Flemish Masters

Travel

Passports Baggage Please ensure your 10 year British Passport is not As with most trains, passengers are responsible for out of date and is valid for a full three months carrying baggage onto and off the train. Baggage beyond the duration of your visit. EU, , can be stored on overhead shelves or at the Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino or Switzerland entrance to the carriages. Trollies are available at St valid national identification cards are also Pancras and Lille, but bags do need to be carried on acceptable for travel to Belgium. to the platform. Porters are sometimes but not always available at St Pancras.

Visas Travel Editions recommends a luggage delivery British and EU passport holders are not required to service called thebaggageman, where your suitcase have a visa. can be picked up from your home before departure and delivered straight to your hotel; therefore For all other passport holders please check the visa removing the worry about carrying your cases onto requirements with the appropriate embassy. and off the trains.

Belgian embassy: 17 Grosvenor Crescent, London For further information: SW1X 7EE. Tel: (0)20 7470 3700. http://www.thebaggageman.com [email protected] For visa information: Tel: 0871 376 0023, or visit www.vfs-be-uk.com Labels Open Mon-Fri 0900-1200. Please use the luggage labels provided. It is useful to have your home address located inside your suitcase should the label go astray.

Tickets Transfers You will be issued with return train tickets. On arrival in transfer to a local train to Please take care not to lose your tickets and please . Then travel on foot to your hotel (100 check that the details on your tickets are accurate. metres). Your ticket is non-transferable and non-refundable.

No refund can be given for non-used portions.

Standard Premier on Eurostar tickets is indicated by Special Requests two asterisks in the class type section in the top If you haven’t already, please notify Travel Editions right hand corner. A light meal will be served to of any special requests as soon as possible to allow passengers travelling Standard Premier on Eurostar. sufficient time to make the necessary Standard class Eurostar tickets do not include any arrangements. food or drink on board, although there is a buffet car serving drinks and snacks. TGV tickets do not include any food or drink on board, although a buffet car is available.

Train Seats On all legs of the journey you have reserved seat and carriage numbers which are shown clearly on your ticket.

Accommodation

Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel, Antwerp and bars, and no further tipping is required, The Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel in Antwerp is a lovely although if service is considered excellent, it is modern, centrally located four-star hotel, well customary to round up the bill. positioned in the city of Antwerp, right by the station. The hotel facilities include breakfast room, restaurant, bar, sauna, Jacuzzi, health and wellness centre, massage therapy, indoor pool, Wi-Fi and Drink even an in-house aquarium, Aquatopia, boasting Over 400 beers are brewed in Belgium – ranging 10,000 exotic fish and reptiles in natural from the mass-produced lagers like Stella Artois to surroundings. Bedrooms have been recently the local, artisanal microbreweries. You will find refurbished and boast free high-speed wireless everything from brown ales, amber ales, white internet access, flat-screen televisions, private beers, Flemish reds, Indian pale ales, to stouts and bathroom or shower, telephone, safe as well as Lambic beers. Trappist beers, such as Chimay, views of either Astrid Square or the historic Achel, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle and cityscape. Westyleteren, are brewed in Trappist monasteries, with monks taking an active part in the production For more information, please go to the hotel’s process and the profits supporting the monastery. website at: Bières d’Abbaye, the best known being Leffe and http://www.radissonblu.com/astridhotel-antwerp Grimbergen, however, are commercially brewed, just using the name and recipe of former monastic breweries. Try a Hoegaarden for a white beer, Lambics and Guezes for oak-aged beers, a Duvel for Food a blonde ale, a local Cantillon (microbrewed in Belgium’s food specialities extend far beyond just Brussels), or if you prefer something sweeter, the beer, chocolate, chips and waffles. This small cherry-flavoured Kriek. country has rich local resources with fish and mussels harvested from the North Sea, pheasant, The local spirit is Jenever, similar to gin, originally rabbit and venison from the forested hills of the flavoured with juniper berries. Ardennes, and excellent beef and lamb from the Flemish polders. Traditional dishes include moules frites, stoemp Meals included in the price of your holiday are: (mashed with leeks and carrots), witloof en oven (endives wrapped in ham and covered in Breakfast – daily cheese sauce), waterzooi (fish or chicken and Dinner is included on two nights, with wine at the broth), paling in’t groen (eel cooked in a hotel. sauce of spinach, herbs and white wine), lapin aux pruneaux (rabbit cooked with prunes and beer), Faison à la brabançonne (pheasant cooked in butter with Brussel sprouts and endives), and filet américain (or steak tartare, raw mincemeat mixed with egg, onion and capers).

