Blog

Few cities blend history with modern urban flair like Amsterdam. And one thing you definitely need to do when visiting the city is to take a private canal cruise and see Amsterdam from the water to discover this floating city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The history of Amsterdam is intimately connected with water. During your private boat cruise, you will...

Spring is a fantastic season to travel in the Benelux. It will cheer you right up after winter!  When the tulip bulbs are blooming in the Netherlands, this may well be the most colorful region in the world. In Belgium, flowers is a big thing too especially at the Hallerbos and its magnificent purple carpet of bluebells. Of course, art...

---TEFAF confirms that the 35th edition of TEFAF Maastricht will take place from Saturday 25th of June until Thursday 30th of June, 2022--- TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair) Maastricht is widely regarded as the world's leading fair for art, antiques and design. This fine arts fair is a yearly feast for thousands of curious and art lovers. Maastricht showcases some of the...

An island in the north of the Netherlands In the northernmost point of the Netherlands, you can find the Wadden Islands. You really do not have to go that far to enjoy unspoiled nature, fresh seafood and adventure. You can find all of this on one of the most beautiful Wadden Islands "Schiermonnikoog". Nature in Schiermonnikoog is so special that the island was...

The Limburg , the North-East region of Belgium, is the greenest of Flanders’ provinces, a  region with surprising landscapes, remarkable cultural heritage & museums as well as sophisticated gastronomy. With your Vespa, follow the footsteps of Ambiorix, the prince of the Eburones, who became famous because of his resistance against Julius Caesar. Along the way, explore national parks, castles, historic mining...

Royal Delft is the only manufacturer of Delft Blue since the 17th Century. To this day Royal Delft uses the same method of producing which nowadays is the international standard of Delft Blue. Here, the world-famous Delft Blue is completely hand-painted according to age-old traditions. At the Royal Delft Experience you will discover the complete history and production process of...

As goes for Belgian chocolates, Belgian beer is known around the world. However, although they’re great, the majority of exported beers is just the very standard of what the big brands have to offer. The most refined, best beers, brewed with tradition and craftsmanship, are really hard to get outside of Belgium. Top chefs also start to recognize the finest...

The Dutch Golden Age encompasses most of the second half of the 17th century, after the Dutch won their Independence from Spain (1648). During this time, Dutch explorers charted new territory and settled abroad. Trade by the Dutch East-India Company thrived, and war heroes from the naval battles became national heroes. Meanwhile, the Dutch Masters began to prevail in the...

Every year in June, discover Brussels’ high cuisine in the most extraordinary manner possible: from a crane 150ft in the sky! Instead of a sitting round a cosy kitchen table, you will be dangling from a crane 150ft in the sky, complete with dining chairs, table, crockery, etc. A local ‘starred’ chef will prepare an unforgettable gastronomic experience for you...

Find out everything there is to know about Peter Paul Rubens and his baroque, cultural legacy during "Antwerp Baroque 2018. Rubens inspires". You can discover and experience first-hand why Rubens was and is still regarded one of the most influential artists ever and is called Antwerp's most famous inhabitant!      ...

At the pinnacle of artistic invention from the middle ages onwards, The Netherlands and Flanders were the inspiration behind the famous art movements of the time: primitive, renaissance and baroque. For a period of some 250 years, it was the place to meet and experience some of the most admired artists in Western Europe. Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Eyck, Bruegel, Rubens...

Eating out at Vuurtoreneiland ('Lighthouse Island' in Dutch) is not an ordinary evening out in Amsterdam! The island features Amsterdam's only lighthouse and is a unique piece of nature with a rugged landscape. It can only be reached by ship! So your evening starts sailing the historic 'IJveer XIII' boat over the IJ River. Once on the island, the table d'hôte menu is...

The West Frisian Islands form an archipelago in the North Sea off the Dutch coast, along the edge of the Wadden Sea. Every island has its own style and culture. But on each of the 5 pearls, the beauty of nature is overwhelming and the atmosphere is great. Explore the picturesque villages, large mudflats, enormous sand areas (one is called “the Sahara of the North”!) and enjoy outdoor activities...

Discover the seasonal magic over Christmas & New Year in Belgium and The Netherlands. Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, Liège, Ghent but also country side villages set a happy effervescence with a magnificent Christmas tree, ice-skating rink, and wooden chalets offering Christmas presents, great winter food and hot spicy wine to drive away the cold and warm ones heart. Contact us for our Special...

