2016 tourist information guide
Transcription
2016 tourist information guide
Start to 2016 TOURIST INFORMATION GUIDE CONTENTS 20 44 62 2 2016 SUMMER POCKET C-MINE Creative industrial heritage KATTEVENNEN The secret of the trees BOKRIJK Never twice the same 34 50 Dear visitor, Evy Gruyaert and Genk? A strange match at first sight. However, appearances are deceptive. Like our city, the beautiful and very sympathetic Evy feels at home in every market. She is creative, athletic, loves nature, has an eye for design and likes a good meal. She is furthermore full of energy, and, like Genk, doesn’t like ‘standing still’. There are plenty of things to do in Genk in the summer of 2016. The detailed programme listing all activities can be found in the summer pocket, which appears in spring 2016. We took Evy on a tour of Genk. She had briefly been here before, but this time she took the time to get to know the major tourist sites better together with Genk city guide Johan. Whether she was impressed by what we have to offer can be read from page 6 onwards. Genk’s other assets and how/where to discover them are also discussed in detail in this brochure. C-mine, our pride, is the beating heart of all things creative in Genk. A landmark that attracts tourists looking for something new. And innovative, that’s us. The mine shafts are no longer a symbol of the past; to the contrary, they point the way to the future. At C-mine you can see as well as experience the past. Genk is a city rich in nature. Our young central city is surrounded by a unique natural environment in which animals only make way for cyclists and walkers. The Hoge Kempen National Park is one of a kind. You enter the park via the Kattevennen entrance. And you discover the universe in our Cosmodrome. WALKING AND CYCLING Exploring Thor Park Waterschei and surroundings Genk is a city that appeals to all tastes. Put your feet under the table and enjoy culinary delights. A diverse mix of cultures has resulted in a unique couleur locale. On markets and squares, in restaurants and shops: you get the feeling you are in the south of Europe. MULTICULINARY FLAVOURS A unique couleur locale CITY CENTRE OF GENK 74 FOREWORD Vibrant and full of life WHERE TO STAY From cosy B&Bs to design hotels 66 Take a stroll in our shopping streets and be amazed. Originality can be found all around here: local designers put their best foot forward. Art is just around the corner. Genk also brims with culture: large-scale events and small galleries, fine craftsmanship and innovative ideas. Hopefully you will be as convinced as we and Evy are after browsing through this brochure. Report: Katrien Steyaert Editing: City of Genk Photography: Hugo Thomassen, City of Genk, Stijn Bollaert, Guy Van Grinsven, Frank Gielen, Filip Dujardin and Frederik Beyens Visit Genk is not responsible for any changes in prices, hours or other information upon publication of this brochure. Don’t hesitate to book your stay in a cosy B&B or in a design hotel today. We, the people of Genk, will receive you with open arms. Welcome, and start to Genk! Lotte Trippaers Alderwoman for Tourism Wim Dries Mayor 3 KATTEVENNEN, GATE TO THE HOGE KEMPEN NATIONAL PARK Located 3 km from the city centre, the Kattevennen domain serves as one of the six gates to the Hoge Kempen National Park. The main attraction is the Cosmodrome, a 360° star globe cinema which takes you directly to the universe. 5 HIGHLIGHTS BOKRIJK IN GENK C-MINE This beautiful site is an absolute must! C-mine is a wonderful example of industrial heritage and tells the stories of the mine in a modern, creative and experiential manner. Bokrijk has an endless supply of stories to tell. Immerse yourself in anecdotes and events of the Swinging Sixties. If you want to go further back in time, you can always visit the Open-Air Museum. THOR PARK The impressive buildings are embedded in a unique landscape with the spoil tip as the top of the bill. Ideal for a relaxing bicycle ride. KRC Genk and the interactive GoalMine exhibition are within a stone’s throw. 4 MULTICULINARY TASTINGS You can taste a wide variety of cultures in Genk. There are plenty of multicultural businesses and restaurants in the vicinity of C-mine. However, you can also enjoy delicious gourmet meals in the city centre. 5 Start to Genk For once, Start to Run, Swim, Bike and Yoga The dust seeped into all their pores. And then figurehead Evy Gruyaert gets an initiation the noise … it exceeded 100 decibels.” Evy sighs. Evy, who grew up in a working-class family in of her own. After spending one day in and She started C-mine expedition, an experience Meulebeke (West Flanders), is especially familiar around the city she finds out that the G in tour seven metres below ground in one of the with physical work through her grandfather, a Genk does not stand for grey, but for green two preserved mining galleries, unsuspectingly, decent, old-school butcher. “He was sturdy and and great. but now the past reaches out to her. In a tube strong, a real bear of a man. I can still imagine similar to a submarine’s control room she is him carrying a beef carcass on his shoulder. “Didn’t they lose their mind?” Evy asks. She suddenly surrounded by the noise from the He then dropped it loudly on the butcher block sounds worried when city tour guide Johan mining galleries. She carefully pulls the handle to bone it out. However, that’s not the same as Timmers describes an average day in the life imitating the sound of an explosion and imme- miners crawling underground every day.” of a miner in Winterslag, the complex that was diately covers her ears. “Working in all that noise forced to close its doors definitively in 1988. must have been extremely annoying,” she puts “The morning shift started at six o’clock. They forward. Johan shrugs. “My father, who was a descended to a depth of 850 metres in a small miner for fourteen years, always said that he and cage crammed with miners,” he explains. “Then his colleagues made a mental switch.” “Sure- they had to take a train for up to 45 minutes ly the noise bothered them?” Evy insists. “Well,” to reach the gallery where they had to mine Johan replies, “they sometimes put cotton wool coal. Some miners took a nap during the ride or pieces of bread in their ears. Apparently, the while others ate a sandwich. Upon arrival they dust troubled them more than the noise.” This wanted to be able to work without interruptions. dust penetrated the red-black handkerchief they They were paid by the amount of coal. My father kept in front of their noses and eyes. “Their main worked at a depth of over one kilometre in the motivation was the fat pay envelope they re- Waterschei mine at temperatures up to 40 °C. ceived every two weeks. That was their manna.” 6 I started C-mine expedition unsuspectingly... but now the past is reaching out to me. 7 Cristal and chocolate milk A wealth of information The time of crawling and carcasses has long They had over 2,000 beds for miners. It was a Evy listens to the stories about the bathroom, the years on end, often far away from their family passed for Evy. She walks quickly and effortlessly win-win situation. The miners had a roof above white and the black corridor, the thousands of in their home region... these miners must have through the underground maze on her shiny their heads and their employers could employ neatly arranged lamps – each miner had his been strong people.’” She also wants her own burgundy shoes. The back of her jacket fea- them at will as they were in the neighbourhood.’ own; in Beringen, the batteries were charged son Alec, currently three years old, to become tures the word dream, sewed on with dozens of The West Flemish and the Limburg people also by women – and she develops a deeper and a strong person, but especially in a figura- glittery spangles. Even though her current life exchanged their beers – Cristal from Alken and broader understanding. The area surrounding tive sense. “I would like to impart a wealth of looks much more colourful than this coal-black Bavik from Bavikhove – and they all enjoyed Winterslag’s stately 72-metre high headframe information to him. Obviously he also needs to past, she wants to take it with her. “I regret not the direct train service to the coast. “In the 19th used to be the promised land. “Once nothing be able to relax and enjoy himself fully without having learned much, if anything, about it at century an entomologist discovered new spiders more than a collection of picturesque land- any worries, but I find it important for him to school. Perhaps it seemed far away and of no in the Genk region. Landscape painters became scapes, the area became the source of the black have an understanding of culture and history. great concern to my teachers, but the mines are interested in the region, and when the first king gold,” Johan points out. “The Belgian industry, When I was young, there were no things such a very fascinating part of Belgian history.” of Belgium bought one of their paintings, things which was the eighth largest in the world prior as C-mine expedition, museums with spe- really got started,” Johan says. “A railroad was to the First World War, required huge amounts of cial packages for children. So I rarely did such WEST FLEMISH PEOPLE IN GENK connected to the city and later on extended powerful resources to fuel its steel mills. activities with my parents. I’m happy I can do Genk is about 200 km from Meulebeke, yet it directly to Blankenberge. That was quite a feat is closer than Evy thinks. “Hundreds of West at that time. This was because of the mine Flemish people came here to work,” Johan says. “They commuted by train and spent the night at things differently now. It is important. A basic FROM ZERO TO HERO understanding of society makes you stronger managers. They deemed it important for their Limburg went from zero to hero. West Flemish in life.” Turning around in her stylish shoes, she workers to visit the coast and breathe healthy people, Italians, Moroccans, Greeks, in short, has another good look at C-mine, which, like all the edge of the company towns.” These towns air by way of compensation of the dusty work.” foreign workers from all corners of the world, other mine buildings in Genk, is based on two were the green home bases of the miners who “Iodine,” Evy agrees. She still believes in the could earn trice the amount of a regular pillars: durability and prestige. “It’s wonderful,” lived in Genk on a permanent basis. “They lived usefulness of marine therapy, but the idea that blue-collar worker in Genk and thus save money she says. “I’ve been here once before when between their foremen and the engineers and drinking milk helps us cough up dust has in the to provide a safety net for their family.” “Still, it is I was still a reporter for ‘Vlaanderen Vakantie- had a house with large windows, running meantime become obsolete. “That’s what they inhuman,” Evy puts forward. “Doing this work for land,’ and it is a shame we did not enter then.” water and a kitchen garden. Miners who did told the miners at the time,” Johan explains. not live there permanently but returned home “After their shift they all received free milk or every Friday, such as the West Flemish peo- chocolate milk. Even though many often pre- ple, stayed in one of the many guesthouses. ferred a fresh pint and a cigarette.” 