You will find plenty of places to enjoy a meal or snack, ranging from the Michelin-Starred to the humble fritkot (chip stand).

Watch out for restaurants offering a lunchtime special set menu – dagschotel or plat du jour – they offer great value for money. Usually, a discretionary service charge is added to your bill in restaurants

Destination Antwerp Guilds which align the square. Those buildings are Antwerp (Antwerpen/Anvers in Dutch/French) is relatively new. The original houses were destroyed Belgium’s second city and biggest port. In the mid- in the fire of 1576. They were rebuilt in Flemish 16th century it had been one of Europe’s most Renaissance style, but were revamped again in the important cities and home to baroque superstar nineteenth century, resulting in the current lavishly artist Pieter Paul Rubens, as you’ll be so constantly decorated houses. But the most impressive building reminded. Despite many historical disasters on the Grote Markt is undoubtedly the magnificent thereafter and severe WWII bombings, the city Stadhuis (City Hall), built in 1565 in Flemish retains an intriguing medieval heart with café-filled Renaissance style. It is lavishly decorated with cobbled lanes, a riverside fortress and a truly ornaments and boasts a sumptuous interior that impressive cathedral. Today Antwerp’s top was redecorated in the nineteenth century. drawcards are its vibrant fashion, entertainment scene and startling architectural and cultural Rockoxhuis contrasts. The 17th century Rockox House, home of Antwerp mayor, Nicolaas Rockox (1560-1640) is a temple dedicated to the arts and exudes the atmosphere of If you set out to design a fairy-tale medieval town it a period town house. Rockox was an art and coin would be hard to improve on central Bruges collector and patron and friend of art icons such as (Brugge in Dutch). Picturesque cobbled lanes and Rubens. In the Rockox House works of art by Peter II dreamy canals link exceptionally photogenic market Brueghel, Jan I Brueghel sit side by side with other squares lined with soaring towers, historic churches greats - Peter Paul Rubens, Sir Anthony Van Dyck, and old whitewashed almshouses. Bruges’s Jacob Jordaens, and others. Furniture and other reputation as one of the most perfectly preserved 16th and 17th century art objects adorn the medieval cities in western Europe has made it the residence. The beautiful courtyard garden has most popular tourist destination in Belgium. recently been refurbished befitting the collection and atmosphere of the house. Of all the cities in Belgium, it’s hard to trump Ghent, Museum Mayer van den Bergh a vital, vibrant metropolis whose booming Fritz Mayer van den Bergh (1858-1901) dedicated restaurant and bar scene wends its way across a his life to art and collected an entire museum. An charming cityscape, a network of narrow canals array of masterpieces from the Middle Ages and the overseen by dozens of antique brick houses. If Renaissance, as well as a number of fascinating 19th Bruges is a tourist industry with a town attached, century works of art travelled to Antwerp at his Ghent is the reverse – a proudly Flemish city which, request. Paintings, sculptures, tapestries, drawings with a population of 240,000, is now Belgium’s third and stained glass windows were incorporated in largest conurbation. Mayer van den Bergh’s home, adapted to become an intimate gallery space. In each room, the Details of places of interest included in your tour: collector seduces with his refined taste, his exceptional knowledge and his eye for quality. The Grote Markt only Belgian museum to get a mention in the 'Great smaller museums of Europe Guide', it is well The magnificent sixteenth-century city hall deserved. dominates the relatively small Grote Markt. The square's triangular shape originates from the http://www.museummayervandenbergh.be/Museu municipal ground created during the era of the m_MayerVanDenBergh_EN Franks. The centerpiece of the square is a large fountain, built in 1887 by the architect Jef Lambaux.

It depicts the protagonist of Antwerp's most famous legend: the mythical hero Brabo. The Grote Markt is probably best known for the beautiful houses of the

