Travel to Belgium

Brussels is considered as the capital of Belgium and the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty organization has its main organization there to promote the rule and regulations. Brussels king and his family lives in the Royal Castle of Laeken which is located in the outer region of the Brussels city. But the city is very much famous for the royal palace which is in the center of the city.

Brussels is very much famous for its wider and beautiful streets, historic buildings, museums and architecture with pointed shaped arches which is generally adopted in 16-18 centuries. Brussels is one of the cities where people from different languages and caste are living together without any kind of differences. As it is located nearby seashore the climate of Brussels is very moist. Brussels has around 200 rainy days in a year.

Brussels Airport is the main airport of the city. But it also has 10 other airport along with that, that come with in 100 mile region from the city from where the Brussels flights are available. Those are Antwerp-Brussels North airport, Brussels S. Charleroi airport, Liege airport, Eindhoven airport, Maastricht/Aachen airport, Lesquin airport, Rotterdam airport, Ostend airport, Niederrhein airport, Amsterdam-Schiphol airport. Around 67 airlines provides the services of Brussels flights including Brussels airlines, Jetairfly, Royal Air Marco, Jet Airways(India), Lufthansa, easyjet, Atlas blue, Bmi, United airlines and SAS.

Brussels flights provides connectivity to 59 countries like Spain, Morocco, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France, United States, Egypt, Turkey and Portugal. The airports from where you can board to Brussels flights are Heathrow airport, Geneva international airport, Augsburg airport, Barajas airport, Frankfurt international airport, Vienna international airport, Barcelona airport, Malpensa airport etc.

Brussels airport is full of facilities for the passengers like bank, post office, data port for laptops and mobile phones, café, restaurants, duty free shopping, medication in case of emergency. Airport transfers and parking is also available.

Brussels flights are of international standard and provide the best of the services. The passengers having little infants travelling with get the first chance to board the flight. They are also provided with the facility of baby food and bowling of bottles. A folding chair with wheels is also available for the handicaps and children to board the aircraft. Seatback TV screen is also available for the entertainment purpose of the passengers. For long haul passengers the comfortable blanket and pillows are also provided. They are also facilitated with the quality dining of vegetarian or non vegetarian food. 

Brussels flights pay the main attention for the entertainment of the children e.g. they provide games, jigsaw and special cartoon sessions on the TV screen. The washrooms the flights are also well maintained. The lie-flat beds like seats and individual power ports are available for the business class passengers.  The tickets for the Brussels flights can be booked online through internet. All the information about the Brussels airport can be taking from the website www.brusselsairport.be .

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.

Situated in Northern Europe, bordering North Sea, between France and the Netherlands, Belgium, as a country that can boast of rich historical past, dating back to the middle ages. The country is studded with museums and historical sites- Museum of Musical Instruments (Old Brussels), The Bastogne Historical Center, Tresor du Prieure d'Oignies(Namur) and Grand Place(Brussels). There are also a lot of World Heritage Sites in Belgium. Besides these, Belgium also has a large number of Sacred and Religious places.


Belgium is a highly industrialized nation in the world and comes within top ten trading rank. Its economy is primarily service oriented with a high per capita income and a very productive labor force. Citizens of most European nations do not require any documents to enter the country, people from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and USA do not require a visa for visits up to three months. The average daily expenses for a tourist will be anywhere above $35, depending upon the circumstances but staying in Brussels will be much more expensive.The major cities in Belgium are Antwerp, Brussels, Bruges, Dinant, Genk, Ghent, Hasselt, Leuven, Liege, Namur, Oostende. Spa, and Waterloo.


Though the period from May to September is excellent for visiting Belgium, the summer (July to September) is a good time to visit Brussels. For foreigners, safety is not a big concern in Belgium. Except a few areas in Central Brussels, and the outskirts of Antwerp, most areas are safe for foreigners. Tourists will have to be quite cautious in vacant streets and places and while traveling alone at night. Among the big hotels, BHC Group (Espace53), Café Bergenhof, Kelly's Irish Pub and O'Reilly's Irish Pub Brussels are the most famous.