The Mullerthal Region, often referred to as Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland, owes its name to its hilly landscape reminiscent of Switzerland. This region is home to one of the best treks of the entire Benelux: The Mullerthal Trail. The trek takes the experienced hiker on 112 km of valley trails through a magnificent rocky landscape. The rock formations are dotted with difficult sounding names - Piteschkummer,...

In the Middle Ages, it was common practice to establish a guild for every professional group, the cheese carriers established theirs in 1593! Every Friday morning in spring & summer, the Alkmaar cheesemarket is held on the Waagplein. It’s a particular spectacle which includes a market filled with cheese and men of tradition, the hauling cheese carriers. It’s one of...

Many racing enthusiasts will not have missed it: from 2020 onwards the Zandvoort F1 Race Circuit Zandvoort will be back on the Formula 1 calendar! In order to meet all requirements, the circuit is subjected to a thorough metamorphosis. In this way you can enjoy Formula 1 sport in the Netherlands after an absence of 35 years. Brilliant Ideas is happy to...

The Axel Vervoordt Company is active in the fields of art and interiors & design. From the start, it's always been a family-led business — Axel, May, and their sons Boris and Dick are active in the daily operations with a team of about 100 collaborators.The Company and Axel Vervoordt Gallery are located at a site known as Kanaal — a...

The Besloten Hofjes are the absolute highlights ofthe Collection of Heritage in Mechelen. These 16th-century altarpieces made by the nuns have been registered as Flemish Masterpieces since 2011. The sisters meticulously created their so-called 'courtyards' with representations of an ideal, spiritual and paradise-like world. The Besloten Hofjes are stored in the beautiful Renaissance City Palace in Mechelen 'Hof van Busleyden', Mechelen is...

For all who are passionate about Chocolate, Belgium is the perfect destination. Through generations of chocolatier; the Belgian Chocolate Art stand out from the rest because of its exquisite and authentic handmade style, and also because of the use of only natural products and surprising ingredients like spices, cereals, fruits, truffles and more. It is no wonder chocolate has become...

The Netherlands have a rich nautical heritage and 4,400 km of navigable waterways. It is as easy in some areas to travel on water as it is to travel on land! Enjoy a 2 to 6 nights cruise visiting nature preserved areas & typical villages mooring in the charming harbors & marinas. While on land grab a bicycle - it’s...

Thank you Red Devils - That was fun! What a fantastic World Cup it was! Come for a personalized sports camp at the Red Devils Headquarters: 4* hotel, rental of facilities and equipment, coaching and video analysis, catering & laundry service, tours & excursions ... The Belgian Football Center & Brilliant Ideas offer solutions adapted to the specific needs of your...

The Sonian Forest covers more than 5,000 hectares making it the main oxygen tank of Brussels. The cathedral of often two-hundred-year-old beech trees, oak tree groves and other examples of our native species offers limitless opportunities for outdoor activities and the forest hosts as well a couple of historical & cultural sites such as the former hippodrome of Bois-Fort, the...

Escorted by your knowledgeable and friendly guide + support car with driver, you’ll let the rivers guide you during a 6 to 9 days itinerary through Belgium (Flanders) & North of France (Pas-de-Calais, Picardie & Île-de-France). This region offers plenty of options for outdoor & history enthusiasts and the best way to explore it is by bicycle of course. Besides the...

In the newly opened Hotel August Antwerp, the legendary Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen shows his magic architectural skills by transforming  a former Augustinian cloister in a marvelous modern day hotel located in the hidden green quarter of Antwerp. The 40 rooms are a warm homage to the dedicated way of former Augustinian life, with the addition of all modern amenities. Besides...

Do you remember ‘Ghent in Motion’? In this film project in 2013, the city brand ‘Ghentian’ pioneered  in capturing Ghent from the air, using drones. Today, five years later, both the city and the audio-visual techniques have evolved to such an extent that a sequel was required. Just like 'Ghent in Motion', 'Ghent from the Sky' again pushes the boundaries...

From 2018 through to 2020, the Flanders’ region will celebrate the Flemish Masters and its baroque heritage with an abundance of activities and events! You want to know more about the enigmatic Bruegel, the baroque Rubens, the mystic van Eyck brothers and the Flemish Masters off the beaten track? Visit Flanders, the tourism board of the Northern region of Belgium, has...