Fashion students don't normally change the course of an entire city, but in Antwerp, they did. Half a dozen alumni of its Royal Academy of Fine Arts (including Dries Van Noten and Ann Demeulemeester) set the fashion world on fire in 1988, and their hometown, hot little medieval-moored Antwerp, has never been the same since. The explosion breathed fantastically creative new life into this Dutch-speaking Belgian city of half a million that for too long had been overshadowed by bigger Amsterdam to the north, more politically important Brussels to the south, and quainter Bruges to the west.

That's not to say that Antwerp didn't already have a lot going for it. A gorgeously preserved narrow-alleyed old town has long been a living reminder of the city's days as a prominent international trading axis, with stunning major landmarks like its 16th century Cathedral of Our Lady. For centuries, Antwerp has also been a key player in the global diamond industry and an art capital, with such hometown greats as Peter Paul Rubens. And that's all to say nothing of its excellence in the output of traditional Belgian staples like beer, chocolate, and moules-frites (mussels and fries -- don't call them French).

But over the past two decades, Antwerp's rebirth as an avant-garde fashion capital has overflowed into nearly every aspect of its existence. The city's ingenious Designers Against AIDS project has found a way to use fashion for the greater good. Today's Royal Academy graduates no longer automatically flee the city for places like Paris or Milan, and their presence has helped infuse the city's cultural, culinary, shopping and nightlife scenes with an excitement unparalleled in northern Europe for a town of its size. Savvy civic developments -- like the architecturally striking MAS (Museum aan de Stroom), which is already turning the long-neglected docklands area (Eilandje) into one of the city's most exciting neighborhoods -- are capitalizing on the regeneration.

The city's prime geographic placement on the road from Paris to Amsterdam, and just over the channel from London, also makes it a hip Euro travel no-brainer. As the longtime capital of Flanders (Belgium's Dutch-speaking northern half), Antwerp is also the launching point for smaller Flemish wonders like Ghent and Bruges, an hour (or less) away.

2013 World OutGames:

And with a thriving and diverse gay scene (that's long included a heavy kink element), Antwerp is now gearing up to host the 2013 World Outgames. Athletes from around the world will descend on the city -- one of only 22 to ever host a Summer Olympics -- to compete in more than 30 athletic fields. The sports events, which run August 4-10, consists of three main pillars: a human rights conference, a cultural festival and a sports event with in total over 250.000 visitors. WorldOutgames will be the biggest sports event in its program.

Happy Birthday Dear Academie:

In 2013 the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp will celebrate its 350th anniversary. It is considered one of the oldest art academies in the western world, along with those of Paris and Rome. The prestigious Fashion Department opened its doors three hundred years after the academy was founded. Both of these anniversaries, 350 years of existence of the Academy and 50 years of the Fashion Department, will be celebrated throughout 2013.

To this end the Antwerp Academy, MoMu, MAS, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp and Antwerpen Open have joined forces for a magnificent celebration: "Happy Birthday Dear Academie."

The eye-catchers during this festive year are the exhibitions in MAS and MoMu. Other projects in other sites will highlight fashion and the visual arts. The historic site of the Academy itself will also host several events and exhibitions. A book publication, a project at M HKA, a conference on higher art education, a city walk and a heritage project which focuses on the impact of the Academy in Antwerp complete the program of festivities.

Get the most out of your visit with the Antwerp City Card.

• 48 hours free access to museums and churches including the world famous Cathedral of Our Lady. Temporary exhibitions are included.
• A discount of at least 25% on attractions, sight seeing and bicycle rental.
• Free guide which describes all the venues and indicates them on a handy map.
• Exclusive offers on typical Antwerp and Belgian products such as chocolate and diamonds.
• 28 Euros

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