During the festive season, Burges Ice Festival is quite famous, with ice pieces sculpted from no less than 300,000 kgs of crystal ice and 400 tons of pure snow. The treasure-trove of icy masterpieces is a specialized thermal tent, where the temperature is kept at a constant -5 degrees C. At Brussels Rhythm and Blues Club, non-stop live music with men in Blue and the Witness can be had for the tourists. 

Late evening at the Brussels museums comprise all conceivable subjects, from the most classical to the funniest, from artistic to the scientific passing by technology, industry, history, exoticism and even gastronomy. All hotels in Brussels have an extensive home page with pictures, prices and rooms descriptions so that we can have a good idea of what the accommodation looks like. Web sites available for booking in about 750 hotels in Belgium and there is a wide variety to choose from.

About the Country

Belgium is situated in the west of Europe. The land here mostly comprises of flat coastal plains in the northeast, and southeast is occupied by the Ardennes Forest. Dutch, Flemish, French and German are the official languages of Belgium, with Dutch being the widely spoken followed by French. The weather here is pretty predictable. Months from April to September are the warmest. Otherwise the weather is pretty humid and skies are gray, that explains why umbrellas and raincoats are a part of the dressing. So, if the visit is planned for holidays during the rainy season, one must not forget to carry sufficient cover for maximum protection, as this is a coastal region. In case of emergency call 100 or 112.

Culture

Belgians are English-friendly and will make every attempt to speak in English with a foreigner. Always remember to carry a small gift or at least flowers especially when invited over dinner. The dress to wear will be mentioned in the invitation, when invited for a party. Smoking in public is acceptable.

Shopping

Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, Ostend, Namur, Mons, Liège, Ghent and Mechelen are the main shopping centers. Belgium is famous for ceramics and hand-beaten copperware from Dinant, laces from Bruges, crystals from Val Saint Lambert, woodcarvings from Spa and Belgium’s finest chocolates. In jewelry, diamonds from Antwerp are on high demand.

Eating Out

The specialty of most of the restaurants is horse and rabbit meat dishes. Although visitors can find a wide range of ethnic foods, but the most famous are frites and mayonnaise and mitraillette; mitraillette is a large bun filled with fries, donair meat and garlic sauce, the vegetarians can ask for a veg. substitute for the donair meat. While eating at a restaurant, tipping is considered customary along with the value-added tax. At the cinemas, leave a €0.50 tip for the attendant and €0.25 after using the public toilets.

Electricity

Voltage is 230 V and frequency is 50 Hz.

Travel

Delta Air Transport has inaugurated its new European airline SN Brussels Airlines recently. It flies to more than 58 destinations in Europe and as well as worldwide. The Brussels Zayentem airport is twelve km from the city and it takes 35 minutes to reach the city from the airport. The airport has facilities like duty free shops, car parking, taxi booking, car hiring, banks, post office, restaurants, and medical help. 

Internet and fax services are provided for the passengers. The Airport City Express train transports passengers to three main railway stations - Brussels North, Central and South. One can avail a bus which runs regularly from the airport, taxis can also be hired which wait outside the arrival hall. Tipping the taxi drivers is considered customary. Train runs every 15 minutes.

Another airport, Brussels South Charleroi, is 5 km away from Charleroi and 46 km from Brussels. Ryan air serves as the local airline here and has cheap deals for several European destinations to and from Charleroi. The facilities provided here are bus and train services, café, car hire, and duty free shops.

Ostend airport is 5 km away from the city and car parking, car hire, duty free shops, and restaurants are provided here. Antwerp airport is just 2 km away from the city. Buses run to the Brussels Central Station every few minutes. Liege is situated at a distance of 5 km away from the city. Buses run at regular interval here. The departure tax at Brussels Zayentem is €20.93, Brussels South Charleroi is €3.49, Ostend and Antwerp is €10, and at Liege is €7.

There is a network of high-speed trains, which are operated by Thalys, from Belgium to France, connecting Brussels with other destinations like Bordeaux, Chambéry, Cannes, Marseille, Lyon, Nice, Valence Perpignan, and Rennes. Booking should be made in advance for these trains. The national railway operates through out the day providing service every few minutes to destinations such as Andorra, Austria, France, Czech, Germany, Italy, Poland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the UK and the Netherlands. Insiders can avail the Inter-Rail pass which allows visitors to travel almost 29 European Countries. This service is valid for residents who have been settled there for more than 6 months.

