Sunday Vacations Brussels® | Social Adventures & Travel

- THE ENTRY TICKET (Wix QR Code) ✅
To enter the event, you must buy a ticket on www.sundayvacations.com. After paying, you will receive a Wix email with a QR code. This Wix QR code is the ONLY valid ticket scanned at the door.

- THE MEETUP QR CODE ❌
When you RSVP on Meetup, the app generates a QR code automatically. Please note: this is NOT a ticket and cannot be scanned for entry. It is just Meetup's internal attendance tracker.

- MEMBERSHIP (Separate Action) 👤
On www.sundayvacations.com, signing up for membership and buying a ticket are two completely separate actions. Becoming a member does not include event entry, and there is no QR code for membership. You still need to purchase the event ticket.
👉 In short: Make sure you have your paid Wix ticket QR code ready on your phone when you arrive!

Unfortunately we are now sold out but are working on releasing more tickets.

⚠️ This event is for Sunday Vacations members. Membership starts at €5/year.
👉 Join here: www.sundayvacations.com

Imagine looking down from Brussels Town Hall as the Grand-Place transforms into an enormous canvas of flowers - and experiencing it together with a new group of people, while skipping the queue and enjoying a VIP entrance.

For the 24th edition of the Brussels Flower Carpet, we’re bringing the Sunday Vacations community together for a special summer evening in the heart of Brussels.

This year’s theme celebrates Japan, with a brand-new artistic floral fresco created from dahlias, grass and bark across approximately 1,680 m² of the Grand-Place.

And we won’t only see it from street level.

✨ We have reserved a private group visit to the balcony of Brussels Town Hall at 8:00 PM, giving us a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the Flower Carpet as the evening light settles over the historic square.

## 🌿 Experience Overview

This is more than a quick visit to see the Flower Carpet.

We’ll meet as a group, get to know each other, explore the Grand-Place together and then head inside the Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles for our reserved balcony admission.

From above, we’ll have the chance to appreciate the scale, colours and details of the Japanese-inspired composition — and, of course, capture some beautiful photos.

Afterwards, we’ll return to the Grand-Place and enjoy the lively Saturday-night atmosphere together.

Come alone or bring a friend. Solo joiners are especially welcome. Sunday Vacations is about discovering places while making it easier to meet people along the way.

## 🌍 Event Type

🌿 Curated Experience — Culture • Brussels • Social Connection

## ✨ Highlights

*🌸 Experience the 24th Brussels Flower Carpet

• 🇯🇵 Discover the special Japan-themed floral creation
  *🏛️ Reserved Town Hall balcony group admission
• 👀 Panoramic bird’s-eye view over the 1,680 m² artwork
  *📸 A fantastic setting for photography
• 🌆 Experience the Grand-Place during a summer evening
  *🤝 Meet international professionals, expats and locals
• 💬 Relaxed atmosphere designed to make meeting new people easy
  *🙋 Solo participants are very welcome

## 🗓️ Our Plan

Saturday, 15 August 2026

Before 8:00 PM — Meet the Sunday Vacations group
We’ll gather near the Grand-Place, make introductions and give everyone time to settle into the group.

8:00 PM — Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles
Our reserved group admission begins.

We’ll head into Brussels Town Hall and make our way to the balcony for the panoramic view of the Flower Carpet.

After the balcony visit — Grand-Place stroll
We’ll experience the floral creation again from ground level, explore the square together and enjoy the atmosphere of central Brussels on a summer Saturday night.

Afterwards — Stay social 🌙
Those who feel like continuing the evening can stay around the city centre with the group.

Exact meetup instructions will be shared with registered participants.

## 📍 Meeting Point

Grand-Place / Grote Markt, Brussels

⚠️ Please arrive early. Our Town Hall admission is reserved for 8:00 PM, so we need to be ready as a group before our scheduled entry.

The exact Sunday Vacations meeting spot and recommended arrival time will be communicated to confirmed participants.

## 🎟️ Price / Contribution

13 EUR

Places are limited by the number of Town Hall balcony tickets reserved for our group.

Your place is confirmed only once the applicable event contribution/payment has been completed.

The contribution covers the items specifically indicated when booking. Any personal food, drinks, transport or other purchases remain at the participant’s own expense unless explicitly stated otherwise.

