Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Belgium
 |  | Destination Guide : Belgium |
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| | | Rich history and culture |  | Why go on holiday to Belgium?
Belgium boasts a history and culture as rich and fascinating as any in Europe. The galleries in the major cities are superb. The architecture is fabulous. And then there is the fantastic food and beer.
The north is flat and the south dominated by the beautiful Ardennes.
How much does it cost?
You can get to Brussels on Eurostar for under £100. For accommodation, count on at least £40 a night. Two-day city breaks start at about £150 if you shop around.
When should I go?
A temperate climate means no extremes. The warmest time is between April and September when temperatures range from 13C to 22C (56F to 72F), but that doesn't mean you shouldn't expect rain.
On the first Thursday in July there's the Ommegang pageant, a huge parade of nobles dressed in historic costumes. Belgium's colourful National Day is July 21, which also marks the start of the month-long Brussels Fair.
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| | | Battlefields and Art Nouveau |  | What should I do when I'm there?
Brussels, the capital, has great museums and the marvellous Grand Place at its centre. Antwerp boasts Art Nouveau and neo-Renaissance architecture and the Royal Museum of Fine Art.
Bruges is one of Europe's most stunning medieval cities, and is a good access point for the Flanders battlefields. By contrast The Ardennes offers valleys, forests and tranquil villages.
What about outdoor activities?
If the big outdoors is your thing then head down to The Ardennes. There's skiing in winter and kayaking, hiking or mountain biking in the summer. There are also plenty of prehistoric limestone caves to explore.
But isn't Belgium supposed to be boring?
The most famous of all Belgians is the cartoon boy-reporter Tintin. Facts like this boost the country's perceived obscurity, but don't believe it.
Belgium is a small country with homely and modest people. Just because they don't shout about it doesn't mean their country is not packed with riches.
What else is worth seeing?
The town of Ypres is home to the Menin Gate, where the names of 55,000 lost British and Commonwealth World War I troops are inscribed. Tongeren, near Liege, is Belgium's oldest town and has a great collection of Gallo-Roman remains. Ghent's Museum voor Schone Kunsten houses works by Flemish Primitives and goremeister Hieronymous Bosch.
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| | | Beer lovers unite | | Where's good for nightlife?
Nowadays, Antwerp is considered to be one of the party capitals of Europe, with around 4,000 bars, pubs and clubs, including the internationally-known Zillion.
You'll also find a lively mixture of culture and entertainment in Brussels and Bruges, and there's usually something to suit everybody.
What's the food like?
Fabulous. Belgium is ranked second only to France as the place to eat in Europe.
Seafood and meat are the basis of the Franco/German influenced cuisine.
Belgium claims to be the home of the chip - frites are available everywhere, and the mussels are always good. If you like your beer you'll never want to leave.
What should I buy?
Lace is a big speciality - but be warned, if you want handmade lace from Belgium you must say so, otherwise it'll be handmade in China or Taiwan, or machine-made in France. Unsurprisingly, the genuine article costs more too.
Chocolate is, of course, another famous export - prices vary enormously according to quality. Up to 800 beers are brewed in Belgium.
What is there for children to do?
All the main cities have museums which will appeal to kids plus parks and playgrounds.
Antwerp offers Pirateneiland (Pirate Island, an indoor fun park), and a zoo.
In Bruges, you could take the kids to Boudewijnpark (a theme park which includes a dolphinarium), on a canal trip, or a sweet-making demonstration.
In Brussels there's the Toy Museum and the Scientastic Museum, which features interactive science-related exhibits plus the Bruparck entertainment complex.
Tourist office
Tourism Flanders Brussels, 31 Pepper Street, London E14 9RW. Tel. 020 7867 0311.
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| | Available rental properties in Belgium |
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| |  | | Le Grenier de la Cour
Situated in the middle of the countryside on a hill overlooking the superb Molignée valley (close to the most beautiful Abbey of Maredsous), part of a
|  | | Villa Persévérence
Peaceful situated in a beautiful villa area, within only 500 m from sea, is this simple, yet neat linked villa. Koksijde is a beautiful coastal place
|  | | Allah Kerihm
A classical villa in a beautiful villa park in a cozy seaside town.
A plain house in a good central location less than a kilometer from the Fl
|  | | De Vyverbuschcluyse
In a country-side location, in the heart of Flanders this semi-detached villa (140 m2). This marvellous villa, furnished full of atmosphere, is due to
|  | | Galerie Studio begane grond
In an oasis of rest and yet near the centre of historic Ghent (ca. 3 km), you can reach this stylish studio via an art gallery in a great garden. You
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