Travel to Belgium

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.

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.

Strolling into an orange horizon along the River Scheldt, or just guzzling on refreshingly cold Belgian beer, Belgium is a medley that appeals to every traveller, alone or in a group, an art aficionado or a diamond merchant. It is believed that a smart traveller always befriends locals first. So here's what the country might look like to a local. The four C's that you are guaranteed here are an old world charm, ornate cathedrals, soaring castles and chocolates. Of course, you'll also find the charisma of the world's oldest diamond industry that dates back to the 15th Century. These and more provide enough reason to book a self catering holiday rental in picturesque Belgium, and soak up the fervour as the locals do.

If fashion is your culture, and culture is your fashion, then you might already know of the gems that are woven into the Belgian territories. While Belgian lace might top the list in popularity, The Museum of Tapestry and Textile Arts is not far behind. Interestingly, apart from witnessing some of the finest tapestry exhibits, this museum in Tournai also houses tapestry weavers, where you can see great hands and great brains at work at the Textile Art Research Centre. If exploring the realms of relics gives you an adrenaline rush, you will probably be on a constant high during your holiday in Belgium.

If this were not enough to satiate your thirst for variety, you could always witness the fashion finesse displayed by Antwerp's world renowned diamond cutters. It's no surprise that this city is home to the largest Diamond Museum in the world, where and image and sound' tour enhances your experience of this exquisite gem stone. Not far from this glittering experience are the Zoological Gardens. Home to almost 5,000 animals, it boasts of being the third largest zoological garden in Europe in terms of species.

This is just a peek into the grandeur and vivacity that awaits you in Belgium, a land that prides itself in producing a staggering 800 varieties of beer. Travelling in Belgium can be a story in itself. It is believed that the Belgian motorway system is the only man-made structure visible from the moon at night due to the lights all along the network. During your stay, the trams will prove to be an economical mode of transport.

It may help to keep in mind that Belgium has 3 official languages, namely French, Dutch and English.

Belgium is best explored from a private holiday home from a website such as holiday-rentals.co.uk. With plenty of space and privacy, you can relax with your own kitchen and living room while striking out to explore your surroundings feeling fresh every morning. If you are contemplating the best time to visit Belgium, do not waste time, for any time is good in Belgium. From exhibitions to beer festivals to carnivals to jazz concerts, every month is bustling with activity in this quaint little country.

When it comes to traveling to new found places I always like to look at a few online guides beforehand. These guides are nice because they include everything from the location description to best restaurants to eat at to best places to stay and best activities to do while you are there. I think that this is a good option to go with because it gives you a nice idea about the place before you actually visit it. Heck you could even build your trip around these guides to decide where you want to go and stay and where you don't want to go. Most of these guides are pretty straight up and honest. They also give you tips about the location such as weather and suggested places to visit. Lets take a look at a few places from Belgium:

Lively Antwerp is a hidden gem. Its medieval streets, Renaissance monuments and vibrant nightlife tend to be overshadowed by its reputation as center of the diamond trade and as the world's fifth-largest port. Biking is a popular choice for getting around this stylish Flemish city. See thousands of Old Masters at the Royal Museum and Rubens House. Experience the bustle of life at the Grote Market. Marvel at the art and architecture of the still unfinished Cathedral of Our Lady, started in 1351. Top rated attractions include: Grote Market, Museum Mayer van den Bergh, De kookwinkel Soly. Top rated restaurants include: Hippodroom and Fuji San!

Once a 13th-century cloth making center, Brugge, or Bruges, may have become a major tourist destination, but its wealth of wandering canals and ornate houses, plus the city's medieval charm, remains. The historic center's pedestrian-only streets bristle with Gothic spires and flourishes. Friendly residents of the West Flanders capital impress visitors with their enthusiasm to show their city's sights, such as the superb Groeninge Museum, Church of Our Lady and the Belfry and Market Halls.

Best attractions: Quasimundo Bike Tours, The English Theatre of Bruges, Belfry (Belfort) and Market Halls (Hallen), Groeninge Museum and Memling in Sint-Jan Hospitaalmuseum. Top rated restaurants include: Pieter Pourbus, De Karmeliet, De Pepermolen, and Den Dijver. Unassuming Brussels is the capital of Belgium, Flanders and Europe. Medieval Grand-Place, is indeed grand, with many 17th-century buildings and daily flower markets. Reopened in 2006, the Atomium, Brussels' Eiffel Tower, provides great views, inside and out. Architecture fans should visit Musee Horta, home of Belgian master architect Victor Horta. St. Gery's clubs and bars are packed year-round.

Seafood eateries abound in Ste. Catherine. Walk, rather than get snarled up in traffic, in the narrow streets. Best attractions: Brussels Bike Tours, Delirium, St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral (Cathedrale St-Michel et Ste-Gudule). best restairants include: Flaneries gourmandes, Bar Bik, and le fourneau. Also included are photos if of each location from different people that have visited along with hotels. These guides aren't usually JUST guides. Usually they are also a place where you can book hotels, rent cars, and buy airline tickets as well.

You can do all of this separately or as a package and you can also take a look at some of the cruise information as well! Remember ordering packages is always going to be cheaper and more organized time wise. So this is a good option to look at if you want to save money and save time!

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.