Travel to Belgium

At Crowne Plaza Brugge, located right in the heart of Bruges, we offer the best in conference facilities in charming surroundings. Our 18 meeting rooms can be arranged to suit any style of meeting, accommodating up to 450 delegates. With options including everything from an intimate boardroom to an atmospheric banquet in a medieval cellar, and easy access to all Bruges has to offer, Crowne Plaza Brugge is an easy choice for your conference or meeting.

Conferences with distinction

Event organisers often struggle to make their event distinctive but functional. With the range of conferencing facilities available at Crowne Plaza Brugge, creating a memorable conference couldn't be easier.

We are lucky to be able to offer the best, and most unique, facilities in Bruges, with a combination of up-to-the-minute facilities encased in historic architecture. Our cellar, dating back to the 14th century, has been host to some particularly memorable events, or you can arrange to banquet midst the foundations of the ancient St Donaas Church.

Our modern meeting rooms can cater for all sizes of event, from our boardroom, which can host up to 60 delegates, through to our reception hall, which can host 500 delegates. We are also able to offer a number of different configurations to suit your meeting style, whether you require a classroom setting, theatre, cabaret setting or a banquet with individual tables. Simply talk to your personal Crowne Meetings Director about your needs.

Location isn't everything... but it helps

At Crowne Plaza Brugge, your delegates have plenty of options when they want to explore. Our hotel is located in one of Bruges' most scenic squares, medieval Burg Square. The Belfry of Bruges is within easy walking distance and viewable from the hotel, and many of Bruges' most magnificent attractions are nearby. For those interested in Gothic architecture, the darkly beautiful entrance to the Basilica of the Holy Blood is just across the square from the hotel entrance.

Our central location also provides plenty of options for getting around. Eurostar and national rail connections are within easy reach at the Brugge Train Station, which also provides connections to the Bruges International Airport.

For those times when your delegates want to stay close to the meeting room, our Linde Restaurant provides relaxing terrace dining right on Burg Square. Fine French dining can be found in our other in-house restaurant, Het Kappitel, while the best in Belgian beer can be found in our relaxing Bar.

All the best you expect from Crowne Plaza

Crowne Plaza Meetings has the distinction of providing highly professional meetings assistance in beautiful hotel surroundings. At Crowne Plaza Zurich, we offer a personal Meetings Director, who will be with you right from the moment of your first enquiry until after your last delegate leaves.

The comfort of your delegates is foremost, which is why we offer spa and fitness facilities, as well as wireless internet in all meeting rooms. Our business centre provides everything your guests will need while they're away from the office.

To get all of those Christmas presents and goodies, several persons like to go to one of the numerous common Christmas markets in Europe. Quite a few businesses are now providing incredibly reasonably priced Christmas Market coach trips which makes them accessible for all. One particular of the most well-known is the Brussels Christmas Market. 

There are all around 240 wooden chalets lining the streets that are opened for the market. Every single chalet sells its own Christmas goods from decorations to gifts to exquisite foods. Although you're there you need to have a go on the skating rink. It difficult to imagine a a lot more cliche Christmas scene but definitely not possible to resist. You can also soak up the atmosphere from the brass bands, performances and ice sculptures close to the spot. It's no wonder then that the Brussels Christmas market has grow to be identified as the Winter Wonderland! One more popular market is at Lille. The Christmas market goes on for an complete month giving you plenty of time to stop by, or even go twice!

The centre of the town is transformed for the complete month and has stalls marketing nearby meals, gifts and arts and crafts. Entertainment is laid on to continue to keep youngsters of all ages amused and impressed and be confident to get your photo taken with Santa Clause who commonly attends for one particular day, when he literally drops in from the 80m substantial Belfry.

An additional Christmas market to take a coach trip to is of course Bruges. Once more, a skating rink will be at the centre of the market, and the usual food and gifts are on present. Be cautious not to drink as well a great deal of the herbal wine, acknowledged as ghluwein. It is designed to be served warm to give you a glow as you walk all-around in the winter air.

