day trip to Antwerp with guided tour in the Schipperskwartier

Up for leaving the beaten paths in Antwerp and letting yourself be surprised by the dark side of this beautiful city? Welcome to the Schipperskwartier (Skipper's Quarter) for a fascinating, relaxing 'Amour Payé' - walk spiced with a laugh and a tear and also some spicy pepper. What can you expect? What is on the schedule: 9:30 gather on platform 5 in the station of Hasselt 9:43 departure in Hasselt by train directly to Antwerpen Centraal 10:43 arrival in Antwerpen Centraal We then walk quietly over the Meir to the city hall and have lunch in the neighborhood 13:45 statue Brabo on the Grote Markt is the meeting place with the guide. At 2:00 p.m. the tour ‘Amour Payé’ starts. The guide takes us to the former Schipperskwartier, also called the ‘Red Light District’. Here we get to know a less known but fascinating, slightly dark side of Antwerp. We get to know the 'book women' and 'idle women' but also the contemporary sex workers. The social status of the ladies in the past and present is also discussed. We visit surprising and hidden spots, listen to exciting legends and (spicy) stories. We wander through streets and alleys where you can discover daily life in the red-light district and get a unique look behind the scenes of this special, intriguing neighborhood. We also learn more about the rich history of the Schipperskwartier and we also visit the Sint-Pauluskerk, a beautiful church that dates from the 17th century. We highlight the role that the church has played in the history of Antwerp and the Schipperskwartier. The maritime history is also discussed and the role that the skippers have played in the development of the city. Around 4:00 p.m. our tour ends on the Eilandje where you can still enjoy the beautiful view from the roof of the MAS (Museum aan de Stroom). Then we take the tram back to Antwerpen Centraal where our train leaves back at 6:16 p.m. to then be back in Hasselt at 7:16 p.m. More info and registration