## 💛 Sunday Vacations Membership

Sunday Vacations is a community for people who want to escape routine, discover new places and connect with like-minded people through shared experiences.

Membership options:

🌱 Explorer — €5/year
A simple way to join the Sunday Vacations community.

🧭 Voyager — €50/year
For members who want to join us more regularly throughout the year.

🌍 Ambassador — €150/year
For our most engaged community members and supporters.

Membership and event participation are separate unless specifically indicated for an event.

## 👋 Who This Is For

This evening is perfect for:

International professionals living in Brussels • Expats • Locals who enjoy international communities • Solo joiners • Culture lovers • Photography enthusiasts • People new to Brussels • Anyone who wants to meet new people without the pressure of a traditional networking event.

You don’t need to know anyone beforehand.

Come for the flowers. Stay for the people you meet. 🌸

## 🎒 What to Bring

Bring comfortable shoes for walking around central Brussels, your phone or camera, clothing suitable for the evening weather and your good mood.

Please also bring any ticket/booking confirmation requested in the final participant instructions.

## ⚠️ Important Notes

This is a community-organised social and cultural activity, not a packaged tour.

Our Town Hall balcony admission is at a fixed time. Participants are responsible for arriving at the communicated meeting point on time.

The Grand-Place is expected to be particularly busy during Flower Carpet weekend, so please allow extra time when travelling into central Brussels.

The programme may be adjusted where necessary because of crowd management, access rules, weather, security measures or instructions from the venue or public authorities.

## ⚖️ Legal Disclaimer

Sunday Vacations is a community initiative operated by UJAMAA ASBL. We facilitate community experiences and social gatherings and do not act as a travel agency.

Where admission, transport, hospitality or other services are supplied by third parties, those services remain subject to the relevant provider’s conditions and operational decisions. Participants remain responsible for their personal belongings and for following venue, safety and public-authority instructions.

Activities are organised by volunteers and covered under the COCOF volunteer insurance framework.

The COCOF volunteer insurance framework provides eligible Brussels organisations with volunteer-related coverage including civil liability, bodily injury and legal assistance, subject to its applicable conditions and exclusions.

VAT not applicable – small business exemption scheme, Article 56bis Belgian VAT Code.

## 🌸 Ready to See Brussels Bloom?

One summer evening.
Thousands of flowers.
A Japanese-inspired masterpiece beneath us.
And a community to experience it with.

🎟️ RSVP and secure your place for our reserved 8:00 PM Town Hall balcony visit.

Spaces are limited to our available group tickets, so please register only if you genuinely intend to join.

See you at the Grand-Place! 🇧🇪🌸🇯🇵

— Sunday Vacations | UJAMAA ASBL
www.sundayvacations.com

From Brussels to the Belgian coast — by train, tram, beach and dunes.
Ever watched fishermen ride horses into the North Sea?
Join Sunday Vacations for an adventurous day on the Belgian coast, combining a scenic train journey, the iconic horseback shrimp fishing tradition of Oostduinkerke, freshly cooked North Sea shrimp, and a hike across the dunes of De Hoge Blekker — the highest point on the Belgian coast.
It’s a day built around discovery, nature, local heritage and good company — with plenty of time to explore at your own pace.

## 🌿 Experience Overview

We’ll make a perfect coastal loop:
Brussels → Oostende → Oostduinkerke → De Hoge Blekker → De Panne → Brussels
Expect scenic train and tram rides, sea air, a unique piece of Belgian heritage, beach time, fresh seafood, and an easy coastal hike.
Solo joiners are very welcome. Come with friends or come alone — you’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect along the way.

## 🏔️ Event Type

🌿 Curated Experience
A community-organised day trip combining culture, nature, local food and social connection.