8 9 National nature Outside, it’s rainbow weather. The sun stub- in the forests consequently look like beautiful bornly pushes its way through clouds producing blue spots in a sea of green from the banks of occasional showers. These do not stop Evy. “This the Meuse.” is perfect running weather: not too hot, with lots of oxygen in the air. Since my knee surgery five REMAINING A CHILD FOREVER years ago I have been forced to use a brace, Evy nods. “Genk is an industrial city, but all but I still run twice a week. I can no longer run factories and building are so well hidden a marathon, but that’s no problem. Five to ten between the trees that the city seems much kilometres suffice to clear my mind and to focus greener than I had expected. Well, prejudices on my body for a while.” We spontaneously hear can run deep.” She smiles apologetically and her in our mind encouraging us to run, just like ties her laces more tightly. “Standing with my feet she does in the Start-to-Run app. Today, her legs between the leaves makes me think of the old take her to Kattevennen, one of the six entrances days. As a child, I really liked spending time in to Belgium’s only national park. “Genk has a the forest,” she says whilst soaking up the sweet surface area of ninety square kilometres, half smell of pine needles, resin and the spicy scent of which is nature,” Johan says proudly. “The of early autumn. A spotted woodpecker calls national park is 5,700 hectares large and is from above the collection of prehistoric stones managed by Natuurpunt. This means you will which the Kattevennen observatory uses to ex- encounter no lawn mowers, but Galloway cattle plain the history of the universe to children in a and Konik horses instead. They both graze with playful manner. Evy is in the meantime explor- a different tongue movement, resulting in differ- ing the rope course. “Rekindling the child in me? ent grass heights and microbiotopes. The ponds I love it!” she laughs. “On Sunday afternoons Rekindling the child in me? I love it! 10 11 No stress I like to dress Alec in a warm coat and then we go outside to play or walk. That is really great, both for big and for small children. I notice that more and more people need and seek out nature. Instead of going to the cinema on Sunday afternoon, my friends and I often prefer to go for a walk together just like in the good old days. A bit of a chat and then something to drink in the heat.” “Relaxation is necessary. That’s why I also like making television. In itself, it is a volatile medium that does not allow me to make any social or structural changes. However, it diverts the public’s attention from their worries and problems for a while.” The city is a lot greener than I had expected. 12 “For me, the job remains meaningful because don’t want to miss out on great opportunities.” I keep op learning new things,” she tells with She is even a bit addicted to giving her all, she the Cosmodrome on the background. “About admits. So she wants a real challenge in Genk. how the media operate and evolve for example. She eagerly gets on a mountain bike in the I also find myself in worlds which are completely new SportinGenk park. When she notices that different. For the 2015 television programme Johan feels slightly uncomfortable next to such “Hoeveel ben je waard?” (How much are a fit sportswoman, she brushes that aside. “No you worth?) I followed a priest one week and stress, breathe in, breathe out.” She also comes Schlager singer Yves Segers in the next. Anoth- to rest when she enters the brand new sports er week later I visited the parliament with poli- centre. The 201 skylights flood the complex with tician Herman De Croo. Incredibly fascinating. daylight, a remarkable feat in a country where I still like doing that best: examining things and sport centres and fluorescent lamps are as in- talking to people.” Preferably through different extricably bound up as bread and butter. “My channels at the same time. During the ten years God,” Evy says when she hears how surprising- she worked on behalf of the VRT and during the ly pleasant the acoustics in the new centre are. two years she has worked for Vier she has not And how climate-neutral their ambitions – Genk limited herself to TV work. She has recently taken wants to be the absolute number one in the field a yoga coach course; she has written a book on of sports halls in Flanders. “Practising sports in the subject and now she organises workshops a good environment is really motivating,” she across the country. In between, she presents says. If she had any time left, she may have events, takes care of her family and housework taken a dip in the swimming pool located directly and practices sports. “Women are in for quite a across the new hall. It is a design by Isia Isgour, lot nowadays,” she says. “However, I absolutely a Belgian architect with Belarusian roots who 13 only wanted to build his inventive, modernistic constructions in a green and light environment. “His swimming pool in Genk has been here for forty years and continues to stand out thanks to Stilettos its hyperbolic paraboloid roof structure,” Johan says. “It rests on only three bearing points. It’s hard to believe. They no longer design such a building, which is pretty rather than functional.” Time for a different sport, brought to perfection by many of Evy’s peers: shopping. The first actual shopping centre, modelled after the American shopping mall, saw the light in 1968 in … Genk. So Shopping 1 has a cult character, but it now also has a contemporary, golden exterior thanks to the recent renovations. Evy walks by approvingly and finds Brenner & Brenner, an independent male and female fashion store since 2002, just around the corner. Ann Weijnjes, the manager, is not only happy with her multibrand collection – “I have a soft spot for Italian brands because they come up with such beautiful products,” she says – but also with her house-high shop windows. “I couldn’t bear not seeing what the weather is like,” she states. Evy also enjoys the breathing space in the shop and checks out the racks with trousers, blazers and blouses in the late afternoon sun. She is a known lingerie and shoe addict. She has almost 150 pairs at home in De Pinte. Even now she is wearing high black stilettos. Fortunately it is not a long walk to Gusto, where she’s having dinner. “I would never have imagined, but the centre looks so new and clean,” she says on the way there. “There is plenty to do here for a visit with my family. When the weather is good, we can walk in nature and then enjoy some culture and the pleasant atmosphere in the city.” 14 15 Gault Millau Gusto does not have to put in a great effort dots. “In short, all fruits and vegetables we find to convince her to come inside. She likes the beautiful and tasty,” the chef says. stylish black restaurant in the Carbon hotel, which clearly refers to the mining history but TOO MANY OBLIGATIONS serves the best food currently available on the Evy, who would like to open a specialised cheese market. Or to put it in the words of Gault Millau, store in the south of France one day, attaches which awarded Gusto a score of thirteen out of great importance to food. “It was one of the topics twenty: “Friendliness, hospitality and quality are discussed during the healthcare therapist course the values which business manager Ardan Boffé I started two years ago. We also had psychology, attaches great importance to. The contemporary anatomy and much more. Unfortunately a day only cuisine has a traditional Belgian-French in- has 24 hours and I was forced to stop the course spired basis with a few international influences.” for the time being. I think I will resume the course Outside you have the pre-weekend bustle. In- at a less hectic time in my life. If I continued the side it is comfortably warm with delicious tempt- course, which in itself is a positive thing, it would ing smells. A waitress with a red bow tie cuts feel like an ‘obligation’ instead of a ‘choice’. And we crude salami à la minute to go with the Friday already have too many ‘obligations’.” “Sometimes aperitif. Evy has been a vegetarian for half I feel a bit sad and dispirited when I realise my of her life, but that’s not a problem at Gusto. life will probably be too short to do everything that Eyes ablaze with ‘hunger’ and ‘anticipation’, still interests me. There are so many fascinating she starts eating a beautiful vegetable dish books to read, so many courses to choose and to with fried Brussels sprouts, fennel, fresh cherry learn from, so many insights to explore that would tomatoes, Rosevale potato rounds, grilled allow me to grow as a human being. Still, I try to courgettes, chanterelles, parsnip, oyster mush- be happy with what is already there. I also try to rooms, caramelised chicory, spinach, pepper monotask and for example learn more about yoga cream, pistachio crumble and cranberry cream instead of getting another three hobbies.” 16 17 Nature is very near, Dreaming of Atlantis That night in Genk she has a brief moment of older. I said veterinarian, in part because I liked rest. She has a nightcap in the Orange Bar of animals and it seemed like a noble profession. Hotel Atlantis. She toasts to Genk and gets into I eventually studied something completely diffe- conversation with Lidia Paletta. She has a fair rent – business translator-interpreter – because amount of Calabrian blood in her veins and has languages had fascinated me since I was 12. run the three-star family hotel in the south of the However, I had misjudged the job. Sitting behind city together with her Moroccan partner Nourredin a computer and silently translating tractor and since 2009. “Nature is very near, and they have army equipment manuals apparently was not my integrated that nicely in the rooms,” Evy says. cup of tea.” “On a December afternoon I was driv- “The artificial grass hassock and the bird box at ing home when I heard the commercial ‘Donna the wall are funny, green aspects.” The white tree zoekt talent’ (Donna is looking for talent). I wrote a stump serving as a nightstand reads: do more letter and one thing led to another. Once I had a of what makes you happy. Lidia seems to have contract with the VRT, it no longer felt like working succeeded in that. “As a young girl, I passed but like learning. I set off on some kind of journey by this hotel when we took my dad to work two of discovery. The roll-down shutters went up and kilometres away. When we drove in this street suddenly I saw and heard all kinds of things. So past the hotel, I always thought: I would so much I actually found my dream job without knowing like to have this hotel later on! And look where we this would be my dream job. Perhaps that’s the are now.” Evy’s situation was completely different. best way. It ensured in any case that I did not start “I’m not a person who likes formulating dreams working for radio and TV in order to become in advance. I already had this as a child, but famous. I did it for the work itself, and it still gives apparently you were expected to state clearly me a lot of satisfaction. I can only be happy with what you wanted to become when you were the path I have taken so far.” 18 and they have integrated that nicely in the rooms. 19 C-MINE Creative industrial heritage C-mine is a successful marriage between the past and the present: the site combines wonderful industrial heritage with contemporary creativity. 20 C-mine expeditie 21 C-mine, amazingly creative The headframes of the Winterslag mine dominate the skyline of Genk. They symbolise the rich mining history of Genk but have also become the landmarks of C-mine. The site is a stimulating environment for entrepreneurs, artists, students and culture lovers. Here, respect for the industrial past is combined with contemporary, artistic activity. Stroll around, look inside or simply enjoy the site’s monumental architecture. 