Duty Free Items

Visitors can carry alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes, coffee and tea without getting customs duty levied on them, but only the goods should be limited. Check out for the limits before carrying such goods. Food items that are not preserved are better avoided.

Antwerp is one of the most important economic centres of Belgium. It is the fifth largest harbour in the world and probably the most productive one. This is no wonder, as the Belgians are the most productive workers of the world per working hour. And the Antwerp harbour workers also score high with yearly productivity.

Apart from the economic importance Antwerp has always been and still is one of the most important cultural and artistic cities of the country and of Europe. Old masters like Peter Paul Rubens an P. Van Dyke lived and worked there. The city’s cathedral is among the most famous and beautiful of the world. The cathedral and a number of places of the city play a very important role in the famous story “The Dog of Flanders” which is extremely popular in Japan.

When you visit this city, be sure to visit the famous Antwerp cathedral one of the important masterpiece of European Gothic.. Its construction began in 1352 as a church. But only in 1559 it became known as the Antwerp cathedral of Our Lady. It is among the finest and exquisite gothic constructions of Europe. Famous architects worked on it: Jean Appelmans, Herman de Waghemakere, Domien de Waghemakere, Antoon Keldermans II and Rombout Keldermans. What you can see now as a beautiful architectural masterpiece is indeed the work of centuries. The central nave is flanked by three aisles. Each aisle has 48 pillars. The total length of the Antwerp cathedral is 117 m. Its interior height is 40 m.

Spanish emperor Charles V also had his influence on some parts of this magnificent construction. The Antwerp cathedral suffered a lot from water damage, wars and plundering, but it has always kept its unique grandeur. When you visit the place, you’ll be able to see three paintings of Peter Paul Rubens, Antwerp’s most famous painter. They are: the Descent from the Cross , the Elevation of the Cross and the Resurrection. 

Antwerp has a lot of museums, art schools, cultural centres and academies. It is , like Paris, London and Milan, one of the most important fashion cities of Europe. In the old beautiful city centre you can find great restaurants, excellent hotels in every price range and typical Belgian bars and cafés with the world famous Belgian beers.

Royal Museum of Fine Art, Antwerp

A beautiful and a huge compilation of paintings from the 14th century are found in the Royal Museum of Fine Art in Antwerp. Despite from the outstanding art collected works, the neoclassical planning of the museum is outstanding.

Waterloo

The fierce battle of Waterloo finished the Napoleonic Wars on June 18th in the year 1815. Napoleon I was overpowered by the Duke of Wellington. There is ample of battle belongings to visit together with the Lion of Waterloo victory monument , a huge man-made hill with a 28-ton lion on the apex. For the people who have the strength to climb  200 steps, the lion offers an imposing authoritative sight of the spot.

The Ypres War Memorials and the Flanders Battlefields

The town of Ypres is compared with the First World War. Speckled all through the neighboring countryside are quiet memorials to the deceased of the 1st World War. Must pay a visit to genuine dugout in Sanctuary Wood, the full-size modernization of scenes from the War in the Hooge Crater Museum and the trench of John McCrae where he had written the poem "In Flanders Fields", etc. The most touching sites comprises of the 170 British military cemeteries to be found around Ypres.

Tongeren

Tongeren is a very old city in Belgium. Initially a chief Roman throttlehold, the city was damaged twice. Firstly in the 4th century by Norsemen and later by the Salian Franks in 881. The Gallo Roman Museum in the middle of the city, which is constructed on the vestiges of a big lavishRoman villa, presents a startling insight into the settlement and its olden times and civilization.

The Town of Spa

The city of Spa has been famous from the Roman times for its swimming baths. It became so high-flying and the very word spa got associated with this place and was used for restoring and mollycoddling in the English language. Right from 16th century, the wealthy, majestic and well-known have visited Spas to be re-energized and recharged by the therapeutic powers of the areas waters and baths.

