City of the day: Antwerp

Until a couple of years ago, I used to visit Antwerp all the time, as it has always been one of my favourite cities. Although I haven't been there for a while now (I plan on going when Kylie Minogue's next tour comes to the SportPaleis arena), I still think it's a great city! Here are my three highlights:

1) Groenplaats is a large square in the center of the city. There are little restaurants and cafe's, with nice terrace seating during Summer. It's a great place to people watch, and a nice spot where locals and tourists alike can take a rest, and enjoy one of the famous Belgian beers. Whenever I used to visit Antwerp, I always loved having some lunch and a nice cold beer on the Groenplaats.

2) The Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Antwerp, Belgium. Today's see of the Diocese of Antwerp was started in 1352 and, although the first stage of construction was ended in 1521, has never been 'completed'. In Gothic style, its architects were Jan and Pieter Appelmans. It contains a number of significant works by the Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens.

3) Antwerp Zoo is a zoo in the centre of Antwerp, located right next to the Antwerpen-Centraal railway station. It is the oldest animal park in the country, established on 21 July 1843. In 2007 the Antwerp Zoo has won a price as the 'most romantic and best preserved 19th century zoo', because of the beautiful garden and old architecture like the Egyptian temple (1856), Bird house, Aquarium, Reptile house, Hippo house and more. And there are penguins that bite, I know from experience!

This is part 28 out of a series of 50. Next city tomorrow: Tel Aviv.