22 23 ENERGY BUILDING, THE BEATING HEART OF C-MINE The impressively restored Energy Building features a machine room full of gears, wheels and dials. This is where Winterslag’s heart used to beat, hard and warm like a miner’s life. After the renovation the building EXPLORATION MAP received a new purpose: it accommodates The C-mine exploration map takes you the visitor centre, C-mine expedition, C-mine on a 4 km walking route signposted cultural centre and the C-mine design centre. with rivets through the Winterslag com- There are also impressive rooms for meet- pany town. ings, conferences and exhibitions. price: € 5 admission: free of charge If you combine the iPad tour with the paper exploration map – available from the visitor centre – then you will know all there is to know about C-mine. The map gives you a wealth of information about the mine and the nearby company towns. exploration map: € 5 combi with iPad tour: € 6 STEEL MAZE EXPLORATORY TOUR An impressive steel installation has stood in The Energy Building is a source of won- the middle of the C-mine square since last derful mine stories. A city guide can tell summer: you all about it while he takes you on a Labyrinth. The artist and architect duo Gijs 90-minute tour of the building. Van Vaerenbergh designed this special € 4 p.p. construction. Labyrinth fills the monumen- from April up to September: every first tal square and furthermore invites you and third Sunday at 2 pm to a unique spatial experience: a ram- in July and August also every first and ble through one kilometre of steel corri- third Saturday at 2 pm dors. Standing in the Labyrinth, you will be advance booking is advisable surprised by special perspectives and suddenly look at the environment from an entirely different angle. Free of charge 24 25 C-MINE VISITOR CENTRE Apart from tourist information and tips from employees, you can also find nice gadgets and gifts at the reception desk for those who stay at home. You will certainly find that special souvenir or a trendy design object. This is also the place to buy tickets for a performance or tourist activity. Also have a look in the information room for an original presentation of the tourist offer for Genk and the surrounding area. IPAD TOUR Discover C-mine at your own pace thanks to the C-mine guide, an iPad tour of the site in Dutch or English. Mining engineer Leblanc and miner Rocco take you through engaging stories in words and pictures. You can also do the tour with your own smartphone. iPad rental: € 3 combi with exploration map: € 6 TIP FROM HANNA employee at C-mine SUMMER AT C-MINE MINE STORY APP: “Every summer, C-mine guarantees a fascinating mix of events, exhibitions, theatre and THE MINING HISTORY IN YOUR POCKET From the deepest tunnel to the highest spoil tip: experience the Limburg you at C-mine, artist Koen Vanmechelen guides you through Zwartberg mining region in a more interactive manner than ever before thanks and Don Luca raps about the impact of the multicultural company town to the Mine Story app. On foot or by bike, this app is a unique expe- language. Sound movies, panoramic drone videos and 360° views rience for everyone. Under the direction of Stijn Coninx, eight Limbur- appear on your smartphone and enrich your visit to the mining region. gers with a link to the mining history tell their personal story. Three of Download the app free of charge at them can be found in Genk: famous chef Peppe Giacomazza receives www.toerismelimburg.be/nl/mijnverhaal 26 music. In 2016 we will work out a surprising programme again, including a portion of virtual reality in C-mine expedition! Be sure to keep an eye on the website www.c-mine.be, as you don’t want to miss this!” 27 C-mine expedition Unique experience tour in underground mining galleries EXPECTED: Embark on an adventure in C-mine expedition! receive a medal as a souvenir of this special VIRTUAL REALITY IN C-MINE EXPEDITION Go down into the underground and participate trip. There is also a nice birthday game for kids in a 1.5 km adventure: feel, hear, see and aged six to twelve. Do you want to know how dark old tunnels and past new, challenging instal- EXPEDITION TOURS it really was in the former coal lations. Make your own mine sound, find your A professional guide takes you through the mine? Or would you like to see way in the maze or take a virtual shower in the tunnels and guides you past the expedition’s WONDERGROND 2016 the miners in action? Be sure Mine Duster. The literal high point of the tour is installations. Using fun facts and a thorough “In the past autumn mid-term holiday I to visit C-mine expedition this climbing the highest headframe in Belgium. At knowledge of the Limburg mining history, the visited Wondergrond in C-mine expedition summer for a virtual and lifelike a height of over 60 metres you have a wonder- guide shows you what a miner’s life really together with my parents. Together with visit to the Winterslag mine. Take ful view of the green Limburg environment. looked like. mine inhabitant Fregje, we set off in search a seat in a time capsule, put on € 9 p.p. of a hidden treasury. We faced a number your helmet and return to the duration: 1.5 hours of exciting challenges along the way. Great experience. A unique walk takes you through wild about fairy tales mine’s heydays in the 1950s. FIND THE CRICKET every second, fourth and fifth Saturday at 2 pm | fun! This year Fregje returns to the expe- Descend to the mining galleries The fun family game ‘Where is Cyril the Cricket?’ in July and August also every second, fourth dition with a brand new adventure. I will with your friends or family. An takes you and your family underground to the and fifth Sunday certainly be back!” unforgettable experience! C-mine expedition galleries. Armed with an ex- advance booking is advisable Wondergrond 2016: during the autumn Keep an eye on www.visitgenk. pedition belt and booklet, the entire family sets be for more information off in search of the cricket and tries to find out who he is and what he does in the Winterslag mine. Solve the mystery and perhaps you will C-MINE EXPEDITION PRACTICAL INFORMATION 28 TIP FROM CASPER OPENING HOURS SUMMER start of the Easter holidays up to autumn mid-term Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm WINTER first day after autumn mid-term to start of the Easter holidays Wednesdays from 1 pm to 5 pm Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS AND SPRING HALF-TERM* Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm 24/12 and 31/12: last entry at 2 pm *closed on: - 25/12 and 01/01 - Monday except in case of a public holiday (1 pm to 5 pm) ADMISSION adults: € 6 children under 6: free of charge children aged 6 to 18: € 3.50 students (upon presentation of student card): € 3.50 60+, people with a disability: € 4.50 groups of at least 10 people: € 4.50 euro (advance booking required) family (2 adults and 2 children): € 16 mid-term holiday MORE INFORMATION: WWW.C-MINE-EXPEDITIE.BE Family game ‘Where’s Cyril?’ (incl. admission to C-mine expedition) children under 6: € 3 children aged 6 to 18: € 6 family (2 adults and 2 children): € 21 advance booking is advisable more information: www.wondergrond.be C-MINE EXPEDITION C-MINE 10 BUS 2 T +32 (0)89 65 44 90 E [email protected] W WWW.C-MINE-EXPEDITIE.BE DURATION approximately 1.5 hours (at your own pace) 29 Studio Pieter Stockmans The place where black gold used to be extracted is now used for the production of white gold. The metal warehouse on the C-mine site is now the working area of Studio Pieter Stockmans, the internationally renowned ceramicist who explores the boundaries of porcelain together with his daughter Widukind. He designs jewellery, installations, promotional gifts and exclusive tailor-made tableware. Their client base includes Alain Ducasse, Hof van Cleve and Dom Pérignon. Their most recent achievement was the trophy for the Memorial Van Damme in 2013. The latest designs include: a chessboard, baubles, lanterns and carbon porcelain. The latter is a tribute to the miners: the design reflects the feeling of the hard labour of the miners, obviously combined with porcelain. shop and exhibition space: every Saturday and every first Sunday of the month 2–5 pm guided tour: every first Sunday of the month at 2 pm € 7 p.p. C-Mine 100 T +32 (0)58 38 23 62 E [email protected] [email protected] (guided tour requests) W www.pietstockmans.com 30 Also at the site C-MINE CULTURAL CENTRE EUROSCOOP There is always something to do at the C-mine The former bathrooms and lamp room of the cultural centre: theatre with Matteo Simoni, Ruth Winterslag mine constitute the auditoriums of the Beeckmans and Bruno Vanden Broecke, MOOOV Euroscoop cinema. You can watch current films in Film Festival, Little Waves (indoor festival), mak- ten auditoriums. The cinema regularly hosts opera ing your own sandals or attending a Moroccan or rock concerts as well. beauty care workshop. C-Mine 1 The programme appears in early June and will T +32 (0)58 30 80 00 be available on www.c-minecultuurcentrum.be. W www.euroscoop.be There are always free exhibitions in the gallery. C-mine 10 bus 1 SPEELMIJNTJE T +32 (0)58 65 50 00 Also at C-mine: an indoor playground with 1000 m² E [email protected] of fun for children aged one to twelve. W www.c-minecultuurcentrum.be C-Mine 1 ONDERSTEBOVEN The company town has hidden secrets. Families T +32 (0)58 25 65 90 W www.speelmijntje.be and youth associations can uncover them by play- C-MINE DESIGN CENTRE ing ‘ONDERsteBOVEN’ (upside down), an exciting The C-mine design centre offers space for inspiring photo hunt in the Winterslag company town. design projects of young designers and established € 5 p.p. companies. Interesting design exhibitions are daily during the opening hours of organised here on a regular basis. Visit Genk/C-mine visitor centre last entry at 3 pm | duration: 1.5 hours min. 4, max. 20 participants 14 years and over advance booking is required for groups of more than 10 people. 31 Vennestraat IN THE VICINITY The mines brought thousands of foreign workers to Genk. They brought along their culture, customs and … cuisine. As a result, you now have a multiculinary city with Mediterranean restaurants and exotic shops. A strong concentration of multiculinary delights can be found in the pleasant Vennestraat, next to C-mine. C-MINE PRACTICAL INFORMATION VOLLEBAK VENNESTRAAT SOUL FOOD IN VENNESTRAAT Come and enjoy the multiculinary Vennestraat, The ‘Soul Food in Vennestraat’ booklet takes a street which stimulates all your senses, on you along shops, cafés and restaurants from four Saturdays this summer. Vennestraat is free all corners of the world. From a Turkish super- of traffic every Saturday from 13 August up to market over a Greek restaurant or an Italian FINGER FOOD ROUTE 3 September; you can have a delicious meal specialty store to a pleasant Flemish coffee- The Finger Food route takes you along in one of the pleasant restaurants and enjoy house. Vennestraat is called the ‘Street of the multiculinary shops and bars in Venne- all culinary delights and creative elements the Senses’ with a reason! All businesses are straat (see p. 65). ‘Street of the senses’ has to offer. The odours of described briefly and indicated on a handy Mediterranean herbs greet you from afar; the overview map. You immediately know where catering business provides authentic soul food you have to be for those eighteen kinds of and trendy drinks. Take a seat at the longest pasta, that traditional Belgian miner’s beer GALLERIET.FINSE OJA table in Genk, discover 26 unique signboards or those delicious Genk biscuits. You can also Gilberte Claes confronts design from the far Oja stands for a dynamic collection of art and and admire wonderful murals. Entertainment easily find top gourmet restaurants in the north with the company town’s multicultural design objects, jewellery and original acces- and music complete the whole picture. vicinity of Vennestraat. However, that’s not all. character. Here you can find old Scandina- sories made of ceramics and textiles. Apart W www.vollebakvennestraat.be The Soul Food booklet also contains tips for vian furniture and contemporary objects from the work of jewellery designer Denise other interesting day trips, such as a visit to made of wood, textile and ceramics. You can Gielen, you can also admire and buy cre- an art gallery, pop-up shop or a bric-à-brac also get a map of STEEN.slag, a walk through ations of other promising designers such as shop. the Winterslag company town along new Linde Hermans, Lore Langendries and Mieke Get your free booklet at the C-mine visitor creative locations. Dierckx. centre or drop by in one of the participating Vennestraat 187 – 189 Vennestraat 145 businesses in Vennestraat W www.galleriet.be W www.oja.be VISIT GENK/C-MINE VISITOR CENTRE FOOD AND DRINK WHERE TO STAY BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT At the reception desk in the Energy Building an enthusiastic team will gladly give you some tips on what the region has to offer. Ciné Città is a bar with Italian specialties. Wok Plaza prepares hot, healthy and à la minute dishes. Brasserie Basic’s menu includes traditional Limburg dishes and there is a picnic area 100 metres from the site. Multicultural delicacies on the other hand can be found in nearby Vennestraat. The whole range of local accommodation options can be found in the hotel list (see p. 74) or at www.visitgenk.be There are two bus lines to C-mine from Genk railway station: line G8 (during the day) and line G3 (at night).There is also a Green Stop, a combination of a bus trip and a mapped-out walk, at Wildekastanjelaan. Maps available at www.visitgenk.be. OPENING HOURS Monday from 1 pm to 5 pm. Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays from 10 am to 5 pm Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day 32 ACCESSIBILITY BY CAR If you take exit 31 Genk-centrum off the E314 motorway, you can see the headframes and the spoil tip from afar. Turn left after the exit. Then turn right at the first crossroads. This will take you to C-mine. PARKING VISIT GENK/C-MINE VISITOR CENTRE C-MINE 10 BUS 2 T +32 (0)89 65 44 90 [email protected] WWWW.VISITGENK.BE WWW.C-MINE.BE Parking at C-mine is free. There are ample parking facilities for cars and bicycles both above and underground. Coaches can park in Evence Coppéelaan. 33 KATTEVENNEN The secret of the trees The Hoge Kempen National Park is still the only national park in Belgium. This natural treasure and the surrounding mining sites are furthermore under consideration for World Heritage status. One of the six entrances to the gate is in Genk, in Kattevennen. The entrance’s central theme is the cosmos. 34 Kattevennen 35 Dreaming of the cosmos Kattevennen is one of the six entrances to the Hoge Kempen National Park, a 57 sq km nature reserve where you can walk, cycle and relax with your family to your heart’s content. In the middle of this family-friendly domain you have a giant star globe: the Cosmodrome. In Kattevennen you can discover both nature and the universe! Planetariumweg 18 T +32 (0)89 65 55 55 - E [email protected] - W www.kattevennen.be 36 37 RIDING, CYCLING AND WALKING Be inspired by Kattevennen’s natural beauty and go for a walk in the woods. The Kattevennen walking area features three signposted routes which take you to the most beautiful spots in the pine woods. The Kattevennen valley, for example, is a wonderful must-see piece of nature. Don’t like walking? Then explore Kattevennen on two wheels. If you have no bicycle at your disposal, you can rent one during the opening hours of the visitor centre. Also in Kattevennen: Horse riding and driving routes you can explore. Read more on walking and cycling in Kattevennen on page 61. PONY RIDES Children aged five and above can ride a pony in the woods every Sunday in July and August and the first two Sundays in September. The rides start in the riding school. Pony rides: every Sunday in July and August and the first two Sundays in September at 10 and 11 am (not on 24 July) € 7 per ride duration: 30 min. min. 5 years – max. 12 years (supervisor min. 21 years) max. 8 participants advance booking is advisable Reservations: Eetcafé Kattevenia Kattevennen 12 T +32 (0)89 35 49 66 E [email protected] W www.ruiterclubgenk.be PLANET TRAIL There is an actual Planet Trail between Kattevennen and Heempark. It takes you not only through the woods but also through the solar system. Each family that begins the trail gets a special mission: unravelling the secrets of the solar system. On your journey you solve questions, learn how to use a compass and encounter space objects on eight large planets. € 2.5 p.p. | duration: 1.5 hours suitable for children aged 8 to 12 appropriate clothing and sufficient supervision required MINIGOLF BOOK YOUR RANGER Who doesn’t fancy hitting a ball under the trees? On horseback, on foot, by bike or while treasure The minigolf course is situated on a steep slope hunting: the Ranger shows you the most beau- and has eighteen holes. You can also organise tiful places in the National Park and enhances parties at the site. your experience. He also likes taking the lead € 3 p.p. during family walks. You can book a ranger your- Children under 12: € 2.50 self, but there is also a Ranger available at one groups > 10 people: € 2 (advance booking is required) of the entrances on every first and third Sunday. April, May, June, July, August and September: T +32 (0)58 65 56 65 weekends and public holidays: from 11 am up to 7 pm W www.nationaalpark.be weekdays and bridge days from 1 pm to 7 pm (last entry at 5:30 pm) October: every Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm 38 39 COSMODROME LIGHTS OUT, STARS ON Kattevennen is home to the Cosmodrome, The lights in the Cosmodrome are switched off from October up to March. During ‘Lights out, stars on’ you whose largest full-dome hall is a high-tech can enjoy various astronomical activities and events. Take a walk in the woods with the entire family or 360° star globe. In this star globe cinema you enjoy a breathtaking view of Venus and Mars in the observatory. In addition, you can visit the observatory embark on adventures stretching from the free of charge every Friday evening and discover that the sky has a lot of special secrets. deep ocean to the infinite universe. You learn about the special evolution of our planet and travel in 360° between stars and comets to the past, the present and the future. adults: € 7.50 youngsters under 16: € 6 children under 5: free of charge (in a family context) families: € 20 projections: every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 and 4 pm | during school holidays every weekday at 2 and 4 pm in the summer holidays also at 11 am closed on Saturday from November up to March Cosmodrome Planetariumweg 18 T +32 (0)58 65 55 55 E [email protected] W www.cosmodrome.be KIDS WORKSHOPS In the summer holidays there are interesting kids workshops in Kattevennen every Wednesday from 1 to 4 pm. Children can for example launch their own rockets! OBSERVATORY € 5 p.p. VENUS & MARSHMALLOWS When Venus and Mars are together in the sky, the Cosmodrome is converted into a platform for talent. Visitors can discover their own creative talent in the maker space and participate in an upcycling workshop. In the observatory you can watch the sky through a very long telescope and you learn all about stars and planets but also about comets, meteors, crater impacts and other celestial bodies. Free observation nights every Friday at 8 pm from October up to March. MORE INFORMATION: WWW.COSMODROME.BE 40 41 EXPECTED IN 2016 6 x National Park Dolores and Mike’s adventure Kattevennen is but one of the six entrances to the HOGE KEMPEN NATIONAL PARK PIETERSHEIM - LANAKEN The Life of Trees National Park. The five other entrances are also T +32 (0)89 65 56 65 Water castle, petting farm and playground ‘The Life of Trees’ is the brand-new Cosmodrome worth the while. In Zutendaal you can take off W www.nationaalpark.be W www.pietersheim.be show in which Dolores, an articulate ladybug, and your shoes on the Bare Feet Trail, while the pet- Mike, a wilful firefly, take you on an adventure to the ting farm in Lanaken is home to Libelle and Tim, LIETEBERG - ZUTENDAAL AS RAILWAY STATION - AS wonderful living environment of trees. During their a Belgian draft horse and a pony. The old railway Bare Feet Trail and Entomopolis: Miniature train, lookout tower, cycling and trip they (and you!) find answers to questions such station in As is an absolute must. Maasmeche- walking routes as: how do plants get their food from the sun? How len offers lots of walking possibilities: at great fascinating microcosm do trees grow? How does water get from the roots heights or through beautiful purple heathland. W www.lieteberg.be W www.stationas.be to the top of the tree? And how does all this make In Connecterra, to conclude, you enjoy the most life possible on earth? amazing panorama of Flanders from the top of MECHELSE HEIDE - MAASMECHELEN CONNECTERRA - MAASMECHELEN W www.cosmodrome.be the spoil tip. Mechelse Heide: the perfect walking area Most amazing panorama, headframe climb W www.mechelseheide.be up to twelve metres, Connecterra Special (upon request) W www.connecterra.be IN THE VICINITY HEEMPARK Located between Kattevennen and the city centre, Heempark is a pleasant, family-friendly park with ponds, meadows and small farm animals. It features a bee hall, a local oven and a playground. Every Sunday in July and August, Heempark organises fun family activities such as making jam and baking bread. The cafeteria near the herb garden is open during these times. Hoogzij 7 - T +32 (0)89 65 46 15 - E [email protected] - W www.heempark.be KATTEVENNEN PRACTICAL INFORMATION VISITOR CENTRE FOOD AND DRINK WHERE TO STAY ON FOOT OR BY BIKE Here you can buy tickets for a 360° star show in the Cosmodrome but also find all information on walking, cycling and horseback riding in the area. You can buy souvenirs and gadgets in the shop. The Kattevennen woods are home to two taverns. Eetcafé Kattevenia is a large tavern with a view of the riding track. Brasserie De Krater, located next to the Cosmodrome, has an extensive menu. There is a playground and you may bring your own packed lunch and eat it on the sunny terraces. There are plenty of accommodation options in Kattevennen: a motorhome park, the new Twinstone Lodge holiday home and the Bloso sports accommodation. The whole range of options can be found in the hotel list (see p. 74) or at www.visitgenk.be. The Kattevennen entrance is three kilometres away from Genk railway station. It is a pleasant route along Molenvijverpark and Heempark. OPENING HOURS Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm (closed on Saturday from November up to March) closed on 1 January, 1, 2 and 11 November, 25 and 31 December 42 ACCESSIBILITY BY CAR Kattevennen is close to the E314 motorway. Take exit 32 Genk-Oost/Nationaal Park-West and turn left at the first roundabout. Turn left again at the first traffic lights. Now follow the signs to Kattevennen. PARKING PLANETARIUMWEG 18 T +32 (0)89 65 55 55 [email protected] WWWW.KATTEVENNEN.BE WWW.COSMODROME.BE You can park your car for free at the entrance of Kattevennen. The rest of the domain is trafficfree. 