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Belgium Tourist Destination For Splendid Holiday Trip

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Author: Dr Easton Patrick

Belgium is one of the major tourist destinations of Europe. It is also home to medieval architecture and dynamic cities such as Brussels and Antwerp. One of the interesting places of concern is the Royal Museum of Fine Arts (Antwerp), it has a huge collection of paintings right from 14th century and onwards. Also don't forget Waterloo, remember the battle of waterloo where Napoleon was defeated by the Duke of Wellington. This site is also one of the major factors for many tourists to make Belgium tourist destination.

The Ypres War Memorials and the Flander Battlefields are the other places of interest. The history of the town of Ypres is associated with First World War. Here they have the silent memorials of the dead of First World War. Belgium has more than 3000 castles and out of which 300 are open for the public. The most popular Castle among them is the Gravensteen also known as the Castle of the Counts. Don't forget to visit the Town of Spa where you can relax in its fine waters, Bruges also known as "Venice of North" because of its canals and bridges. The Diamond Museum (Antwerp) is famous for documenting 'Antwerp cut' and advanced scientific research.

Belgian chocolates are famous for lovers. Belgium produces over 172000 tons of chocolate every year and has more than 2000 chocolate shops. Also Belgium is known for its festival and carnivals. Some of the famous festivals and carnivals are Ommegang Festival (Brussels), Carnival de Binche (Binche), Stavelot (Mid-Lent Carnival) and Zinneke Parade (Brussels).

Flea Market is known for vintage clothes, crockery, furniture and household items. Place du Grand Sablon is paradise for antique lovers one of the best in Europe. There are many shops where you can find fashionable clothes, shoes and accessories from shops such as Brooklyn Antwerp, High and Mighty. You can also visit the Mier in general. People who like to do shopping can make Belgium tourist destination.

There is a common saying among Belgians that their food is cooked with French finesse and served with German generosity. The cuisine here is known for its mussels and frites, waffles and endive. Fish and seafood are equally important and the beer is good here, since Belgium is famous for brewing tradition. All type of meat and game birds are popular among here. And last but not the least Belgians love potatoes. Belgian endive or chicory is famous. Street foods such as French fries are served in paper cone with mayonnaise or curry sauce. The cuisine of Belgium is the reason why so many tourists make Belgium tourist destination.

There are lot more things which Belgium has to offer but if you want to know about it, it's better that you make Belgium tourist destination.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/belgium-tourist-destination-for-splendid-holiday-trip-5209320.html


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Read about Belgium Tour Packages. Also know affordable Armenia Tour Packages. Read ways to find best Bhutan Tour Packages.

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Ten Important Things To Do When You Visit Belgium

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Belgium - a beautiful country that is quite appropriately dubbed as the "Battlefield of Europe." Indeed, Belgium has had its share of wars. It has endured the rages of greedy kings and ambitious warlords from all epochs, but no war can diminish this country's beauty, making it an ideal place to visit.



1) Have a Cup of Hot Chocolate



No Belgium vacation can be without a trip to the capital city's famous sidewalk cafes. It is absolutely essential to drop by any of the several cafes littered in Brussels City and have yourself a sip of Belgium's famous rich hot chocolate. If there's anything that the beautiful country of Belgium can offer you, it's your sweet tooth's utter satisfaction.



2) Participate in the Carnival of Binche



Be a smart tourist and visit Belgium at the time of year when it's most festive. During the month of February, Belgium hosts its most colorful festival ever, the Cranival of Binche. With Firework displays and music parades and colorful costumes and projectile oranges, this certainly is a festival worth participating in. This festival is even included in UNESCO's heritage list.



3) Follow the Gourmet Trail



One of the greatest things about the Belgians is that they know good food like the back of their hands, and Belgium is known for its fine cuisines that are heavily influenced by the different countries that surround it. Try eating Belgium's Mussels, a shellfish dish, and see if your tongue agrees with the Belgian taste. Also, why not try Belgium's French Fries. It is, after all, the original.



4) Have Fun with a Fluvial Cruise



Hop on any one of Belgium's colorful boats and cruise around Belgium's waterways to have a perfect view of the various cities and towns lining the coastline. You can try the Lys River, which will take you to Bruges or Ghent. You can also try the Escaut river to reach Tournai and Bossuit.



5) Exercise Your Inner Scholar



Belgium is a country that places high stock on good education. Visit Ghent or Leuven, Belgium's student cities, and hurl yourself into local coffee shop and strike a conversation with any of the university students. You'll be sure to find an intellectual conversation anywhere.



