Travel to Belgium

Belgium is a thriving country and one of the new places to look out for when it comes to key exhibitions. These are some excellent events which take place this year in Belgium and some of these are detailed below.

1. Decoforce - is an exhibition of contemporary ideas for both interior and exterior decoration. This trade show is a unique opportunity for all buyers to get up-to-date on the latest trends and changes in the industry. Decoforce takes place from 30th August through to the 2nd September 2009 at the Brussels Exhibition Centre.

2. MATEXPO - Also known as Machines, Techniques & Materials Exhibition, is one of the leading trade shows for this industry with over 150 exhibitors. This exhibition will be hosted at the Kortrijik Expo from the 2nd - 6th September,

3. DECOSIT - is one of the most important upholstery events in Belgium and Europe and this attracts all of the key players in this field. Decosit will be held from the 8th - 11th September at Brussels Exhibition Centre.

4. Broodway - The world of bakery and confectioneries comes to life at the Broodway exhibition! Sweet treats, bakery equipments, packaging equipments and more await when you drop by this trade show that runs from the 13th - 16th September at the Kortrijk Expo.

5. Business Gift Expo - The only exhibition in Belgium which focuses on stationery goods and office accessories. This two day trade show will falls on 15th & 16th September and will be held at Brussels Exhibition Centre.

6. Professional Wellness - The one-stop event for everyone in the Spa & Wellness industry, this exhibition promotes the latest in Fitness and exercise, beauty and body care, and everything else to do with your general well-being. Catch the show either on the 19th or 20th September when it comes to the Kortrijik Expo.

7. Label Expo Europe - The world's largest event for the label, converting, web printing and product decoration industry is opening its doors from the 23rd - 26th September at Brussels Exhibition Centre and welcomes all in the industry as it showcases the latest in cutting edge technology.

8. BIS + Immosfeer - A leading trade fair in the Building & Real Estate industry, this exhibition draws in the who's who of the industry and features exhibits from bathroom fittings to metal detectors all under one roof at the Flanders Expo in Gent from 3rd - 11th October.

9. Empack Expo-Brussels - Find the latest innovative ideas from the packaging industry. 7th & 8th October are the important dates for this exhibition which will be hosted by Brussels Exhibition Centre.

10. Kiosk Expo - A one of a kind expo, marking a strategic meeting point for decision makers from multiple industries. Key figures from multiple sectors including from the tobacco industry, I.T, games and confectionery will gather to discuss & implement a new level of customer service technology. This exhibition runs from the 31st - 2nd November at Flanders Expo, Gent.

Surrounded by France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, Belgium thrills the guest with its varied views: the rivers and passes of the Ardennes create a strong contrast with the vast plains that occupy a great area of the country, the majestic forests from the German and Luxembourg borders with the never-ending sand beaches of the northern coast. In Belgium, you will come across a land that is extraordinary through its old towns, with countless castles and sanctuaries that will leave remarkable memories.

BRUSSELS

Brussels it's the place where you will be stunned to hear lots of unfamiliar languages. It has not long ago acquired the „international city” status, aside from being the „capital” of the European Union and United Nations. In Brussels lives a great diversity of people, from public servants and eurocrats to immigrants from Congo, Northern Africa or Turkey, who supported the cultural and culinary variety of the place. Contemplating above towers and modern city's remarkable boulevards, you will ascertain that Belgium's old soul is still whole, persisting in the vintage districts of modest workers or in the conservative neighborhoods.

There are two languages that are being used in Belgium: Flemish, the language of the German origin citizens from the north, and French. While on the streets of this beautiful city you should pay great concern to detail: traditional shops with extraordinary building details, sumptuous walls built in Art Deco style, doors and gates enhanced with really special sculptures, altars slipped in the facades of buildings at the corner of the street, bearing the image of the Virgin Mary.

"The soul" of Brussels is the Grand-Place market, built in Baroque and Gothic styles, where you can witness the parade of  families descendants at the beginning of July or you can entertain yourself with theater plays or open air concerts. In the south you will discover the area known as The Template, where the pre-nineteenth century Belgian spirit has been retained just about . In the north you will discover the old labor neighborhood of Marolles, where street names today denote skill types that were undertook by their former inhabitants.

