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WEST FLANDERS | Westhoek 'Monuments & Moments' World War I theme year 2027-2028

WEST FLANDERS | Westhoek 'Monuments & Moments' World War I theme year 2027-2028

From 16 June 2027 to 11 November 2028, the Province of West Flanders, together with Westtoer/Toerisme Westhoek, Toerisme Vlaanderen and local partners, will organise 'Monuments & Moments', a new World War I theme year in the Westhoek region. The large-scale initiative will highlight 100 years of

Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies urges stronger role for trains in EU sustainable tourism strategy

Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies urges stronger role for trains in EU sustainable tourism strategy

The European rail sector has called for railways to play a central role in the forthcoming European Union Strategy for Sustainable Tourism, arguing that greener mobility is essential to the future of Europe’s travel industry. The appeal came during the second Strategic Dialogue on the strategy, convened in Brussels

Focusing on Sidetrack.blog

On Sunday 1 March, I had another soft launch: Sidetrack.blog. Yes, over at WordPress.com. Why? I gave Ghost a go, but WordPress just suits me better. I explain it better here. I've syndicated a few posts, but it's a bit time consuming. So I

French Government delays purchase of new night train rolling stock

French Government delays purchase of new night train rolling stock

When President Emmanuel Macron announced a major renaissance of night trains in 2020, the ambition was clear: by 2030 France should operate a dense network of ten modern night train routes, reconnecting cities domestically and across Europe. Five years later, the vision has collided with fiscal reality, Nico Callens of

European Sleeper postpones Brussels–Cologne–Zurich–Milan night train to 9 September 2026

European Sleeper postpones Brussels–Cologne–Zurich–Milan night train to 9 September 2026

The Dutch–Belgian cooperative European Sleeper has postponed the launch of its new Brussels–Cologne–Zurich–Milan night train to 9 September 2026, instead of the previously announced 18 June 2026. Ticket sales will open on 17 March 2026. The company states that the delay is primarily due to extensive

FLANDERS | 1 in 6 experience daily difficulties due to disability or impairment

FLANDERS | 1 in 6 experience daily difficulties due to disability or impairment

A new report by Statistics Flanders and the Flemish Agency for Persons with Disabilities (VAPH) provides a detailed overview of disability and impairment in Flanders, based on data from The Social Study (TSS), a large-scale scientific panel survey in Belgium. The report is the first in a planned series

Brussels Airlines invests in improved on-board product for all passengers: Premium Economy gets the biggest upgrades, but enhancements are coming across cabins both on short-haul and long-haul flights

Brussels Airlines invests in improved on-board product for all passengers: Premium Economy gets the biggest upgrades, but enhancements are coming across cabins both on short-haul and long-haul flights

Brussels Airlines will enhance the passenger experience in its different booking classes, both on short-haul and long-haul flights, a press release says. The biggest investment goes to Premium Economy on long-haul flights, with improved tableware and more meal options and an improved service flow, but other booking

LGBTQIA+ & worldwide politics: what will 2026 bring?

LGBTQIA+ & worldwide politics: what will 2026 bring?

What will 2026 bring regarding LGBTQIA+ issues in (world) politics? Lucy Middleton made some predictions for Context, the news site of the Thomson Reuters Foundation. A year likely to be shaped by elections, court rulings and legislative reforms. After a period marked by funding cuts and legal setbacks, the global

Antwerp 10 Miles 2026 spread over two days: Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April

Antwerp 10 Miles 2026 spread over two days: Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April

The 40th edition of the Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles is fast approaching, with a record 50,000 participants set to take part in Flanders’ largest running event on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April 2026. Organisers have announced slight changes to the course, with runners entering the Kennedy Tunnel earlier

Deutsche Bahn ICE 1110 and 1111 to connect Cologne and Ostend on weekends from 6 June to end of summer 2026

Deutsche Bahn ICE 1110 and 1111 to connect Cologne and Ostend on weekends from 6 June to end of summer 2026

Deutsche Bahn loves Belgium, it seems. It will run ICE services from Cologne in Germany to Ostend on summer weekends, starting Saturday 6 June 2026. The journey will take 3h26. Domestic use of the train seems possible, but is eyewateringly expensive. A friend send screenshots of ICE 1110 and ICE

Belgian travel stats to the United States continued to decline throughout 2025

Belgian travel stats to the United States continued to decline throughout 2025

Travel demand from Belgium to the United States weakened markedly in 2025, confirming a structural downturn rather than a short-lived fluctuation. Official arrival data from the U.S. International Trade Administration indicate that in 11 of the 12 months, fewer Belgians entered the United States than during the same

Queer March Ghent returns in March 2026

Queer March Ghent returns in March 2026

Ghent in East Flanders will once again host a month of queer-focused activities in March 2026 as Queer March Ghent rolls out a city-wide programme of talks, workshops, exhibitions, performances and community gatherings. The grassroots initiative, run by a collective of queer-identifying volunteers, positions itself as an

BRUSSELS AIRPORT | 24.4 million passengers in 2025, 3.3% more than in 2024, cargo transport grows by 8.5% with 795,000 tonnes of freight

BRUSSELS AIRPORT | 24.4 million passengers in 2025, 3.3% more than in 2024, cargo transport grows by 8.5% with 795,000 tonnes of freight

24.4 million passengers travelled through Brussels Airport in Zaventem in 2025, an increase of 3.3% compared to 2024, the press release says. Immediately followed with: "Due to the seven national union actions, this growth was lower than expected, with a negative impact of 275,000 fewer travellers.

