Sign in with Facebook"The Most Pleasant Surprise Ever" Antwerp by oja
Antwerp Travel Guide: 3,341 reviews and 6,432 photos
<B><font color=dodgerblue>I discovered Antwerp by chance. Of course. Most of my favourite places just 'happened' that way. It was the summer of 1998, I was on my solo Interrail trip, in high spirits and with high hopes to find me a hostel in Amsterdam. However, as I got to the capital of liberality I discovered Gay Games were going on. Just any affordable sleeping facility in Amsterdam was taken, and surroundings were no better. It looked like Holland didn't like me. So I gritted my teeth, turned on my blistered heels and decided to go to Belgium.
Antwerp was the first stop on the Belgian side. I knew some very basic facts about it - an important port and such things - expecting a dull grey industrial city with a (hopefully) available bed. But as I stepped out of the train and looked around myself... Oh my. I forgot I was tired, sweaty and hungry. I couldn't see much yet, but I knew one thing: this place had spirit. A huge, warm, colourful soul. So off I went to explore. The man working at the exchange was friendly. The shop assistants who sold me water were friendly. The waiter who placed a coffee in front of me was friendly. There was no doubt one could make many many friends in Antwerp. And indeed, I counted them in dozens before I left. And I left no sooner than my Interrail ticket expired. What a city. What a time.
........
At the moment of writing I'm just back from my New Year trip. What can I say? Antwerp still has it. Or maybe it's never had it better. I really really really recommend it to everybody.
Reviews (23)
The Summer of Survival
Favorites
(2)
I visited Antwerp several times and have tons of fond memories. However, nothing can compare with 'summer of survival'... more travel advice
Trains from Brussels and...
Transportation
(1)
Trains from Brussels and Amsterdam are running hourly and cost about 5 EUR. Antwerp has an airport too, but I think... more travel advice
Lier,A small Venice about... Off The Beaten Path (1)
Lier, A small Venice about 10 km from Antwerp. Rent a bike and enjoy the beauty. (Or go to the page this photo's... more travel advice
Shake Hands With the...
Favorites
(2)
Shake Hands With the City. Go to Antwerp. Do. See the Grote markt, walk along the Scheldt and have a beer on one of... more travel advice
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Hotels (1)
New International Youth Hotel -
Warnings Or Dangers (2)
See All Beware of street children... -
Restaurants (3)
See All Mama's Garden -
Local Customs (4)
See All Cafe 'De Engel'
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Things to Do (4)
See All Pelikaanstraat -
Tourist Traps (2)
See All The story about how Antwerp... -
Nightlife (3)
See All Cartoons -
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oja's Related Pages
Antwerp Travel Guide
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Comments (77)
Don't visit mama's garden, horrible service, almost 6 wrong orders, a hair in my dish and double price because of the wrong order.
I just want to say this is a fantastic page...You met Antwerp with such an open mind. I wished some more 'Antwerpenaars' would have such a positive attitude since it is a great city. Pitty you don't log in anymore. frank.
Antwerpen in stead of Amsterdam, well, can't blame you! But Holland anyway welcomes you, if not, my fellow citizens have to reckon with me (-: Let me show you in the future. Great page, wonderful info, perfect job! Thanks, Polona
Your personal insights are very well written! I really enjoyed reading your pages, congratulations!
Altough I like Brussels more than Antwerp, you're right about Antwerp. It's warm and soulfull. Ciao
There are many different ways to view a town; yours has been a varied one!
It was nice reading your page again today. I think it was one of the first I visited when I joined VT and started to become an active member. Let us know when you head back to Antwerp!
Great tips about my hometown
Man. You are the consumate storyteller. I just get lost in myself listening to you.
Great page, it is nice to hear so much possitive things about Antwerp ( I live there).
Try to come during the summer, the city is even more alive .
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