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.