6) Party in Ghent



If you're the type who can party well into the night for days on end, then Belgium just has just the thing for you. Ghent City hosts the Gentse Feesten, a gigantic street festival which has everything from street dancing to theater to diverse musical performances. The Gentse Feesten happens on the 14th of July until the 23rd.



7) Frolic in the Flander Fields - the Westhoek



Have you ever wanted to run unfettered through beautiful flower fields and lush green plains? Well, your fantasy comes true in Belgium's Flander Fields where the Flander fields are not only beautiful but also rich in history. This is the only part of Belgium that wasn't captured during the world war due to the townsmen's ingenious plans of opening the flood gate.



8) Brussel's Oldest Citizen



Who would have thought that Brussel's Oldest Citizen is a little boy atop a fountain? The Mannekin-Pis, located in the Rue de l'Etuve, is probably the most popular tourist spot in the capital city. The Mannekin-Pis is a bronze statuette of Belgian irreverence, a sculpture of a little boy who is 'answering the call of nature' (e.g. taking a piss).



9) Where Great Men Once Walked



And you can't have a trip to Belgium without going to the Grand Place, a beautiful piece of architecture that has been around since the middle ages. This is where Marx and Engels once worked to write their Communist Manifesto.



10) Castle Hopping



And, if you're hungry for beautiful and diverse architecture, then Belgium surely is the place for you. Wallonia in Belgium has a huge collection of castles of every kind. They have fortresses and towers and everything you will ever need for your medieval fantasies. These castles have even become popular as honeymoon spots for newlyweds.

Article Source: http://jonathanwilliams.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/ten-important-things-to-do-when-you-visit-belgium-322745.html


About the Author

Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV - the place to share travel videos. Visit http://www.DestinationGuide.tv/belgium to view or share Belgium travel videos.

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One-stop street shopping in Brussels

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We enter into a small chocolate shop in one of the lanes by the Grand Place in Brussels (Bruxelles). Though no attendant is seen from outside, a wind chime attached to the door signals that somebody is in; the shopkeeper appears to our service. We are enamored by this European style of greeting. We are in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium in Europe that is also famous for its vibrant shopping markets, besides being the capital city of the European Union.

Brussels abounds in shopping spots. According to the ministry of Economy and Employment of the Brussels, the city's compact geography and a lot of shopping areas, each with specific characteristic, make it easy for tourists to get around in. So, one can easily reach most of the shopping areas in no time from the hotel of stay. We explore three major streets on a walking round trip in Brussels.

To begin with shopping expedition in Brussels, start on with Rue Neuve, the actual pedestrian shopping street and in fact, the longest one in Brussels, in the middle of the town. With no vehicles allowed in the street, it offers a carefree space to the walkers and one can enjoy shopping calmly here. The street is packed with clothing chains, fashion stores, perfumes, gifts, music and more such stores. At the north end of Rue Neuve, there's a mall too. City 2, the only shopping mall in the center of town, has over 100 stores, plus cafes and restaurants.

Following the shops all the way down Rue Neuve Street takes you to the Stock Exchange building on your right, and you know you have reached the surroundings of Rue Dansaert where the Romans founded Brussels in the 10th century. However, unlike its history, the area has all contemporary shops. The place is rather trendy with Belgium designers' boutiques, clothing and accessories stores and more.

From Rue Dansaert it's worth walking a few meters away on your left to reach the Grand Place (Grote Markt), the central square of the city which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has tourists thronging it the most. The place is a symbol of European history but not everyone knows that it's also a wonderful shopping destination for the real Belgian souvenirs. The narrow streets around the Grand Place is full of small shops where you can get everything that's Belgian – from  Belgian tapestries, Belgian laces, Belgian beers, Belgian chocolates and pralines to souvenirs of Manneken Pis, beer mugs and even comic strips of Tintin. In fact, Belgian tapestry shops are in abundance at this place. You can get full range of home linen made of these tapestries. Even tapestry paintings and wall hangings make for a worth buy. And when you get tired, munch on some seafood dishes or burgers at the street side restaurants that look very inviting. Also, it is in one of these streets where Manneken Pis, the famed bronze statue of a urinating boy, lies.

What's more? The Grand Place doesn't let you stop. The Royal Galleries just off the Grand Place is not to be missed. It's a passageway donned in form of an enclosed portico with very high ceilings. Walking on the cobbled pavements of these galleries with shops, cafes and terraced restaurants on either side, imparts an old world charm. The area is also suitable for spending evening with a lot of local feel and variety of choices for having food. Most of the shops at the Grand Place are open until 9 PM.