## ✨ Highlights

*🐎 Witness Oostduinkerke's traditional horseback shrimp fishing

• 🌊 Enjoy the Belgian coast by train, tram and on foot
  *🦐 Taste freshly cooked North Sea gray shrimp
• 🏖️ Explore the beach and coastal landscape
  *🥾 Hike through the dunes around De Hoge Blekker
• 🚋 Experience the Belgian coastal tram
  *🤝 Meet international professionals, expat,s and locals
• 🌅 Finish the day with a scenic ride back to Brussels

## 🗓️ Plan / Itinerary

10:50 — Gather at Bruxelles-Midi
Meet at Brussels-South / Bruxelles-Midi Station.
10:50 sharp — please don't be late. Trains don't wait!
11:03 — IC train to Oostende
We take the direct IC train towards Oostende.
12:15 — Arrive in Oostende
Transfer to the coastal tram towards De Panne and enjoy the scenic ride along the Belgian coast.
13:15 — Oostduinkerke Bad
Arrive in Oostduinkerke.
You’ll have approximately one hour of free time for lunch or optional sightseeing.
You can grab something quick to eat or visit the NAVIGO National Fisheries Museum.
Museum admission: approximately €10, paid separately.
14:30 — Head towards the beach
Free time en,ds and we walk towards the beach to find a good viewing spot.
14:45 — Horseback Shrimp Fishing 🐎🦐
Watch the traditional shrimp fishermen of Oostduinkerke ride their horses into the sea.
The viewing is free.
Around 15:30 — Fresh shrimp stop
We’ll have the opportunity to buy freshly cooked gray shrimp on-site.
Bring some small change!
16:30 — De Hoge Blekker dune hike 🥾
We head west towards De Hoge Blekker for an easy approximately one-hour dune loop.
Expect sandy paths, coastal scenery, and a refreshing change of pace after the beach.
17:45 — Head towards De Panne
Finish the hike and take a short coastal tram ride of approximately 15 minutes towards De Panne train station.
18:31 — Direct IC train to Brussels
Time to relax, chat and enjoy the journey back.
Around 20:00 — Arrive in Brussels
Event ends at Brussels-South.
Feel free to stay in the city afterwards for dinner or drinks with the group.

## 📍 Meeting Point

Bruxelles-Midi / Brussels-South Station
Gathering time: 10:50 AM sharp
Train departure: 11:03 AM
Please arrive early enough to find the meeting point, use the facilities and be ready to board.

## 💶 Price / Contribution

Sunday Vacations community contribution: €5

The contribution supports the organisation of the community experience.

Not included:

*NMBS/SNCB train tickets

• Coastal tram tickets
  *Museum admission
• Food and drinks
  *Fresh shrimp
• Any other personal expenses

### 🚆 Important: Train Ticket

Please purchase your train ticket in advance.
For the train journey:
Outbound: Bruxelles-Midi → Oostende
Return: De Panne → Bruxelles-Midi
Because this is a different departure and return station, make sure to select “Different return station” when purchasing your ticket through the NMBS/SNCB app or ticket machine.
The itinerary is designed around the Weekend Ticket option for the stated discount, but please check the current NMBS/SNCB conditions and fare before purchasing.

### 🚋 Coastal Tram

For the coastal tram, you can use contactless payment.
Tap your contactless bank card, Apple Pay or Google Pay on the white terminal next to the tram doors when boarding.
Budget approximately €3 per single journey based on the current plan.

## 💛 Sunday Vacations Membership

Want to join more adventures?
Explorer — €5/year
For curious explorers who want to discover the community.
Voyager — €50/year
For regular adventurers joining more curated experiences throughout the year.
Ambassador — €150/year
For people who want to be deeply involved in the Sunday Vacations community and help others discover it too.

## 👋 Who This Is For

This adventure is ideal for:

• International professionals in Brussels
• Expats looking to discover more of Belgium
• Locals who enjoy meeting international people
• Solo travellers and solo joiners
• Nature and hiking lovers
• Curious travellers interested in Belgian heritage
• Anyone who enjoys an active day with a social atmosphere

You don't need to know anyone beforehand.
Come curious. Leave with stories.

## 🎒 What to Bring

### 👟 Shoes

Wear sneakers or other closed-toe shoes suitable for walking on sandy and uneven dune paths.
Bring an extra pair of beach sandals for the coast.

### 🪙 Small change

Bring Euro coins or small notes if you want to buy freshly cooked shrimp.

### 🧢 Sun & wind protection

The Belgian coast can be windy and exposed.
Bring:

• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Light jacket
• Sunglasses if needed

### 💧 Water

Bring your own water bottle, especially for the dune hike.