A tripper that has a weakness for beautiful should not skip a visit to the Museum of Art, home of some of the most important works of Pieter Breughel - including the acclaimed Fall of Icarus - and of Peter Paul Rubens, and to the Museum of Modern Art, which prouds itself with the work of Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Salvador Dali or Francis Bacon.

GHENT

Ghent is the Flemish capital of the country, built in Gothic and Renaissance style, with a population of only 230,000 inhabitants. Majestic is the buildings construction from Graslei, the city's old port. There are two rivers, Leie and Lieve, that overpass this area. From the St. Michielsbrug bridge, the view is superb: in the north you will recognize the Gravensteen castle, home of Flemish counts between ages 9-12, where you can still contemplate an ample range of torture instruments. The other castle, Geraard of Duivelsteen, dated from the13th century, has the same inauspicious notoriety.

BRUGES

This stylish Flemish city saw an important progress since the Middle Ages. Through this port, the town became a critical commercial transit of goods from Italy, the Far East, England or Russia. Bruges was famous all over the world for its wool products and the particular skill of its upholstery masters. The renowned Markt market dates from the 13th century; climbing its 366 stairs, you will examine the remarkable view of this old city. Heilige Bloed Basiliek Basilica will speak to you about the times of the second crusade, when the Patriarch of Jerusalem – says the legend – brought some drops of blood of Jesus to the Count of Flanders.

Belgium is famous for being packed to the brim with historic architecture, art galleries and restaurants serving fine cuisine. Located in the north west of Europe with around ten and a half millions residents, Belgium has had a relatively quiet history compared to some of their larger European neighbours, but this by no mean makes Belgium inferior as a tourist attraction with some breathtaking architecture which has was inspired over the course of hundreds of years through the middle ages, the renaissance, the revolution and of course modern times.

The capital city of Belgium is the City of Brussels, which should not be confused with the Brussels area which is much larger. The actual city has a population of around 140 thousand residents. There are a plethora of tourist attractions in this grand old city such as the City of Brussels Town Hall, the old twining streets and numerous fine art galleries dotted around the city. Brussels is perfect for a long or short vacation and there are numerous Brussels bed and breakfast accommodations available, as well as modern Brussels apartment rentals.

Antwerp is another interesting and vibrant Belgian city with the area being home to around 400 thousand people and it serves as an important city in terms of the economy. Some architectural delights which are well worth a visit include the 16th century Guildhouse, Antwerp City Hall and in particular the Het Steen 19th century fortification. Whilst staying in an Antwerp bed and breakfast accommodation, visitors can enjoy numerous other tourists' attractions including the Antwerp Zoo, which is one of the oldest and most famous zoos in the world. The Boerentoren is also worth a visit as it has the title of the oldest skyscraper in Europe. There Royal Museum of fine arts always pull in big crowds and is an essential stop in a visit to Antwerp with works from famous artists such as Van Dyck, Titan and Rubens. After a hard days' exploration, you can relax in your Antwerp apartment rental, which are available throughout the city.

There are numerous other locations around Belgium which should be chosen to suit your needs, however a must see for all is the city of Bruges which has been tagged with ‘The Venice of the North' due to its canal based architecture, its entire city centre is classed as a world heritage site. The city is very popular with tourists looking to admire the fine architecture, numerous museums and art galleries. Staying in the city is easy by booking a Bruges bed and breakfast accommodation or some sort of Bruges vacation home rental.

The United States of America just passed a milestone when it enacted several important bills into law in their land. Last year, its Congress passed a stimulus bill that helped heal the deep wounds of financial cutback brought about by the menace of some big bosses in Wall Street. Just last month, the same batch of legislator sweepingly approved an almost a century old bill – the health care reform act. For this month, they have a pending bill that needed to be passed as the president suggested. That is the bill that will finally regulate banking in their land. But this is just the "other side of the world."

Together with the US, several countries across the globe also shared similar changes and developments in their legislations. We have a roll of countries that passed their own developmental legislations that either shocked the world for its magnanimity, raged many for its biased portions, and steep up emotions for its applicability. But in Europe, a country seems to be making news after legislation about the banning of certain religious clothing has been passed.

