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Antwerp, the heart of the Flanders region, is the world’s biggest producer of diamonds, the location of Europe’s oldest skyscraper (Boerentoren), and the launching pad of young Belgian designers into the global fashion scene. Centuries of trading, art, and architectural heritage have made Antwerp a living museum of artistic artifacts. This, together with a lively shopping and clubbing culture, is among the reasons why the New York Times has declared the city as “Europe’s place to be.”
Golden Age
During the 16th century, Antwerp was Europe’s richest city and was among the world’s most important financial hubs. The glory of this period is preserved in the guildhouses of merchants at the Grote Markt and in the Gothic architecture of Cathedral of our Lady, the city’s highest structure and the tallest cathedral in the Low Countries. It is home to the triptychs of northern Europe’s greatest baroque painter, Peter Paul Rubens, whose works are also exhibited in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, together with the masterpieces of Titian and Van Dyck. Rubens’ house and studio, Rubenshuis, is now a museum, while St. James’ Church houses his remains.
World Heritage Site
Antwerp’s Golden Age, however, started to plummet during its capture by the Spanish in 1585. Many of its old buildings were either burned by the Spanish or bombed during WWII. Among those spared are the 13th-century castle of Het Steen and the World Heritage Site Plantin-Moretus Museum, which houses the world’s last-surviving printing presses.
Modern culture
As the 19th century dawned, Antwerp started its comeback as Belgium’s second-biggest city and a major European port. It now has one of Europe’s highest densities of cultural venues like theaters, museums, and concert halls, including Echt Antwaarps Teater (Authentic Antverpian Theatre), which brings the city’s own Flemish dialect on stage.
Antwerp Zoo, one of the world’s oldest zoos, is recognized for its high level of research and conservation, with over 6,000 animals from about 769 species under its belt. Since the ‘80s, Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts has also been among Europe’s most important fashion academies, having produced internationally-successful designers such as the Antwerp Six.
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News from http://news.ph.msn.com/top-stories/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3737940 Richard Branson unveiled Monday a commercial spaceliner offering tourists a cheaper chance to experience the thrill of weightlessness and view the splendor of the Earth from space. The British billionaire hopes to offer tickets aboard his spacecraft at a cost of 200,000 dollars each, giving adventurous ... Read full Blog post
Indonesia Eco Tourism
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San Gimignano and San Pellegrino
Night falls on the flourishing and industrious San Gimignano, its 72 towers stand on the low roofs of the houses lit by the moon. This is not a luxury travel spot but is something you don't see every day. In the distance the clatter of hooves echoed tired in the Via Francigena. The hand of the blacksmith stops beating, the frame of the weaver becomes silent, the streets of the tank only a concert ... Read full Blog post
An Aerial fiesta in Clark Pampanga
Its a party in the sky as multi colored hot air balloons piloted ny different pilots from various partso of the world participated in this annual gathering. As early as 5am, the 2,500 hectare aviation complex at Clar Economic Zone in Pampanga was already crammedi with excitement. Clusters of hot air balloon participants busily prepare their own balloons for liftoff as they need to take advantage of ... Read full Blog post
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