HASSELT, BELGIUM

ABOUT HASSELT

Hasselt (Limburg) is an important commercial center in Belgium, and it is a paradise for shoppers. The shopping streets are pretty and dotted with colorful terraces and stylish shopping arcades. Hasselt is known around the world for its extensive and exclusive fashions, the Fashion Museum and the special Fashion Circuit.

Hasselt is the gin City ‘par excellence’. The Borrelmanneke and the National Jenever Museum have become the symbols of Belgium’s gin capital.

The history of the county of Loon is brought to life in the Municipal Stellingwerff-Waerdenhof Museum, the Herkenrode abbey and refuge.

Art can be found all over Hasselt: in the cathedral and the Virga Jesse Basilica, in the museums, the Beguinage and the numerous art galleries, in the parks and the streets and on the 'Groene Boulevard'.

Hasselt is also the city with the biggest Japanese Garden in all Europe; it is the city of the Grenslandhallen, Kinepolis, Pukkelpop, the Genever Festival, delicious Hasselt Speculoos and the - free – city buses.

Hasselt was founded in the 7th century on the Helbeek, a tributary of the Demer. The name Hasselt came from ‘Hasaluth’, which means hazel wood. In 1839 Hasselt became the capital of the Belgian province of Limburg.

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HOW TO GET HERE?

Arriving by air: Hasselt is centrally located, nearby two international and four regional airports. The only airport from which you can easily take a train is Brussels International Airport. If you arrive at any other airport, a taxi ride is the best option. We have a professional driver service at your disposal at competitive rates.

- Brussels International Airport (BRU) approx 80 km

- Shiphol (AMS) approx 160 km

- Brussels South (CRL) approx 130 km

- Liege (LGG) approx 40 km

- Maastricht- Aachen (MAA) approx 40 km

- Antwerp (ANR) approx 80 km

Arriving by train: Hasselt’s train station is located approximately 6 km away from the residence. The best way to go to the residence is to take a cab, which you will find lined up at the exit of the station. Hasselt is connected with direct trains coming from Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent. Via Brussels, you can also arrive on the EuroStar and Thalis from London and Paris, respectively.

Arriving by car: The residence is located approx 4 km away from the “Hasselt Zuid” exit on highway E313 Antwerp-Liege. Complete address details for your GPS and driving instructions will be given upon enrollment.

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ABOUT BELGIUM

Besides having 3 official languages, Belgium is also a melting pot of European cultures due to its central location and the fact that its capital, Brussels, is the capital of the European Union and NATO. The perfect place for a language immersion course!

If Belgium's spotlight on the European stage is a little dim, it's only because its people are rarely boastful. This slow-burning country has more history, art, food and architecture packed into its tiny self than many of its bigger, louder neighbours. A rich and bubbling glass of beer, chocolate, oil paint and bureaucrats, Belgium has the heady lifestyle of the bourgeoisie.

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YOUR WEEKEND

If you feel like it, you can register for extra language classes on Saturday morning. Additionally Hasselt and its surroundings offer plenty of attractions to explore. Anders Languages does not organize these excursions for you, but can help you organize your trip or get you in touch with our partner travel agency.

WHAT THEY SAY...