Antwerp

Discover the magic of Belgian chocolate.
The love story between this small country and the sweet delight has been thriving for generations.
In 14 thematic rooms, we will take you on a 60 to 90 minutes journey and tell you the story of our Belgian chocolate. The tour starts in the cocoa plantations of the equator and follows the cocoa bean to world’s largest cocoa storage port in Antwerp. A gigantic fantasy machine demonstrates how chocolate is made and where the velvety smooth taste originates from. And of course, chocolate tasting is included!

Lier, cosy city by the water. Perfect for a day trip or weekend. Young and old will find what they are looking for: culture and heritage, nature, shopping and good food. Within walking distance you will discover the heritage that the Kempencity has to offer.

The best known attraction is the Zimmer Tower. In the pavilion you can learn more about the ingenious mechanisms of Zimmer's clocks. Did you know that the belfry and the beguinage are UNESCO World Heritage Sites? Stroll through the 11 little streets of the beguinage and marvel at the charming little houses. In between your city walk, relax with a picnic in the city park and let the kids have fun in the playground. Or play a game of minigolf together, hidden among the trees of the city park. Be sure to take a boat trip in a traditional eel barge on the Inner Nete. During the trip, the skipper will tell entertaining anecdotes and you can admire Lier from the water. Also visit the interactive city museum that tells all about Lier and its inhabitants in different themes. There are always fun activities for children (and adults). Sports enthusiasts can walk and cycle along the city ramparts and the meandering Nete to enjoy the city’s nature.

During your visit to the city, stop at Visit Lier for more information and activities. The tourist information office is located in the historical town hall. Or take a look on the website and start planning your stay ! Discover, experience and enjoy Lierke Plezierke!

The museum displays historical figures to bring the history of the region to life. Wiske the deer, for example, illustrates why hunting was so important for the creation and development of Turnhout. The tower keeper cannot remain silent about the many dominions that the un-walled city underwent. And the working-class woman makes you curious about traditions and daily life from times gone by. Get to know all the characters, enjoy their fascinating stories and those of the rich (art) collection of the Museum!

The charming rooms give an insight into the daily life of the beguines and how they lived their vocation. Besides characteristic utensils your will also find works of art. Beguines did not, after all, take a vow of poverty. They chose a religious life outside a monastery and determined their own rules of life. The museum even owns two recognised masterpieces: a silver saltshaker and a music manuscript from the 16th century. Combine your visit with a stroll through the idyllic beguinage, Unesco's World Heritage Site!

Collection Hugo Voeten is located in the Art Center in Herentals and the Sculpture Park in Geel. Each of these are unique environments for unique art in the green heart of the Antwerp Kempen region. A visit to the Art Center is not only an artistic experience, but also the building itself provides an unforgettable architectural experience. In the Sculpture Park works of art enter into a special dialogue with the garden architecture and landscape. In short, hidden gems in a beautiful region!

The Zimmer tower has enjoyed worldwide renown since 1930, and is found in the most beautiful location in Lier. Louis Zimmer designed and built the Jubilee Clock, the Astronomical Studio, and the Wonder Clock. In the Zimmer Museum, the exhibition on the work of Louis Zimmer has been expanded to include the theme "Time and Space" with a variety of educational highlights to complement Zimmer's work. We made sure not to neglect our STEM students. Complete your visit in "De Zimmer" where you can chat it up with a snack and a drink.

Enjoy a treasured swathe of pristine heathland, an authentic remnant of the Kempen landscape. Discover the colourful interplay of heathland, sand plains and coniferous and deciduous woods. Children can come and play to their heart's content in the forest playground. There’s nothing more delightful than being allowed to roll in the leaves or build a camp with branches.

In this city palace you will discover the rich times of the Burgundian era and its significance for the city and the world beyond. Along the way you will meet a variety of Mechelen's residents: from your host, Hiëronymus van Busleyden, to the grande dame, Margaret of Austria, her cousin Charles V, and the reclusive Hospital Sisters. While we display the most beautiful artworks of the Northern Renaissance, we also run against the grain of history.