Vacation rentals in Belgium
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Travel destination Belgium.
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Destination
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(9)
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Overview of Belgium
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| Size |
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30 528 sq km (11,787 sq mi ) |
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| Population |
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10,445,852 |
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| Language |
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The official languages of Belgium are Dutch, French and German. (Flemish is a general name
for the different local languages spoken in the Flemish part of Belgium). Many Belgians speak English. |
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| Time Zone |
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1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +1). |
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| Electricity |
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220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Round two-pin European plugs are standard. |
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| Clothing |
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Medium weight clothing all year, with a jacket or pullover for the cooler summer
evenings. Waterproof clothing is useful at any time of year. Men are requested to wear a
jacket in most good restaurants. Heavier clothings is advisable in the winter months. |
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| Religion |
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Belgium is 90% Roman Catholic. There are also small Protestant and Jewish communities. |
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| Currency |
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Euro(EUR)Currency Converter |
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Location of Belgium
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The Kingdom of Belgium is a country in northwest Europe bordered by the Netherlands, Germany,
Luxembourg, and France. Often called the Essence of Europe, Belgium is both multicultural and
multilingual. Flanders in the north, a flatland criss-crossed by canals, is proud of its medieval
art cities, Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent. To the south in Wallonia, you will find the rolling hills
of the Ardennes, countless castles, and the cities of Liege, Namur, and Tournai. The city of
Brussels is one of the world's great cosmopolitan capitals, home to both the European Union and
NATO, as well as a wealth of international trade and finance companies.
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Climate in Belgium
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Belgium is subject to a temperate climate from the coastal regions inland to about Brussels.
Towards the Ardennes the climate becomes more continental, with colder winters and warm summers.
Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year. Snowfalls are also frequent. Belgium is seldom
too hot or too cold. Summer temperatures average 13-21°C (54-72°F) and winter averages
from 0-6°C (32-43°F).
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Best Time to Travel to Belgium
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You could even get to love Belgium in the springtime, when the parks are coming up flowers
and the first sidewalk tables put in a tentative appearance, but the weather can be variable.
July and August are the best months for soaking up some rays at a sidewalk cafe, dining at
an outdoors restaurant in the evening, and swimming and sunbathing at the seacoast.
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Attractions in Belgium
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If you are going to spend several days in Belgium and have already visited Brussels, Brugge, Ghent
and Antwerp you might want to read a detailed guidebook and consider visiting these locations.
Brugge Considered by some to be the "Venice of the North", Brugge has a well-maintained
historic core that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once the leading trading center
of Europe and the world's richest city, today's slow paced Brugge is a tourist's delight. Brugge
is compact and made for walking, boating, wandering, and relaxing. Be sure to see the Belfry and
the Memling Museum. Brussels Although in existence for over a thousand years, Brussels
remains a cosmopolitan and cultured city. Tourist Brussels starts with the Grand Place (Grote Markt),
which will lead you to notice the the Gothic and Classical architectures of the city's churches
and palaces (Palais des Nation, Royal Palace, and House of Parliament). Art is prominent in Brussels
and a visit to the Royal Museum of Fine Art is a must. Finally, remember the saying, "if you are in
Brussels, you must try the Mussels". Ghent is an industrial city with an interesting,
compact medieval core. The Old Town is one that is worth your time if you have seen Brugge and
Brussels. Be sure to see the Castle of the Counts of Flanders, the Belfry, and the Cloth Hall.
See the Cathedral of Saint Bavo for its beauty and the art that it contains. Antwerp Antwerp's
trade eventually eclipsed that of Brugge and the city is now the second largest port in Europe.
Antwerp is a large, working, industrial city focused on the trade of its port. In its historic center,
a mixture of architectural styles lends charm to the city and its diamond district lends allure.
Be sure to see the gothic Cathedral of Our Lady, the Plantin Moretus Museum, and the Diamond Museum.
Tournai, The Ardennes, Liege and Namur offer interesting but limited attractions for the tourist.
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Events in Belgium
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January: Brussels International Film Festival find details of Belgiums premier festival
of film. February: Bruges Festival - classical music. Carnival - folkloric shindig
across the country. March: Festival van de Animatiefilm - Ghents animated film festival.
Ars Musica - Contemporary music in Brussels. May: Festival of the Cat - Cats are
thrown from the belltower in Ypres but they are not real. Brussels Jazz Marathon. June:
Antwerp Fashion Show. July: Cactus Festival - Bruges plays host to world music.
10 Days Off - 10 nights of raving in Ghent. August: Dranouter Folk Festival. Formula 1 Grand
Prix - Spa Francorchamps for big car action. September: Belgium Beer Weekend, Brussels.
December: Marche de Noel - Brussels' Christmas Market with crafts, food and drink etc.
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Society in Belgium
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Much has been said about Belgium's hospitality and it's all true. Because of the country's
location as an international centre of commerce and culture, Belgians are at ease with travellers
from all over the world. They are proud of their homeland, and anxious to help get to know it better.
You'll find them always personable, cooperative and courteous.
Tipping is not obligatory as service and value-added tax (VAT) are included in hotel
and restaurant prices. But if you're pleased with the service, add a little extra.
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Food in Belgium
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Belgium is particularly famous for waffles and chips. Belgian chips are often eaten
with mayonnaise or served with mussels. Endive is a popular vegetable, as are, of course,
brussel sprouts. Sea food is plentiful and trout is fished in the rivers. Soups
include waterzooi which is more like a stew. Beer features in a number of recipes. There
are over four hundred types of beer brewed including Chimay. Belgium is well-known for its
luxury chocolates which are sold widely and in the specialist chocolate shops.
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Visa for Belgium
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Belgium is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. Visas required by all except the
following for stays of no more than three months within a six-month period:
(a) British, Australian, Canadian, USA, Other EU, Japanese;
(b) nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, holders of BNO (British National Overseas) passports
and 'look-alike' passport holders of British Overseas Territories (except Gribraltar), plus British
Indian Ocean Territory, Henderson Islands, Pitcairn, Ducie & Oeno and the St Helen Islands and
dependencies, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep), Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua,
Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, Singapore, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela;
(c) nationals remaining within the airport on transit, except for the following nationals, who
always require an Airport Transit visa: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea,
Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka,
Sudan and Syrian Arab Republic, if not possessing a valid residence permit for the EU member states
or Andorra, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland or the USA.
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