It seems a little unfair that Belgium, a small country on the north-west European mainland, has been tagged as 'boring' by her neighbours. Ok - perhaps compared to nations nearby, it doesn't have such geological diversity; you won’t find great swathes of forest like in Germany, the hot sandy beaches of Spain or the towering Alpine mountains of France, but who cares about that? Everybody knows the most important thing in life is beer, and when it comes to brewing, Belgium is anything but boring.

Whilst other European countries continue to churn out bland, generic lagers, Belgium has excelled at producing a massive variety of high quality and interesting beers that have made the country synonymous with the amber nectar.

In terms of global popularity, the fairly ordinary, (thought perfectly drinkable) lager - Stella Artois - has dominated pubs around the world and especially in the UK. When first launched it was backed up by the ad campaign which proclaimed it to be "reassuringly expensive". This lead to it being seen as chic and exotic, but it has since dropped in stature somewhat.

In contrast to Stella Artois, the white beer Hoegaarden, is still held in high regard and is available on tap in many pubs and bars across the UK. It's cloudy nature and spicy taste (created by adding extracts of coriander and orange peel) is usually served in the huge trademark Hoegaardeen glass, and sometimes comes with a slice of lime - though some beer purists prefer it unadulterated. It's complex and fruity taste also appeals to the female market, who tend to be less keen on traditional ales and lager. The only downside of Hoegaarden is the cost; due to Hoegaarden being the first white beer widely available in the UK, it cornered the market early and thus tends to be the most expensive beer in the bar, with landlords enjoying a larger than normal markup, for no other reason than that people are willing to pay a premium for something delicious and different.

One of the most well known styles of Belgian beer are the Trappist Ales. Trappist is an order of monks that were (are) noted for their austerity and vow of silence - instead letting their beer do the talking. There are six Trappist breweries in the world and all are in Belgium. They produce brews that are highly regarded in gourmet beer drinking circles such as Orval, Chimay, Rochefort and Achel, which tend to be strong in flavour and in alcohol content.

If you're thinking about visiting Belgium to taste their beers first hand, the Bruges Beer Festival is a great place to start. There you'll find forty brewers offering over 100 different firms' beers, including 5 Trappist Breweries, and you'll be able to sample the best from Belgium's beer-y landscape. Hotels in Bruges get booked up quickly during the festival, so get in early if you want to sample Belgium's finest produce.

So, next time you hear someone say that Belgium is boring, tell them to put down their pint of Stella, and try an Orval, Hoegaarden or Achel, after all, there's more to Belgium than dull lager.

Belgium tends to be underrated as a holiday destination. This is a pity as it has much to offer the holidaymaker, whether it is culture, beaches or places of historical interest. If you are planning a trip there then you need to seek Belgium travel advice from a reliable source. To help you plan your visit here is an introduction to 6 places to visit in Belgium during your stay.

Together with its Dutch neighbour, Belgium has long been associated with the exciting world of diamonds. The Belgian city of Antwerp has long being regarded as the center of the diamond trade in Belgium and, not surprisingly, is home to the world's largest Diamond Museum. A visit to the museum is a must for any lover of diamonds. There are sound and light displays depicting the journey that a diamond makes from the time it is mined until it is cut, polished and becomes part of an item of jewellery. For many the most fascinating exhibit will be the replica of the British crown jewels, including the two largest diamonds in the world, the Koh-I-Noor and the Cullinan.

The Ardennes region of Belgium is well-known as an area of outstanding beauty, ideal for touring and taking in the views. One of the major towns in the Ardennes is the town of Spa, whose name is now synonymous with baths and springs of healing waters. Spa has been on the map as a center for baths and hot springs since the 14 century and was considered as the resort to go to by the European aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today Spa retains its old world charm but the baths have been extensively modernized and expanded. The main complex of baths is located at "Les Thermes De Spa", where the visitor can relax in the healing waters or take a sauna or massage. The modern world of motor racing visits Spa once a year as it is home to the historic Formula One Grand Prix circuit at Spa-Francorchamps. All in all an area to be included in any visit to Belgium.

