Mechelen - A term of endearment

Mechelen is a small city in northern Belgium, nestled between the seaport on the Brussels-Antwerp metropolitan axis, approximately 25km from each city. The main language here is Dutch, but don't worry, you can absolutely use English while traveling in Mechelen.

Historic city

Mechelen entered the industrial age in the 19th century. In 1835, the first railway line on the European continent connecting Brussels with Mechelen was built, later becoming the main artery of the Belgian railway network. It would take a considerable amount of time to explore all 336 buildings, numerous monuments, and 8 churches in the Gothic and Baroque styles of ancient Europe from the 13th to the 17th centuries. But if you choose one, you should visit St. Rumbold's Church, built in the 13th century. Conquer the 514 steps to the church tower; from a height of 97 meters, you can enjoy panoramic views of Mechelen and clearly feel the clouds floating around you.

I enjoyed wandering around the old townhouses, typical of Mechelen in the 15th century, or the 16th-century clock tower, House de Clippel. After strolling along these streets, I arrived at the De Bayaert post office, built in the 12th century near the cathedral. It was once a stop for pilgrims, later renovated and upgraded into the town hall in the 14th century, and is now the city's post office. Walking through the streets that run through Grote Markt Square in the city center, past the Margaret Monument, De Nekker Park, Plankendael Park, and the museums and markets surrounding the square, I felt like I was on a medieval film set. I continued my journey by boat from Haverwerf along the Dyle River to the main pier, mesmerized by the colorful houses on both banks. The boat glided slowly past the Vismarkt fish market, the Grootbrug bridge... and I could feel the peaceful, tranquil rhythm of life of the people of Mechelen permeating every breath I took.

Get drunk to the music and sway along with the beer.

Belgium is a land of music festivals, because from around April to November each year, you can easily attend music events every weekend in different cities, featuring genres from pop, rock, electronic music to chamber music and classical music. Even small towns have unique festivals reflecting the style of their region. If you visit Belgium in the summer, you can immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere with captivating music performances, concerts, and workshops on chamber choir.

In Mechelen, the birthplace of the renowned composer Raymond Schroyens, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy the Van Vlaanderen Mechelen classical music festival from April 23rd to May 15th. Concerts are often held in spacious areas such as Grote Markt, Manufactuur De Wit, and the area around the magnificent St. Rumbold's Cathedral. Additionally, the TENSO Days International Contemporary Music Festival (around mid-May) is also held here, a competition aimed at discovering, training, and developing the skills of young composers. TENSO has previously been held in Berlin, Paris, Marseille, Oslo, Amsterdam, and other locations. These events feature not only Belgian artists but also artists from many countries around the world.

When enjoying music, would you sip some wine or a beer? If in France people immediately think of wine, in Belgium, the choice would be beer. My travel companion introduced me to a very famous fruit beer here, originating from the 16th century, called Gouden Carolus. This beer, produced by the Het Anker brewery, won a gold medal at the World Beer Awards in 2010. The bitter, sweet, yet slightly strong taste from figs, raisins, and caramel gave me a very different and novel sensation. I also learned about some other signature beers in Mechelen such as Bush Blonde Triple, Bush Prestige...

In particular, to make the combination of music and beer even more perfect, you can choose from over 300 famous Belgian cheeses such as blue cheese (Grevenbroecker, Bio Bleu...), goat cheese (Chevrin, Cabiolait, KeiemsBloempje...), or enjoy them with fries from small shops called Fritkot or Frituur.

After spending the day exploring the city, a relaxing evening with jazz music at a Gothic-style restaurant will make you wish time would stand still, creating lasting memories of your European adventure.

Although my time in Mechelen was only a few days, I managed to experience the friendliness and sincerity of the people there. The open hearts and enthusiasm of the locals made me feel safer even in the most unfamiliar places. When I arrived at the train station and was waiting for my friend to pick me up, a very young girl approached me, knowing I was a tourist. She willingly waited with me until someone I knew came to meet me, and shared some pastries with me, as well as giving me a brief introduction to the life and people of the area. In the cold of northern Belgium, and traveling alone, that was an incredibly warm gesture that made me believe in the kindness of people no matter where I am.

This summer, if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of big cities and find some quiet time to relax and learn about the history of one of Europe's most beautiful countries, Mechelen is the perfect place for you.

Additional information

+ Journey: From Vietnam, you can fly directly to Belgium (Brussels) with Vietnam Airlines or other airlines. If from Paris, you can choose Megabus or Ouibus to Brussels, costing around 20 Euros for a one-way trip and taking about 5 hours. Or you can choose to take a Bla bla car, which costs about the same but takes less time. Then from Brussels, you can choose:

- Trains from Brussels Midi or Burssels Centraal station to Mechelen cost between 4.50 and 7 euros and take approximately 25 minutes.

- From Brussels Airport, take the De Lijn bus (numbers 282, 681, 682, 683), which runs twice an hour, costs 3 euros, and takes approximately 50 minutes.

+ Getting around: For convenient transportation within the city, you should choose to cycle or walk. The average bicycle rental price is 10 euros/day. You can find them at Fietspunt (except weekends) or Provinciaal Sport – en Recreatiecetrum De Nekker (including weekends and public holidays).

+ Hotels: Information about hotels or guesthouses can be found on websites like www.booking.com, or you can look for homestays with locals (www.couchsurfing.org). Alternatively, budget-friendly options for young people like Auberge de Jeunesse or Bed & Breakfast, a popular European style, are also good choices.

+ Cuisine: In Mechelen, you should seek out restaurants like Gasthof Kwaadmechelan, Theatrium Mechelen, or the smaller eateries around the square. Try some beer at the historic Hankeef pub or the small jazz bars along Korenmarkt and Begijnenstraat streets. In summer, enjoy a simple yet delicious dish: boiled or steamed white asparagus served with butter sauce, parsley, and chopped boiled egg yolks. For drinks, I always prefer hot chocolate, as Belgium boasts famous chocolate brands such as Callebaut, Côte d'Or, Leonidas, Guylian, and Godiva.

Le Chau