Mid Term Tour TIMS Belgium

Please register if you want to participate.

The next Mid Term Tour will be held in Belgium (Flanders) in September 2026

Date for your diary: 5 to 13 September (arival/departure days included)

Program:

Day 1: Arrival day

Day 2: Visiting mills in East-Flanders & Hainaut (mainly postmills)

Day 3: Visiting mills in Brabant-Flemish (mainly watermills)

Day 4: Visiting mills in East-Flanders (watermills)

Day 5: Visiting mills in Antwerp province (wind- & Watermills)

Day 6: Visiting mills in French Flanders (FR) (windmills/museum)

Day 7: Visiting mills in West-Flanders (windmills)

Day 8: Visiting mills in East-Flanders (windmills/museum)

Day 9: Departure day (National Monuments day)

More info: november 2025

Belgium is a small, densely populated country in Western Europe, known for its medieval towns, Renaissance architecture, complex politics, and role as a founding member of the European Union. Its capital, Brussels, is home to major international institutions like the EU and NATO. Belgium is bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and the North Sea.

The country is notable for its multilingual and federal structure, divided into three regions and three language communities:

  • Regions:
    • Flanders (Dutch-speaking, north)
    • Wallonia (French-speaking, south)
    • Brussels-Capital Region (officially bilingual: French and Dutch)
  • Language Communities:
    • Dutch-speaking (Flemish)
    • French-speaking
    • German-speaking (in eastern Wallonia)

Flanders

Flanders is the northern region of Belgium where Dutch (locally referred to as Flemish) is spoken. It’s the most populous and economically dynamic part of the country, characterized by:

  • Modern infrastructure and industry, especially in cities like Antwerp (port and diamond trade), Ghent (culture and education), and Leuven (home to one of Europe’s oldest universities).
  • Flat landscapes with dense urbanization, historic towns, windmills, and a well-developed cycling network.
  • Cultural richness, including Flemish painting (e.g., P.P. Rubens, Brothers Van Eyck, Anthony Van Dijck), traditional festivals, and a vibrant arts scene.
  • Distinct identity: While part of Belgium, many Flemish people strongly identify with Flanders, and the region has its own parliament and government.

Flanders is known for its pragmatism, high-tech economy, and active role in Belgian and European politics.

In short, Belgium is a complex, multilingual federation at the crossroads of Europe, and Flanders is its northern, Dutch-speaking region, rich in culture, economy, and history.