For the third time Europe has selected a Youth Capital of the year. For 2011 Antwerp has the privilege to be called the Youth Capital of Europe – we want to show the world that our city is an amazing and inspiring place for children and youngsters to grow up in and as a destination for young visitors. The theme Antwerp has selected is creating room for youth in all senses – physically and mentally. Spaces are designed to be used by young people to play, participate, practice and party.
The kick-off for the Youth Capital of 2011 began last weekend with a big youth event. There will be a great range of attractions in Antwerp particip[ating and the city is organizing plenty of events, congresses, to attract European youth visitors. So if you are between 12 and 26 years old take a look at the youth capital website and find more info about what events Antwerp is offering in 2011!
Some upcoming Antwerp Youth Events
- Week of the Youth Book: now – 03 April 2011
- Let’s Play Outside! 6th April 2011
- Youth Fashion day: 14 & 15 May 2011
- Extreme Convention en ATLAS Festival: 11 – 24 April 2011
- Get2 Cinema 1st May 2011
Ramada Plaza Antwerp are proud to be participating in Earth Hour. Since 2007 this annual event has been held on the last Saturday of March and asks homes and businesses to turn off non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for an hour to raise awareness of climate change.
This year Earth Hour will take place on Saturday 26th March 2011 from 20:30 until 21:30. The times are all local making this a rolling global event with over a billion people expected to take part. At the Ramada Plaza Antwerp Hotel we will be turning off lights inside and out of the hotel and asking our guests to do the same when possible.
After the lights go back on, we plan to continue making an impact. Already we use LED and energy efficient lighting whenever possible; have thermally efficient condensing calorifiers; and each department has specific programmes to reduce resources used all. This year we hope to continue reducing our environmental footprint and work towards sustainable tourism for all.
We’re looking forward to the latest addition to the fantastic range of things to see and do in Antwerp, MAS which opens its doors late spring. MAS (Musuem Aan de Stroom) is set to become beacon for Antwerp enlightenment symbolically and literally (the building is 60m tall). The impressive, modernist building is situated in the old port of the Eilandje district.
Antwerp has been a hub of international trade for centuries and the MAS will tell the tales and provide insight into the history of Antwerp’s worldwide trade, social and political connections.
The official opening of MAS will take place on 17th May 2011 but visitors can enjoy a sneak preview at the information point temporary exhibition on Antwerp’s connections to China.
Work is underway to refurbish all the bedrooms, bathrooms and the corridors of our Antwerp hotel and we are very please they first of the floors is nearly finished.
As part of a 1,65 million euro investment, each of the 210 guest rooms will be restyled in rich colour scheme to create a luxurious and restful feeling. To ensure our guests are not disturbed we are working on one floor at a time and any noisy activites such as hammering or drilling is confined to the middle of the day. Once we have finished this floor we will complete 4 more before pausing work for the summer. In January 2012 we will restart work on the remaining 5 floors and are due to have finished by next May.
Rooms will be redone with new soft furnishings, feature wallpaper, new bedding, light fixtures and new furniture to create a completely different look that is contemporary yet classically elegant and luxurious. The bathrooms will receive a facelift as well and the corridors. As the Ramada Plaza is a popular Antwerp hotel for business and leisure guests , room amenities have been carefully designed to include spacious desks, high-speed internet access and ergonomic furniture.
You can keep up to date with progress through pictures, video and status posts on our Facebook page.