The Diamond Museum, Antwerp

Antwerp has been from the beginning been the major centre of diamond dealing out and the diamond business. The renowned ‘Antwerp cut' and the highly developed systematic investigation are renowned in this fascinating museum. There is a restructured nineteenth-century diamond and a jewel chamber in which we can see some precious pieces of jewellery. Every Saturday afternoon you can observe a diamond-cutter working over here.

Unlike the title, Belgium is much more than just the chocolate-box of the world, but that is not something coming as too much of a surprise to tourists, particularly to those who have been there. The country is more than 175 years into its independent existence, and is hardly showing signs of ageing! True, there have been valiant attempts to alter its downtrodden image, but the change has taken shape in a most natural manner. There are quite heavy impressions of medieval architecture uncannily preserved here. Coming to the cities, Brussels and Antwerp lead the pack, followed by Bruges, which is pleasant despite, and also because of, the fact that there are scores of tourists perpetually present here at every single day of the year. Ghent, on the other hand, is a slightly scaled down version of the more dynamic cities of the country, so to speak. Once a city that rivalled Paris in its splendour, Ghent is today happier playing second fiddle to cities like Brussels.

Belgium is an undisputed leader when it comes to moral freedom. Gays and lesbians have been given equal rights compared to heterosexuals, while Euthanasia, a concept that is condemned and criticised in most parts of the world, was legalised in 2002. The topics of discussion over a couple of Duvels, the country's signature pale ale produced in the town of Breendonk, are aplenty, which is also one of the reasons why the country is having one of the most social environments in the world.

Brussels certainly has a split personality in every sense of the word. The competition rages on in many forms – Flemish v/s French, unique v/s boring and happening v/s historic. Eurocrats and red tape set aside, the point of conflict, so to speak, are not just limited to the predictable ones. However, it is this healthy disparity in the times of globalisation that sets the mood for a tourist's unforgettable sojourn in Brussels. The city is also known for its café culture, Art Nouveau architecture and fine dining options. Surreal art also comes to life here, in the northern suburb of Jette, to be specific. The variation in architecture ranges from the age-old Grand Place to the new-age Art Nouveau façades. In the midst of all this, the quality of life is superb – great shopping, numerous choices for eating, 'out of the world' chocolates, and an enviable pub culture.

Known as the unsung city of the Flanders, Ghent is situated between Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp. A canal city that is as visually spectacular as it gets, it has more often than not been ignored by tourists, and that is why those who choose to tread the road not taken are rewarded handsomely. Sitting on the junction of the Scheldt and Leie rivers, the crowning glory of Ghent is the Het Gravensteen castle. Having an illustrious history, thanks to King Charles V, the city today is the capital of the Oost-Vlaanderen province, and also Flander's biggest university town.

To constantly stay in contact with family and friends while in Belgium, there is no better service provider than Matrix, as up to 80% savings are assured, with fantastic savings on every call and network coverage among the best in the world.

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 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.

Located at the crossroads of the old continent, often referred to as "the essence of Europe", Belgium is a small yet densely populated country in Northern Europe that borders the North Sea, Germany, Luxembourg , France and the Netherlands. Famous for its chocolate and beer, Belgium attracts millions of tourists every year mainly due to an interesting combination of nature and history. Perhaps one of the best examples is the Ardennes region located in southern Belgium, in the south-eastern part of Wallonia region. The Ardennes is a vastly forested plateau host to abundant wildlife and beautiful landscapes; the Ardennes form the so-called "green lung" of Belgium – a perfect place to visit for those who love the flora and fauna as well as for those interested in folklore and old traditions.

Due to its strategic location, the region has been at the centre of numerous historical events: starting with the Roman legions, the invasion of the Germanic tribes, the region was occupied in turns by the Spanish, Austrians and the French. One of the most famous historical events linked to the region is the Battle of the Bulge that took place in the Ardennes during the Second World War. At the end of 1944, the Allied Armies of USA, Britain and Canada were on the brink of attacking Germany. Hitler thought that the alliance in the western front could be weakened by splitting the British and American line in half. Therefore he ordered a massive counter-offensive whose goal was to take back the French territory, to divide, encircle and destroy the enemy armies.

