Travel to Belgium

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.

This databook provides key data and information on the Vodka in Belgium (Spirits). This report is a comprehensive resource for market, category and segment level data including value, volume, distribution share and company & brand share. This report also provides expenditure and consumption data for the historic and forecast periods.

Scope

Highlights

Reasons to Purchase

Table 3: Vodka, Belgium, value by segment (€m), 2004-09 9
Table 4: Vodka, Belgium, value forecast by segment (€m), 2009-14 10
Table 5: Vodka, Belgium, value by segment ($m), 2004-09 11
Table 6: Vodka, Belgium, value forecast by segment ($m), 2009-14 11
Table 7: Vodka, Belgium, volume by segment (liters, million), 2004-09 13
Table 8: Vodka, Belgium, volume forecast by segment (liters, million), 2009-14 14
Table 9: Vodka, Belgium, brand share by volume (%), 2008-09 16
Table 10: Vodka, Belgium, volume by brand (liters, million), 2008-09 16
Table 11: Vodka, Belgium, company share by volume (%), 2008-09 18
Table 12: Vodka, Belgium, volume by company (liters, million), 2008-09 18
Table 13: Vodka, Belgium, distribution channels by volume (%), 2008-09 19
Table 14: Vodka, Belgium, volume by distribution channel (liters, million), 2008-09 19
Table 15: Vodka, Belgium, expenditure per capita (€), 2004-09 21
Table 16: Vodka, Belgium, forecast expenditure per capita (€), 2009-14 21
Table 17: Vodka, Belgium, expenditure per capita ($), 2004-09 22
Table 18: Vodka, Belgium, forecast expenditure per capita ($), 2009-14 22
Table 19: Vodka, Belgium, consumption per capita (liters), 2004-09 23
Table 20: Vodka, Belgium, forecast consumption per capita (liters), 2009-14 23
Table 21: Belgium population, by age group, 2004-09 (millions) 24
Table 22: Belgium population forecast, by age group, 2009-14 (millions) 25
Table 23: Belgium population, by gender, 2004-09 (millions) 25
Table 24: Belgium population forecast, by gender, 2009-14 (millions) 26
Table 25: Belgium nominal GDP, 2004-09 (€bn, nominal prices) 26
Table 26: Belgium nominal GDP forecast, 2009-14 (€bn, nominal prices) 26
Table 27: Belgium real GDP, 2004-09 (€bn, 2000 prices) 27
Table 28: Belgium real GDP forecast, 2009-14 (€bn, 2000 prices) 27
Table 29: Belgium real GDP, 2004-09 ($bn, 2000 prices) 27
Table 30: Belgium real GDP forecast, 2009-14 ($bn, 2000 prices) 28
Table 31: Belgium consumer price index, 2004-09 (2000=100) 28
Table 32: Belgium consumer price index, 2009-14 (2000=100) 28

The Brussels Jazz Marathon is a very popular event in Belgium that draws visitors from all over Europe, the UK and the US. The Brussels Jazz Marathon plays host to 125 concerts, 400 artists and several open stage performances. Visitors who are interested in being a part of the Brussels Jazz Marathon will be please to know that the entry to all concerts is free. The Brussels Jazz Marathon is a three day event that is conducted annually during the last week of the month of May.

The venues for the Brussels Jazz Marathon outdoor concerts include the Grand Place, or Grote Market as the Dutch call the famous town square in the city centre, the Place du Grand Sablon, another tourist spot and market square, Place Ste Catherine and Place Fernand Cocq plein XL, both popular squares. Free bus rides are arranged by the STIB to run on select routes connecting popular locales with the places of performance. There are more than 50 indoor venues all around the city.

Over the years, the Brussels Jazz Marathon has drawn in several jazz stars including Trumpeter Bert Joris, Jazz Big Band, Charlier, Sourisse Quartet and Jean-Paul Estievenart. These artists are some of top Belgian jazz players to have been participants in the marathon. Some of the most notable international jazz artists to be a part of the Brussels Jazz Marathon include Jennifer Scavuzzo’s Take the Duck which won the best small group’s name of year 2002, Trio Grande with Matthew Bourne, a British pianist and Beat n’Blow Brass Band Berlin.

To promote jazz, the Brussels Jazz Marathon has initiation workshops for young people combined with jazzy makeup shows, ice cream treats and a mini marathon. There are other special attractions like Movin’ Jazz which is a mobile group of musicians and comedians. A festive mood envelops the city of Brussels during the summer when the Brussels Jazz Marathon is hosted over the weekend. It is worth making a trip to Brussels during this time to enjoy the music and its medieval architecture.

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.

Even though Belgium is smaller than many other countries you can visit, it is filled with activities, restaurants, and much more. Getting from place to another is easy for travelers in Belgium because the towns are close together. There are trains and buses that will take you where you want to go. Whether it is Antwerp to see one of the largest collections of diamonds, or to Ghent to visit botanical gardens and visit castles. Brussels, the capital of Belgium is another fascinating city you should visit when you are traveling.

Many people visit Belgium for the food as much as for the countries two diverse cultures. In Belgium, people either speak Dutch or French depending on which part of Belgium you want to visit. Food and drink come in all forms. If you enjoy tasting home brewed beer, then Belgium is a great place to start. There are many breweries and pubs that you can visit during your stay. Chocolate is also a tourist attraction for many people. There are also many restaurants, cafés, and small inns where you will find fresh seafood, potato dishes, and much more.

