Travel to Belgium

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 famous for its world class chocolate. However chocolate isn’t all the Belgium has to offer. Belgium has many tourist attractions ranging from exquisite architecture, romantic cruises and delicious food. If you are interested in diamonds visit Antwerp, located towards northern Belgium closer to Dutch border. Antwerp is nicknamed the world’s diamond trading centre and you will be delighted with the different qualities of precious gems you can discover. Antwerp also has other tourist attraction such as a host of museums and galleries waiting to be explored.

Visit Luxembourg to be transported to another time and place. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is widely known as a walker’s paradise. Take in the many historical sites that Luxembourg has to offer. Famous for it’s casemates, an extensive network of underground galleries which were carved from the cities own rocks, this is an experience not to be missed. Also stop by the Grand-Duke’s residence to discover majestic architecture and medieval houses.

Namur, located towards the south of Belgium, dates back to having foundations in the Roman era. Along with being rich in architecture and history Namur is also famous for its churches and cathedrals. When in Namur make sure to sample its many mouth watering delicacies. Meats, salads, Flamiche, red wine and chilled beer are local foods that have to be tried out. If you are interested in perfumes, visit Perfumes Guy Delforge where you will be able to learn the process involved in making exquisite fragrances.

Liege, a city which is a beautiful blend of the past and the future is a discovery that will delight any tourist. Hunt for antiques at an outdoor market, shop along the traffic free alleys and indulge in restaurants where each meal seems to taste better than the last. Travelling around Belgium is relatively easy. Belgium has an extensive train network which connects the whole country and therefore makes travelling around easy, comfortable and safe. You can also rent a car if you wish or take the bus.

The summer of 2005, my friend and I decided to apply for a summer program as part of our graduate degree and travel from United States to Europe and specifically to Bruges in Belgium, so as to attend an intensive seminar at The College of Europe on Politics, Policies, Lobbying and the European Union. Although I have never visited Belgium before, I was really excited to discover, while browsing the internet, that I was about to visit one gorgeous and historical city of the "Old Continent," while enhancing my academic knowledge and meeting new people.

Before leaving the US we printed any information we could find regarding the city's tourist locations, interesting cafes and historic buildings. Although Bruges is a very small town, it offers a lot of possibilities to those interested in exploring its excitements. But even if it surpassed our expectations, visiting only one European town or country seemed a waste for such a trip. Thus, we decided in advance to research the opportunities a young graduate student has while traveling around in Europe and the most convenient, cheap and interesting way to go from city to city and country to country was via train. The Eurorail trains are the simpler way people have to visit a variety of European destinations, as boarding a train actually offers to the adventure-seekers the possibility of having an extraordinary trip and admiring the countryside in the meantime.

In fact, upon the completion of the summer program, we packed our bags and traveled from Brussels to Amsterdam. The Netherlands' capital was a combination of beauty and adventure. The city streets, the people walking or bicycling around, the nice weather and its countless river docks create a unique combination of images, which are food for hungry eyes-like ours. Since we had less than 48 hours available to see as much as possible, we decided to pay a visit at the Van Gogh Museum, walk the Red District by night, and of course take the tram to travel through the city and gaze its unbelievable beat.

Next stop was Paris, France. Lucky as we were to find an available and affordable room as soon as we got off the train station, the next thing was to find a map of the city and its incredible metro system and travel around to check everything! Notre Dame, bridges, the Eiffel Tower, the Bastille, Champs-Elysees, small cafes and long walks across the Seine River or through the area of Montmartre, made our stay in Paris unforgettable. In fact, one of the best pictures we got from this trip was in front of the Arc de Triomphe and we took it by ourselves-both faces appear on the frame. Monte Carlo was our next and most expensive destination, but its beaches and sun gave our trip a legendary feel.

Next, we visited Italy. Florence and Venice, two of the most important trade cities in Europe offered us some life-time opportunities. Historical monuments, paved streets, canals, museums, restaurants and Italian cafes convinced us that Italy is actually much more than an interesting destination. In fact, I fall-in-love with almost every single building we crossed and by the time we had to catch our plain back, I though we have made a huge mistake; our eight day trip should have lasted a lifetime.

Brussels is a recognized center of European culture as the city has numerous historical monuments. However, currently the capital of Belgium is more known for the high development of modern science and art. The symbol of Brussels is the famous Manneken Pis, The Peeing Boy, a fountain dating back to early 17th century, centrally located a few steps from the main square. Julien, as they call the sculpture of the boy is often decorated in various ways. To give him a dress is a particular honor which is only awarded to distinguished guests of the city.

