Belgium

Belgium Flag

"Heart of Europe" and “The Battleground of Europe”

Why visit Belgium?

Offers architecture, art, beaches, beer, boating, caves, churches, cobbled streets, cultural festivals, cycling, diamonds, fine cuisine, golf, history, horseback riding, museums, parks, rolling hills, sidewalk cafes and spas.

Brugge (The Venice of the North), Belgium. Photo Credit: Erin Summer/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy:  Antiques, ceramics, chocolates, copperware, crystal, diamonds, handmade marionettes, lace, leather goods, linens, pewter, tapestries and wooden carvings.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Belgian Endives. Carbonnade (stew). Crepes. Croquettes aux Crevettes. Frites (french fries). Herve Cheese. Jambon d'Ardenne (hanging ham). Liège Waffles. Mitraillette (sandwich). Moules (mussels). Paling in 't groen. Rijstevlaai (tarte pie), Smoutebollen (beignet). Spaghetti Bolognese. Speculoos (cookies). Steak Frites (steak and french fries). Vol-au-vent (stuffed meat pastry). Waterzooi (stew).
• Local Drink to Try: Chimay Tripel (beer). Jenever (gin).

Gravensteen Castle, Ghent (East Flanders), Belgium. Photo Credit: Rudy and Peter Skitterians/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• During 13th (1201-1300) - 14th (1301-1400 Century the cloth industry (County of Flanders) marked them as one of the richest areas in Europe.
  
• From 1832-2002, local currency was the Belgian franc switching to Euros.
  
• In 1857, Neuhaus (chocolate manufacturer) opened their first store (Brussels).
• In 1870, Côte d'Or chocolate manufacturer was founded (Schaerbeek).
  
• Since 1884, chocolate composition is regulated by law.
  
• In 1908, assume responsibility of Belgian Congo (Central Africa).
  
• In 1914, invaded by Germany to attack France.
• In 1926, Godiva chocolate manufacturer was founded (Brussels).
  
• In 1940, surrender to the Nazis.
  
• In 1948, signed the Treaty of Brussels.
  
• In 1951, King Leopold III (1901-1983) forcibly relinquished his monarchical authority.
  
• In 1960, the Belgian Congo gained independence.
• Het Zilvermeer Lake (Mol) features an underwater museum of  historical artifacts and statues.
  
• Very high standards of  education, healthcare, living and quality of life.
  
• Ranks one of the most peaceful and safest places in the world.
  
• Only country not to set age restrictions on euthanasia.
  
• Imports include chemicals, equipment, foodstuffs, machinery, oil products,  pharmaceuticals, raw diamonds, raw materials and transportation equipment.
  
• Exporter of  chemicals, equipment, finished diamonds, foodstuffs, machinery and metals products.
• First European countries to transition from hand productions to machinery methods.
  
• Their Health Care System is financed and supervised by the federal government.
  
• Self claimed originator of french fries.
• Produces over 1100 beer varieties.
  
• Home to the largest volume brewer in the world, Anheuser-Busch InBev (Leuven).
  
• Brewed by monks, Trappist Beer repeatedly earns the title as "world's best beer" (Vleteren).
• Over 2,000 chocolatiers throughout the country.
  

Brussels, Belgium. Photo Credit: Jochen Schaft/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: Bommelsfeesten (January), Bruges Beer Festival (January), Ghent Light Festival (January), Brussels Animation Film Festival (February), Carnaval De Binche (February), Salon Du Chocolat Brussels (February), Bal du Rat Mort (March), Grand Prix van Hasselt (March), International Film Festival (March), Festival van Vlaanderen (April), Sablon Spring Baroque Music Festival (April), Ommegang Pageant (July), Paradise City Festival (July), Rock Werchter (July), Tomorrowland (July), Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix (August), Boombal Festival (August), Brussels Jazz Marathon (May),Ducasse de Mons (May), Kattenstoet (May), Kunstenfestivaldesarts (May), Queen Elisabeth Contest (May), Brussels Food Truck Festival (June), Couleur Café Festival (June), Elrow Town Summer Festival (June), Extrema Outdoor Belgium (June), International Cartoon Festival (June), Brosella Folk & Jazz Festival (July), Cactus Festival Dour Festival (July), Gentse Feesten (July), Dodentocht (August), Flower Carpet Festival (August), Outremeuse Festival (August), Marktrock (August), Meyboom (August), Ghent May Regatta (May), Procession of the Holy Blood (May), Zinneka Parade (May), Zinneka Parade (June), Pukkelpop (August), Brussels Beer Weekend (September), Festival de Wallonie (September), Brussels Flower Show (October), Filmfestival Gent (October), Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival (November) and Christmas Market (December).
• Holidays: All Saints' Day, Armistice Day, Ascension, Assumption of Mary, Belgian National Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Labour Day and Pentecost Monday. 

 Royal Palace of Brussels, Bruxelles, Belgium. Photo Credit: Dimitris Vetsikas/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Stay in Brussels as your central hub getting around the country.
• In the east (Wallonia) is spoken, the north (Flanders) Flemish (Dutch dialect) and south area (Wallonia) French. 
• Home to Europe's main diamond center (Antwerp).
  
• Flemish speaking natives prefer travelers to speak English rather than French. Tensions exist between the Flemish north) and Walloons (South).
• Ferries cross the English Channel to Great Britain.
  
• Every Spring the Royal Palace Greenhouses (Laeken) is open to the general public.
  
• Same-sex marriages are legal.

Meuse River, Dinant, Belgium. Photo Credit: Ben Kerckx/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with three months of validity upon return and two blank pages.
• Tourist VISA not required for visits under 90 days.
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000Euros.

Lion's Mound, Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium. Photo Credit: Ben Kerckx/Pixabay 

• Best Time to Visit: May - September
• Coldest Months: January - February
• Hottest Month: July
• Peak Season: July - August

Atomium, Brussels, Belgium. Photo Credit: Dimitris Vetsikas/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Belfries of Belgium and France, Flemish Béguinages, Historic Centre of Brugge, La Grand-Place, Brussels, Major Mining Sites of Wallonia, Major Town Houses of the Architect Victor Horta, Neolithic Flint Mines at Spiennes, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai, Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex, Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Stoclet House, The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement and The Four Lifts on the Canal du Centre and their Environs La Louvière and Le Roeulx.

Saint Nicholas' Church (Sint-Niklaaskerk), Ghent, Belgium. Photo Credit: Erich Westendarp/Pixabay 

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Oostende Beach, Ostend, Belgium. Photo Credit: armennano/Pixabay 

                                           All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.