The official historical name of the battle is the Ardennes Offensive; the Germans called it the Operation "Watch on the Rhine" after their hymn "Die Wacht am Rhein" while the French named it "la Bataille des Ardennes". Considered to be a part of the Ardennes-Alsace campaign, the battle that took place between 16 December 1944 and 25 January 1945 is known to the general public as the Battle of the Bulge due to the fact that the Germans created a bulge in the Allied front line. The offensive was supported by three German armies and was fought against what were mainly American forces. Hitler wanted to capture the major port of Antwerp thus eliminating an important source of supplies for the Allies, and after that to surround and destroy the enemy armies. The counter-offensive was planned as a secret operation and, although the US intelligence predicted a massive German attack, the Allies were caught by surprise.

The strategy of the Germans consisted of a massive armored attack. The winter in Ardennes with extremely low temperatures, low clouds and heavy fog favored the Germans because it minimized the advantage of the Allies. At the beginning the attackers had a great success and managed to punch a bulge in the enemy front line. However, this lasted only a few days.

Because of the fierce resistance they faced and the reinforcements received by the Allies, the Germans were not able to stick to the timetable as planned. The improving weather conditions allowed the Allies to use their air force by launching devastating attacks and by bombing the enemy supply lines. Because of this, the Germans soon found themselves unable to supply their armored force with fuel which was a turning point in the battle. When the shortage of fuel became critical, the Germans were forced in numerous occasions to abandon their equipment in order to avoid being surrounded or captured. Because of massive losses of forces and equipment, on the 7th of January 1945 Hitler decided to stop any offensive operations in the Ardennes and started the withdrawal of his forces.

The Battle of the Bulge remains an important battle in the history of the Second World War, especially for the Americans who paid the highest price in terms of forces involved and registered casualties. The Ardennes region still reflects the echoes of this event represented in numerous battlefield museums, memorials and historical monuments. Therefore the Belgium Ardennes remains one of the most visited places in Belgium, a mixture of nature, tourism and history visited by historians, veterans of the Second World War as well as by common travelers eager to discover one of the most beautiful regions in Europe.

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.

People always use diamonds to assimilate love, but who knows how ordinary they were when they are being mining up from the deep underground. The Right time to Pick, The Best bag to Enjoy While once they come to Belgium, they will become shinning and extraordinary under the hands of veteran craftsmen in Antwerp. As for the world diamond lovers, Antwerp is worthy of its name of "World Diamond Center". at Every Age: Mastering bag

This Belgium's second largest city has a rich diamond processing technology and a long history, also the world's major distribution center for natural diamonds. To Take An Enjoyment In the Brand Which are in the Leading Place : bag Every day, priceless diamonds are dealt here, customers can purchase certified diamonds, loose diamonds and diamond jewelry. You can also choose your own diamonds' style, and then you can see the technical staff inlaid it into a beautiful piece of jewelry.Make a Summary of the Brand Which are on the Top : bags

Today Antwerp no dououbtably become the internationally recognized diamond capital for five hundred years' history precipitation. The position of chocolate in Belgian hearts is equally matched the beer. In Belgium, everyone is the expert of appreciating chocolate, and someone high technology craftsman can bring your taste the supreme enjoyment. Westmalles and Wittamers, Leffes and Leonidas are all popular brands in Belgium.

Expect for the chocolate, the Belgians also specializes in producing the candies. The most well-known mouth-watering candy is pralines-candy. The sweet chocolate we taste today, however, this famous candy is full of twists and turns in production history and isn't sweet like itself. In history, Belgium forcibly occupied Congo, which provides great convenience for Belgium to invade cocoa manors in African and enter chocolate manufacturing industry. Belgian take beer as the "national drink", it is said that as early as in the middle ages, monksin the Flanders region had invented the beer brewing technology.

So beer in Belgium is just like espresso coffee in Italy and tea in China, enjoying a unique reputation. Although Belgium is the beer production and consumption power, but beer prevails here is not by the quantity. What really make local beer famous is its unique but rich taste. For how many kinds of tastes of Belgian beer, there are local divergent views, some says more than 500 kinds, and some says thousands of kinds.