Be it for the traditional Belgian tapestries, Belgian laces, Belgian beers, souvenirs or the trendy clothes, Brussels' street shopping is an out-and-out experience.  And if you thought you have missed out on anything while in Brussels, treat yourself with Belgian waffles along with some hot chocolate sauce.

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London to Brussels Travel Options- Air or Train

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There are two major cities in Western Europe, London and Brussels. London is the capital city of England and it is full of culture and scenic beauty. On the other side Brussels is the capital of Belgium and known for its diplomatic value. London high, shopping malls, and Oxford University are the main attractions in London and Brussels has the headquarters of EU and NATO etc important organisations.

There are many travellers who visit between London to Brussels on daily basis. There are many travel options to the destinations and you can choose any one of these. You can choose any one these as per your schedule and comfort. We are sharing few interesting ways for London to Brussels travel and our aim is to save your money on your travel.

Eurostar Train:

Eurostar is the fastest and economical mode of travel from London to Brussels. Eurostar has made its place in train travel from London to Paris and London to Brussels route. The train offers fares one way from £39 to £69 for a return ticket (economy class). You can save your local time as the train drop you in the middle of the city within 2 hours. You can start your Journey from London St Pancras International station and by eating amazing foods in side, you will reach Brussels in around 1 hr 50 min.

Air / Flights:

The fastest mode of travel from London to Brussels in by air. Book a flight from London Airports to Brussels for just £45.99 one way. Although normal cost ranges somewhere between £75 and £130. Airlines as British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Blue Air, British Midland airways operate daily flights from London to Brussels. It takes around 1 hr 15 min in to the journey.

Ferry:

If you have enough time for your travel, you can choose Ferries as another option. You have to reach Dover port in London and take a ferry to Dunkerque in Brussels. After reaching Dunkerque you have to take bus or Car to reach the city of Brussels. Ferry fares are less than Eurostar and Flights but it takes around 4 hours to reach Brussels. You can also take your car with your travel by Ferry and use to save taxi fares in Brussels.

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Crowne Plaza Brussels

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Whether you're looking for meeting rooms with the convenience of airport access, wanting to meet in Brussels' business and political district or looking for somewhere where your delegates can enjoy the beauty of this historical city, Crowne Plaza Brussels hotel have something for you. Our range of hotels in Brussels gives you a number of options, no matter what style of meeting you're organising.

Crowne Plaza Brussels – definitive style

Our three hotels in Brussels each has something unique to offer your business function or event. Crowne Plaza Brussels – Le Palace is a unique hotel situated in the heart of Brussels. Dating back to 1908, Crowne Plaza Brussels – Le Palace is strongly influenced by the Art Nouveau curls of Gustav Klimt, and its newly refurbished rooms add a touch of luxury to any business meeting.

What Crowne Plaza Brussels – Le Palace has in history, Crowne Plaza Brussels Europa equals in modern stylishness. The high-rise building of Crowne Plaza Brussels Europa sits in the wide open spaces of the European district, offering easy access to the European Parliament and the European Commission, as well as Metro access right outside the door.

When the convenience of busy delegates is a central concern, Crowne Plaza Brussels Airport makes an excellent choice of venue. Unlike many airport hotels, Crowne Plaza Brussels Airport manages to create a serene oasis for travellers, with rolling lawns allowing some breathing space. The soaring six-storey atrium adds to the sense of calm, and with the Brussels Airport just five minutes away by shuttle, you couldn't ask for a more convenient spot.

The best in modern meeting facilities

Crowne Plaza Meetings are always meetings with a difference, but our Crowne Plaza Brussels hotels meet the high standards expected of this internationally-focussed city. By meeting in Brussels, the hub for European business and politics, you should expect the best in modern meeting facilities, and this is what you'll find at Crowne Plaza Brussels hotels.

Our range of meeting rooms can cater for small groups or for large gatherings and conferences. Each of our meeting rooms can be arranged to suit different styles of meeting, with styles including cabaret, classroom, boardroom, banquet and theatre on offer. All Crowne Plaza Brussels hotels have multiple meeting venues to choose from, and you can consult with your dedicated Meetings Director on which room is best suited to your event.

Looking after delegates outside the meeting room

Keeping delegates entertained through multi-day conferences can be difficult, and at Crowne Plaza Brussels we know the importance of an engaging meeting environment. Each of our Crowne Plaza Brussels hotels is close to public transport, providing easy access to everything Brussels has to offer. Not only this, but our in-house restaurants, fitness centres, courtyards and spa facilities provide for your guests' comfort. Our skilled catering teams can also provide delicious treats throughout your meeting.

