I Love Culture

Annecy

Coiled between lake and mountains, Annecy deserves its nickname of "Venice of the Alps". This harmonious city allows you to travel through time, from prehistory to the present day, before following in the tracks of the Princes of Savoy and eating next to the purest lake of Europe, while enjoying the numerous festivals and cultural animations. The city is also turned towards sports: the ski resorts are near the city and accessible by bus, and a biking trail goes all around the lake and lets you explore the shores.

Guangzhou

Also known as Canton, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China. It has long been one of China's main commercial and trading centres and is one of the first cities that opened to the world. As one of the fastest growing cities in Asia, Guangzhou has also seen fast growth in tourism, attracting visitors with its cosmopolitan atmosphere, world-renowned Cantonese cuisine and its vibrant nightlife.

Hoi An

Hoi An is an enchanting and unique destination. With its ideal blend of history, culture, shopping, dining, and leisure, the town continues to be a highly sought-after tourist spot year after year. Its UNESCO-listed Ancient Town is photogenic to a fault, with its collection of distinctive mustard-coloured colonial homes, intriguing food and quaint streets that remain traffic-free for much of the day drawing in cruise excursionists and backpackers alike.

Treffen sie unsere einheimischen: Gie, Café-chef [GERMAN]

Jeder in Leuven kennt Guy. Von einer Party in seinem legendären Festsaal Rumba oder von einem Bier in seinem Traditionslokal Leuven Central. Er sagt von sich selbst, dass er „mit dem Gastronomievirus infiziert“ ist. Und er weiß genau, was der Leuvener will: „Echtes Stella und guten Kaffee. Das ist die Basis.“ Wenn es nach ihm geht, serviert er diese bis zum Umfallen.

Meet our locals: Gie, the pub owner [ENGLISH]

Everyone knows Gie in Leuven. From a party in his legendary party space, the Rumba, to a beer in his popular pub Leuven Central. As he says himself, he’s ‘bitten by the hospitality microbe’. He knows perfectly what the people of Leuven want: ‘real Stella and good coffee. That’s the basis.” And if it were up to him, he’d serve it until he passed out from exhaustion.

Guilin

Guilin has long been a favourite among travellers to China. This compact city is most famous for the green mountains, crystal clear waters, unique caves and the beautiful cliffs in its outskirts. The karst peaks and the surrounding areas are world renowned for its beautiful scenery. Yet it is not only this stunning landscape that draws visitors to Guilin, but its unique folk customs, that make for unforgettable experiences in themselves.

Perugia

Perugia is the provincial capital of Umbria, one of Italy’s most beautiful regions. The ancient heart of the city, packed full of Etruscan and Roman monuments, perches on a hilltop with the modern city spread below. With a prestigious university, the city has a lively student population, good shopping, fun bars and great restaurants. If that weren't enough, Perugia is the setting for one of Europe’s best jazz festivals: Umbria Jazz.

Ankara

The heart of the Turkish Republic, Ankara, is the second largest city of Turkey after Istanbul. The city lies on the border where east between west. The European and Middle Eastern cultures merged and coloured the city's architecture, food, wine, nightlife, fashion and arts. Drop the anchor in Ankara, as its name suggests, cross the border between tradition and modernity.

Christmas in Basel

Basel is well known as the Swiss city with the biggest Christmas tradition. This fame rests not only on its Christmas market but also on its wonderful Christmas illuminations, spectacular special exhibitions in its museums and galleries, a "public wishes book", and numerous concerts and events.

Dhaka

Hectic, bustling, chaotic — Dhaka is an enormous city of endless possibilities with energy to spare. Though it can seem a bit overwhelming at first, visitors who take the time to explore will find the experience most rewarding. Delicious food, bustling markets, serene parks and gardens, lazy river cruises and death-defying rickshaw rides, fascinating museums, temples and mosques to ease the soul, and tantalising musical and dance performances; all this and more awaits the adventurous traveller who dares to venture into this unique city.

Treffen sie unsere einheimischen: Linde, der Bäcker [GERMAN]

Linde ist Eigentümerin der Bäckerei Korst in Hal 5. Sie hat ihre eigenen Ansichten über Brot und Lebensmittel im Allgemeinen. Mit Korst sucht sie nach einem neuen Konzept für ein jahrhundertealtes Handwerk. Das Ergebnis? Herrliches Sauerteigbrot. Ihre Bäckerei ist nicht zufällig in Leuven. Nach Erfahrungen in ganz Europa entschied sich Linde für diesen Ort, weil sie hier mit den lokalen Erzeugern von BoerEnCompagnie zusammenarbeiten kann, die solidarische Landwirtschaft praktizieren. Und weil sie Räumlichkeiten in Hal 5 fand. Diese leerstehenden historischen Eisenbahndepots wurden in einen pulsierenden, urbanen und nachhaltigen Treffpunkt für Kreative und Kreatives verwandelt.