### 🍴 Food

Bring some food or budget for lunch during the free time in Oostduinkerke.

## ⚠️ Important Notes

Please be on time
The 11:03 train will not wait for late arrivals
This is a community-organised outing, not a package tour. Participants are responsible for purchasing and managing their own transport tickets and personal expenses unless explicitly stated otherwise
Train and tram schedules, ticket prices and transport conditions can change. Please check the relevant operator's information before departure
The itinerary may need to be adjusted because of transport delays, weather, coastal conditions or circumstances outside the organisers' control
The dune hike is described as easy, but participants should be comfortable walking for approximately one hour on potentially sandy or uneven terrain
Fresh shrimp availability may depend on the fishermen's catch and operating conditions
Museum visits are optional and are not included in the contribution

## 🛡️ Legal Disclaimer

Sunday Vacations is a community initiative operated by UJAMAA ASBL and is not acting as a travel agency or tour operator for this outing
Participants arrange and pay for third-party transport, museum admission, food and other services directly. Sunday Vacations does not guarantee the availability, punctuality, pricing or performance of third-party providers
Participation is voluntary and each participant remains responsible for assessing whether the activity and conditions are suitable for them
Activities are organised by volunteers and covered under the COCOF volunteer insurance framework
The applicable insurance coverage is subject to the conditions, eligibility requirements and exclusions of the relevant volunteer insurance framework. The COCOF documentation indicates that covered activities may take place throughout Belgium, while certain higher-risk activities may be excluded
VAT not applicable – small business exemption scheme, Article 56bis Belgian VAT Code

## 🚀 Ready for the Coast

Pack your water bottle, lace up your sneakers and bring your curiosity
One day. Two coastal towns. Horses in the sea. Fresh shrimp. Belgian dunes. New people
Let's escape Brussels for a day and discover a very different side of Belgium. 🌊🦐?
See you at Bruxelles-Midi — 10:50 sharp

This event is free for Sunday Vacations members.
First time joining us? You’re welcome to attend for free!
Yearly membership starts at just €5/year
👉 Join here: https://www.sundayvacations.com

Please RSVP only if you are reasonably sure you can attend and update your RSVP if your plans change.
Escape the city bustle and join us for a magical evening walk from the royal gardens of Tervuren, through the ancient Sonian Forest, ending at the picturesque Rouge Cloître.
This hike is perfect for anyone looking to unwind, breathe some fresh forest air, and enjoy the golden hour colors.
🗺️ The Route
We will start at the Tervuren Station (terminus of Tram 44). We’ll begin by walking through the formal gardens and ponds of Tervuren Park, enjoying the open views and the sunset light reflecting on the water.
From there, we will dive into the Sonian Forest (Fôret de Soignes), walking under the canopy of the majestic beech cathedrals. We will walk through the magnificent Arboretum that boasts centennial trees and majestic Giant Sequoias.
The path will lead us gently downhill towards the historic Rouge Cloître (Red Closter), a 14th-century Augustinian priory nestled on the edge of the forest where we will stop for a well deserved drink.
🕒 The Plan

*Meeting Time: 14:50

• Meeting Point: Just outside the Tervuren Station (Terminus of Tram 44).
  *The Walk: We depart at 15:00 sharp.
• The End: We aim to arrive at Rouge Cloître around 18:00 - 18:30.
  *Après-Walk: We usually grab a drink at the beautiful Maison du Prieur in Rouge Cloître.

📋 Practical Details

• Distance: Approximately 12 km.
  *Duration: ~3.5 hours walking time.
  *Pace: Casual to moderate. We wait for everyone, but please be comfortable walking this distance.
• Terrain: Mostly flat/downhill with some unpaved forest paths.

🎒 What to Bring

*Comfortable Shoes: Walking shoes or sneakers (trail runners are great if it has rained recently).

• Water: Stay hydrated!
  *Layers: Evenings can get chilly in the forest.

🚇 Getting Home
The walk ends at Rouge Cloître. From there, it is a short 10-15 minute walk to Herrmann-Debroux metro station (Line 5), buses and tram 8 which connect you easily back to the city center.
Note: This event is free of charge. Participation is at your own risk. Please RSVP only if you intend to come so we don't leave anyone behind!
See you on the trail! 🌳✨

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