Antwerp, a bank holiday escape..

There’s something grounding about taking time away together — pressing pause on routine, stepping into a new city, and letting it unfold at its own pace.

Over the bank holiday, we travelled as a team to Antwerp, and what we found was a city that balances history and modernity with ease, inviting us to slow down, notice, and be inspired.

We began our mornings the way locals seem to — in cafés where time stretches.

The scent of pastries baking nearby, the hum of quiet conversations, and the perfect espresso became our ritual before the day ahead.

These unhurried starts set the tone, reminding us that travel isn’t about rushing from one landmark to the next, but about absorbing the rhythm of a place.

Our days were spent wandering, with no strict agenda.

Antwerp rewards curiosity. One street led us past gothic architecture that seemed to belong to another era; the next, into boutiques and concept stores, where fashion, design, and lifestyle blend seamlessly.curated with a sharp eye for design.

We felt the city’s reputation for fashion and creativity everywhere — not loud or overstated, but woven into the details.

Passing by the ModeMuseum (MoMu) and stepping into concept spaces like Graanmarkt 13, it was clear how design lives at the heart of Antwerp, not just in institutions but in the everyday.

Food punctuated our journey. We lingered over plates in tucked-away café and bistros, shared bites from market stalls, and let meals carry us into longer conversations.

Each stop was less about ticking a box and more about being present — enjoying the atmosphere, the company, and the city around us.

Evenings slowed us further. Walking through Antwerp’s historic squares at dusk, the light spilling against stone facades, we felt why travel matters so much to us as a team.

It shakes us out of routine, sparks new ideas, and gives us stories to bring back and share.

This journal entry is our way of capturing those moments — not as a guide of “must-dos,” but as a reflection on how this trip, and many others like it, make us feel.

For us it’s less about checklists and more about connection: with places, with people, and with ourselves.

And as our journal grows, we’d love to open it up beyond our own travels…

If you’re passionate about contemporary lifestyle topics, food, or travel, and you have stories you’d like to share, we’d love to hear your voice here too.

So, get it touch sales@houseofkholoud.com

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