KMSKA Antwerp reopening in September   The countdown is on! Yes, September 25th, 2022 will be the day! The long-awaited day that the KMSKA in Antwerp, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, will finally reopen its doors to the public. We have been eagerly looking forward to this date after a long renovation period. A feeling of excitement is rising in and around the KMSKA.   The KMSKA was founded in 1810. The museum houses an extensive collection of sculptures and paintings from the 14th to the 20th century. It has been closed for renovations since 2011.   Last change to visit the Rubens House Antwerp   This summer and fall will be the last chance to visit the Rubens House in Antwerp for the next few years. The garden and the building itself will be refurbished. Rubens House will close on January 8th, 2023. It is scheduled to reopen in 2027.   Use this last chance for a visit. Many summer activities and events have been planned. Come along and enjoy it like Rubens did with friends and family.   New beer experiences in and around Brussels   Grimbergen Abbey opened its experience center on June 1st, 2022. Learn about Grimbergen beer and experience the story of Grimbergen, as well as the Grimbergen Abbey. Taste the delicious beers from the Grimbergen Abbey Brewery and a lot more.   Self-guided and guided tours are available. They can be booked online. The new multi-sensory experience journeys through Grimbergen’s 900-year history and the art of brewing delicious award-winning Belgian-style beer.   Although Brussels Beer Project is still a relatively young brewery (since 2013), it has already built up a solid international reputation. Innovation, creativity, co-creation and collaboration are central concepts in their approach. In May 2022 Brussels Beer Project opened a second brewery in Brussels: 'BBP Port Sud'. BBP Port Sud has a large terrace (beer garden) and is open all summer during weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday).   Hiking the Hoge Kempen National Park   Hikers will find excellent opportunities in Flanders - for example in the Hoge Kempen National Park in the province of Limburg. The new National Park Trail long-distance hiking trail extends 69 miles/ 110 km past extensive heathland, beautiful moors, large ponds, dunes and fragrant forests. It can be hiked in four or five stages. At all entrance gates to the park, hikers can expect a well-developed infrastructure with parking spaces, restaurants and accommodation.   For more information on the Hoge Kempen National Park and to plan your hiking routes, please visit the Hogen Kempen National Park website.   Flanders iconic cycling routes   Flanders is a Cycling Mecca. Still looking for inspiration or surprising ideas to promote the iconic cycle routes or to put Flanders in the spotlights as a cycling vacation destination? Then be sure to read the article 'Discover beautiful Flanders in nine iconic cycle routes' as published on www.eurovelo.com, the largest web platform in Europe with information and inspiration about cycling holidays and long-distance cycle routes.   Visit the newly re-designed Icon-Cycling Route website for information on all the new icon routes. Planning your Flanders icon cycling adventure has become easier.

  Gardens and Castles of Flanders   Flanders manages to surprise visitors with many beautiful castles, gardens, parks, and flower shows. A large number of sites are close to our well-known cities and can easily be accessed by public transportation or roads. To inspire you and your clients, we have compiled all relevant and useful information in our newly published Gardens 2022 brochure.   Let the brochure inspire you and your clients. Don't miss out on hidden treasures waiting to be discovered on your next trip to the heart of Europe.   10th edition of Kookeet in Bruges   For the last few years, Kookeet in Bruges has been the high point for foodies. Locals and visitors get to taste the wide range of Bruges' top gastronomy in a convivial way. The tenth edition surprises with an innovative concept that goes back to basics and puts quality first. 5,000 visitors a day undergo a culinary trip of the senses in a green, beautiful location. Kookeet showcases the top quality of Bruges's restaurants to Flanders, Belgium and far beyond. With 33 culinary chefs participating, it is an event not to be missed.   The gastronomic event will take place from September 24th to 26th. Three different tickets (site in Dutch only) are available and range from 10 EUR for general admission to 150 EUR for the VIP lunch or dinner.   Ghent Altar piece visitor center wins silver award   The visitor center 'Lam Gods Sint-Baafs' in St Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent won a silver award last month at the presentation of the Museum + Heritage Awards in London - also known as 'the Oscars of the museum sector'. The award is a wonderful international recognition for this special project that was coordinated by VISITFLANDERS and implemented in collaboration with the cathedral and other external partners.   Since March 2021, the Ghent Altar piece, the world renowned Renaissance painting by the Van Eyck brothers, can be admired in a new and immersive way in St Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent.   Walking tour Herkenrode Abbey   VISITFLANDERS, the city of Hasselt and the Flemish National Trust inaugurated the new walking route at Herkenrode Abbey. The route offers visitors the chance to discover the whole monastic area for the first time. The walking route is 1.4 miles (2.2 km) long. At nine stops visitors can learn what makes the abbey site such a special place.   From Open Monument Day (11 September 2022) onwards, the English Park will also be fully accessible to visitors. Visit the Herkenrode Abbey website for more information on the abbey and the walking tour.   Tomorrowland 2022 edition   The world's largest EDM Music festival is back. After a pandemic interruption, EDM music lovers and party goers can flock to Tomorrowland in Flanders for three weekends full of fun and dance beats. The festival will take place from July 15th - 31st on the weekend days only. Due to the immense popularity of the festival, what started out as a one weekend festival has now grown into three consecutive weekends.   Tickets to the festival sell out within minutes. But it is not to late too get waitlisted for any last-minute ticket opportunities or to plan ahead for the 2023 edition.