Belgium has a lot more going for it than some of the dreary descriptions and jokes about it would suggest. It is a low lying country, situated between France and Holland with a coastline facing England across the North Sea.

A welcoming country to visit

One of the reasons for its boring, unpopular image probably stems from its capital, Brussels being a dreary collection of administrative offices and its associations with E.U. bureaucracy. Another reason is Belgium’s identity crisis. It is Flemish-speaking in the north and French-speaking in the south and there has always been a considerable clash of cultures between the two, both competing for a definition of what is the real Belgium. However, if one delves beneath the surface of this uninspiring portrayal of Belgium, it soon becomes apparent that the country has much to offer. For a start, it is actually packed full of absorbing history; from both before and after its separation from the Netherlands in 1830. 

Beautiful historical buildings and architecture abounds in nearly every city. Ghent provides a fascinating example of a medieval port and has the most number of historical buildings to see. Bruges however, is the most attractive from a scenic point of view. It is a beautifully preserved 14th century Flemish town whose narrow cobble-streets, canals and gabled houses demand at least a day’s visit and preferably a longer stay there.For a lively city with plenty to do, head for Antwerp which as well as being Europe’s diamond capital and a hotbed of modern fashion, still manages to reveal its impressive past through places like the house where Rubens lived and worked for thirty years.

Although much of Belgium’s countryside is flat and lacking in scenic appeal, the Ardennes region is mountainous and offers a beautiful wooded landscape of wild crags and ravines where one of the most famous battles of World War 2 was fought.

Belgium’s people are generally some of the most welcoming you will find anywhere. They are noted for their love of good food in large helpings. The word Gourmands (meaning big cuisine) rather than Gourmets (meaning fine cuisine) describes the typical Belgium very well. Another cliché often used to describe Belgium cuisine is; French food in German sized helpings. It is very apt!

When to visit

The warmest time of the year is April through to September but Belgium weather is inclined to provide days of grey skies and rain at any time.

A popular tourist attraction takes place at the beginning of July. This is the Ommegang Pageant, a spectacular medieval festival dating back to 1359. The colorful procession through the streets of Brussels is followed by a flag and horse parade. Next, crossbow men surround a statue of the Virgin that the procession has escorted from the Sablon Church. Finally everyone settles down to enjoy an incredible fiesta of games and entertainment.

Getting to Belgium

The UK has several discount airlines operating flights from many of its airports to Brussels, Antwerp and other cities. Visitors from other European countries will usually travel by train or road. U.S. and Canadian tourists will probably need to consider flights to France or the UK rather than finding a direct flight.

Belgium is a rich mixture of bubbling beer, chocolates, oil paints and bureaucratic that shed a liquor fragrance of bourgeoisie. But, if you mix the stew a bit you will find a country that is artificial product, with two-thirds of her residents with German-Flemish origins and the rest are from Kilt-Latin and Wallonia origins.

Belgium is not one of the prominent countries in Europe, but only because her residents do not tend to brag with their achievements. In fact there is more history, art, architecture, high quality of dishes and architecture for square meter than many of the larger and more vocally neighboring countries.

When looking for accommodation in Belgium you should choose one of the various Belgium hotels. The location of the country is very attractive for the visitors touring in this area. Belgium is "squeezed" between Netherlands, Germany, Luxemburg and France. It is one of the smallest countries in Europe. Her north part is plain and the south part is controlled by the picturesque Ardanian Mountains. The 65 kilometers of the coast line on the north shore is full with leisure sights except for a few sections of drift-wind dunes. At the plain part of Belgium are spread out a net of canals. The weather is relatively comfortable and the extremely hot months (July-August) are also the rainiest.

Transportation in Belgium: In Belgium it is easy and cheap to get from place to place, it may compensate you on the high prices for the hospitality options and difficulty in finding a vacancy. Although there is abundance of busses and it is easy to rent a car, the primary means of transport the efficient train network. The intercity trains are the fastest and there are also the interregional and the local trains. In the far-flung areas the busses are filling the absent. In the cities there are effective systems of public transportation like the tramcar and a small Metro network in Brussels and Antwerp. Taxis are available in any of the train stations. Bicycle riding is very popular on the north region and it is possible to rent them at the train stations. Many roads have a separate path for bicycles. Another option is to rent a boat-house and cruse with it along the many rivers.

