city between Antwerp and Brussels in Belgium and is one of the most underrated cities in the country. This town is rarely a part of any visitor’s travel itinerary which is a complete loss for every traveler on a trip to Belgium. This city has one of the most fascinating churches and cathedrals. Not to forget its amazing art galleries, Baroque style houses, a riverside walk which combines to give a classic European touch. This city has many attractions waiting for you to explore. Here are the best ones for you

The city hall and grand palace – The city hall is necessary visit destination due to the Grand palace council and a cloth hall, which is a part of it. The cloth hall has an unfinished Belfry with a temporary roof, which is a part of the UNESCO world heritage sites as well. 

 

Haverwerf – This scenic place is named after the activities, which used to be conducted there in the past. Now this place is home to the 16^th and 17^th-century houses and is open for a pleasure boat experience for an entire family. 

St. Rumbolds Tower – Being the symbol of Mechelen, this tower is still unfinished since 1452. This place used to serve the dual purpose, which included preserving all the important documents of the city and serving as a belfry to show time, and stay updated about dangers if any. Now, this tower plays a melody every 15 minutes and gives a spectacular view of Mechelen from the top.

The list doesn’t end here; there are many other tourist destinations in Mechelen to explore which makes it a city worth your time. So, without further ado apply for your Belgium visa by simply availing for the Belgium visa services rendered by a Belgium visa service provider and get ready to explore the hidden gems of Mechelen, Belgium. 

Resource Link:-  https://london.storeboard.com/blogs/travel/mechelen--a-must-include-city-in-your-belgium-travel-itinerary-/802211

Spice up your visit to Leuven, Belgium with the best of accommodations at affordable prices

Leuven is an ideal start, to begin with a trip to Belgium, this city of the Flemish Brabant is vibrant and dynamic. You can begin with the best two of Leuven’s world heritage sites listed by UNESCO, which are the Groot Begijnhof and the Belfry on St. Peter’s Church. This interesting city has the best of Belgium for you to explore. You can simply plan a trip to Belgium this holiday, get your Belgium visa by filling out the Belgium visa application form online, and finally proceed with a memorable journey to Belgium. Here, are the top four hotel accommodations in Leuven to help you get started with your Belgium trip –

Martin’s Klooster – This four-star luxuries hotel is situated in the heart of Leuven and is less than thirty minutes away from Brussels. This amazing hotel is also a valuable part of Leuven heritage. It's casement windows, oaken beams, steeple, and shutters are something which is difficult to find anywhere else with the luxurious comfort.  This famous accommodation was also awarded two quality labels namely, EMAS and ISO 14001 in 2014. 

Novotel Leuven Centrum Hotel – Being the hotel with the best of luxurious comforts, this posh hotel is just at a ten minute distance from railway station and a 15 minute walk from the Leuven’s historic center. At this four star hotel, you can enjoy the best of Belgian local dishes and drinks alone or with your family. This hotel can be your base to explore the best of Leuven without getting exhausted. 

The Begijnhof hotel – This amazing hotel is a luxurious setting best known for its world class comfort and tempting cuisines. This hotel is situated on an ideal destination with a 15 minute drive from the Brussels airport. This hotel accommodation is also known for its tranquility and peaceful environment with a wide array of services, which includes bike rentals, free Wi-Fi, taxi services, conference rooms, fitness, outdoor facilities and a lot more. 

Park Inn by Radisson – The Park Inn by Radisson is a contemporary style hotel with the best of hotel services you can imagine. This chic accommodation is a 10 minute walk from the Leuven market and a 15 minute ride from the Brussels international airport. The hotel features 133 rooms with additional amenities like free Wi-Fi, Flat screen LCD, individual climate control and a lot more to give you the right comfort and luxury.

These were four of the top class accommodation you can choose to stay in during your trip to Leuven, Belgium. However, Leuven isn’t the city much talked about but it is one of the best cities in Belgium to begin with a memorable trip. You can simply set out for your trip to this fascinating country by applying for your Belgium visa online and get your Belgium visa by the help of a private agency. This way you can save room for yourself to indulge in the unforgettable travel experience of Belgium.  

Resource Link:- http://www.belgiumvisa.co.uk/blog/spice-up-your-visit-to-leuven-belgium-with-the-best-of-accommodations-at-affordable-prices/