Tongerlo Abbey in Westerlo

Tongerlo Abbey was founded in 1128 by Giselbert of Kasterlee in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Visiting the abbey is completely free, you're allowed to stroll the abbey grounds and learn about the history of this order in a small museum.

Since 1545 Tongerlo Abbey is in the possession of a 16th-century copy on canvas of Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper. The copy reveals many details that are no longer visible in the original fresco which is located in the monastery Santa Maria delle Grazie at Milan. You can see the painting in the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Tongerlo Abbey. Entrance fee is 3 euros.

Location: Abdijstraat 40, 2260 Westerlo, Belgium.

Entrance gate to Tongerlo Abbey in Westerlo


Statues above entrance gate to Tongerlo Abbey in Westerlo


Courtyard and buildings in Tongerlo Abbey in Westerlo


Church of Tongerlo Abbey in Westerlo


Buildings of Tongerlo Abbey in Westerlo


Museum in Tongerlo Abbey in Westerlo


Old buildings of Tongerlo Abbey in Westerlo


Entrance gate to Tongerlo Abbey in Westerlo


Statue above entrance gate of Tongerlo Abbey in Westerlo



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Tongerlo Abbey was founded in 1128 by Giselbert of Kasterlee in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Visiting the abbey is completely free, yo...

The Our Lady Tree of Lummen: Belgian Tree of the Year 2018

The Our Lady Tree (Onze Lieve Vrouwe Beuk) of Lummen is the Belgian Tree of the Year 2018. This red beech tree is located on a small mound in the forest behind the Chapel of Our Lady of the Beech Tree. The tree is around 150 years old, has a diameter of almost 4,5 m and is 26 m high.

In 2019 the Our Lady Tree will take part in the European Tree of the Year contest. This contest aims to promote old trees as an essential element of our cultural and natural capital.

Location chapel: Beukeboomstraat 5, 3560 Lummen, Belgium.

Website European Tree of the Year: www.treeoftheyear.org/home


Our Lady Tree of Lummen (Onze Lieve Vrouwe Beuk)


Belgian Tree of the Year 2018


Our Lady Tree of Lummen (Onze Lieve Vrouwe Beuk)


Belgian Tree of the Year 2018


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The Our Lady Tree (Onze Lieve Vrouwe Beuk) of Lummen is the Belgian Tree of the Year 2018. This red beech tree is located on a small mound i...

European Solidarity Centre: an Impressive Museum in Gdansk

The European Solidarity Centre has one of the best museums I've ever visited and is a must-see when travelling to Gdansk. Inside the building of the European Solidarity Centre is a library, reading rooms, archives and a museum devoted to the history of Solidarność (Solidarity).

Solidarność in the name of the first Polish independent trade union. It was founded in 1980 in the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk and from here spread to the rest of Poland. In September 1981 Solidarność first national congress elected Lech Wałęsa as a president. In 1990 he became Poland's first freely-elected head of state in 63 years.

The museum of the European Solidarity Centre has a permanent exhibition divided over 2 floors in 7 different rooms. It tells the story of the polish people living under communist regime, the first uprisings, the creation of Solidarność, the martial law in Poland and eventually the first post-communist election in 1990. The exhibition uses almost 1800 items like documents, photographs, video footage and objects of people from the uprisings. A time-frame to allow yourself to visit these rooms and see the items is 2-3 hours.

Located close to the European Solidarity Centre is the Monument of the Fallen Shipyard Workers and Gate 2 of the Gdansk shipyard. The monument commemorates the workers killed in the riots of 1970. Gate number 2 of the Gdansk shipyard has become a symbol of the Polish fight against Communism.

Location: pl. Solidarności 1, 80-863 Gdańsk, Poland.

Website: www.ecs.gda.pl


Solidarność in white and red cards in the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk


Police car and broken fences in the museum of the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk


Living under communism section in the museum of the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk


video footage in the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk


Solidarity museum in the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk


Museum in the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk


Solidarity Museum in the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk


Inside the building of the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk


Inside the building of the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk


European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk


Gate 2 of the Gdansk shipyard


Monument of the Fallen Shipyard Workers in Gdansk


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The European Solidarity Centre has one of the best museums I've ever visited and is a must-see when travelling to Gdansk. Inside the bui...

Magical Moments in Winter Efteling

The Efteling is the largest theme park in the Netherlands and one of the best in Europe. The park is well know for bringing fairytales to live in sculptures and scenes. You can find a total of 29 fairytales in the fairytale Forest, a must-see when visiting the Efteling.