Belgium flooded the news including those of major media outlets like CNN and Time for passing a law that prohibits a Muslim woman from wearing burqas. It was after when Belgian lawmakers passed a law by the Lower House that bans Muslim women from wearing any clothing that covers their faces. The law is said to still pass in the Senate before it can finally becomes a law of the land. Astonishingly, if the Senate would favor this legislation, Belgium will become the first country that bans burqas and other Islamic garb among others.

Belgium is a highly Catholic country with some 47% claims they are from a catholic church. But Muslims represent the second largest religion in the country with 4% of the total population. The rest is divided into atheists and other religions. Most Muslims in the country come from Morocco and Turkey.

Because of this legislation, human rights group said that this law will most likely affect the freedom of the Belgian people. Amnesty International was one of the human rights advocates that denounced the passage of the said law. But Dennis Ducarme from the liberal Reformist Movement was quick to defend the law.

"We think all people in public places must show their face," Ducarme stressed. "We must defend our values in the question of the freedom and the dignity of the woman."

According to Ducarme, burqas are not necessarily a requirement for Muslim women. He stressed that only those extremist Muslims from Pakistan and Afghanistan have those kinds of clothing rules. He even added that because Belgium's Muslims are composed of those not radically inclined, it is possible for Belgian Muslim women to show their face in public. The parliament also agreed by saying that the law is more of in response to security and morality and not just for discrimination.  For this reason, working women in Belgium will have time to choose their workwear uniforms less the burqas.

The Benelux countries play a heavy role in European business, industry and commerce, with thousands of high-profile meetings and conferences going on throughout the year. Political issues such as eco-technology are also high on the agenda. Naturally, these meetings attract delegates from across the globe. Belgium and the Netherlands ooze with history and culture, and they are popular tourist, as well as business, destinations. Quite often the fields cross over. CEOs take informal trips to look for possible new company sites; delegates turn tiring conferences into relaxing stopovers. Thus meeting rooms have to cater for both recreational and business users. We at Holiday Inn Meetings BE do this admirably, never forgetting that along with an efficient conferencing service, our clients want the relaxation and comforts of a good hotel.

Every country has its own way of doing things, and both Belgium and the Netherlands run on restrained efficiency. This extends to dress codes, presentations and, of course, business meetings. We at Holiday Inn have 29 Benelux meetings hotels, and we respond to our clients' needs and wishes with the same efficiency with which they conduct their own affairs. At the same time, we never forget the needs of foreign visitors – with tourists arriving from countries across the globe, every week of the year, this isn't a problem.

So, what does a client in the Netherlands or Belgium expect from venues like us at Holiday Inn Meetings? In the Netherlands in particular, meetings can be lengthy, drawn-out affairs. The meeting room is a forum for debate, and everyone is expected to contribute and be listened to. Although there will be a chairperson, the aim is a common unity and an agreed approach to solving a problem. Once this point is reached, things move very fast indeed. As you can imagine, constant replenishment of refreshments and stationery items is a necessity, as is overnight accommodation and a swift checkout system. An allocated PR who knows the hotel and area like the back of their hand is a definite bonus.

We at Holiday Inns BE provide all this and more, with our dedicated Meetings Host and repeat booking services ensuring that even the most complex meetings run smoothly and efficiently. One thing that works in our favour is the civilised way in which Dutch meetings are conducted, with established protocols of behaviour and abhorrence of underhand tactics like pre-meeting lobbying and hidden agendas.

In Belgium, each area has its own unique culture. Some areas are Dutch influenced, some German influenced and so on. However, when it comes to meetings, some factors are common to all. The Belgians have strong rules on etiquette, for example, and while meetings can be open and friendly, things like putting your elbows on the table, removing your jacket and unpunctuality are considered bad manners. We at Holiday Inn Meetings BE have a range of business hotels across Belgium and the Netherlands, from large cities like Brussels and Amsterdam, to charmingly historic towns like Moerdijk. All these areas attract tourism as well as international business traffic, making Benelux meetings very much cosmopolitan affairs.

Each year Belgium opens its doors to hundreds of thousands of visitors. The majority of them head straight to the capital, Brussels, but to experience the real Belgium your trip simply has to include a visit to Bruges. The city of Bruges is just an hour away from its big sister by train and is hailed as the Venice of the north, but that's not all it has to offer as the city opens up a whole new world beyond the popular Brussels and into the real heart of Belgium.

