Leuven, Belgium

Beguinages were set up, beginning in the 13th century, to house lay religious women in the Catholic faith. They are collectively considered to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are two in Leuven. The large beguinage was developed on 3 ha of land. A hundred houses accommodated up to 300 beguines, the last of whom died in 1988. It now belongs to the Catholique University of Leuven and the apartments are used for housing employees, students and visiting academics. It also has meeting rooms and a conference center. The smaller beguinage has been divided into apartments, many of which are now private property.

The Small and Grand Beguinages, Groot Begijnhof, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

In 1823, the entire collection of the museum's art could fit in a cabinet in the town hall. The collections have grown through acquisitions and significant donations. Today the museum curates 52000 works, from the Middle Ages to the modern era. Emphasis is placed on art from Leeuven and Brabant but one exhibition showcases post-war work from across the country. In 1917, it became a municipal museum and moved to the neoclassic home of former Mayor Leopold van der Kelen. In the 21st century, a modern complex, with a large interior courtyard and rooftop terrace, was designed around the house.

M-Museum , Leopold Vanderkelenstraat 28, 3000 Leuven, Phone: +32-0-16-27-29-29

For History Buffs

Fons Sapientiae, otherwise known as Fonske and 'the source of wisdom', is a statue of a quirky character that was designed to represent student life in Leuven. He is set in a fountain, with one hand holding a book and the other perpetually pouring water into his empty head. The mathematical formula inscribed on the book, when resolved, spells 'happiness'. He was created by Jef Claerhout in 1976 to commemorate the 550th anniversary of the Catholic University of Leuven. Fonske is seen as the rival of Mannekin Pis in Brussels and is also dressed up by students on occasion.

Rector de Somerplein 3, 3000 Leuven

The University Library and Tower was built in 1425 and amassed a collection of rare books and manuscripts. Many were confiscated during the French revolution because of the prevailing anti-Catholic sentiment. The library suffered a greater loss in 1914 when neutral Belgium was invaded by Germany. Much of Leuven, including the library went up in flame. After the war, universities in the USA helped to rebuild and restock it. This tragedy and reconstruction were repeated due to the Second World War. The five stories of the 74m tower house permanent exhibitions of the library's history. The views from the balcony at the top make the climb up the 200 stairs worthwhile.

Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein 21, 3000 Leuven, Phone: 0-16-20-30-20

The Oude Markt is known as 'the longest bar in the world'. There are more than 40 bars and restaurants lining the old market square. It has a year-round program of events, beginning with the annual Leuven New Year countdown. The longest day is celebrated there, late in June. In summertime, there are music festivals, beer gardens and the three-week long Leuven Fair. The architecture of the buildings surrounding the square are worth exploring and shops provide retail therapy. Holy Trinity College is at the southern end and two antiquated water pumps still function in the square.

Attractions for Couples

Zythos means beer in Greek. This annual trade fair for brewers and beer firms has been held in the huge Brabanthal hall, since 2005. The two-day event in April, is the largest beer tasting festival in Europe. A hundred vendors showcase more than 500 different Belgian beers. It is an opportunity for companies to do market research and launch new brands, and for beer enthusiasts to meet the brew masters. There are awards for the best stall and the people's favorite beer. A corner of the hall is set aside for a food court. A free shuttle service is provided to and from the center of Leuven.

Zythos Beer Festival, Brabanthal, Brabantlaan 1, 3001 Leuven

Leeuven is the Beer Capital of Belgium. The Innovation Beer Festival is the first of three held in the city, on consecutive weekends in April each year. The second is the Food and Hops Festival and the last is the Zythos Beer Festival. Sixteen innovative brew masters from around the world come together in the historic De Hoorn Brewery, the birthplace of Stella Artois. Guests can meet the brewers and taste new and unique beers. Several restaurants and food trucks participate, including the brewery's own Grand Café. Beer walks and workshops are arranged at various venues in the city.

Sluisstraat 79 - 3000 Leuven

Recommended Activities for Families

Three architects and took thirty years to build the lacy Brabantine Gothic town hall. It was completed in the middle of the 15th century. It has three stories of pointed Gothic windows and four tiers of dormer windows in the roof. There is a turret at each corner of the long, slender building. In 1850, 236 statues were added to the outside of the building, featuring patron saints, local nobility and other dignitaries. It is used for ceremonial purposes only and the tourism information center occupies one corner. There are daily guided tours, with monthly excursions into the cellars.

Town Hall, Grote Markt 9, 3000 Leuven

Antoine de Croy of Picardy started building the chateau in 1455. It was completed in 1515 by his grandson who founded a Benedictine monastery on the site. The last duke of Croy died in 1612 and the property passed to his son-in-law, of the Arenberg family. During World War I, it was occupied by Germans. As the Arenbergs were themselves German, the property was seized by the Belgian government after the war and ceded to the Catholic University of Leuven. The University was split according to language in 1968. The property now houses the Engineering faculty of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. It is not open to the public.

Arenberg Castle and Park, Kasteelpark Arenberg 1, 3000, Leuven