43 BOKRIJK Never twice the same Ready to be inspired by history? Bokrijk offers a modern view of life in the past. 44 Bokrijk Open-air Museum 45 A journey through living history The green Bokrijk woods are home to the largest open-air museum in Belgium. Over one hundred authentic buildings show you what life used to look like in the Flemish countryside. You smell the scent of straw, hear the hammering of the blacksmith and taste buckwheat pancakes with syrup. Immerse yourself in craftsmanship of yesterday and today. Admire the demonstrations or get to work yourself in one of the workshops and take an original and hand-made souvenir home. 46 47 DE SIXTIES FREE OPEN-AIR PLAYGROUND Finish your visit to Bokrijk with a visit to ‘The Six- Bokrijk’s open-air playground is suitable for chil- ties’. Here you see typical sixties interiors such dren of all ages with plenty of swings, mega slides, as a living room, cinema, hairdresser’s salon or a maze and a Hopla playing corner. The play- electronics shop, get an identity card of a peer ground is now even safer thanks to the division and (re)discover this period through the eyes in zones. The youngest children have fun in the of a cyclist, a miner, a student or a famous toddler village, a miniature version of the Open- Flemish person. The temporary exhibition ‘Music Air Museum. Play equipment in the form of farm in the sixties’ enables you to relive the past animals, a windmill and a sand cake oven ensure through iconic record sleeves, video samples many hours of playing fun. Special play equipment ADVENTURE COURSE FOR THE BRAVEST and unique collection pieces. Music journalist Jan is available for children with special needs. And for Slightly older daredevils can enjoy themselves on Delvaux tells fascinating stories from the history a small contribution, each child enjoys the mini- the natural adventure course. Tougher than Indiana of pop music. A truly interactive exhibition! ature cars, pony ride and minigolf course. Jones or Lara Croft? Then the obstacle course is IN THE VICINITY an attraction not to be missed. Large rocks, rope constructions, logs, beams and a fireman’s pole to slide down from guarantee challenging climbing experiences. The water obstacles subsequently provide welcome refreshment. PLOPSA INDOOR HASSELT Good or bad weather? Little adventurers aged between two and eight years and their parents never know where to look first with the 25 attractions of Plopsa Indoor Hasselt! Be enchanted by the daily Bumba Show in the nostalgic amphitheatre and the many events. In case of good weather you can have fun outside with The Dancing Fountains and the K3 Traffic Park. You don’t go home without a hug from your favourite Plopsa figure. YOU NEVER FORGET HOW TO PLAY BOKRIJK PRACTICAL INFORMATION INFORMATION CENTRE The Bokrijk reception is next to the main entrance, across from Bokrijk Castle. Here you can find information, activity programmes, maps and rental bikes. You reach the information centre via car park 1. OPEN-AIR MUSEUM 26 March up to 23 October from 10 am to 6 pm • closed on Mondays except in July and August and on public holidays • adults (aged 13 and above): € 12.50 • group (as of 15 paying adults), 60+, people with special needs: € 10 • children aged 3 to 12: € 2 • children under 3 and Bokrijk annual ticket holders: 48 free of charge parking fee: € 5 park and open-air playground: free of charge 3500 Hasselt A playground can still be fun for older children and T +32 (0)11 29 30 40 youngsters. A huge swing, a maze, a climbing net E [email protected] and mega slides rekindle the child in all of us. W www.plopsa.be you are looking for a gourmet meal in a beautiful setting, restaurant ‘t Poorthuys near Park Entrance 2 is the place to be. This restaurant was recently rated 14/20 by Gault&Millau. FOOD AND DRINK The Open-Air Museum features pleasant inns with regional specialties such as buckwheat cake or Limburgse vlaai. Herberg Sint-Gummarus has recently been fully renovated and has received a modern interior with authentic elements. However, you do not have to buy an entrance ticket to eat well in Bokrijk. You can also opt for Brasserie Het Koetshuis near Park Entrance 1 or for Het Dennenhof, a familyfriendly restaurant next to the playground. If Gouverneur Verwilghensingel 70 BY TRAIN The Blankenberge-Genk train stops at Bokrijk railway station. You can see the castle as soon as you get off. It’s a few minutes’ walk to the playground. BOKRIJKLAAN 1 T +32 (0)11 26 53 00 [email protected] WWWW.BOKRIJK.BE WHERE TO STAY The whole range of local accommodation options can be found in the hotel list (see p. 74) or at www.visitgenk.be. BY BUS Take bus G4 from Genk railway station or line number 46 from Hasselt railway station. ACCESSIBILITY BY CAR Take exit 30 Park Midden-Limburg off the E314 motorway (GPS coordinates: Bokrijklaan). Then follow the signs to Bokrijk. 49 WALKING AND CYCLING Exploring Thor Park Waterschei and surroundings The impressive Waterschei mine buildings are embedded in a unique landscape with the spoil tip as the top of the bill. 50 Thor Park Waterschei 51 Thor Park Waterschei Genk used to have three collieries: apart from Zwartberg and Winterslag, you also had the Waterschei mine. The former mining site’s central building is nowadays the absolute eye-catcher. It will be the landmark of Thor Park, a technology and science park currently under active development that will be a special site in the field of energy, innovation and experience just like C-mine. The mine building is located in a beautiful park environment. The vast spoil tip is perfectly suited for walking along beautiful trails or cycling on the basis of the cycling network. You can take a rest at one of the beautiful picnic areas behind the building in the middle of nature. Thor Park Waterschei - André Dumontlaan 67 more information: Visit Genk - T +32 (0)89 65 44 90 - W www.visitgenk.be 52 53 STADIUM TOUR AND GOALMINE Stadium tour WATERSCHEI MINE DEPOT GoalMine is an absolute must for football every first Saturday of the month at exactly 1.30 pm aficionados. The catacombs of the Cristal (until 4.30 pm) | advance booking is not required was converted into an exhibition that gives an Arena, home base of Racing Genk, house an adults: € 11 | children aged 3 to 12 and +55: € 9.50 overview of the mine’s history. You can visit the attraction for little and grown-up football fans. (GoalMine visit included) museum or request a guided tour. The hustle GoalMine is a fascinating exhibition on foot- other dates possible for groups (+15 people) after and bustle of hard work has made way for an ball, complete with penalties and injury time. booking intriguing calmness. The Waterschei colliery You learn everything about football in Limburg, The former warehouse of the Waterschei colliery will have a new future as a science park. In with videos, interviews and interactive dis- GoalMine the meantime, former miners make sure the plays. In addition, you can have a stadium tour October up to March: Wednesday from 10 am to memories of the past are preserved and passed of the Cristal Arena, which seats about 25,000 5.30 pm and Saturday from 1 pm to 5.30 pm on. Strong stories are included. people. Experienced guides give you a guided April up to September: also on Friday from 10 am tour of the field, the stands and the press area. to 5.30 pm guided tours from April up to October: Along the way you receive information on school holidays: also on Thursday and Friday from on Saturday and Sunday at 1.30 pm and 3 pm footballs, finances and the operation of the 10 am to 5.30 pm in July and August: club. After a video about KRC Genk’s successes adults: € 8 | children aged 6 to 12 and +55: € 6 | every day at 1.30 pm and 3 pm you take a virtual penalty kick in GoalMine. family ticket: € 22 (2 adults and 2 children up to 16 groups: always possible upon request Forza Racing! years of age). closed on Monday and public holidays free of charge for children under 6 from November up to March: groups only open on Saturday and Sunday (+15 people): always upon request adults: € 5 Stadionplein 4 children aged 7 to 12: € 3 E [email protected] children under 7: free of charge W www.goalmine.be Waterschei Mine Building André Dumontlaan 67 W www.mijndepot.be 54 55 IN THE VICINITY Zwazoo path Former mine manager’s villa at Zwartberg mining site LA BIOMISTA The summer of 2018 will see the opening of La Biomista, the joint project of the city of Genk and artist Koen Vanmechelen at the former Zwartberg mining site. La Biomista, literally ‘the mix of life’, will offer visitors a special cocktail of heritage, architecture, contemporary art and scenery. The site will include a unique experience tour of the buildings, the scenery and the holding rooms with animals from the artist’s collection for young and old. Koen Vanmechelen will build his studio on the site and will establish his Open University of Diversity in the Villa. However, the absolute highlight will without a doubt be the opening of the new park with a tourist experience tour and specially adapted footpaths. The existing Zwazoo walk, which passes through the park and continues around the pond, has already been adjusted for the time being. NEW SPORTINGENK PARK A true sports addict? Then you have to be in SportinGenk Park. Here you can discover a wide range of sports activities in two separate sports complexes. The new, hypermodern ‘double sports’ hall accommodates no less than six full basketball courts or two indoor football fields. Come and try indoor sports such as basketball, volleyball, indoor football, badminton and judo. In the Koen Vanmechelen is an internationally renowned artist with roots in Limburg. His best-known project is the Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, in which he sets off in search for a cosmopolitan chicken by crossbreeding national chicken breeds. This ‘super bastard’ would eventually carry genes of all chicken breeds in the world. However, the centre of his work is not the chicken but the crossbreeding and the resulting diversity. A vision which fits in perfectly with the city of Genk and its interesting mix of different cultures and backgrounds. other sports hall, better known as the swimming pool building, you can improve your condition, swim a lap or take your children into the paddling pool or the spa pool. Next to the two sports halls is the Genk Sports Wood, which includes a 2650-metre bark mulch trail. As the trail is lighted, you can go for a jog till late at night. Runners who like some variation can try the fitness trail, and there is even a fitness trail for children. This 500-metre trail includes eight stations with simple and fun challenges for children. The mice show the way! www.sportingenk.be Follow the developments of La Biomista at www.genk.be 56 57 IN THE VICINITY TIP ‘HOGE KEMPEN’ MOUNTAIN BIKING ROUTES Mountain bikers can also indulge themselves in the green Genk area. You can opt for the 16-kilometre green route in and around the Kattevennen recreational area or for the 43-kilometre red route connecting different woodland areas in Genk. The small route starts in Kattevennen; the large one at SportinGenk Park. OUTDOOR KARTING TRACK MAASMECHELEN VILLAGE closed on Tuesdays IN THE WAKE OF RACING CHAMPIONS SUMMER: April - October The largest outdoor karting circuit in Europe is 10 am - 12.20 pm and 1 pm – 7 pm In this stylish outlet village you can shop seven days a week in a WINTER: November - March car-free environment. There are over 100 boutiques with top brands 10.30 am -12.20 pm and 1 pm - sunset such as Björn Borg, Garcia, Lacoste and UGG® Australia. These Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in brands offer collections at prices 30 to 60 percent cheaper than December, January and February the original price throughout the year. During your shopping trip you Damstraat 1 can enjoy a charming Italian meal, a tasty quality burger or other T +32 (0)89 65 81 82 delicacies. Alternatively, you can relax in an outdoor café with a view E [email protected] of the former mine’s headframes. There are over 1600 free parking W www.kartinggenk.be spaces. located in Genk! If you are at least 125 cm tall, you can come and race with rental karts on the fun circuit. No experience required. You pay € 18 for fifteen minutes. Kids aged up to 14 can kart at a special rate at certain points in time. After your racing experience you can catch your breath in brasserie A La Kart with a unique view of the famous circuit and the beautiful green surroun- Genk is the ideal starting point for a visit to Maasmechelen Village. dings. Did you know that a lot of famous F1 drivers Zetellaan 100 started their careers at Karting Genk? You can still 3630 Maasmechelen spot celebrities on the circuit from time to time. T +32 (0)89 77 40 00 W www.maasmechelenvillage.com WATERSCHEI PRACTICAL INFORMATION VISTI GENK/C-MINE VISITOR CENTRE FOOD AND DRINK WHERE TO STAY stadium of KRC Genk is located one kilometre fur- Here you can find all information regarding The football stadium and the Waterschei mine The whole range of local accommodation options ther down the road. Waterschei, GoalMine and the Stadium Tour as building are just a stone’s throw away from can be found in the list of hotels (see p. 74) or on well as tourist information about the other attrac- multicultural Hoevenzavellaan and Stalenstraat. www.visitgenk.be tions in Genk and its surroundings. Here you can have a taste of other cultures in the Take bus line G1 from Genk railway station. There is a stop next to the mine building and the sta- OPENING HOURS ACCESSIBILITY BY CAR Monday from 1 pm to 5 pm. Take exit 31 Genk-centrum off the E314 motorway. Tuesdays to Sundays and on public holidays from Follow the signs to Waterschei. Turn left at the traf- PARKING 10 am to 5 pm fic lights. Continue along this road. On the right There are plenty of free parking facilities near the closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day you will first see the Waterschei mine building; the stadium and the Waterschei mine building. best Italian or Greek restaurants. 