Bruges is a picturesque traditional town filled with great architecture, beautiful canals and plenty of shops and restaurants to keep you well fed and entertained. Some of the best places to see in Bruges can be found by simply taking a stroll through the cobbled streets of the centre. Here you can gaze at the historical buildings and spend some time sitting beside the beautiful canals simply watching the world go by.

If you're looking for some great attractions to visit for the day head for the Museum Gallery XPO which houses some of Salvador Dali's most spectacular paintings. You can spend an afternoon wandering around the space enjoying some of Dali's best work including some of his famous sculptures and graphic art pieces. If history is more your thing a day tour to Flanders fields museum will give you a real insight into the city's involvement in World War 1. Once you've had your fill of art and history check out some of the stunning locations used in the blockbuster film, ‘In Bruges', starring Colin Farrell and Ralph Fiennes, a must for any film buffs.

If you're after great views of the city then take a hike up the steps of the Belfort medieval tower where you can see the whole town in all its glory. There are also plenty of hot air balloon rides available so you can get a bird's eye view of the surrounding countryside. After a day of sightseeing head to the area of Kraanplein or Langestraat which both offer up some great bars and clubs so you can dance the night away till your heart's content.

You can find plenty of accommodation in Bruges that will suit all budgets and tastes and with travel to Bruges simply an hour's train ride from Brussels, there really is no excuse not to pay this beautiful city a visit. So, if you want to experience the real Belgium stay away from the traditional tourist visits to the capital and head for the unique town of Bruges where you can sample some of Belgium's beauty and hospitality in stunning surroundings.

Belgium is something special. To start with, its multilingual and multicultural people speak in three official languages: French, German and Flemish. English is its 4th unofficial language. Finding this country is no rocket science. It is welcomingly found between Holland and France. Belgium has the cream of what Europe can give. Belgians are known for their beer expertise. The country prides in itself with the 450 types of beers it produces. This is rather unknown to most but Europe's finest chocolate is found here. Now that is something special.
 

Car Hire Belgium

Touring around the country will have you see for yourself why Belgium's old-world charm is renowned for its chocolates, beers and diamonds. Car hire is the most convenient way to tour around the country. Tourists will have to stop over many places as the country's best could be anywhere. Riding a hired car makes for a perfect travel down the roads of Belgium.

Moving at your own pace and at your own chosen routes with the help of a road map, you will sense the freedom that eludes other tourists. When on a hired car, dull moments are left at home.

The 60Km Stretch

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Although not known for world class surfing, its surfing community is as lively as one could be. The country has a 60km long beach. The wind, rain and beer will surely get you on surfing mode. You will not be going their for a walk. Walking down the whole 60km stretch in search of the best waves is rather out of the question. Surfers go there to surf not to walk the whole time.

In Search Of The Point Break

Hiring a car will take you to where the biggest waves are at in no time. Do yourself a favor. Do not sweat the small stuff. Ride the waves. Ride along the Belgian coast with car hire and find the perfect point break.

Brussels is located in the center of Belgium, and acts as the country's capital. Some people refer to the city of Brussels as a municipality known as the Brussels-Capital Region. The Brussels-Capital region is the home to over 1 million people, and if you extend this to include the metropolitan area the population increases to just around 2 million people. All of these people make the Brussels-Capital Region the most highly populated in the country. In addition, all of these people go a long way in ensuring that Brussels will always be the financial and political center of the country. The main seat of the European Union is also occupied by Brussels. As you can see, Brussels is a very important region throughout Europe.

There is a language border that more or less separates the country of Belgium into two entities. The northern part of Belgium is Dutch speaking, where as the southern half is French speaking. There are parts of both sides that speak both languages, and the city of Brussels is the same way. Brussels is a bilingual city which allows for a more diverse culture and the ease of entry for a larger group of people.

If you are planning a trip to Brussels there are several attractions that you will not want to miss. In fact, there are so many things to see that you will want to plan your trip out very carefully. One of the most popular attractions in Brussels is the Grand-Place. This is thought to be one of the most breathtaking squares in the world. It is surrounded by old buildings such as the Hotel de Ville. Another top tourist destination in Brussels is the Royal Museum of Fine Arts. If you are in Brussels to soak up the culture this is a must see. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts is the best collection of art in Belgium, and thousands of people from all over travel to the museum on a yearly basis.

