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Travel To Belgium


General Info
Belgium is a multicultural and multilingual sophisticated nation, which is regarded as the best kept secret in the Europe. Visiting Belgium is a memorable experience as you get a chance to encounter middle aged cities Gothic Cathedrals, beautiful castles, and town halls throughout the country. Also you can enjoy the most delicious food and exotic flavors of chocolates that you cannot find in any other part of the world. Belgium has always been known as a commercial and cultural exchange center of Western Europe. You can find traces of Austrian, French, Spanish and Dutch architecture and also traces of their history in the life style of the people living there. The capital of Belgium is Brussels, which is regarded as one of the greatest cosmopolitan cities of the world. Brussels is also the home of European union and NATO.

Belgium is known to be one of the most beautiful countries with a criss cross network of canals and historic heritage. It has the most beautiful castles and towns that remind you of the country's historical heritage.

Visa Information

Visas are required for all tourists visiting Belgium except for the citizens of European Union member states or the citizens of Iceland, Monaco, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. These nationals can stay in Belgium in support of their passport or a proof that shows that the people are a member of a health scheme and they have sufficient employment contract. Also they can stay here if they have an official identity card. Other foreigners who wish to stay in Belgium for a period greater than three months need a long term visa.

Traveling to Belgium

Traveling to Belgium is a pleasure throughout the year, as the season here is good throughout. The national rail network of Belgium is considered to be as one of the densest in the world. The majority of international railway lines pass through Brussels. There is a good frequency of trains operating from Brussels to the rest of the part of the country.

Language

There are basically three languages that are spoken widely in Belgium. They are Dutch, French, and German. English is also practiced by most of the citizens of Belgium.

Attractions In Belgium

Belgium is a country of historic importance. The major places of attraction also have a historic significance. One of the most visited places of Belgium is the royal museum of fine arts in Antwerp. This museum has a big collection of paintings and artifacts from fourteenth century. It has the famous paintings of Rubens, Jordaens, and Van Dijck. The museum not only has excellent collection of artwork but also has stunning architecture. This museum was originally built as 'temple of fine arts' for the 1894 Antwerp world Exposition. The building is decorated beautifully with Corinthian columns and two hoses that are made of pure bronze.

Another famous tourist attraction of Belgium is Tongeren. Tongeren is the oldest town in Belgium. The town has been destroyed completely twice, first in the fourth century by Norsemen and then in 1881 by Salian Franks. The Gallo Roman museum in the town is built on the left over of the luxurious Roman Villa. This place provides a enchanting view of the historic times. One more marvelous piece of architecture is Gothic Church that was built in 1240. Another famous monument of Tongeren is 'Our Lady's Basilica' which has a 64m high bell tower. Belgium has more than three thousand castles, out of which three hundred castles are open for public viewing. One of the most visited castles is Gravensteen. This castle is also called the Castle of Counts. This beautifully built castle is as old as 1200 AD. The river Lieve that provides the castle an additional charm surrounds it. The castle shows the court, prison, underground dungeon, and also has the instruments of torture that were used during the historic times. The Town of Spa cannot be missed if one is visiting Belgium. It has been known since Roman times for its exotic baths. Ever since the sixteenth century the rich and the famous have always come to the Spa to refresh them with healing powers of the water of the Spa in the region. The Grand Place is another attraction that cannot be missed by any tourist. The Grand Place in Brussels has uniquely decorated city hall and ornamented Gothic houses. The first thing that you notice when entering the Grand Place is the town hall, which was built in the thirteenth century.

Shopping In Belgium

Diamonds are one thing that you cannot miss to buy in Belgium. World's best diamonds are cut and processed in Antwerp. The age old Jewish community of the region carries out most of the trade of diamonds. These people are very conservative and their traditional black clothes make a remarkable contrast to the sparkle of diamonds. The Belgium Laces are also famous all over the world. The hand made laces are remarkably beautiful and are of a great quality. You can buy beautiful laces in Brussels, Bruges, and Ghent. Chocolates are another thing that you cannot miss to buy in Belgium. Although Swiss chocolates are considered to be the best but Belgium chocolates are in close competition to them. The Belgium handmade chocolates filled with fresh creams are even better than the Swiss ones. The local brands of chocolates that offer quality products are Wittamer, Leonidas, Nihoul, and Neuhaus.

Entertainment
The entertainment facilities in the country are no less than any part of the world. There are numerous numbers of pubs and coffee shops all over Belgium. Beer is one of the most favorite drinks among Belgium population. The coffee shops in Belgium serve different varieties of Marijuana. Like coffee cafes, Belgium also has number of beer cafes. Clubbing is one of the major sources of entertainment for Belgians. You can find all kinds of dance and music in these clubs. The clubs are open from late night to early mornings.

Resorts

The resorts in Belgium also provide an ethnic look. Relais Oud Huis, Amsterdam is almost four centuries old and stands proudly near the Grand Place. This historic house provides all comforts needed to its guest. All the rooms are traditionally decorated with antique furniture and paintings. There are number of resorts in Antwerp, Brussels and Bruges that provide memorable experience for its guests.



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