Antwerp has been all over the news in recent days. Because the Netherlands is in lockdown due to Corona, even more northerners have found their way to the biscuit city. A bit of an Antwerp entrepreneur would not have minded. In this crazy period, we did the test as Belgian visitors in the middle of the Dutch enclave. Actually, we were secretly looking forward to our city trip. Finally, a trip with the family and moreover, we were one of the first to test the brand new renovated Mercure Antwerp City Hotel! It promised to be a city trip with a blissful mix of fashion, Antwerp Six, gastronomy and culture!
Since corona sent the global travel economy into a spasm, we have all discovered the beauty of our own country. Our Flemish art cities are loved by both Belgians and…Dutch. The latter therefore found their way ‘en masse’ to Antwerp, among other places. Of course, they are attracted by the gigantic shopping offer, but they also appreciate the gastronomy and culture in our cities.
Historical arrival by train
This time we went with the family, Christmas holidays you know, for a pamper two days in Antwerp. We decided to leave our travel and parking worries behind us and jumped on the train from Leuven to Antwerp. The train is always a bit of a journey it was called in the 90’s but actually it remains a bit of a journey, especially when you are travelling with the family. Hopping on the train, having nice conversations and arriving a little less than an hour later at the most beautiful station in Belgium: wonderful. This final station is literally and figuratively the first highlight of our trip. We marvel at the splendour of the 1899 architectural feat and feast our eyes on the 75-metre-high dome!
Our trolleys smoothly cross the footpath to go from the station to the nearby Mercure Antwerp City Hotel. The central location of this hotel is already a very big plus. From the hotel, which is opposite the city park, you can be on the Meir in 5 minutes, or the shopping heart of the city! We left our bags with the friendly man behind the reception desk to head straight for the city!
Antwerp shopping districts
At the same time, Dutch people are circling around us like vultures who haven’t seen any prey for days. But everyone sticks to the corona rules and the hustle and bustle on the Meir especially only starts after noon. So we hurried our shoppinqueens of 13 and 11 to the must do shops on their list before it got too crowded. But not to worry, because the city offers a very diverse range of shopping streets and atmospheres. If you want to have the feeling of a real Highstreet that almost looks like London, you should go to Schuttershofstraat and Huidevettersstraat. But be aware that for a better Chanel outfit or Vuitton bag, you’ll need a few thousand euros in your pocket or…on your bank card. Personally, we always love the Kammenstraat. Here vintage shops alternate with nice interior design shops. And in between you can satisfy your hunger at fine lunch addresses.
Probably the best pancakes in town
One of these fun new discoveries was the authentic waffle and pancake house ‘Van Hecke’ in the Nationalestraat. This traditional house exists since 1903 and serves the most fluffy and crispy waffles of the city. But what we really wanted that afternoon was a delicious Pancake ‘Dame Blanche’. Licking our lips and cooing with delight, we were back on the street an hour later. Ready to finish off the last shopping deals and then head to our hotel for the obligatory check-in.
Mercure Antwerp City Hotel: The Six(th) Sense
With a big swing the revolving door of our hotel opens. Immediately, we felt the fashionista in us come out. We were about to strike a pose for the imaginary photographers. It has to be said, the fashion theme that runs through the centre of this hotel is beautifully worked out. An absolute ode to the Antwerp Six, the Antwerp fashion gurus such as Dries van Noten or Dirk Bikkembergs to name but two. The lift takes us to the seventh floor where we swing open our riant executive room. It has the allure of a mini flat and is very stylishly decorated. As a bonus, we got a huge TV, which gives you the feeling of being in a kind of mini cinema. But of course we didn’t come to Antwerp to sit in the room.
Antwerp, a city full of worldly flavours
Throughout the years, the Scheldt brought many fortune seekers to the city. In their luggage, immigrants from the various corners of the world brought their own culture and tastes. T City’ is of course known for its large Jewish population but few know that it also has a large Chinese population. They even have a real ‘Chinatown’ as we know it from New York, in Antwerp near the Central Station. For our dinner, we wanted to find the original flavours of the Chinese cuisine. After a few google hits and checks with the better culinary guides, we ended up at Ni Shifu! This small but very cosy family restaurant serves the blissful cuisine from the Chinese province of Sichuan. The menu offers a huge range of dishes. We chose a delicious dish with scampi and glass noodles, stir-fried egg with chicken and Chinese pasta with minced beef. All very tasty and certainly suitable for doing with the children!
In search of the origins of the city
After a wonderful night in our luxury suite, we eagerly looked forward to breakfast at the hotel. We were lucky, because at 9 o’clock it was still a peaceful scene in the otherwise extremely atmospheric breakfast lounge. Half an hour later, the entire Dutch enclave would also decide to have breakfast; but first come, first served and so we make our way through the freshly scented humus pots, yoghurt, scrambled eggs and mini croissants. Well, to put it in Dutch, we won’t be able to stand on that one leg. After this breakfast we were ready to go again anyway.
To conclude our two-day visit, we went to the renovated museum at Het Steen. Anyone who has been to Antwerp knows this somewhat oddly positioned old building, dating from 1200, on the quays overlooking the Scheldt. Recently, the Steen was given a complete makeover. Now you can discover the history of the city through a very interactive and digital museum spread over a few floors and about ten rooms. This museum is a real must do if you want to get to know Antwerp better. Actually, it was a miscasting of us to plan this on day 2. Yet we and the kids enjoyed it immensely. From one moment to the next, you are catapulted from a medieval square to the harbour by means of an impressive 360° video room. Our teenagers were completely absorbed in the interactive game between fashion, gastronomy, port, culture and antiquity. A real must!
But all good songs come to an end and so does our city trip. The city has not yet yielded up all its secrets and so we keep the desire to come back. You will read about our new experiences in our Puretravel section soon!
Practical:
Hotel: Mercure Antwerp City Centre
Adres: Quinten Matsijslei 25, 2018 Antwerp Telefoon: 03 231 15 15
Reservation: https://bit.ly/MercureAntwerpCityCentre
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