Most people will recall learning about the Battle of Waterloo in their school history lessons. The city of Waterloo where the battle took place in 1815, is located not far from the Belgian capital, Brussels. For visitors wishing to find out more about the events of 1815 there are museums and monuments commemorating the Duke of Wellingtons victory over the Emperor Napoleon. The battlefield has been preserved and it is possible to wander over the fields where the battle took place. A panoramic view over surrounding area can be had from the top of "La Butte du Lion", a mound with the statue of a lion at the top, said to have been built as a symbol of the the allied forces' victory. The Wellington museum, housed in the former allied army headquarters and reputed to be where Wellington stayed during the battle, has many exhibits of items from the time.

Sometimes called the Venice of the North, the town of Bruges in the Belgian province of Flanders, is famed for its historical center enclosed by the many canals. Bruges is an ancient town and a large number of old medieval buildings are still standing, adding to the beauty of the place. As a center of lace-making, Bruges is still probably the most well-known and highly regarded town. Lace products of the highest quality are on sale in just about every shop and lace makers can be seen sitting in their doorways engaging in their craft. There are demonstrations of bobbin lace making at the Kantcentrum near the center of the city. Other notable attractions are the four windmills which are the only ones remaining from the many that were built into the ancient city walls. Each one has a small museum.

One of the largest and well-known collections of Flemish art can be found at The Royal Museum of Fine Art in Brussels. There are more than 20,000 works ranging from Flemish and Dutch Old Masters to paintings from the present day. Flemish paintings by such illustrious figures as Rubens and van Dyck are well represented and include 20 works by Rubens. These are housed in their own salon. Paintings by many Dutch Old Masters such as Rembrandt are also featured. This is a very large collection of art, spread over two buildings, and if you want to make the most of it you will need to allocate plenty of time.

For those who are interested in finding out more about Flemish painters and paintings, a visit to the Groeninge Museum in Bruges should be on the agenda. Although the museum concentrates its collection on the works of local artists, there are several paintings from other areas in Belgium. Housed in its own section is an important exhibition of paintings by the so-called Flemish primitive group of painters. Foremost among these was the artist Jan van Eyck. In 1985 the museum took over the Herbert Collection, which is a collection of paintings from the expressionist era.

Choosing the six places to visit in Belgium was not easy as the country has so many attractions to offer the tourist. Belgium does not yet have the popularity as a tourist destination as some other countries but it is hoped that after reading the above you will be keen to find out more about what the country has to offer the visitor. To help you in your preparations for your holiday don't forget to obtain reliable Belgium travel advice so that you are aware of any special requirements you need to comply with.

Bruges is a perfectly preserved medieval town in the Western-Flanders region of Belgium. Its idyllic setting of cobbled stone streets, 16th century architecture and winding canals made it a favorite romantic destination in Europe. In fact, it is considered by many as the most beautiful city in this part of the world. 

Moving around is as uncomplicated as going to your local park because it is small enough to be explored on foot. If you want to glam it up, you can easily hail a charming horse-drawn carriage. But, if you want to do it the traditional touristy way, there is also an hourly City Bus Tour waiting at the Market Square. Despite its small egg-shaped size, the city is a treasure trove of quaint and interesting attractions that will keep its visitor occupied for hours.

Bruges takes pride in the beauty of its cathedrals and churches. The Basilica of the Holy Blood is one major attraction. It features the 11th century St. Basil's Chapel and a museum housing the bejeweled gold and silver Holy Blood Shrine. Other famous cathedrals include the Our Lady's Church, whose tower is one of the most prominent features of the city's skyline. The Jerusalem Church is also worth checking out for its fine-looking stained glass windows.

City halls may seem like boring places to visit, but not in Bruges. It dates back to 1376 and features remarkable workmanship. Take time to visit its gothic council chamber and once you are in the middle of the room, look up and be amazed with its stunning high ceiling adorned with elaborate medieval carvings. If you are interested in governance and things like that, you can head on to the adjoining chamber where government documents and some pieces of art are placed on exhibit.

