Private tour in Antwerp Livinus P
5.0
(4) reviews
3 hours
30 minutes
1
3 hours
30 minutes
1
Livinus P.
5.0
Guide rating
4
Reviews
Tours delivered
4 hrs
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Hello, I 'm Livinus, raised in Antwerp. I went to college in Ghent and Brussels. Retired now, but still passionately attached to city life and its history. With my wife, Catherine, I share the love for painting (she is American and went to art college at Penn University) and gardening. I am a amateur jazz musician, painter (oil, watercolor), and author of graphic novels, cartoons and comic books. Antwerp, Ghent, Brussels inspires me because of its medieval history (and subsequent Spanish, French, Austrian and Dutch occupation/influences), the connection to the sea (Antwerp), the great vibe and fantastic atmosphere. I guess, in Antwerp, the port with all the worldwide shipping, the warehouses, the seamen, ship-repair, etc. created this vibrant, cosmopolitan setting. But Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels are also at the center of world-famous European Art, going back to gothic over barock and rococco style. The nice thing is that all of it is on a human scale: the car-free historic centers can be easily discovered on foot or bike. Ghent is such an inspiring city: markets, medieval abbey, palaces,..It was the first city on the continent to "industrialize" (weaving factories). A museum is dedicated to this activity. From the 1920s on, millions of people (mainly from Eastern Europe) booked a passage on the "Red Star Line", operating from the port of Antwerp, seeking a new life in N-America. Irvin Berlin, Albert Einstein. . . to name a few. The Red Star Line Museum, and the Plantin Moretus (printing)Museum are 2 of my favorit spots (Plantin Moretus, the only Antwerp museum in Unesco world heritage list). But let's not forget the Fine Arts Museum (which recently reopened after more than 10 years of renovation), the lively market places (like Sunday market, FridayMarket, Cattle Market, etc) with typical pubs, cafés, eateries, and charming boutique shops. All hidden gems waiting to be discovered, but the friday market is my top spot: you 'll find on "live" auction the weirdest objects: antique candelabras over pied-de-stalles to inflatable dolls…. everything spiced up by some clownesque vendors. However, don't raise your hand…you might end up with a art-deco bed and mattress… The best way to discover Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels is by walking and (if you want to cover a bigger distance) by bike or metro/tram. I could provide you with rental bikes Master in Industrial Engineering (telecom) For years I was an instructor (teaching all over the world) at a telecom company (national operator in Belgium) I followed courses in jazz (saxophone), graphical art (etching/litho) and history of art Since retirement (2016) I work in my own graphics studio operating my "Van Ginkel" historic etching press Organizer of drawing/painting/graphics workshops in Cultural Centres in Flandres and Wallonie: eg Lithography, Intaglio, Oil painting, linocut, cartoons/comics/graphic novels Author of two graphic novels (2016 & 2023) and cartoons I am a sailing instructor at Royal Yachting Club of Belgium at "Galgenweel" lake in Antwerp We mainly sail on RS Venture (if you are interested in learning to sail we could arrange that) International Certificate for Operating Pleasure Craft (I.C.C European standard certificate - sailing & motoring) First Aid Certificate (level 1 and level 2) None
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Livinus P.
Ready for medieval Antwerp? A fascinating tour to start at "Brabo" (Grand Market, representing "cruel" foundation of the city in Roman Times). We head to a "Pagadder" tower build by the Spanish (16th cent). used to watch for incoming ships, meaning "payday" (Spanish pay= pagar). Next stop is the "butchers" guild house, build 1501, now a highly interactive musical instrument museum. The rich butchers of Antwerp needed a impressive space to sell their meat. The animals were butchered nearby at "Veemarkt" (cattle market). The museum now houses the world-famous Ruckers clavecins, build by Ruckers (16th) in Antwerp. We go back to the Cathedral (Rubens paintings) and surrounding alleys. The museum Plantyn Moretus, on Unesco world heritage list, is not to be missed, showing printing workshops/residence in its original (16th). Friday market in front is a lively square, with a weekly auction flea market. We end in Hoogstreet (jewish eatery) or popular café with a real 1937 DECAP organ
Livinus is a great guide. We did a walking tour of Antwerp and visited the printing museum. Livinus is extremely knowledgeable about Antwerp and its history. He is a very thoughtful guide with a lot of interests and if you’re interested in the printing museum I highly doubt you’ll be able to find a more knowledgeable guide. We highly enjoyed spending a few hours with Livinus.
The tour guide Livinus was exceptional. He has a tremendous knowledge of Antwerp covering all the history of the city and surrounding area. He has extensive knowledge of the main churches and museums. His communication style is relaxed and invites comment and participation. He is flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances and the customers desires. You won’t go wrong with Livinus as your guide.
Livinus is a very pleasant person who went out of his way to accommodate us. He is extremely knowledgeable in various aspects and took great care of us.
We arrived in Antwerp late afternoon on a Sunday when museums were closing and there was not much to do. Livinus met us at the boat and we walked to a viewpoint where he showed us the city and then we walked around the city. He is knowledgeable and charming and we had a totally wonderful time. At the end of the evening we invited him onto the boat and after learning we love water color paintings he painted a charming water color painting of the two of us that we will treasure. Highly recommend.
1. Grand Market with statue of Brabo 15min near the cruise terminal 2. Pagadder tower 10 min: situated at the rear of the city counsel building. 3. Butchers House -musical instrument museum 1hr: a very interactive museum were the original "Ruckers" clavecins (16th century ) are on display. 4. Vlaeykensgang alley (near Cathedral) a hidden gem revealing how people lived centuries ago. A favourit spot to listen to the cathedral tower bells 15 min 5. Friday Market -museum Plantin Moretus 2 hr: This is absolutely not to be missed: you enter the world of books in the 16th century. The original "workshops" for reviewing texts, making the lead letters, printing and selling . . . it is all there in its original state and working order. We can watch demonstrations how pages were printed 6. Local jewish eatery 1/2 hr (falafel) of Café Beveren with "paperbook" operated automatic organ "DECAP", the only one left in the region total: 3 to 4 hrs * Itinerary can be customized upon request. Feel free to contact me
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This is a walking tour. I could pick you up at cruise terminal, train station or parc & rides (around the city centre), your hotel,... in the old city cars are not welcome anymore.
Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: Grand Market in front of city hall
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3 hours
30 minutes
1
3 hours
30 minutes
1
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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