58 BY BUS VISIT GENK/C-MINE VISITOR CENTRE C-MINE 10 BUS 2 T +32 (0)89 65 44 90 E [email protected] W WWW.VISITGENK.BE dium. 59 Strolling, stepping and touring VESPAROUTE.COM Explore the Central Limburg region by Vespa with BICYCLE HIRE friends, family or colleagues starting from C-mine. Bicycles are available for hire at the Katteven- Enjoy the wonderful Limburg scenery and learn nen and Bokrijk domains, at the bicycle point about the rich mining history and its architecture. near the railway station in the city centre and Genk has a wonderful green per- at C-mine. Did you bring your own bike? Bicycle iphery. This makes the city ideal for repair and storage services are available at the a bicycle ride or a nice walk. You bicycle point near the railway station. have the bicycle junctions, original thematic routes and wood trails in the National Park. However, you can also explore the most beautiful spots of Genk and its surroundings by Vespa. Vesparoute enables you to explore the region on your own or by means of a GPS road book system with mapped-out routes. These routes take you along quiet roads to the most important sights and enable you to take a break from time to time. with advanced booking: No experience required: Vesparoute gives a full every day from 15 March up to 15 October explanation. Don’t forget to book! from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm Vesparoute.com vzw Fietsbasis: 0800 96 96 7 (free number) place of departure: C-mine from abroad: T +32 495 52 42 26 T +32 (0)11 74 44 44 W www.vesparoute.com without advanced booking and target price: € 69 / Vespa (10 am – 6 pm) according to availability: GPS: € 10 every day from 1 April up to 30 September You can also rent a Vespa at rental bike: € 10 Tweewielshop Vantempel child’s bikes, bike trailers, trailer bikes, (diagonally across from C-mine) child seats, tandems and electric bicycles Evence Coppéelaan 106 available at some rental locations T +32 (0)89 35 35 76 more information: www.toerismelimburg.be E [email protected] W www.tweewielshop.be TIP FROM SVEN student SURPRISING VESPA RIDES “Last year some friends and I rented a couple of Vespas for a tour of Genk. What a great experience! We also received a number of mapped-out routes, which took us to the most beautiful spots in and around Genk. The C-mine site was our point of departure and arrival. Very convenient. Highly recommended for those who want to explore Genk in a surprising and adventurous way.” More information: www.vesparoute.com 60 ‘GENK TRAPT’ CYCLING MAP A healthy portion of active recreation should definitely be on the menu in one of the greenest cities in Flanders. We set you on the right path CYCLING AND WALKING IN AND AROUND… 1 2 3 C-MINE The cycling map of De Wijers, a unique know what this means in the cycling area with 1,175 ponds, enables you to paradise of Limburg: great fun! From explore the recent mining history and C-mine you can ride to the Hengelhoef takes you through unique nature areas. woods, to Kattevennen and to Bokrijk. C-mine is located at junction 73 of the more information can be obtained from cycling route network. Amateur cyclists Visit Genk/C-mine visitor centre BOKRIJK Bokrijk is located at junctions 71, 91 and 92 of Walkers can indulge themselves in the the Limburg cycling route network. You can 550-hectare Bokrijk park. Opt for one of the create your own loop with a bicycle junc- five mapped-out routes ranging from 1.5 to tion map. You are absolutely certain of one 9.5 kilometres in the De Wijers pond region. thing: healthy air in the woods. The Bokrijk Also make a stop at the Arboretum. Here Information Centre has cycling and walking you can admire numerous tree species, maps and offers bicycles for rent. Bookings unique plants and an extensive holly and can be made by calling +32 (0)800 96 96 7. bamboo collection. KATTEVENNEN Riding a bike is great fun in the safe sand and bumps for 42 kilometres. Along and low-traffic Kattevennen domain. In the way you pass by the stadium of KRC addition, the domain is connected to the Genk and the spoil tips. The Kattevennen Limburg cycling network. As of junction car park is the point of departure for three 30, you pass straight through the Hoge signposted walking routes to the Our Lady Kempen National Park. Are you riding of Lourdes Grotto in Wiemesmeer or to an electric bicycle? No problem! There’s Heempark. The green, blue and red route a charging station at Eetcafé Kattevenia. measure 4.6, 7.2 and 9.9 kilometres in Kattevennen is also located on the Hoge length respectively. And don’t forget the Kempen mountain biking route, which Planet Trail or the Stone Trail! A handy map takes you on an adventurous trip over helps you on your way. with the ‘Genk trapt’ cycling map. Opt for one of the two new cycling loops leading you past the most beautiful spots of Genk. Loop 1 (30 kilometres) passes by the bicycle junctions at C-mine, Kattevennen and Thor Park in Waterschei. Loop 2 TIP FROM LUC fervent cyclist (29 kilometres) takes you to C-mine, Bokrijk and the De Maten/Wijers nature reserve. You will see: BUY A CYCLING PACKAGE it’s a short ride from the city centre to Genk’s green “Cycling enthusiast and nature lover? Then be sure to try the cycling packages of and peaceful periphery. Great picnic locations, the Kattevennen, Pietersheim and Lieteberg entrances. You get a discount on the bicycle-friendly accommodation and sights are entrance tickets and furthermore receive a free cycling map which easily takes clearly indicated on the map. you through the most beautiful scenic parts of Limburg. More information about the freely available from Visit Genk/C-mine visitor packages can be obtained at the entrances.” centre and bike rental stations 61 MULTICULINARY FLAVOURS A unique couleur locale You can taste a wide variety of cultures in Genk. Furthermore, restaurants in and around the city offer high-quality gourmet food. 62 Vennestraat at C-mine 63 FINGER FOOD ROUTE In multicultural Vennestraat in the Winterslag company town you can find the best ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine. The Finger Food route takes you along shops, cafés and restaurants from the four corners of the world. This gives you for example the opportunity to discover a nice Turkish supermarket and taste delicious olives, Italian cheeses and Parma ham. Afterwards, you can take a recipe book home. Each Saturday of August and September a guide is waiting for you at the C-mine visitor centre for a Finger Food route at 2 pm. € 9 p.p. including appetisers duration: 2 hours departure: Visit Genk/C-Mine visitor centre maximum number of participants: 15 advance booking is required Visit Genk/C-Mine visitor centre C-Mine 10 bus 2 T +32 (0)89 65 44 90 E [email protected] W www.visitgenk.be SOUL FOOD IN VENNESTRAAT Thanks to the free booklet “Soul Food in Vennestraat”, you immediately know where you have to be for those eighteen kinds of pasta, that traditional Belgian miner’s beer or those delicious Genk biscuits. You can also easily find top gourmet addresses in the vicinity of Vennestraat (see p. 32). Get your free booklet at the C-mine visitor reception or visit one of the participating shops in Vennestraat TIP FROM LILY Genk teacher GIVE SOMEONE A CULINARY VOUCHER! “If I want to give an original gift, I always buy a Genk culinary voucher. The ‘Genk GENK REGIONAL PRODUCTS: INTERNATIONAL BISCUITS AND COAL TRUFFLE The melting pot of nationalities in Genk has produced a new delicacy: Genk biscuits. There are five delicious varieties: Turkish, Greek, Italian, Belgian and Polish. To treat yourself or to give to others! Apart from the biscuits, the coal truffle is the flagship of the range of Genk regional products: delicious chocolates in a beautiful gift box. a pack of Genk biscuits: € 4.50 gift box with four varieties: € 20 flavours of the world’ voucher enables you to visit the best Italian, Greek, Turkish and Belgian restaurants. To real connoisseurs I like to give the voucher “Gastronomic enjoyment” with top restaurants. Success guaranteed.” W www.visitgenk.be a box of coal truffles: € 10 for sale at the Visit Genk/C-mine visitor centre 64 65 CITY CENTRE OF GENK Vibrant and full of life Discover the colourful city centre of Genk. Marvel at the library’s architecture or make yourself comfortable in the chairs of a sunny outdoor café. Or stroll through the pedestrian shopping streets and breathe in the atmosphere of the shopping centres. 66 Molenvijverpark 67 MOLENVIJVERPARK Molenvijverpark in the centre of Genk was originally a swamp fed by the Dorpsbeek stream. In 1967 the area was turned into a city park. The authentic water mill is now a restaurant. Molenvijverpark overlooks the EMILE VAN DOREN MUSEUM LIVING HISTORY HOUSE OF LANDSCAPE AND ART IN THE WAKE OF EMILE VAN DOREN AND NEEL DOFF In the idyllic setting of villa Le Coin Perdu, the beautiful villas in Molenstraat. La Maison Blanche, the villa of artist Armand Maclot, is located at number 80. There is also a sundial park with up to twelve ways to know what time it is. From spring onwards you can also rent boats in Molenvijverpark. You can row for half an hour on the Molenvijvers ponds and former house of artist Emile Van Doren, you can Experienced actors step into the clothes of Emile discover the story about the old Genck, its land- Van Doren and Neel Doff and take you back in scape and the hundreds of painters who were time. Thanks to their stories, you can imagine inspired by it. The Emile Van Doren Museum yourself in Genk at the beginning of the 20th sheds light on this little-known story with a collec- century when the first signs of the mining industry tion of unique paintings. Nowadays, this land- appeared. scape inspires modern artists. Their works are enjoy the wonderful green surroundings at an affordable price. freely accessible Molenstraat also part of the surprising museum collection. Emile Van Doren is alive: In Genk you can still discover the landscapes Sunday 2 October that inspired Emile Van Doren and many others, from 4 to 4.45 pm including Molenvijverpark, Heempark and Kattevennen. Neel Doff is back: open on Sundays from 2 to 6 pm Sunday 6 November free of charge from 4 to 4.45 pm Henri Decleenestraat 21 also open upon request, for groups, Price: € 4 T +32 (0)89 65 38 10 under the supervision of a city guide advance booking is required E [email protected] (max. 20 participants) W www.emilevandorenmuseum.be François Halkett – In het dennenbos (1884) BELLE EPOQUE TOUR Between 1840 and 1940, numerous landscape painters, including Emile Van Doren, came to Genk to immortalise the special landscape with its mysterious meres and sandy heathland. The bourgeoisie, authors and scientists followed them to Genk soon after. They have left behind wonderful NEW IN 2016 PICNIC IN THE PARK Enjoy a great picnic in a unique and astonishingly beautiful setting: from this spring onwards you can do so in Molenvijverpark. Designer Linde Hermans turned some beautiful spots in the park into ‘Camp