Rubenshuis implements, hospital sedan chairs and a gruesome Step into the shoes of the leading Baroque artist of 1679 painting of an anatomy class. But it is much his era. Rubens and his family lived in this palatial better known for six masterpieces by 15th-century setting for well over 25 years and it is here that the artist , including the enchanting artist created the lion's share of his work. Here he reliquary of St-Ursula. This gilded oak reliquary entertained Europe’s nobility and Royalty and looks like a mini Gothic cathedral, painted with stored his impressive art collection in a beautiful art scenes from the life of St Ursula, including highly room. Rubens’ relevance as an Antwerp icon, in the realistic Cologne cityscapes. past and present, is obvious when you visit his beautiful house on the Wapper. The charming https://bezoekers.brugge.be/en/sint-janshospitaal- garden, the creators’ workshop and the fabulous saint-johns-hospital collection draws hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world, year after year. The Castle of the Counts, Ghent Ghent's famous Castle of the Counts dates from the http://www.rubenshuis.be/Museum_Rubenshuis_E late 12th century (one of the oldest castles in N Belgium). It is a typical medieval fortress, with a dungeon surrounded by high crenelated walls and Groeninge Museum towers as well as a moat. Bruges’ most celebrated art gallery, an astonishingly rich collection whose strengths are in superb St Bavo’s Cathedral Flemish Primitive and Renaissance works, depicting When Charles V was baptised there in 1500, the the conspicuous wealth of the city with glitteringly metamorphosis from a closed Romanesque church realistic artistry. The museum possesses one of the to a spacious Gothic one was fully underway. world’s finest samples of early Flemish paintings, However, despite substantial financial support from from through to the emperor, the cathedral still remained and Jan Provoost. These paintings make up the unfinished 58 years later. As a result, the funeral kernel of the museum’s permanent collection, but service for the deceased sovereign could not take there are later (albeit lesser) pieces on display too, place there. All that remains of the original reaching into the twentieth century, with works by Romanesque church is the crypt. St. Bavo’s the likes of Constant Permeke and Paul Delvaux. Cathedral houses an impressive number of art treasures: the baroque high altar in white, black and https://bezoekers.brugge.be/en/groeningemuseum red flamed marble, the rococo pulpit in oak, gilded -groeninge-museum wood and marble, a major work by Rubens, the ‘Calvary Triptych’, attributed to Joos van Onthaalkerk Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Wassenhove, alias Justus van Gent, tombs of the It took two centuries (13th-15th) to build the Ghent bishops, and much more. However, one work church. Among the many art treasures of the Onze- stands out head and shoulders above the rest: the Lieve-Vrouwekerk is a beautiful Carrara marble world-famous Adoration of the Mystic Lamb Madonna and Child sculpture by Michelangelo. This painted by Hubert and Jan van Eyck around 1432. statue, made in 1504, was the only one of (this is now being restored in the Museum of Fine Michelangelo's works to leave Italy in his lifetime Arts which is now also included as a visit on this and is today one of the few that can be seen tour). outside Italy. It was bought by a Bruges merchant, Jan van Mouskroen, and donated to the church in 1506. The church also contains a painting of the Crucifixion of Christ by Anthony van Dyck and a rococo extravaganza of a pulpit, designed by Bruges artist Jan Antoon Garemijn.

Saint Janshospital Museum In the restored chapel of a 12th-century hospital building with superb timber beamwork, this museum shows various tortuous-looking medical

Your lecturer / guide

Gerald Deslandes will be your guide during this tour. Gerald studied Art History at Cambridge University and in London. He now teaches BA students and gives lectures to many different Art societies. He has accompanied many cultural tours to more than 25 different locations in the UK and abroad. Gerald is a former curator who has organised numerous exhibitions of contemporary art in the UK and he is a NADFAS approved lecturer. He has lectured to NADFAS and Art Fund groups on subjects ranging from Constable and Turner to the art of World War I.

There will be two lectures during your trip:

“The Art of Antwerp” “The Art of Bruges and the Ghent Altarpiece”

Tour manager Your tour manager will be on hand throughout the tour to ensure that everything operated according to plan. If you have any problems or questions please see him or her immediately – it is often possible to resolve complaints or problems very quickly on the spot, and do everything to help you enjoy your holiday.