There are many attractive destinations in the country where you could tour the cities and than rest at one of the Belgium hotels and continue the day after:

Antwerp: Antwerp (In Flemish- Antwerpen, in French- Anvers), that her name is capable of squeezing heavy groans from every beginner artists that wants to become Robens, is a compact city with a rich history. This is perhaps the less appreciated city in Belgium by the tourists and with no reason. Antwerp lies between the river schelde and the Ring Road, which is build on a moat from the 16th century that was created in order to attempt on preventing the Spanish to enter the cities.

Bruges: Bruges (in Flemish – Brugge), that was established in the 13th century, is the most touristic city in Europe that was best preserved since the middle ages. The city is blessed with two main plazas from the middle ages, the "Markt" and the "Burg" and the most fascinating art exhibitions in Belgium. To look at the spectacular view from the top of the city, you should clime the 366 stairs of the center fort, the Belfort.

Bruges can be a great city to end the day and enjoy the night life of the city and recharge your energy in one of the Bruges Hotels in the city.

Charleroi: This is the largest city and municipality of Wallonia that is located in the province of Hainaut. Charleroi is in the heart of a cast coal basin, which is called "Pays Noir". The city is also known for its publishing industry. The most famous one is Dupuis which is one of the main publishers of "Franco-Belgian Comics".

The must sights in Charleroi are: The Belfry, the "Maison Doree and the museums of fine arts, glass and photography.

Namur-Wepion: Namur is the capital city of Wallonia, in the southern part of Belgium. It is standing in a confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers. Eight kilometers south from Namur stands the city of Wepion. The city is known for her micro-climate and the sun-exposed plantations that are perfect for growing strawberry. Weipon is famous for her strawberry beer, the "La Wepionnaise"

The city relatively close to the Brussels, the capital city, where you reach there in order to stay at one of the Namur Hotels as well as starting the next day tour in the city or end your tour near by the country main international airport near Brussles.

Wavre: This is the capital city of the Walloon Brabant province in Belgium. Wavre is also called "the City of the Maca" because of the little boy statue that tries to climb the wall of the city hall. The tradition says that if you hold the Maca buttocks will bring you a year of luck. Among the sights Wavre is offering you should be visiting the Gothic style church, the city hall and the Walibi amusement park.

As small as Belgium is as a country and big and large are the destinations and attractions this country has to offer. That is what makes Belgium a must country to visit when coming to Europe. Choose among the many attractions you want to see or do and then spend the night in any of Belgium Hotels, each one designed differently in order to reach the needs of all kinds of travelers.

It can be traumatic scheduling a Belgium holiday, particularly if you lead a chaotic life. With work, family, and friends to manage, taking time out to plan your trip can at times get complicated. Serving to make life easy for some Belgium travelers are Belgium vacation packages, which in addition to helping diminish strain, can also frequently decrease your fees on the whole. 

Finding tour deals to Belgium with a Belgium vacation tie together is frequently possible because you are bundling some of the dissimilar aspects of your trip jointly. This can make for an actually low-stress escape that tends to engage very little development on your part. Plus, a variety of Belgium vacation package includes top destinations, attractive sights, and things to do, so you know that they have your greatest interest in mind. 

As stated, it is characteristic for a Belgium vacation package to put together different aspects of your trip. In other words, you can generally pair your flight with your Belgium lodgings, and also include other things like car rentals, other means of transport, sightseeing, meals, and much more. Travel agencies are happy to suggest travel deals to Belgium when tourists lump things together and pay in one plunge. 

Probabilities are good that when you start looking into Belgium vacation packages, you will be astonished at how numerous choices there are. For travelers keen in doing some bicycling in Belgium, you are headed to the right place. Nevertheless, as an alternative of just getting a Belgium vacation package reserved that has you biking in Belgium, you may take it a little further and comprise time in the Netherlands or France as well. 

