The old city centre is built around a cathedral, the most impressive in Belgium. The cobbled lanes and backstreets are packed with bars, antique shops, art galleries, chocolatiers, designer boutiques and diamond shops, making Antwerp a haven for people who like to shop. Tucked away between these shops are restaurants bursting with delicious meals — Antwerp has a reputation for having some of the best food in the region.

The people of Antwerp are known for their easy-going lifestyles and their cheerful dispositions; they’re thought to be some of the happiest people on earth because of the relaxing and enjoyable nature of the city. Fashion designers, painters, musicians, actors, dancers, poets, publishers — they all flock to Antwerp, creating a lively cultural scene.

Not only is the cultural scene lively; so is the nightlife. They say life pulsates in Antwerp like nowhere else in Flanders. Antwerp’s club culture has expanded; in summer the regenerated docklands to the north and south of the town beat and pulse with music.

Antwerp truly has something for everyone; you can spend your days relaxing, shopping, eating and taking in the beautiful buildings and history of the town but spend your nights partying and having fun.

The city of Antwerp has also one of the biggest and most important seaports in Europe.

View The city of Antwerp with one of the largest seaports in Europe Belgium in a larger map

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Faaker See, Austria by Thomas G. Graf

This lake is surrounded by the Karawanken mountain range, and it is located just south of Villach. The nearby Drava River is located at the northern slope of these mountains. The village of Faak is located to the southwest of Lake Faak, which is how it originally got its name. Faaker See has an average depth of 16.1 meters and a surface elevation of 554 meters. The Faak, Egg, and Drobollach settlements which are located on the northern shore all belong to the city of Villach.

There are numerous hotels, resorts and campsites around this lake, attracting thousands of tourists for fishing, swimming, and other water sport activities throughout the year. The striking beauty of this lake has attracted many people from around the world who wish to visit and see this historical natural landmark for themselves. The Faaker Lake was the primary inspiration for the classic Slovene folk song known as Nmav čez izaro, or “Over the Lake”, which is also considered to be the official anthem of the Carinthian residents.

Faaker See, Austria by Hans Peter Schaefer

The Gail River is the primary outflow for Faaker See, and the primary inflow is Wourounitza, Rotschitza. The village of Faak, which the lake has been named after, is part of the Finkenstein municipality. There is no doubt that Faaker See is one of the most popular vacation spots in the entire area for those who want to relax in a beautiful and scenic region. Its position is also great for one-night stay for the people going from the north of Europe further to the southern countries like Italy or Croatia.

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Lake Bohinj, Slovenia by Nigel Swales

The lake itself is more than 4.2 kilometres in length but only one kilometre in width. It is fed by the Črno jezero via the large stream of Savica. It is also believed that there is a subterranean source of water, which feeds Lake Bohinj. At the easternmost part of the lake, the water flows out via the Jezernica Creek before finally making its way out to sea.

There are many different species of marine life that call Lake Bohinj home. The most common of these include the brown trout, European chub, burbot, minnow as well as the Arctic char. There are also eight different seas of mollusks that live within the lake and a number of different algae species, which can be found along the shores.

Lake Bohinj is a popular destination during the summer months. Countless people make their way to the region every single year in order to swim and partake in a number of different water-based sports. For most visitors, the lake is a popular day trip and a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of city living. It is also a great base for hiking around the area.

Lake Bohinj in winter, Slovenia by Mari (Maria Giovanna Colli)

Of course there are also some interesting aspects along the shores of Lake Bohinj that are a must-see attraction. The most important of these is the legendary statue of Goldhorn chamois who was immortalized in a popular poem authored by Rudolf Baumbach. There are also a number of hiking trails that lead out into the countryside and up into the mountains. If you do not feel like walking, then you can simply take the cable car to the mountains to visit the Savica Waterfall.

There are also a number of festivals and events that take place in the area at a reasonable time of the year. The biggest event around Lake Bohinj is the International Wild Flower Festival, which occurs the last week of May. There are parades, great food, flowers everywhere during the festivals which is definitely an interesting and unique place to visit Slovenia.

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