In the historical center of Brussels there is the Grand Place, considered by many people as one of the most beautiful squares of the continent. Around it you can find the town hall, built in the Gothic style from 1401 to 1455, the so-called King's House (1515-1525), the House of Guilds (1696-1720). Nearby sits the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Saint-Michel-et-Gyudyul. Its construction took over 200 hundred years, from 1226 to 1490. Truly, it is a remarkable monument of the Gothic architecture. Around this spectacular building the business districts of the capital are located. They are surrounded by numerous shopping areas and very interesting and picturesque boutiques.

The upper city was built after the historical center. Yet, it has many architectural monuments belonging to the 18th and 19th centuries, including the ceremonial ensemble of classic Plaza Royale (1774-1780) and the Place de Martyrs (1772-1775). This neighborhood can be called a City of Palaces. You will find here the Palace of Justice (1866-1883), The Royal Palace founded in the 18th century and rebuilt several times, the last renovation was done in the 20th century. Other interesting palaces include the Houses of Parliament (1779-1783), The Palace of Fine Arts (1922-1928), The Palace of the Century (1935) which was built to commemorate the anniversary of independence of Belgium.

The architectural appearance of the capital is not just shaped by individual monuments of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and modern times. The uniqueness of Brussels is all about the organic combination of antiquity and modernity. Some of the buildings constructed after the Second World War became landmarks of the city as they harmonically fit in the surrounding neighborhoods. First of such is the Central Station (1953) and two buildings dating to 1958, when a World Fair was convened in the capital: the Social Security House and the Board of the Bank Brussels Lambert.

The city has a great number of museums. Of particular interest are primarily those where you can see the paintings of the old Flemish artisans, and the heirs of their glory, the Belgian avant-garde painters. The paintings of the past centuries and the present time are widely represented at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts and municipal Museum of Fine Arts.

Belgians are keen to preserve historical roots, both of their own country and other countries. The richest collection of archaeological and ethnographic finds (including Egyptian antiquities) is the pride of the Royal Museum of Art and History. The extensive material collected by Belgian scientists during expeditions to the African Continent is on display at the Royal Museum of Central Africa. The majority of the exhibits was brought to Brussels from Congo when this country for several decades was a colony of Belgium.

The proud status of the European Capital is maintained by the appearance and look of Brussels. One interesting place definitely worth visiting is the museum of 'Small Europe' in the open air. It displays copies of the most prominent buildings and monuments in major cities of Western Europe, each 1/25th of the original size. A pride of Brussels is the Royal National Library, with over three million titles in stock.

Numerous educational and scientific institutions include the Brussels University, founded in 1834, the Free University established in 1970, the Geographic Institute, the Graduate School of Political and Social Sciences, the internationally renowned Pasteur Institute, and the Royal Institute of Natural History. The capital also hosts the National Academy of Sciences and Arts. The conservatory was founded in Brussels in 1832, and the Royal Theatre de la Monnaie opened in 1700.

When planning a holiday Belgium does not immediately spring to most people's minds. This is their loss as the country has a long and rich history and offers many fascinating destinations for the traveler to enjoy. It would be impossible to describe everything that this country has to offer the tourist in a short article so what follows is a glimpse into six of Belgium's most well-known attractions. As part of your planning for the visit make sure you seek reliable Belgium travel advice to help your trip go smoothly.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend so they say and if you like diamonds then a visit to the world's largest diamond museum in Antwerp is a must. The city of Antwerp in Belgium is now regarded as the center of the diamond trade in Belgium and it is said that about 80% of the world's diamond jewelry is made there. The diamond museum reflects the important role that Antwerp plays in this industry and has several inter-active displays which showcase the skills of the diamond cutters and polishers. There are also weekly exhibitions by expert diamond polishers. Popular exhibits include replicas of the British crown jewels and the Koh-I-Noor diamond.

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.

In the province of Flanders, near to the Dutch border, stands the ancient city of Bruges. The historic center of the city was one of the first tourist venues, attracting visitors from all over Europe in the late 19th century. The city center is surrounded and entwined by a series of canals and this has given rise to the nickname "the Venice of the North". The canals, together with the many narrow cobbled streets and lack of motor traffic, can give the tourist the feeling that he/she has stepped back in time. This feeling is further enhanced by the abundance of well preserved medieval buildings which seem to be on every street. As if these attractions were not enough, Bruges still has more to offer its visitors. In the world of lace making Bruges is probably the most well-known center, famed for the quality of its lace products. There are a multitude of shops and stalls selling lace souvenirs, many of them at bargain prices considering the work that has gone into the making of the items.

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.

