sabato 19 gennaio 2013

FLANDERS: THE TRADING HEART OF BELGIUM

BRUGES
Bruges is the largest city and capital of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish region of Belgium.
The historic city centre is a prominent World Heritage site of UNESCO
Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, 
such as Amsterdam, it is sometimes referred to as "The Venice of the North". 
Bruges has a significant economic importance thanks to its port.
At one time, it was the "chief commercial city" of the world!
Bruges has most of its medieval architecture intact.
Many of its medieval buildings are notable, including the Chruch of Our Lady, 
whose brick spire reaches 122.3 m (401.25 ft), making it one of the world's highest brick towers/buildings. The sculpture called "Madonna and the Child" which can be seen in the transept, is believed to be Michelangelo's only sculpture to have left Italy within his lifetime.
Bruges' most famous landmark is its 13th-century belfry, housing a municipal carillion comprising 48 bells.
The city still employs a full-time carillonneur, who gives free concerts on a regular basis.

























GHENT
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. 
It is the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province.
The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys 
and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe. 
Today it is a busy city with a port and a university.
With 240,191 inhabitants in the beginning of 2009, 
Ghent is Belgium's second largest municipality by number of inhabitants. 
The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 1,205 km2 (465 sq mi) 
and has a total population of 594,582 as of 1 January 2008, 
which ranks it as the fourth most populous in Belgium. 
Every year the ten-day-long "Ghent Festival" (Gentse Feesten in Dutch) is held. 
About two million visitors attend every year.











































I wear:
hat - H&M
fur coat - Pimkie
scarf - my grandmother's closet
pullover - my husband's closet
skirt - Shana
tights - Calzedonia
gloves - Batulu
flats - New Look


mercoledì 16 gennaio 2013

BRUSSELS: THE MANY-SIDED CAPITAL OF BELGIUM






















































Brussels is a very interesting and original bilingual city!!!
All road signs, street names, and many adverts and services 
are shown in Dutch (Brabantian dialect to be exact) and French (specifically Belgian French)!
The architecture in Brussels is diverse, and spans from the medieval constructions (the Grand Place)
to the postmodern buildings!
This city is full of museums (over 80)!!!! 
I'm very happy I visited the incredible  museum of the natural sciences: 
you can really spend an whole day there crossing the different ages and finding lot of prehistorical stuffs:
 it's really the Europe's largest dinosaur exhibition ;)
Brussels is known also for its local waffle, its chocolate and its numerous types of beers!!!
Numerous friteries are spread throughout the city, and in tourist areas,
fresh, hot, waffles are also sold on the street! :D 


I wear:
fur coat - Pimkie
scarf - my grandmother's closet
skirt - Shana
tights - Calzedonia
gloves - Batulu
slippers - from Venice