Meeting Point: Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel (lobby)
Address: Koningin Astridplein 7, Antwerp, Belgium
Time: 11:00 - 13:00
NOTE: Participation in this tour requires prior registration.
Get ready for a first glimpse of the stunning city of Antwerp! Your host, BNIX, invites you on a two-hour walking tour through the historical heart of the city. This journey will take you in a straight line from east to west, starting at the impressive Antwerp Central Station—often called the “railway cathedral”—and ending at the magnificent Cathedral of Our Lady.
Along the way, you’ll explore Antwerp’s rich architectural heritage and its fascinating history. Built in the early 20th century and beautifully renovated in the 2000s, Antwerp Central Station is considered one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. At the other end of our walk, the Cathedral of Our Lady, with its 123-meter-high tower, has dominated the city’s skyline since the 14th century.
As we stroll through the city, we’ll step back in time to Antwerp’s Golden Age—the 16th century, when the city was a flourishing trade hub. You’ll discover the Grand Place and the Town Hall, both dating from this period, and the Brabo Fountain, an iconic monument linked to the legendary origins of Antwerp’s name.
After soaking in the city’s vibrant past, it’s time to enjoy its culinary delights!
13:00: Lunch at Restaurant De Bomma (Willem Ogierplaats 3, 2000 Antwerp).
Bomma means “Grandma” in Flemish, and just like a loving grandmother’s kitchen, you’ll experience the simple pleasures of traditional local cuisine.
Venue: Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel
Address: Koningin Astridplein 7, Antwerp, Belgium
Time: 19:00 - 22:00
We will kick off the forum with a social event on Sunday evening at the Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel (Aurora Private & The Diamond).
This will include a buffet and drinks and an opportunity to meet with old and new colleagues from the IXP industry.
Everyone is welcome to join!
Meeting Point: Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel
Address: Antwerp, Koningin Astridplein 7, 2018 Belgium
Time: 07:30 - 07:35 AM
Running in Antwerp at the Euro-IX 42nd Forum Managed by Flavio Luciani, NAMEX CTO
Antwerp, with its rich history and scenic views, is not only the host city for the Euro-IX Forum but also an ideal destination for runners of all levels. From riverside paths to green parks and urban trails, Antwerp offers a range of running routes that will allow you to explore the city’s landmarks, enjoy its beautiful scenery, and stay active during your time at the Forum.
Whether you prefer a leisurely jog along the Scheldt River or a more challenging run through the city's parks, Antwerp has something for everyone. Here are some recommended routes and tips to help you enjoy running in Antwerp:
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Scheldt River Promenade
- Distance: 5 km (one way)
- Terrain: Flat, paved paths
- Highlights: Running along the Scheldt River offers a scenic and peaceful experience with views of the river, the Port of Antwerp, and the historic skyline. Start from the Steen Castle and head south towards the modern port area, enjoying fresh air and beautiful views.
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Middelheim Park
- Distance: 4.5 km loop
- Terrain: Flat, mix of paved and gravel paths.
- Highlights: This open-air sculpture park provides a unique running experience amidst art and nature. The park features well-maintained paths that are perfect for a leisurely jog or an energetic run, with plenty of inspiring artwork along the route.
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Rivierenhof Park
- Distance: 8 km loop
- Terrain: Flat, with a mix of paved and natural trails
- Highlights: Located slightly outside the city center, this vast park offers lush greenery and peaceful surroundings, making it a favorite spot for local runners. The varied trails provide options for both short and long-distance runs.
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Stadspark
- Distance: 1.5 km loop
- Terrain: Flat, paved paths
- Highlights: Situated in the heart of Antwerp, Stadspark is perfect for a quick run. The scenic pond and tree-lined paths provide a relaxing environment, ideal for an early morning or evening jog.
Tips for Runners
- Hydration: While running in the city, keep an eye out for public water fountains, especially in parks such as Rivierenhof and Middelheim.
- Safety: Antwerp is generally safe for runners, but we recommend daytime runs and sticking to well-lit areas if you plan an evening jog.
- Weather: June in Antwerp offers mild to warm temperatures, typically ranging from 15-25°C. Wear breathable clothing and stay hydrated.
- Local Running Community: Consider joining a local running group if you want company. Apps like Meetup and Strava often list local running events or groups that welcome visitors.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking for a casual jog, Antwerp’s routes will add a memorable element to your Euro-IX Forum experience. Enjoy your time in Antwerp, and happy running!
Location - Nokia Antwerp, Copernicuslaan 50, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium
Meeting Time: 17:30
Meeting Point: Radisson Blu Astrid City Centre (lobby)
Tour time: 17:45 - 18:45
Antwerp is the location of Nokia’s global innovation lab and Euro-IX is delighted to announce that Nokia has very kindly extended an invitation to the Euro-IX community attending the 42nd Forum to attend a tour of the facility during the Forum on Monday, 2nd June.
The tour will take approximately one hour (starting at 17:45pm) and include a visit to Nokia’s customer lab where they do POCs, and also include a visit to the R&D lab that Nokia use internally. In this facility, Nokia has eight large labs for prototyping and latest hardware, DevOps, QA and NPI. There are 500 Routers, combined with around 5000 servers for simulations and cloud-based solutions for continuous R&D development & testing, on-demand Proof of Concept and Trial Customer Networks. This lab also works to support customers in selecting new technologies and solutions, designing their future networks and end-user services and keeping their networks operational.
Registration:
All those who wish to attend the Nokia Lab tour must register in advance. Any individuals who are not on the registration list provided to security in advance will not be admitted.
Please register by completing the registration link with your name and company affiliation.
Logistics:
The Nokia Lab is 850m (10 min walk) from the Euro-IX hotel and the tour will take place after the forum on Monday finishes and immediately prior to the Monday evening dinner.
The main group will be leaving the foyer of the hotel at 5:30pm. Those who have registered for the tour are welcome to make their way independently but must be at the Nokia location at 5:45pm.
Following the completion of the visit, the group will walk from the Nokia Lab to Antwerp Zoo is 700m for the Euro-IX dinner.
Thank you
Euro-IX is grateful to our community member, Greg Hankins for his work to facilitate this private tour for Euro-IX.
Venue: A Room with a Zoo
Address: Koningin Astridplein 20, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium
Time: 18:45 – 19:45 Welcome Drinks
Dinner from 19:45 to 21:45
NOTE: Since the venue is just a short walk from our hotel, no buses are needed—simply enjoy the stroll!
Join us for an unforgettable evening on Monday, where we’ll dine in a truly exceptional setting: the Antwerp Zoo.
One of the oldest scientific zoos in the world, this 19th-century historic monument is a place of beauty and heritage. While the animals will be resting for the night, you may still catch a glimpse of the elegant flamingos.
We’ll begin the evening with an aperitif on the terrace, followed by dinner in the Marble Hall. This breathtaking space retains its Belle Époque charm, with pink marble columns, a soaring Art Nouveau ceiling, and grand windows that create a magnificent, elegant ambiance.
Prepare for a night of fine dining in an extraordinary setting - a perfect way to end the first day of our Forum in Antwerp!