When it comes to the climate, Brussels is rather steady throughout the year. Temperatures reach their high during the month of July when they top out at an average of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter months the temperatures in Brussels usually dip down into the low 40s. This makes for a very consistent temperature year round. If you live in Brussels you never have to deal with extreme heat, or a lot of cold weather. As far as precipitation is concerned, Brussels usually averages between two and three inches a month; it can snow, but it is not a common occurrence or worry.

Transportation in Brussels includes several major train stations that connect Brussels to other large cities in the UK. In addition the Brussels National Airport makes it easy to fly in and out of the area. Overall, traveling to Brussels will allow you to see a diverse culture. There are many popular tourist attractions in the area, and a transportation system that is top notch. If you have never visited Brussels you may want to put it on your short list.

There is a Mound of Lion beside the old battlefield in Waterloo which is a small town of Belgium close to France. In fact, the Mound of Lion is a large grave which has lots of soldiers buried in. All these soldiers died in the Waterloo battle. The mound is covered with grass, and there is an iron lion on the top, which was made in 1826 to commemorate the victory of allied armies defeating the French army. Typical European plain surrounds it. Everything is peaceful with dazzled sunshine and fresh air, only the iron lion watching France in the south as a guard. Who can think of that there was a bloody battle happened here before more than one hundred years? There is statue of Napoleon standing on the ground opposite to the Mound Lion. The Napoleon statue is very thin and short with an anxious face and a sword which looks like a crutch. A dead tree is near by it.

After that, we went to the Brussels; the capital of Belgium. We visited the Independent Gate first. After taking some photos, we arrived at the military museum. There were many types of real equipment in the museum, which are better than those in the French museum. Things such as guns, cannons and tanks, even the fighter plane and the coastguard vessel were all put in the museum. That is amazing.

There was a “Home of the King” built opposite to the city government. It was built to be the temporary palace for French king Louis XIV. It is a museum now and used to display the clothes of Juliaant, the little hero of Belgium. Beside this museum, there were the Chinese temple and the Japanese tower which were built in Paris Exposition. Every country had built a building with characteristics in the Paris Exposition. China and Japan did it too. When the king of Belgium visited the exposition, he was attracted by the Chinese temple and the Japanese tower. So he bought these two buildings, dismantled and delivered them to his garden, then built them up again.

The heartbeat of Europe, the country Belgium attracts numerous travelers every year .Country where three official languages are spoken ,has a glorious past, fine art, foodstuff and structural designs at every nook and corner, when it is compared to the countries in its vicinity.

Snuggled between the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France, Belgium covers approximately 30,527 square kilometres and is a dwelling to almost 10 lakh people. Extended from the charming and pleasing Ardennes area in the south to the desolate North Sea shoreline in the North, it is crisscrossed lengthily by a set of canals.

Belgium became an integral part of the Frankish empire in the year 1100 and had the benefit of a Golden Age at some stage in the 14th century under the governance of the French Duke of Burgundy. This was a golden period and a time of immense riches and creativity when the town of Antwerp became the supreme port in Europe. The country was attacked two times by Germany, firstly in in 1914 and then another time in 1940. Belgium's populace is separated between Flemish speakers that comprises almost 60% and French speakers who are almost 40%.

The  Belgians are accredited with inventing oil painting and the master pieces of such artists as Van Eyck, Brueghel and Rubens are well known all over the world. The nation is in addition celebrated for such miscellaneous activities as making best chocolate and lace-making, beer and comic strips. Herge, the originator of the distinguished comic strip Tintin, was Belgian. The capital city of the country, Brussels, is the capital of the European Union too. It has Europe's most gorgeous and fine-looking central square, the Grand Place. The most excellent restaurants in the country can be found on the Rue des Bouchers, which is just a short distance from the Grand Place. At this particular place you can taste lobster, crab and mussels washed down with outstanding Belgian beer.

The town of Bruges is Europe's most conserved middle aged city. It has two medieval centers and some of the most beautiful and commendable art collections in the  country. Antwerp is a must visit place to gulp in its air of discolored magnificence and its vivacious cafés and bars. Take pleasure in a walk in the gorgeous Ardennes area of deep valleys and high forests. Let the strength of this most European of countries pierce your soul and etch some lifetime memories.