Drinking water – Tap water is safe to drink. The Basics (Although you’ll find a huge amount of bottled water for sale too) Climate – The weather in Belgium at this time of year is likely to be pleasant, but there is the chance Shops and museums – Shops are open Mon-Sat of the odd shower. Our best advice is to come 1000-1800/1900. Department stores often remain prepared. open longer, up to 2100 on Friday. Outside main areas, some shops may close at lunchtime. Time – GMT +2 hours (Summer time Apr-Oct); GMT Please note that most museums are closed on + 1 (Standard time Nov-Mar). Mondays. Language – French & Flemish. Religion – Roman Catholic. Clothes & shoes –You may like to bring a warm sweater for cool evenings. Light rain wear for the National holidays – New Year’s day (01 Jan); Easter occasional storm and good grip/flat walking shoes Monday; Labour day (01 May); Ascension day; Whit are recommended. Sunday; Whit Monday; Independence day (21 Jul); Assumption of Mary (15 Aug); All Saints’ day (01 Camera – bring plenty of memory cards/film and Nov); Armistice day (11 Nov); Christmas day (25 any spare camera batteries as these are not always Dec); Boxing day (26 Dec). available. Please check with your guide before photographing people. Currency – Euro. €1 = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Bath plugs – The hotel has plugs for basins, but it is Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, useful to carry a ‘universal’ one with you. 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Telephones/mobiles – You should be able to use Banks – Cashpoints compatible with international your mobile phone, depending on your operator banking networks are located in all towns and cities, and contract. as well as airports, major train stations and other spots. They usually offer an attractive exchange Tipping –To keep our tours affordable, we do not rate. Those banks that still exchange foreign increase the tour price by adding in tips. However, currencies into local money will always charge a in the tourism industry, there is a certain level of transaction fee, so withdrawing money from an expectation that when receiving a good service, one ATM usually represents the most logical means of does award with a tip. Tour Managers, obtaining euros. Representatives, Guides and Drivers appreciate a tip at the end of their involvement with the tour, Credit cards – American Express, Diners Club, but this is entirely at your discretion. We believe in MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted across the allowing you to tip according to your level of country. If you’re eating at a restaurant, check prior satisfaction with their services, but for your to the meal that your card will be an acceptable guidance about £2-3 per person per day for the tour form of payment. Even in cities, it’s advisable to manager is the norm. We would like to reiterate carry a supply of cash with you at all times. Varying that tipping is an entirely optional payment and this amounts of commission can be charged. information is given purely to answer any questions you may have about it. Electricity – 220 volt, two-pin continental plug.

Health

Doctor/Dentist/Chemist Insurance Please talk to your tour manager if you are feeling To be covered under your Travel Insurance Policy, unwell and they will organise for you to see a if you become ill, it is essential that you contact a doctor. local doctor and also telephone the emergency Keep receipts for insurance claims. number of you insurance company. You will NOT be covered for any claim unless this procedure is carried out. Your insurance company will then decide on the best course of medical attention. Hospital Your tour manager/hotel reception will arrange hospital transport. European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) Keep receipts for insurance claims. The EHIC replaced the old E111 in 2006. Valid in all EEA countries, the card lets you get state healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes for General Health Advice free. It will cover you for treatment that is needed We suggest you take a good supply of your own to allow you to continue your stay until your individual medicines with you and always keep planned return. It also covers the treatment of some in your hand luggage in case you get delayed pre-existing medical conditions. or your luggage goes astray. General-purpose Please note that the EHIC is not an alternative to supplies for bites, stings, or scratches, and your travel insurance. It will not cover any private usual medication for headaches, or stomach medical healthcare or costs such as being flown upsets are always recommended. Oral re- back to the UK, or lost or stolen property. hydration sachets are excellent for topping up salt Therefore, it is important to have both an EHIC and and glucose levels. a valid private travel insurance policy. It is also Visit the NHS Fit For Travel website for more important to note that each country’s healthcare generally information specific to the country you system is slightly different, so the EHIC might not are visiting – www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk cover everything that would be generally free on the NHS. We strongly recommend that you take out an Inoculations appropriate travel insurance policy when you travel abroad. You should check with your own doctor and take their advice as to which inoculations are required For more information about the EHIC please visit: for the country you are visiting, as only they know https://www.ehic.org.uk your medical history and recommendations are liable to change at short notice.

Emergencies Should an emergency arise, please call our offices on: 00 44 20 7251 0045 Outside office hours (Mon-Fri 0900-1700), telephone our emergency staff on: 00 44 20 7431 8201 or 00 44 7899 796542 or 00 44 7831 133079 or 00 44 1235 850720 PLEASE USE THESE NUMBERS ONLY IN THE EVENT OF A GENUINE EMERGENCY.

If you find that you are in need of consular assistance during your holiday:

British consulate Brussels Avenue des Nerviens 9-31 1040 Brussels Belgium Tel: +32 2 287 62 11 [email protected]

Open by appointment only. Consular emergency service is in operation every day, 24/7, on +32 2 287 62 11.

Travel Editions 3 Youngs Buildings, London, EC1V 4DB Tel: 020 7251 0045 Email: [email protected] www.traveleditions.co.uk

PLEASE NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PRINTING. IT IS MEANT AS A GUIDE ONLY AND WE CANNOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ERRORS OR SUBSEQUENT CHANGES.