For a birds eye view of this picture perfect medieval village, climb up the 272 foot-high Belfry Museum. It is believed to have been built way back in the 13th century. But, more than its rich history, what is most exciting for me is getting a good look at the internal mechanism of the Belfry Tower clock. It's not just a good photo opportunity but also an interesting piece of artwork to look at. Along the way to the top, you will also pass by a carillon of 47 bells. If you get excited with just one tower bell, what more with more than 3 dozens of them?

If you are interested in local crafts, visit the Lace Centre at Peperstraat. It is a museum dedicated to Bruges most celebrated lace-making industry. You can get acquainted with the process of this delicate craft and how it evolved throughout the years. Of course, you can buy some of the exquisite handiwork if you can't resist the temptation of a good purchase!

Finally, Bruges is not called Venice of the North without reason. Take advantage of its meandering canals and the picturesque scenery along the way. There are plenty of tour boats in the area. You can choose one with a multi-lingual guide if you want more insight to the city's history or you can do away with a guide and just enjoy the scenic view in peace and quiet.

When you arrive in Bruges you might get the feeling of stepping back in time. Willow lined canals, cobbled streets and old whitewashed almshouses all evoke a sense of times gone by and this perfectly preserved city is the ideal place to lose yourself in. The experience you have in Bruges will differ depending on the time of year you decide to visit. The climate in Belgium means summers are mild with an average temperature of around 16ºC. Winters are cold due to the icy winds that blast down from the Baltic.

Bruges summers are the most pleasant time if you fancy a little sunshine to accompany you on your travels and make the perfect time for outdoor activities. In winter time you can sometimes skate on the canals and have the city almost to yourself as summer is peak tourist season. Once you arrive in Bruges the best way to get around and explore is to walk and as many of the major attractions are located within the circle of boulevards that mark the line of the old city walls it is easy to make sure you do not miss out on anything.

The city centre is very compact and flat so it is easy to navigate. The flat terrain also makes cycling popular and many of the roads have cycle lanes. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride from Markt Square for a traditional way to see the city streets. A canal cruise is a relaxing and enjoyable way to get your bearings when you first arrive and you could easily mistake the city for Venice with its maze of waterways and romantic bridges. Part of Bruges age old beauty is its bridges, of which there are around fifty. The Peerdenbrug is the most ancient whereas in stark contrast lies the contemporary Conzettbridge, named after Swiss architect Jürg Conzett.

Other sights you will not want to miss out on include Michelangelo's Madonna and Child in the Church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwkere), a 13th century church with a 122 metre tower which was built over three centuries in various different styles. Many recitals and one-off productions also take place in the city’s centuries-old churches and Koninklijke Stadsschouwburg is a good one to visit during our time in Bruges. Music lovers would also enjoy a trip to the sleek and modern Concertgebouw which offers an array of opera, dance, classical concerts and theatre.

When it comes to museums, the Groeninge is a firm favourite due to its collection of Flemish art dating back to the 15th century. There are several different ways to travel to Bruges and you can even catch a high speed train from Britain which will whisk you there in just under two hours leaving you with more time to enjoy your time in one of Belgian’s finest cities.

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.

Brussels has grown from a 10th-century fortress town founded by a descendant of Charlemagne into a metropolis of more than one million inhabitants. As the capital and business centre of European Union, there are millions of people who fly to Brussels every year. To find Cheap Flights to Brussels is very convenient and easy with various financial plans and worldwide airlines flying every day. It is allied to numerous divisions of the world, including US and the respite of Europe. Here, you can easily find Cheap Flights to Brussels sourced from several airfare online search engine.

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Brussels is always in the world news as one of the most important base for international politics in the European Union. It is basically a collective city as many institutions and organizations all have headquarters in this place. This inland capital city is by The Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France, because of this it claims the name 'Capital of Europe'.

Brussels-Capital Region, Brussels Region or simply Brussels, is the European Union's de facto capital city. It is Belgium's largest capital that comprise of 19 municipalities including the French Community of Belgium, Flanders and the capital of Belgium - City of Brussels Proper. From a tenth century fortress town it has grown into a metropolis with over a million inhabitants. Its metropolitan area alone has an estimated population of more than 1.8 million. It is for this reason that Brussels became Belgium's largest town.

