While waiting for the Eurogames from 12 to 15 July 2007, Antwerp was a fascinating city IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Tourism Association) member chosen for the first annual symposium and the first ever of its kind in Belgium.

Members were able to discover an amazing city with a vibrant and thriving gay community, which to many was a lovely surprise comparaed to the relative small size of the city.

Unexpected I find myself in a very compact city, where everything is more or less within walking distance. Indeed walking around is the best way to discover the city.

Antwerp is a wealthy city, it is Europe second largest fluvial port and diamond trade is its mantra.

Fashion is very important in the city, in the 80's a group of designers became famous in London as the Antwerp 6 putting the creative side of this place under the spotlight.

Two addresses dedicated to fashion that cannot be missed, the Antwerp Fashion Academy and the Antwerp ModeMuseum.

Antwerp is also the world's capital for diamonds. A diamond is forever and is not only girls best friend but a nice way to exchange vows of eternal love. 83% of all diamonds sold worldwide have made a stop in this city. While in the past the Jewish community was dominanting this fine art, today Indians are who work on most of the pieces.

It is interesting to discover that diamonds were first worn by Indians Maharajah. Only when the King of France gifted a diamond to one of his mistresses, did it become fashionable for women to wear diamonds. Bad bad bad King!!!

You might find shops which offer a 50% discount, but think twice before buying there, why would a genuine diamond with real value be sold at a discount? Probabily the way the diamond was created, the karat, and the cut will explain this price, but for most tourists like me, it is hard to know the difference at first.

A good introduction to the diamonds is the Diamonds Museum next to the Antwerp train central station and diamondland showroom where it is also possible to buy pieces.

Even though Amsterdam has more showrooms than Antwerp, all pieces sold there are bought in Antwerp!

Antwerp is art! Rubens lived here and today his house is a museum that every traveller must visit. Nore masterpieces are the Cathedral of Antwerp and the Royal Museum of Fine Art.

After a long day discovering the treasury of the city, its definitly time to discover the wild gay side!

Bars have big windows not only for the sunlight but to offer a genuine welcome and warm attitude, including acceptance typical of the northern countries.

Which places did we like in Antwerp? Popi Café, Hessenhuis Bar, Red & Blue simply unmissible! For fetish and leather lovers one address, The Boots. The only one of its kind in Europe.

Make sure to mark in big pink on your agenda the date of the next Eurogames, from 12 to 15 July! > There is still time to enroll, but please do it now.

How to get there:
By train the Belgium railways from Bruxelles, Rotterdam or Amsterdam. Thalys is the high speed train that connects Paris to Amsterdam with a stop at Antwerp-Berchem station. Surcharge in ticket prices apply.

Flying in to Antwerp is possible but the local airport is small and offers regional connection mostly to the United Kingdom, especially the London City Airport. Bruxelles, Rotterdam and alternatively Amsterdam airports are all less than two hours away.

Where to stay:
The IGLTA symposium was held at the Corinthia Hotel, extremly gay friendly. Not in downtown but easy to reach by public transportation or taxi.

Antwerp offers every kind of accomodation solution from simple to luxury hotels to stay in, a complete list is available by the Antwerp Tourism Office.