Travel to Belgium

Brussels is Belgium's capital. It is also a city where plenty of European institutions are headquartered and is considered by some to be the de facto capital for the European Union.  Brussels also has the largest urban area in Belgium, and is the seat of Belgium's French Community as well as its Flemish Community. Brussels has historically been known as a Dutch-speaking community, however, the number of French speaking inhabitants has increased dramatically during the course of the 19th-20th centuries and both languages now have official status.

If you plan to go to Brussels, here are some of the recommended sites:

The Grand Place- the Grand Place, or the Grote Markt is Brussel's central square, surrounded by the city's Town Hall and the Breadhouse. The Grand Place is Brussel's most important tourist destination and its most memorable landmark which measures 223 by 360 feet and is listed under UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.

The Royal Palace of Brussels is the official palace of the King of Belgians located in front of Brussels Park. Although it is the official palace, it is not used as a royal residence since the king and his family resides in the Royal Castle of Laeken. The Palace, or "Palais Royal", allows visitors for a limited time in summer.

The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium is one of Belgium's most famous museums. The museum is located in the downtown area of Coudenberg and is comprised of four museums connected with the Royal Museum.  The two of them—The Museum of Ancient Art, and the Museum of Modern Art—are in the main building, while the other two, which are located a few kilometers from the city center, are dedicated to specific Belgian artists and are much smaller. The Royal Museum features over 20,000 drawings, sculptures, and paintings dating from the early 15th century to the present.

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Brussels is located in the center of Belgium, and acts as the country's capital. Some people refer to the city of Brussels as a municipality known as the Brussels-Capital Region. The Brussels-Capital region is the home to over 1 million people, and if you extend this to include the metropolitan area the population increases to just around 2 million people. All of these people make the Brussels-Capital Region the most highly populated in the country. In addition, all of these people go a long way in ensuring that Brussels will always be the financial and political center of the country. The main seat of the European Union is also occupied by Brussels. As you can see, Brussels is a very important region throughout Europe.

There is a language border that more or less separates the country of Belgium into two entities. The northern part of Belgium is Dutch speaking, where as the southern half is French speaking. There are parts of both sides that speak both languages, and the city of Brussels is the same way. Brussels is a bilingual city which allows for a more diverse culture and the ease of entry for a larger group of people.

If you are planning a trip to Brussels there are several attractions that you will not want to miss. In fact, there are so many things to see that you will want to plan your trip out very carefully. One of the most popular attractions in Brussels is the Grand-Place. This is thought to be one of the most breathtaking squares in the world. It is surrounded by old buildings such as the Hotel de Ville. Another top tourist destination in Brussels is the Royal Museum of Fine Arts. If you are in Brussels to soak up the culture this is a must see. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts is the best collection of art in Belgium, and thousands of people from all over travel to the museum on a yearly basis.

When it comes to the climate, Brussels is rather steady throughout the year. Temperatures reach their high during the month of July when they top out at an average of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter months the temperatures in Brussels usually dip down into the low 40s. This makes for a very consistent temperature year round. If you live in Brussels you never have to deal with extreme heat, or a lot of cold weather. As far as precipitation is concerned, Brussels usually averages between two and three inches a month; it can snow, but it is not a common occurrence or worry.

Transportation in Brussels includes several major train stations that connect Brussels to other large cities in the UK. In addition the Brussels National Airport makes it easy to fly in and out of the area. Overall, traveling to Brussels will allow you to see a diverse culture. There are many popular tourist attractions in the area, and a transportation system that is top notch. If you have never visited Brussels you may want to put it on your short list.

With bordering countries like the Netherlands, Germany, France and Luxembourg, it's not surprising that Belgium is a country with a rich and inspiring history as well as being a melting pot of languages, traditions and culture. Belgium is perhaps best know for three iconic things – cuisine, Nato and fine art. These attractions make Belgium an interesting place to visit at any time of year with something for all the family to enjoy.

Foodies the world over hold Belgium in his regard. Home to many a Michelin Star restaurants, Belgium is also the birthplace of french fries, the waffle and, of course, has strong links with chocolate. Zeebrugge – one of the countries Gothic cities – even boasts a chocolate museum where visitors can try their hand at making some of regions famous pralines and truffles.

Regarded for its cuisine, Belgium also plays an important role in the political, financial and economic well-being of Europe and the wider world with the European Union and NATO both based in Brussels. An early participant in Europe's industrial revolution means Belgium has a strong business basis and also plays host to financial giants such as Fortis insurance amongst others.

If chocolate or politics isn't your thing, Belgium also boasts the lure of fine art for those with a creative eye or a penchant for galleries and museums. The Flemish Renaissance and Baroque painting means Belgium is not only a milestone in the evolution of modern painting but also home to some wonderful works by painters such as Hans Eworth and Bernard van Orley. Take a wander around Belgium's many cities and you may also be interested by the flourishes of Art Nouveau with Belgian architects instigators of the movement.

Are you a fan of cuisine, culture, art or politics? Belgium offers these interests every day of the year so don't think twice and book your trip today!