Divided into five themed areas, the park has everything for the whole family. The little ones will find something in all areas, the daredevils will definitely have a great time in the Ruigrijk. Here you can find the wildest rollercoasters like the Baron 1898, the Phyton and the wooden rollercoaster Joris en de Draak. One of the best family attractions is Symbolica, an amazing ride into magical rooms.

During the winter months the Efteling is transformed into a winter wonderland. With bonfires to warm up, an ice rink, cross-country skiing and lots of lights and winter treats. The Winter Efteling season ends January 31.

One of the highlights when it gets dark is the water show Aquanura. This spectacular show is the perfect way to end a great day at the park. During 12 minutes more than 200 fountains and 900 lights accompanied by music create a fantasy world.

Location: Europalaan 1, 5171 KW Kaatsheuvel, the Netherlands.


Fairytale Tree (Sprookjesboom) in the Efteling


The six servants fariytale in the Efteling


Pinocchio in the Fairytale Forest in the Efteling


The Emperor’s New Clothes in the Efteling


Indoor rollercoaster Vogel Rok in the Efteling


Gondoletta in the Efteling


Pagode in the Efteling


View of roller coasters in Ruigrijk from the Pagode in the Efteling


Symbolica attraction in the Efteling


Water show Aquanura in the Efteling


Water show Aquanura in the Efteling


Steel roller coaster with loopings and corkscrew in the Efteling


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The Efteling is the largest theme park in the Netherlands and one of the best in Europe. The park is well know for bringing fairytales to li...

Dreiländereck Pinswang: Perfect for Hiking and Cycling

The Dreiländereck (tripoints) in Pinswang is situated on the Schwarzenberg, a mountain with a height of 1200 m. At the top is a landmark where in 1800 was the border of the County of Tyrol, the Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg and the Electorate of Bavaria.

The path leading to the summit of the Schwarzenberg is very popular for hiking and cycling and offers great views of Pinswang and its surroundings. Starting point for this path is Hotel Gutshof zum Schluxen in Pinswang, Austria. When you reach the summit of the Schwarzenberg you'll be rewarded with a beautiful view of Füssen and the Lech River in Germany.

You can also use this route to walk to Schwangau and visit the famous Hohenschwangau Castle and Neuschwanstein Castle. Just follow the signs Fürstenweg-Königsschlössern halfway up the path. This 8 km long trail takes you along the Alpsee (lake) and ends close to the Museum of the Bavarian Kings. From here you can start your visit to Schwangau and the castles.

Location starting point: Unterpinswang (close to Hotel Gutshof zum Schluxen), 6600 Pinswang, Austria.


Cows in field close to Hotel Gutshof zum Schluxen in Pinswang


Walking path to the Dreiländereck in Pinswang


View of Pinswang from trail to Dreiländereck


View of region around Pinswang and Reutte from trail Dreiländereck


View of Pinswang from walking trail


View of region around Reutte from trail Dreiländereck


View of Füssen from top of Schwarzenberg in Pinswang


View of Füssen from Dreiländereck in Pinswang


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The Dreiländereck (tripoints) in Pinswang is situated on the Schwarzenberg, a mountain with a height of 1200 m. At the top is a landmark whe...

Cycling Through Water in Bokrijk

Cycling through water is a bike trail that leads cyclists through a pond of the De Wijers nature reserve in Bokrijk. The trail is 212 m long and 3 m wide, when using it you can see the water and the swans on it at eye level.

After it's opening in April 2016, this cycle path has become one of the most popular in Flanders. Time magazine added 'Cycling Through Water' at their list of the 100 greatest places in 2018.

The cycle path can also be visited on foot, you can use the parking at Bokrijk close to Hangar58 for this.

Location: Fietsknooppunt 91, 3600 Genk, Belgium.

Trial of Cycling Through Water in Bokrijk


Swans on lake next to trail of Cycling Through Water in Bokrijk


Swans on lake next to trail of Cycling Through Water in Bokrijk


Cycle path through water in Bokrijk, Belgium


Water at eye level at Cycling Through Water in Bokrijk


Swans swimming on lake next to cycle path in Bokrijk


Swans on lake in Bokrijk, Genk


Swans swimming on lake of Cycling Through Water in Bokrijk


Young swan swimming on lake at nature reserve


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Cycling through water is a bike trail that leads cyclists through a pond of the De Wijers nature reserve in Bokrijk. The trail is 212 m long...