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may be little country, but it is a lovely one at that,
so it is sad that Belgium is often overlooked when travellers
plan a trip to Europe. Tucked between the desirable and
obvious destinations of London, Paris and Amsterdam, Belgium
is usually treated as a stepping stone to the English
Channel, or, at most, a quick stop-over for a looksee
in the capital, Brussels. Beyond the
city of Brussels with its historic Gothic buildings
and tall European Union office blocks, is a treasure-trove
of undiscovered lazy seaside towns, and the inland wooded
gorges of the splendid Ardennes, sprinkled with medieval
castles and steeped in folklore. The medieval city of
Bruges has character and charm galore with a rich architectural
heritage, graceful canals, winding waterways and cobbled
streets, and is a favourite with visitors. Belgium is
a country that has inspired many artists and writers
with the charm of its Gothic cathedrals, town halls,
gabled guildhouses and rich museums.
After a busy
day exploring it all, evenings are best spent experiencing
Belgium's fantastic cuisine and delighting in the country's
variety of 300-odd brews of beer. Belgians have a reputation
for their gracious hospitality. No doubt in part due
to the country's location, which has created an international
crossroads for commerce and culture. Despite this, Belgium
and its distinct regions of Flemish Flanders (north)
and French Wallonia (south) has proudly preserved its
traditions and identity.
Brussels
Home of the European Union, Brussels has become a bustling
centre for bureaucrats and businessmen and is a thriving
cosmopolitan metropolis. The buildings in the city are
a fascinating mix of architectural styles, and there
are numerous museums of interest throughout. Within
the 14th-century city walls is the compact centre of
the old city with the beautiful Grand Place at its heart.
Visitors rarely stray beyond the walls of the 'petit
ring' of the city centre, clearly defined from the newer
glitzy quarters by its narrow maze of streets. This
is where the key sights can be enjoyed, together with
the best bars and restaurants.
Visitors
can experience the beauty of the art and architecture,
marvel at the bizarre sight of the Mannekin-Pis statue,
and spend time shopping for traditional souvenirs such
as Belgian chocolate and lace. The National Opera House
and many other theatres host a variety of events and
concerts for those wanting some high culture, and there
are plentiful restaurants offering gastronomic delights.
These outings can be rounded off by a drink or two in
any one of the lively bars located near the Grand Place.
Vibrant and
energetic, Brussels is a city of museums and architecture
among Europe's finest, a shopper's fantasy and a diner's
capital.
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Time:
GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday
before last Sunday in October). Belgium is six hours
ahead of Eastern Standard Time and nine hours ahead
of Pacific Standard time.
Electricity:
220
volts, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs can be used.
Language:
The Flemish, in the north, speak Dutch (60% of the population);
The Walloons in the south speak French (40%). Brussels
is bilingual with the majority of citizens speaking
French. In the east of Belgium there is a small German-speaking
community. English i
Health:
No vaccinations are required. Medical facilities and
care in Belgium are excellent but expensive so travellers
are advised to take out medical insurance. UK citizens
receive emergency medical care for a reduced cost, but
should have a E111 form, available from post offices
in the UK, to qualify. Increased cases of hantavirus
(caused by rodents) have been reported in Luxembourg
province, Liège, Namur and Hainaut provinces.
Tipping:
Service charges are included in bills and tipping is
not necessary, unless for exceptional service. Porters,
coatroom and bathroom attendants are generally tipped.
Safety:
Most visits to Belgium are trouble-free, but travellers
should be wary of street crime in the cities, such as
mugging and pickpocketing, particularly in Brussels
at major railway stations and on public transport.
Communications:
The international access code for Belgium is +32. The
outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country
code (e.g. 001 for the United States). Mobile phones
operate on a GSM and 3G network. Public phones take
coins or phone cards. Internet cafes are widely available.
Currency:
Euro
(€) divided into 100 cents. Notes in denominations
of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5. Most credit cards
are accepted (Visa, American Express, Diners Club and
Eurcard) as are travellers cheques. ATMs are available
in all major cities. Banks are open Monday to Friday,
9.00 am to 4.00pm, and are closed on Saturdays, Sundays
and holidays. Some banks close for an hour during lunch.
There are however some foreign exchange offices that
trade on Sundays.
Visa
and Passports:
Entry
requirements for Americans: US nationals must
have a valid passport. A visa is not required for stays
of up to three months.
Entry requirements for UK nationals:
UK nationals must possess a valid passport. A visa is
not required for stays of up to three months. British
Overseas Territories Citizens, British Nationals (Overseas)
and British Overseas Citizens require an endorsement
on their passports guaranteeing re-admittance to the
UK or the country that issued the passport.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians
must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for
stays of up to three months.
Entry requirements for Australians:
Australian nationals must have a valid passport. A visa
is not required for stays of up to three months.
Entry requirements for South Africans:
South African nationals require a valid passport. A
visa is required.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders:
New Zealand nationals require a valid passport. No visa
is required for stays not exceeding three months.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish nationals require a valid passport. No visa is
required for stays not exceeding three months.
Passport/Visa Note: The borderless
region known as the Schengen area includes the following
countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries
issue a standard Schengen visa that, in principal, allows
the holder to travel freely within the borders of all.
All visitors require a passport that is valid for at
least three months after leaving Belgium. Nationals
of non-EU countries are recommended to hold return or
onward tickets, sufficient funds and documents for their
next destination.
Note: Passport and visa requirements
are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are
advised to check their entry requirements with their
embassy or consulate
Airports:
Brussels International Airport (BRU)
Location:
The airport is located eight miles (13km) northeast
of the city centre. Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last
Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday
in October). Transfer to the city: The train station
is located on the lower level of Brussels International
Airport (1st Floor). There is a train shuttle service
from the airport to the North, South and Central stations
of Brussels. The shuttle runs every 15-20 minutes and
the journey takes approximately 20 minutes. It operates
between 5.30am and 12.20am from the airport. From the
city it operates between 4.45am and 11.10pm. A single
ticket costs €2.60. There are also buses that serve
Brussels, Antwerp and Eindhoven; the bus station is
below the Arrivals hall. There are metered taxis available
outside the Arrivals hall; the 30-minute journey to
Brussels costs around €30.
Facilities: Airport facilities include
ATMs and bureau de change, post office, duty free shops,
car rental, cafes/restaurants, a beauty shop, business
centre with Internet access, religious services, train
information and reservation, travel agency, and luggage
lockers. There is also a mobile phone rental office.
Parking: Both long- and short-term parking are available
24 hours. NV Interparking SA operates parking facilities
for more than 9,000 vehicles next to the terminal.
Car
Hotel provides long-term parking facilities close to
the E19, and a free shuttle service to the passenger
terminal every ten minutes. Departure tax: None. Website:
www.brusselsairport.be
Antwerp
International Airport (ANR)
Location:
The airport is located one mile (2km) east of Antwerp.
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday
before last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +32 (0)3
285 6500. Transfer to the city: Bus 16 leaves for Antwerp
every 20 minutes. Taxis are available outside arrivals.
Facilities: Airport facilities include
a bank, restaurant, duty-free and a business centre.
Departure tax: None. Website: www.antwerpairport.be
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