Carré’, atmospheric picnic spots that focus on nature, slow time and social contacts. You can host a nice BBQ in group at one of the design picnic tables. Would you prefer not to carry your own food and materials? Order one of our picnic baskets full of (multi)culinary specialities from Genk. On our map “Genk trapt” you can discover the fun picnic spots and routes throughout the town. villas, beautiful Belle Époque gems. Your visit starts at the Emile Van Doren Museum and subsequently leads you past various other Belle Époque villas. Sunday 3 July, 7 August and 4 September price: € 4 p.p. departure at the Emile Van Doren Museum at 2 pm duration: 2 hours advance booking is advisable at visit@ genk.be Or T +32 (0)89 65 44 90 ROOMS OF DISCOVERY Together with their parents, children up to twelve years old can discover the story of the museum, Emile Van Doren and landscape painting in a fascinating and fun way with the help of six suitcases in six rooms. free for families possible to do in group or class (accompanied by an educational guide): € 30 68 69 SHOP TILL YOU DROP Looking for original clothing stores and ly renovated. Up to some more shopping? unique boutiques? Or do you prefer stroll- You will certainly find something in Shop- ing over one of the many pleasant markets ping 2, Shopping 3 or in the shopping of Genk? If you go shopping in Genk, it is street between Grote Markt and the city better not to wear your highest stilettos. Its hall. A nice bonus: on public holidays and 400 shops and 60,000 sq. m. of shopping during the sales period, the shops are fun turn Genk into a wonderful Limburg also open on Sundays. The exact dates shopping paradise. And when the wea- can be found at www.visitgenk.be After ther is bad, you can simply go to one of the shopping you can relax in one of the many three indoor shopping centres Moreover, cosy brasseries, and if the weather is nice, shopping 1 is legendary: it is Belgium’s first you should certainly sit down at one of the indoor shopping centre! It already opened outdoor cafés. The big and beautifully built in 1968, but last year it has been complete- library is also a must. ON THE CALENDAR BOTTA BUILDING One of the most recent showpieces in the city centre is the prestigious office complex designed by the famous Swiss architect Mario Botta. The building’s fourth floor accommodates the “cosmOpolitan gallery”, a gallery for contemporary art. You can marvel at the works of artist Koen Vanmechelen.each Friday O-PARADE ON 1 MAY Every year some 160,000 people flock to Genk on 1 May. and Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm That is why the event is the biggest one-day event in free of charge Flanders. 1 May in Genk returns for its 66th edition in 2016. Jaarbeurslaan 17 Apart from the O-parade, a creative procession which is also the highlight of the day, there is a large annual fair, TIP: a carnival, fireworks and more. The O-parade is still a Vanmechelen will be inextricably linked unique concept in Europe: In this creative parade, street to Genk in the course of the coming theatre acts from Belgium and abroad alternate with floats. years. La Biomista, an animal park Famous designers such as Koen Vanmechelen and Wim revealing the link between art and Delvoye have assisted with the parade. biodiversity, will be established at the T +32 (0)89 65 48 65 mine manager’s villa in the Zwartberg W www.visitgenk.be neighbourhood in Genk. The park will open to visitors in 2018. 70 71 ON THE CALENDAR SUNDAY MARKETS Each Sunday morning in July and August, thousands of people go to Genk to visit one of the largest flea markets of Flanders. Street entertainment, big bands, related activities and a musical finale on Grote Markt complete the picture. T +32 (0)89 65 48 65 W www.visitgenk.be TIP FROM MIREILLE GENK ON STAGE 2016 will see the fourteenth edition of Genk on stage. EVERYBODY HITS THE TOWN ON THURSDAY: UNWINDING IN THE CENTRE OF GENK Once again, more than 200,000 visitors are expected to On Thursday 5 May, 2 June, 7 July, 4 August and 1 September, some forty Genk restaurants and pubs attend. The festival’s recipe for success? More than 60 acts, organise a pleasant happy hour night in the city centre. From 6 pm onwards they offer a free drink or an a mix of famous (inter)national names and local talent, ‘Everybody hits the town on Thursday’ menu. In the meantime you can enjoy twenty live gigs throughout three festival days, six podiums, numerous side events, the city centre. At Grote Markt you can lounge about and there is entertainment for children. plenty of atmosphere and all of that… for free. 5 May, 2 June, 7 July, 4 August and 1 September 24, 25 and 26 June W www.iedereendonderdagt.be recently retired COLOURFUL MARKETS “I have always loved visiting markets, both in Belgium and abroad. Now that I am retired, I have plenty of time to discover markets that are still unknown to me. The fresh market on Saturdays in Vennestraat and the Thursday market in the centre of W www.vesparoute.com Genk have really surprised me; they are very pleasant and there is a wide range of delicious multiculinary treats.” CITY CENTRE OF GENK PRACTICAL INFORMATION Arriving in the centre of Genk, you can go to leaflet holders at different locations in the city FOOD AND DRINK BY TRAIN several places where they will help you on your centre with leaflets containing a wealth of infor- Genk is a melting pot of cultures, and you can Genk railway station is located in the centre of the way. You can get a tourist welcome package mation and tips. taste that. In the centre you have a number of city. Each hour there is a train from and to Bokrijk, multicultural restaurants and there are many Hasselt, Leuven, Brussels, Ghent and Ostend. at the information centre in the town hall. This package also includes the route to Visit Genk/ Detailed tourist information tailored to your in- C-mine visitor centre. In the library you can dividual needs can be obtained from the Visit find a useful digital information module with all Genk/C-mine visitor centre. tourist information. On the wall of the former BY BUS WHERE TO STAY More than 600 buses of De Lijn stop at Genk The whole range of local accommodation options railway station every day. Furthermore, the city tourist reception, you still have the iWindow, OPENING HOURS can be found in the list of hotels (see p. 74) or on boasts five “Green Stops”, a combination of a bus a digital information screen that contains the Mondays from 1 pm to 5 pm. www.visitgenk.be trip and a mapped-out walk. same information as www.visitgenk.be. Tuesdays to Sundays and on public holidays ACCESSIBILITY BY CAR PARKING Genk is served by the E314 motorway and is parking is possible at different locations within a easily accessible via exit 31 ‘Genk-centrum’ or few minutes’ walk from the centre. from 10 am to 5 pm If you are staying in Genk, they can probably help you at your hotel. You can find tourist 72 places to enjoy gourmet food. Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day exit 32 ‘Genk-oost’. VISIT GENK/C-MINE VISITOR CENTRE C-MINE 10 BUS 2 T +32 (0)89 65 44 90 [email protected] WWWW.VISITGENK.BE There is plenty of parking space in the city. Free 73 WHERE TO STAY From cosy B&Bs to design hotels Take your time to discover Genk and book a hotel or guest room. There is a wide variety of accommodations in Genk to suit everybody’s taste and budget. 74 Hotel Stiemerheide 75 70 113 161 x x x x x x x - x x 8 x x Wiemesmeerstraat 105 - T +32 (0)89 35 58 28 - F +32 (0)89 35 58 03 - E [email protected] - W www.stiemerheide.be 95,5 112 x x x x x x 115,5 132 Albert Remansstraat 1 - T +32 (0)89 36 41 50 - F +32 (0)89 36 41 51 - E [email protected] - W www.m-hotel.be 81 - x x 5 - - M Hotel is situated in one of the hidden gems of Genk: Molenvijverpark in the city centre. The hotel boasts 81 unique rooms and has been almost completely renovated last year. The hotel is known as the most child-friendly hotel of Genk with its special family rooms and a separate check-in for kids. Bistro Bar Restaurant Molenvijver is the place to have dinner, lunch or to enjoy the sunny terrace with a view of the pond. CITY CENTRE 76 Private garage Dogs allowed Mini bar in room Number of conference rooms Indoor pool Sauna and/or fitness centre Private car park Lift 26 - - - 1 - x This trendy and quiet hotel offers a personal welcome and is situated at three kilometres of the city centre. The 26 modern rooms are furnished with natural materials and have the serenity of a forest. All rooms have their own bathroom with a luxurious shower, flat screen television, telephone and Nespresso coffee machine. Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant “La Focaccia”: you discover the Mediterranean flavours of all fresh products. OUTSIDE THE CITY CENTRE – HOGE KEMPEN NATIONAL PARK 90 105 x x x x x 118 129 Europalaan 46 - T +32 (0)89 36 42 44 - F +32 (0)89 36 42 50 - E [email protected] - W www.hotelecu.com ECU HOTEL GENK *** 50 This cottage-style hotel is very attractive and situated in the countryside at the edge of the National Park. The 70 hotel rooms and suites have all mod cons. The hotel has a gorgeous indoor pool – the biggest in Belgium – with sauna and solarium. Stiemerheide also offers snooker facilities and free parking and is situated next to the golf course of the Spiegelven Golf Club. Enjoy the modern cuisine of the restaurant “De Corneille” or visit the gourmet restaurant “De Kristalijn”, which has been awarded with one Michelin star. OUTSIDE THE CITY CENTRE – HOGE KEMPEN NATIONAL PARK M HOTEL **** Bar 75 90 x x x x x 95 130 Fletersdel 1 - T +32 (0)89 32 10 10 - F +32 (0)89 35 35 29 - E [email protected] - W www.hotelatlantis.be HOTEL ATLANTIS *** Carbon can be found in many different components: In the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the cosmetics you use and the fuel you put in your car. Carbon is the sixth most common element in the universe, but to Genk it means more than that. It is a unique and stylish design hotel. Live ‘The Carbon Experience’: have dinner in the trendy restaurant with a great terrace and wonderful rooftop garden and relax in the Carbon Sense City Spa wellness centre afterwards. You will return from your visit with renewed energy. CITY CENTRE HOTEL STIEMERHEIDE **** Restaurant x Radio and/or television in room - Telephone in room 4 Accessible for people in a wheelchair Sauna and/or fitness centre x Price for a double/twin room + breakfast (€) Indoor pool x Price for a single room + breakfast (€) Number of conference rooms - Hotels with a bike label Number of rooms Mini bar in room 60 Dogs allowed 141 160 x x x x x 181 200 Europalaan 38 - T +32 (0)89 32 29 20 - F +32 (0)89 32 29 21 - E [email protected] - W www.carbonhotel.be CARBON HOTEL **** Private garage Private car park Lift Bar Restaurant Radio and/or television in room Telephone in room Accessible for people in a wheelchair Price for a double/twin room + breakfast (€) Price for a single room + breakfast (€) Number of rooms Hotels Free Internet - x - 1 - x Ecu is a stylish hotel in the city centre which attaches great importance to service and quality. The hotel’s 50 rooms have a telephone, television, bathroom with bath and/or shower and hairdryer. The luxury rooms also have a walk-in shower and a mini bar. You can enjoy an extensive breakfast buffet and the car park is easily accessible. All rooms have recently been completely renovated. CITY CENTRE ARTE *** 23 65 85 - - x - - x x - x - 1 - - Europalaan 68 - T +32 (0)89 35 20 06 - F +32 (0)89 36 10 36 - E [email protected] - W www.hotelarte.com Hotel Arte is a cosy hotel in the city centre with 23 renovated rooms. During the day you can easily reach all sights and attractions in the neighbourhood, and at night you can enjoy the wide range of gourmet restaurants the city has to offer. As from this year, hotel Arte has a cocktail bar, where you can spend a lovely evening.In the morning a copious continental