Bike tour packages are obtainable for persons who think they desire to enjoy both biking and river cruises in Belgium, and these can take in time outside of Belgium as well. Your resting place will be a relaxed cabin on board the barge, and you will be able to take hold of your bike and set off discovering once you get to your desired destinations, which are generally towns like Bruges and Antwerp. 

There are lavish packages that provide stay at luxury hotels, and there are inexpensive packages that still feature a presentable room at a fine price. As talked about, the choices for Belgium holiday packages are complete, and you can book ones that take care of the complete journey if you so wish.

While we cannot know exactly when the first diamond was discovered, we do know one of the world's most precious gems was a traded commodity in India in the 4th century B.C. In fact, India, was the only producer of diamonds, setting up trade routes between Indian and major European ports until the 18th century. Venice served as one of the major markets for diamond trade in the West, creating a monopoly for gem trade in the 13th century.

Trade Routes Lead to Burges and Antwerp
As a result of its dealings with India, the Italian port city also garnered market control in Indian products, extending trade routes into the capital cities of Northern Europe, including the city of Bruges, Belgium. Silk and diamond traders made their way to Bruges, which was connected by a canal to the North Sea. Soon, the city developed a booming diamond industry, gaining recognition for its diamond trade and processing. Lodewijck van Bercken, a Bruges citizen, is credited with having invented the process of polishing diamond with diamond.

Over time, a series of political and economic factors led to the gradual demise of Bruges in the 14th century. However, during this time, new opportunities led the diamond industry to gradually begin relocating to Antwerp. One of the most important developments was the discovery of a direct sea route from India to Lisbon, which created a shift in trade from Venice to Lisbon. In turn, the Lisbon-Antwerp route grew in importance, firmly establishing the Belgium city as a diamond capital. As the commercial heart of Europe in the 16th century, 40 percent of world trade passed through Antwerp's ports.

Political struggles with Amsterdam however weakened Antwerp's strong position. Eventually, the city was forced to cede its dominant role to Amsterdam, following Antwerp's capture by the governor of the Northern Netherlands. This placed the Dutch city in a position of strength during the 17th century. The exhausted Indian mines further compromised Antwerp's fortunes.

Antwerp's Evolution
With the discovery of diamonds in South Africa, Antwerp began to regain its status as the diamond capital after a 300-year hiatus. The 19th century brought about the development of a diamond district. Prominent architects were commissioned to transform the city into a postmodernist metropolis. The city's future gleamed brightly as host of the 1920 Summer Olympics and at the 1930 World Expo.

A huge shake-up of the diamond capital was coming with the spreading occupation of Nazi Germany. Nearly 80 percent of Antwerp's Jewish population was involved in the diamond trade. Sensing the oncoming tensions, Antwerp's diamantaires flee to Palestine, England, Portugal, and the U.S., taking with them most of Antwerp's diamonds.

To ensure the safety of the diamonds, two bold diamantaires established the Correspondence Office for Diamond Industry (COFDI), which registered and stored the transferred diamonds until the war ended. Meanwhile, expatriate Jewish diamantaires created Bourses, or trading exchanges for loose, cut and uncut diamonds in places such as Tel Aviv, Palestine, and New York City.

Following Antwerp's liberation, the COFDI began returning the hidden gems to their owners. Once again, Antwerp began rebuilding its position as a diamond capital. At one time reserved for royalty, the rise of modern capitalism in the 20th century made diamonds more accessible to the middle class, allowing Antwerp and the diamond industry to flourish.

Diamond Capital
Today, 85 percent of the world's rough diamonds and half of the polished diamonds annually pass through Antwerp. The city's thriving Bourses represent the largest diamond trading center in the world. Based on a system of mutual trust, most transactions conducted by members of the Bourses are conducted with cash and a handshake. Other Bourses exist in Israel, Hong Kong, London, Moscow, and Shanghai. Antwerp employs approximately 4,000 people in its diamond-cutting industry, a small and heavily guarded area surrounded by three main streets, Hoveniersstraat, Schupstraat and Rijfstraat.

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.