Some of the more popular tourist attractions include: The Atomium, which is a life size model of an atom. Featured in the 1958 Science Expo, you can walk around inside the atom. It contains restaurants and beautiful views of Brussels. Another attraction is the The Grand Place, which is a town square that is home to markets, people, and history. The Manneken Pis, which is a famous statue of a small boy peeing is another attraction that people enjoy seeing.

These attractions are very easy to get to and are open during the day and in the evening. You should make a list of attractions that you want to see before taking your trip. You will be able to modify the list later if you need to.

Belgium also has a lot of interesting architecture dating back to the Middle Ages. You will be able to visit castles, small villages and towns that have a lot of history. Visit popular town centers, halls, and museums that pay homage to artists and other creative people. Belgium is home to many who have contributed to art, music, and literature.

While in Belgium, you will be able to take day trips to London and other cities. Staying in Belgium is less expensive than staying in other cities, so you will be saving money while being able to see more of Europe. People who visit Belgium are not looking for thrills, they are looking to relax and enjoy the people they meet in small towns along the way. If you want to go on vacation to relax in a slow paced atmosphere, then a trip to Belgium is one vacation you should look into.

Belgium has population of 10.8 million with 354.7/km2. It located at northwest Europe and official called Kingdom of Belgium. Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups, the Dutch-speakers, mostly Flemish, and the French-speakers, mostly Walloons.

The climate of Belgium is maritime temperate with significant precipitation in all seasons. Belgium is all-year-round destination, but peak time is fall and spring. Travelers visiting in July and August are likely to find warm temperatures and some of the lowest prices of the year.

Based on seasons, there are classification for months.

    High season: May, September to October
    Low season: July to August, mid-December to early January
    Shoulder season: mid-January to April, June, November to early December

Weather in Belgium is whole year appreciated with snowfall between November and March. Belgium is crowded from all Worlds' tourist. Airfare are cheap in winter, in contrast hotels are cheap in summer. In July and August hotels don't get full and you can have discount at weekends'. In Belgium weekends are cheaper than weekdays.

In Belgium, you have many cities where you can enjoy their lifestyle.

Bruges: Bruges can be considered as the most popular city of Belgium and its historic center is recognized by the UNESCO as World heritage center. There are narrow ways and covered by cobblestones. So it is difficult to drive and park the car. You cannot miss boat trip which is 30 minutes travelling where you have most beautiful places.

Antwerp: This is second largest and city of fashion and diamond. There is World Diamond located in Antwerp and 70% of all diamonds arrive through Antwerp in Belgium. The Cathedral of Our Lady is the most important building in Antwerp and can be considered as one of the most famous gothic.

Brussels: Brussels is capital of Belgium and highlighted with many travellers for seeing historical building, museums and monuments. The most famous statue is Manneke Pis. It is bronze statue which is dressed in different costumes, while celebrations are held.

Belgium has a rich history from its humble beginning to a prosperous nation in the heart of Europe. Belgium is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters, as well as those of other major international organizations, including NATO. Belgium has a population of about 10 million. Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups, the Flemish and the French-speakers, mostly Walloons, plus a small group of German-speakers.

Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch speaking region of Flanders in the north, with 59% of the population, and the French speaking southern region of Wallonia, inhabited by 31%. The Brussels Region, officially bilingual, is a mostly French speaking enclave within the Flemish Region and has 10% of the population. A small German speaking Community exists in eastern Wallonia. Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political and cultural conflicts are reflected in the political history and a complex system of government.

The name 'Belgium' is derived from Gallia Belgica, a Roman province in the northernmost part of Gaul that was inhabited by the Belgae, a mix of Celtic and Germanic peoples. Historically, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg were known as the Low Countries, which used to cover a somewhat larger area than the current Benelux group of states. From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th century, it was a prosperous center of commerce and culture. From the 16th century until the Belgian revolution in 1830, many battles between European powers were fought in the area of Belgium, causing it to be dubbed the battleground of Europe. Upon its independence, Belgium eagerly participated in the Industrial Revolution and, at the end of the nineteenth century, possessed several colonies in Africa. The second half of the 20th century was marked by the rise of communal conflicts between the Flemishand the Francophones ffueledby cultural differences on the one hand and an economic evolution of Flanders and Wallonia on the other hand. These still active conflicts have caused far-reaching reforms of the formerly unitary Belgian state into a federal state.

The 1830 Belgian Revolution led to the establishment of an independent, Catholic and neutral Belgium under a provisional government and a national congress. Since the installation of Leopold I as king in 1831, Belgium has been a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. Although the franchise was initially restricted, universal suffrage for men was introduced in 1893 and for women in 1949. The main political parties of the 19th century were the Catholic Party and the Liberal Party, with the Belgian Labour Party emerging towards the end of the century. French was originally the single official language adopted by the nobility and the bourgeoisie. It progressively lost its overall importance as Dutch became recognized as well. This recognition became official in 1898 and in 1967 a Dutch version of the Constitution was legally accepted.

After World War II, Belgium joined NATO as a founding member and formed the Benelux group of nations with the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Belgium became one of the six founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 and of the European Atomic Energy Community and European Economic Community, established in 1957. The latter is now the European Union, for which Belgium hosts major administrations and institutions, including the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and the extraordinary and committee sessions of the European Parliament.

Belgium is a fantastic country to visit and see the immense culture displayed in the wonderful cities and towns. Ask anyone who has been to Belgium and you will find that they love this little country with a big history.