Narrow streets open suddenly into the breathtaking Grand-Place, with its ornate guild houses, architectures of Brussels is worth seeing, hotels are stylish too. Here are a few recommended Luxury Hotels in Brussels:

Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo Brussels is one of the stylish and traditional hotels and is without doubt one of the best hotels in the city which is highly recommended. The Hotel Amigo has received the award of "3rd best hotel in Europe" by Travel + Leisure "World's Best Awards 2008" CG 03/09. It is a traditional hotel but very well visually decorated with flowers, canopies, together with helpful and courteous doormen. This hotel is perfectly located within a few minutes walking distance of the Grand Place, making itself the most central hotel in Europe!

Residence Grand Place Brussels - Again with a traditional exterior look and its central location, Residence Grand Place is within easy reach of most attractions and businesses in Brussels. Each guest room is tastefully appointed with non smoking rooms, bath robes, television, bathtub, shower, mini bar, laundry service/dry cleaning, business centre.

B&B Max 69 Brussels is around a white marble courtyard and garden with a pond. The unique design or marble pillars are so impressive. The European Commission is an 8-minute walk away. All floors decorated with modern art and design. In such a modern hotel, free coffee and Wi-Fi are a must. To enjoy a city night life, B&B Max is an 8-minute walk away from the Diamant metro station and close to city centre.

Marriott Hotel Brussels, which is a 5 star hotel is in almost every charming place in the world. The Marriott Hotel Brussels are close to many Brussels attractions. Amenities include bar, restaurant, gym and business center. Needless to say, the rooms at the Marriott Hotel Brussels include air conditioning, work desk, high-speed Internet access, telephone with voicemail, satellite television, a minibar, irons, bath robes, hair dryers and more. Like everywhere else, Marriott is always convenient to public transportation.

At Best Western Premier Sodehotel La Woluwe, guests here will find themselves within walking distance of the Hof Ter Musschen, a renovated 18th century Belgian farmhouse and Public transportations such as Grand Place and the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Similar to the Marriott, it offers climate controls, desks, wireless Internet access, mini-bars, pay movies, and satellite television. The Best Western Premier Sodehotel La Woluwe Brussels is in the business district, and very close to city centre.

Great beers, waffles and french fries is what comes to many people's minds when they think of Belgium. The country is often maligned by the uninitiated who have never sampled the delights that are offered by world class cities such as Bruges and Brussels, but for those in the know it is regarded as a first class destination in Europe.

It takes only a few hours to get from London to Belgium thanks to the high-speed Eurostar trains and so the country has become extremely accessible both to holiday makers from the UK as well as those simply looking for a weekend getaway.

Despite being a tourist magnet and overcrowded for most of the year, the medieval city of Bruges is the country's most popular destination and with its picturesque houses, canals and bridges it is not hard to see why. For beauty and atmosphere you'd be hard pushed to find anywhere else that compares in Belgium. Of course if you are looking for a bit more action, then consider the city of Ghent which is located between Antwerp, Bruges and Brussels. This university town has carved out a reputation for fun thanks to the various festivals held throughout the year.

If you are planning a trip over to Belgium but understandably do not want to be bothered taking a lot of bulky luggage with you then don't worry, because this is where an online parcel delivery company can help out. Rather than having to heft about large items, simply send them over in advance. It really couldn't be simpler to get your things over to Belgium when you go through a reputable courier company that has a solid reputation and years of experience delivering to destinations all over Europe and the rest of the world.

Always make sure before you send anything abroad however that you check it does not fall into a prohibited items category. There are certain goods that customs officials will not allow into Belgium, and there are also a number of goods that courier companies refuse to carry. Many items are obvious, such as explosive materials and firearms, but there are some other less obvious ones. If you are new to sending packages to Belgium then do make sure you check with the courier company first.

When you are considering shipping to Belgium then make sure you find a courier company that can get your parcel to Belgium in one piece.