breakfast will be waiting for you. CITY CENTRE 77 - Sauna and/or fitness centre Sauna and/or fitness centre - Indoor pool Indoor pool 1 Number of conference rooms Number of conference rooms - Mini bar in room Mini bar in room - Dogs allowed Dogs allowed - Private garage Private garage x Private car park Private car park - Lift Lift x Bar Bar x Restaurant Restaurant x Radio and/or television in room Radio and/or television in room x Telephone in room Telephone in room - Accessible for people in a wheelchair Accessible for people in a wheelchair 80 Price for a double/twin room + breakfast (€) Price for a double/twin room + breakfast (€) 60 Price for a single room + breakfast (€) Price for a single room + breakfast (€) 24 Number of rooms Number of rooms DE VENNE *** 8 60 75 - x x x x - - - x x 0 - - Free Internet Wildekastanjelaan 23 - T +32 (0)89 30 47 70 - F +32 (0)89 30 47 72 - E [email protected] - W www.hoteldevenne.be Hotels with a bike label ’T HERT ** Winterslagstraat 11 - T +32 (0)89 35 27 69 - F +32 (0)89 35 16 39 - E [email protected] - W www.hotel-het-hert.be This bike hotel is situated within walking distance of C-mine and the multicultural street “Vennestraat”. The location is also ideal for industrial customers. The hotel is situated near a bus stop and bicycle junctions 72 and 73.Hotel De Venne has 24 rooms with bathroom, television, safe and telephone. A kitchenette is possible for an additional fee. There is free private parking and a bike shed. OUTSIDE THE CITY CENTRE – WINTERSLAG (NEAR C-MINE) 61 85 x x x 79 103 Havenstraat 18 - T +32 (0)89 23 99 66 - E [email protected] - W www.oasegenk.be BLUE OASE *** 20 x x x x x x x 2 - - ‘t Hert is a traditional, comfortable hotel in the centre of Genk within walking distance of the railway station. The eight double/twin rooms have a bathroom with a bath or shower, a hairdryer, a toilet, a refrigerator, a TV, a radio alarm clock and a telephone. The luxury rooms even have a bath, a Jacuzzi and a shower. ‘t Hert also features a restaurant where you can enjoy Flemish cuisine with a French touch. There are many parking possibilities nearby. CITY CENTRE BELLE HOTEL - BOKRIJK ** 13 50 70 x x x x x 55 75 Noordlaan 36 - T +32 (0)89 35 61 80 - F +32 (0)89 36 42 32 - E [email protected] - W www.hoteldeschacht.be 19 - - 2 - - Hotel De Schacht is a cosy family and bike hotel in the middle of the Winterslag company town within walking distance of C-mine and the city centre. The hotel has nineteen comfortable rooms with a bathroom, TV and direct telephone link. There is a private car park and a free bike shed. Bicycle junctions 70 and 72 are nearby, as is the bus stop. OUTSIDE THE CITY CENTRE – WINTERSLAG (NEAR C-MINE) 78 75 - x x x x - x - - - 1 - - Hasseltweg 475 - T +32 (0)11 22 95 56 - F +32 (0)11 24 14 18 - E [email protected] - W www.bokrijks-gasthof.be Blue Oase has a family atmosphere and is situated just outside the city centre near industrial zone Genk South. Hotel Oase offers twenty tidy rooms with TV, hairdryer, shower or bath and toilet. There is sufficient free parking space. The hotel has a convivial restaurant, Blue Oase, where breakfast is served. There’s no need to rush, because tasteful seasonal dishes are served until 9.30 pm each night. If you fancy a late night drink afterwards, you can go to the bar, which is open until midnight. OUTSIDE THE CITY CENTRE – GENK SOUTH DE SCHACHT ** 75 This hotel is situated 400 metres from the Bokrijk open-air museum and 200 metres from the Bokrijk railway station. All rooms of the hotel have a television and a private bathroom with bath or shower. There is also free parking. By car you can reach Genk in barely 10 minutes. In brasserie “Trobbiani’s Place” you can enjoy a copious meal or discuss your lovely stay over a tasty drink. OUTSIDE THE CITY CENTRE - BOKRIJK 67,5 x x x x 97,5 Onderwijslaan 6 - T +32 (0)89 24 75 67 - F +32 (0)89 20 30 84 - E [email protected] - W www.hetkloostergenk.be HOTEL HET KLOOSTER 7 57,5 - 1 - - Hotel Het Klooster is located in the former monastery near the Waterschei mining site. The pleasant brasserie or the indoor and heated garden terrace are great places to relax. The owners present an extremely fresh and honest cuisine based on the best regional ingredients. The football stadium of KRC Genk is nearby: in case of home games, a menu is served with regional products from the opponent’s region. Het Klooster is ten minutes away from the city centre and one kilometre from the motorway E314. OUTSIDE THE CITY CENTRE - WATERSCHEI 79 Telephone in room Radio and/or television in room Restaurant Bar Lift Private car park Private garage Dogs allowed Mini bar in room Number of conference rooms Indoor pool Sauna and/or fitness centre Price for a double/twin room + breakfast (€) x - - - - - - - - - * - x Twinstone Lodge offers all mod cons to spend a carefree holiday with friends or family in a unique rooms overlook the headframe, which is beautifully lit at night.In the morning you can enjoy a copious breakfast in the breakfast room. The former engineer’s house has three guest rooms with all mod cons and an apartment for four people. C-mine is a five-minute walk away from the B&B. OUTSIDE THE CITY CENTRE – WINTERSLAG (NEAR C-MINE) setting. This fully-equipped holiday home is perfect for groups up to twelve, sixteen or 28 people and can be rented for a weekend, a week or a midweek. The Twinstone Lodge is situated in the middle of nature, at the edge of the Hoge Kempen National Park. That is why it is an excellent starting point for hikers, cyclers and riders. An additional asset: after an active day, you can enjoy a relaxing time in the sauna or the steam bath. One of the living rooms can also be used as a conference room. OUTSIDE THE CITY CENTRE - KATTEVENNEN 4 1 n.v.t. n.v.t. La Mine Colline is situated on the Zwarte Goud cycling and walking route in Winterslag. The Bloemenweelde is a B&B with four rooms. The house is located in Zwartberg, a neighbourhood in Genk with visible elements of a not so distant mining past. Spending the night in this authentic and comfortable mine manager’s house, which is located in an attractive park, is an unforgettable experience. Here you can enjoy nature in peace and quiet. Breakfast is served with a view of the beautiful garden. The four rooms are spacious and luxurious and have their own shower, toilet and satellite TV. OUTSIDE THE CITY CENTRE - ZWARTBERG EVEN VERHUIZEN 10 Kattevennen - M +32(0)475 81 36 78 - E [email protected] - W www.twinstone.be v.a. v.a x x x 0 85 110 Marcel Habetslaan 19 - T +32 (0)89 84 55 64 - M +32 (0)471 86 83 75 - E [email protected] - W www.bloemenweeldelimburg.be BLOEMENWEELDE TWINSTONE LODGE Price for a single room + breakfast (€) - Holiday home Number of rooms - Hotels with a bike label Accessible for people in a wheelchair 4 Sauna and/or fitness centre v.a. v.a. x x x 0 90 110 Oostlaan 35 - T +32 (0)89 24 86 58 - F +32 (0)89 35 55 17 - M +32 (0)478 64 26 63 - E [email protected] - W www.laminecolline.be LA MINE COLLINE Indoor pool Number of conference rooms Mini bar in room Dogs allowed Private garage Private car park Lift Bar Restaurant Radio and/or television in room Telephone in room Accessible for people in a wheelchair Price for a double/twin room + breakfast (€) Price for a single room + breakfast (€) Number of rooms Bed & Breakfast Free Internet 55 70 - - x - - - x - - - 0 - Youth hostel DE ROERDOMP 21 n.v.t. n.v.t. - - - x x - x - - - 0 - - Boekrakelaan 30 - T +32 (0)89 35 62 20 - F +32 (0)89 30 39 80 - E [email protected] - W www.jeugdherbergen.be Youth hostel De Roerdomp is situated in an exceptionally beautiful nature reserve near the Bokrijk domain. De Roerdomp is especially recommended for groups, schools and families who like to keep their holiday budget low. OUTSIDE THE CITY CENTRE - BOKRIJK - Turfstraat 166 - M +32 (0)471 72 68 28 - E [email protected] - W www.evenverhuizen.be Even Verhuizen is situated near Bokrijk, in the green periphery of Genk. The suite has a cosy and comfortable design. Breakfast is always served with a view of the meadows of Bokrijk. It is the perfect stay for cyclists. The cycling route network passes by the front door. Bicycles are made available to guests for free. OUTSIDE THE CITY CENTRE - BOKRIJK 80 81 Radio and/or television in room Restaurant Bar Lift Private car park Private garage Dogs allowed Mini bar in room Number of conference rooms Indoor pool Sauna and/or fitness centre Price for a double/twin room + breakfast (€) Price for a single room + breakfast (€) n.v.t. n.v.t. Telephone in room 36 Accessible for people in a wheelchair BLOSO-SPORTVERBLIJF KATTEVENIA Number of rooms Bloso sports accommodation - - - x x - x - - - 2 - - Kattevennen 15 - T +32 (0)89 86 91 30 - F +32 (0)89 86 91 44 - E [email protected] - W www.bloso.be/centra/genk Bloso sports accommodation Kattevenia is situated in the wonderful woody surroundings of Kattevennen, one of the entrances to the National Park. It is the place to be for any sporty stay. In addition, a cycling, walking or riding package is organised eight times a year. The comfortable rooms for two to four people all have a shower and a toilet. The chefs provide delicious meals in the pleasant restaurant, which overlooks the inner garden. OUTSIDE THE CITY CENTRE - KATTEVENNEN Motorhome parking There are seven parking spots for motorhomes in Kattevennen. You only pay five euros, including water and power consumption, for a maximum of 24 hours. The key can be obtained from the visitor centre during its opening hours. Outside the opening hours, you can get the key at Brasserie De Krater. OUTSIDE THE CITY CENTRE - KATTEVENNEN 82 The prices are standard prices excl. tourist tax and may be subject to changes depending on the period. Visit Genk is not responsible for any price changes or inaccuracies. 83 START TO GENK FOR GROUPS Would you like to visit Genk in group? Request the brochure ‘Start to Genk for groups’. This brochure contains all organised day trips that can be booked in Genk. From a culinary experience in Vennestraat over a city walk in the centre of Genk to a guided tour in C-mine expedition... There are activities to please everyone, both for small and big groups. Order the brochure ‘Start to Genk for groups’: [email protected] or +32 (0)89 65 44 90 LET’S MEET IN GENK! NEW VISIT GENK APP Are you looking for a special location for your meeting, Download the tourist offer of Genk via the brand new app. This useful, virtual city reception, incentive, team building activity or event? Genk guide is tailor-made and turns a visit to Genk into a unique and interactive experience. is perfect for a wide variety of meetings. Discover twenty The app will help you find a wealth of information about top events, famous sites, exceptional meeting locations and get inspired by Genk’s catering business, the offer for children and other interesting facts. All items are innovative and creative hot spots including C-mine, C-mine indicated on a map and are equipped with the newest technologies such as crib and Thor Park. Genk boasts nineteen hotels, B&Bs and augmented reality. The app is free, multilingual and suitable for both iOS (tablet and holiday homes, accounting in total for almost 1,100 beds. smart phone) and Android. For the full offer and our brochure: please visit www.meetingenk.be The C-mine offer is also available in form of a brochure: [email protected] or +32 (0)89 65 44 85 84 85 86 87 NL 70’ Eindhoven Airport Antwerp 50’ 60’ GENK Brussels Airport Charleroi Airport B T +32(0)89 65 44 90 F +32(0)89 65 44 89 E [email protected] Wwww.visitgenk.be Liège Airport D Follow us on: www.facebook.com/visitgenk www.pinterest.com/visitgenk twitter.com/visitgenk http://instagram.com/stadgenk Responsible publisher: Wim Dries, Stadsplein 1, 3600 Genk C-Mine 10 bus 2, B-3600 Genk Aachen L F VISIT GENK/C-mine visitor centre Maastricht Aachen Airport Cologne Bonn Airport 35’
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