Brussels Airlines and Deutsche Bahn team up for Antwerp - Brussels Airport - Leuven - Liège - Cologne ICE codeshare

Brussels Airlines and Deutsche Bahn team up for Antwerp - Brussels Airport - Leuven - Liège - Cologne ICE codeshare

As of September 2026, Deutsche Bahn will connect Brussels Airport with Cologne with a high-speed train, linking German passengers in only 2 hours to the more than 180 direct destinations of Brussels Airport. Brussels Airlines launches a codeshare agreement with German rail operator Deutsche Bahn, which means that the

BELGIUM | Safer in theory, harsher in reality: violence and polarisation mark 2025 for LGBTQIA+ people

BELGIUM | Safer in theory, harsher in reality: violence and polarisation mark 2025 for LGBTQIA+ people

Belgium remains one of Europe’s front-runners when it comes to legal protection for LGBTQIA+ people. Yet 2025 exposed a widening gap between progressive legislation and everyday reality, one can read in ILGA-Europe's Annual Review. Civil society organisations report a continued rise in homophobic and transphobic

Europe reaches new low as LGBTQIA+ people face renewed criminalisation

Europe reaches new low as LGBTQIA+ people face renewed criminalisation

From Pride bans in the European Union to prosecutions under 'propaganda' and 'extremism' laws, a new report from ILGA-Europe shows that attacks on LGBTQIA+ communities have evolved into systemic suppression of dissent and individual freedoms. ILGA-Europe’s Annual Review, published today, reports a sharp

ITALY | Trenitalia unveils €2 billion investment plan and orders 74 new Frecciarossa high-speed trains

ITALY | Trenitalia unveils €2 billion investment plan and orders 74 new Frecciarossa high-speed trains

Trenitalia is accelerating towards 2030 with a major €2 billion investment programme aimed at strengthening its leadership in high-speed rail and transforming Italy’s passenger rail sector. Gianpiero Strisciuglio, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Trenitalia, outlined the strategy at the Forum Masseria Winter Edition, confirming the purchase

UNITED KINGDOM | London St Pancras aims to cut boarding windows by up to 30 minutes

UNITED KINGDOM | London St Pancras aims to cut boarding windows by up to 30 minutes

Eurostar passengers at London St Pancras International in the United Kingdom could soon be allowed to arrive much closer to departure time, as plans are being considered to cut boarding windows by up to 30 minutes. The proposals form part of a wider effort to reduce overcrowding and move away

Cyprus's Nicosia 1st, Belgium's Leuven 4th on Best European Cultural Destinations 2026 list

Cyprus's Nicosia 1st, Belgium's Leuven 4th on Best European Cultural Destinations 2026 list

Looking for the ideal European city break in 2026, where heritage, creativity and everyday local life blend seamlessly? The Best European Cultural Destinations 2026 selection celebrates ten cities where culture is not a backdrop, but a living, evolving experience shaped by history, innovation and participation. The Top 10 Cultural Destinations

City of Antwerp marks 25 years of district governance with city-wide anniversary programme

City of Antwerp marks 25 years of district governance with city-wide anniversary programme

The City of Antwerp is marking the 25th anniversary of its district system with a year-long programme of activities highlighting the identity of each district and their connections within the city. Since 2001, the city’s districts have had their own elected administrations. With the addition of Borsbeek as

Deutsche Bahn confirms Cologne - Brussels Airport - Antwerp high-speed connection from September 2026

Deutsche Bahn confirms Cologne - Brussels Airport - Antwerp high-speed connection from September 2026

German passenger operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) confirmed to Belgian news agency Belga on Friday 20 February 2026 that it will introduce a new high-speed connection between Antwerp-Central Railway Station in Belgium and Cologne in Germany in September. The trains will also stop at Brussels Airport. From September, a

Poland, Germany and France launch joint push for cross-border rail upgrades and future high-speed links

Poland, Germany and France launch joint push for cross-border rail upgrades and future high-speed links

Poland, Germany and France have launched a coordinated push to strengthen cross-border rail connectivity and develop future high-speed links, with a strong emphasis on security, resilience and military mobility, following a series of agreements and declarations signed in Warsaw in mid-February 2026. On 16 February 2026, Poland

Purple Friday to move to the second Friday of October from 2026

Purple Friday to move to the second Friday of October from 2026

From 2026 onwards, Dutch LGBTQIA+ organisation COC Nederland, in consultation with schools, will move Purple Friday (Paarse Vrijdag) to the beginning of the school year. The annual day of solidarity with LGBTQIA+ students will now take place on the second Friday of October, instead of in December. For the 2026–

Direct train from Brussels to Eindhoven?

Direct train from Brussels to Eindhoven?

Belgium and the Netherlands have taken a step towards improving cross-border rail connectivity, with a potential direct Brussels to Eindhoven train emerging as one of the most symbolic and politically significant projects in a newly signed joint declaration on rail cooperation. The declaration was signed on 18 February 2026

Premetro tunnel between Antwerp’s left and right banks to close for nearly a year for major renovation works

Premetro tunnel between Antwerp’s left and right banks to close for nearly a year for major renovation works

metro tunnel connecting Antwerp’s left and right banks will close for almost a year for extensive renovation works, starting on 4 May 2026 and lasting until at least mid-March 2027. During this period, no trams will run between the Park-and-Ride Melsele on Linkeroever (Left Bank) and