Among the many fine museums to visit in Belgium, the Groeninge Museum in Bruges needs to near the top of the list. This museum specializes in paintings of artists who lived and worked in Bruges although there the works of painters from many other areas are also on display. The Groeninge Museum has what is probably the best collection of paintings of the group of artists known as the Flemish Primitives. Artists in this group include painters of the calibre of van Eyck. There are also many examples of more modern works including the Herbert Collection of expressionist paintings.

Of course Belgium has many more sights to see than the six mentioned. Hopefully, however, after reading the above your appetite will have been whetted and you have been encouraged to consider paying a visit. If you can, seek Belgium travel advice from experts who know the country well. This way you can relax knowing that you have all the information that you need to have a good stay.

Interested in exploring the Belgian Ardennes on foot this winter? It's the ideal location for a good dose of fresh air in the hills. But before you scurry off to find your hiking boots, I feel obliged to give you three small pieces of advice. First, there is a high chance that you will become addicted, because the Ardennes is a wonderful region for walking. It's easily accessible by car, train or bus; there are hundreds of well-marked walking routes of various lengths; the scenery is breathtaking; the nature is fascinating; and yet you are never too far from a café, hotel or village shop. In other words, once you have walked in the Ardennes, your free weekends may never be the same again.

Second, be prepared for sudden changes in the weather. I have set off in glorious sunshine to find myself in a hail storm just an hour later. In addition, the higher you ascend, the colder will be that chill wind. So dress for the worst eventuality. For a winter walk, this means warm clothing, sensible footwear, a waterproof coat, gloves and a hat. Take sufficient water and snacks; personally I always take a thermos flask of hot soup. And do not leave your mobile phone at home.

Third, take a detailed walking map. These are readily available from local bookshops and tourist offices. Plan in advance to know where you intend to walk, and the length and duration of your route. This will help avoid unpleasant surprises, especially if you are taking children with you. So, armed with these hopefully helpful warnings, it's time to pack up your backpack and go. But where? It's easy to look at a map of the Ardennes and feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities, so a few of my personal favorites might help you decide where to start.

Hertogenwald Forest, Eupen

I am particularly fond of this area as it was my first encounter with the Ardennes. It offers a splendid mixture of landscapes: impenetrable, silent, coniferous forests; deserted moorland stretching to the horizon; and picturesque babbling brooks. It can be reached by taking the N67 south-east from Eupen. Halfway to Monschau is the Ternell Nature Center. This old forester's house was built in 1770 and transformed two hundred years later into a museum and information center. 

I recommend the route heading north-east from the nature center into the forest. The first time I walked this route I had to cross the River Getzbach by taking off my boots and socks and wading across. When I returned a few years later, I was quite disappointed to find a bridge had been installed. Next to the nature center is a cosy tavern serving excellent snacks. When ordering, don't forget that you are in German-speaking Belgium!

River Ourthe, La Roche-en-Ardenne

If you want to make a weekend of your trip to the Ardennes, La Roche-en-Ardenne is an excellent base from which to explore the River Ourthe, as it offers numerous hotels and restaurants. Most people walking in this area will be drawn to the well-known sights of the Nadrin Belvedere, the Nisramont Dam, Saint Margeurite's Cross and the confluence of the two Ourthes (Orientale and Occidentale). 

All of these are well worth visiting, but if like me you prefer to steer away from the crowds, then I would recommend trying one of the less popular but equally outstanding walks from the villages of Maboge, Grande Mormont or Bonnerue. My tip would be the 8 km Champs Thomas walk from Maboge. The deserted uplands seem to be a favorite hunting ground at this time of the year for hen harriers. These rare birds of prey are similar to the more commonly seen buzzards but have a white rump and fly with their wings held in a shallow 'V' as they glide low over the fields in search of a mouse or vole.

Anlier Forest

Even deeper into the Ardennes, between Martelange and Habay-la-Neuve in the province of Luxemburg, is the huge 7000-hectare Anlier Forest, one of the biggest forests in the country. Its northern slopes reach an altitude of 517 meters and are drained by the tributary streams of the River Sûre, which flows into Germany as the Sauer and eventually into the Moselle. The forest is so vast that parts of it are virtually unexplored. 

Living in its deeper recesses are deer, wild boar, badgers, foxes and wildcats. I have enjoyed many hours walking along the banks of the rivers Sûre and Géronne hoping to catch a glimpse of an otter, which is making a comeback in this region. Beavers have also been re-introduced into these river systems. A particularly attractive walk starts from Volaiville and gives you close-up views of two watermills on the Géronne. These three walks will give you an excellent introduction to this lovely area in the south of Belgium.