We visited Antwerp, Belgium twice in 2012.  Once in February when it was very, very cold and then again in early July when the weather was wonderful.  Antwerp is a lovely place with a historic medieval city center.  It was the home of Peter Paul Rubens, the famous 17th Century painter and has been a center of the global diamond trade for centuries.  In the 16th Century, Antwerp was one of the largest and most prosperous cities in Europe.

Cathedral of Our LadyGuild Houses in Grote MarktFountain and StadthausPaula in Diamond DistrictWall Painting in ChapelRubens “The Descent from the Cross” 1612Steen Castle quayside on the River Scheldt