If you are thinking of holding a multi-day event, talk to your Meetings Director about including accommodation in your meeting package, and don't forget to ask about our special menus for catering options.

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Your Guide to Holidays in Brussels

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Brussels is the capital urban place of Belgium; with the bigger Brussels arena as the capital of the European Union. Brussels takes its root as a place from the 10th century in advance it gradually flourished as a trading post along with Ghent, Cologne, and Burges, since all these large towns lie along the Siene River. It was the home of aristocrats, diplomats, and royalty until it became the middle of governance of Belgium in the 19th century.

There is no shortage of out of this world places to eat and drink when reviewing a list of Brussels tourism options. Fine eating is a real art form in Brussels, but there are also many quaint caf's and public houses littered from the word go the urban place. The main dining and eating areas in Brussels are Avenue Louise and surroundings, suburb Sainte-Catherine called the fish market, majestic' quarter and the Ilot Sacr, and point du rich Sablon. There are myriad eating establishments in Brussels, all with attractive interior settings and impartially fine eating opportunities for travellers looking to get a bite to eat.

When it comes to spots of interest, Brussels has many diversity. Museums and galleries, traces and monuments, churches, gardens and parks, cinemas, and markets represent some of the must-drop by sites in the place. The Beaux Art Museum and the coincident Art Museum, the Belgian Comic Strip Museum, the Brewery Museum, and The Horta Museum are some of the greater important museums in Brussels. Illustrious features include terrific dwelling, Arc de Triomphe, and Parc du Cinquantenaire. As for gardens and parks, site du Petit Sablon and Brussels Park are a breath of fresh air.

Other than seeing museums, famed vantage points, and churches, one can also adore a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings from the top of the Atomium, which is a model of an iron molecule's nine atoms magnified 165 billion times. In the summer, one can take part in a unique activity christened 'Death Ride' from the top sphere of the Atomium. You should not miss the unique shopping experience at Brussels' elevated flea market - The March aux Puces-Vlooienmarkt in vicinity du Jeu de Balle-Vossenplein.

Brussels is one of the spots to go for citizens who are fans of flicks, especially art films. There are countless sites where one can go to engage in some peaceful yet satisfying film viewing. Actors Studio, Styx, Cinema Nova, and Arenberg are only a inconsiderable of the cinemas that are favorite all over Belgium, and at times, even Europe. Shopping in Brussels is a bit inconvenient as shops are normally closed on Sundays and Mondays, but the diversity of the goods more than makes up for the short open-time of the stores. From films, books, and especially chocolate, the shopping in Brussels does not frustrate.

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A Guide to Brussels Hotels & Attractions

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Certainly, Brussels has a refined reputation and has become a sophisticated seat of European lifestyles. With a dynamic structure, Brussels has been a home for multi-ethnic background and history. This European region is famous to guests from other countries for its rich architectures, fine arts, and not to mention, its enormous variety of mouth-melting chocolates. Brussels highlights several impressive attractions such as medieval streets, Neo-Gothic buildings, High-Profile museums, modern boulevards, shopping malls, and the most renowned Grand Parliament Headquarters.

However, the main attraction of all is the legendary Royal Palace located just within the central city. The Royal Palace mostly welcomes visitors inside its excellent infrastructures during the summer season. The Palace showcases the country's most significant events and activities. Being the most distinctive landmark of Brussels, the Royal Palace was intricately built along with guild houses, restaurants and small cafes.

With these expectations and attractions in mind, travelers and tourists from around the globe visit Brussels, Belgium in different times of the year. Thus, expect an abundant choice of Hotels in Brussels if you are planning to visit this magnificent place. Perfect getaways always come along with a cozy, convenient and satisfactory accommodation.

Consequently, there is a whole bunch of Brussels Hotels deals to choose from. With ratings not less than four stars, these hotels surely provide high-satisfactory accommodations. The NH Hotel du Grand Sablon situated in central Brussels features about 200 fully-equipped rooms, and 6 conference rooms that can hold up to 160 guests. Near to various commercial and historical centers in Brussels is the NH Grand Place Arenberg. The best thing with this hotel is nearly located to local and international transportations like the Central Station.

Nevertheless, there are also Brussels cheap Hotels ready to accommodate visitors especially the budget-conscious types. Van Belle Hotel, Scandinavia Hotel, Hotel La Madeleine and Minotel Prince de Liege, are only some of the inexpensive hotels that are located just a few kilometers away from the city center, and close to numerous landmarks and attractions within central Brussels. Definitely, Brussels, Belgium is a noteworthy destination for anyone. For more selection of accommodations, anyone can visit online Brussels Hotels through diverse search engines of the internet.

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