Belgium is perhaps well known for giving the world great chocolate and what is known as Belgium waffles but it has more to offer than that. Their culture and sights are something that have to be seen to appreciate and with their two ethnic groups, they offer a lot to be learned. As a nation, it is known as one of the greatest trading nations in the world so if you choose Belgium for your holiday, you’ll have a lot of things to find there.
This is known as the perfect place for paragliding. With its open air and other advantages, you’ll get to have a safe ride provided that there are good weather conditions and all the rules are followed.
Travel time:
1 hour and 45 minutes by taxi. (180 Euros)
7 hours and 33 minutes by train (12.40 Euros to 19.08 Euros),
Distance from Brussels: 145 km
Rather than a place, this is a club that takes any beginner skydiver and helps them become experts in the art. With several different sites, they take care of everything in exchange for a nominal fee. You get to experience all the wonders of the art while gaining some experience as well.
Travel time:
1 hour and 30 minutes by taxi. (178.35 Euros)
3 hours and 2 minutes by train (13.36 Euros to 20 Euros)
5 hours by bus (7.63 Euros to 16.22 Euros)
As this is a club, there is a need to take a taxi to the club so that will incur extra costs.
Distance from city center: 1.7 km
The heart of Brussels, the main plaza is elegant due to its architecture with gables, pilasters and balustrades. The stonework is amazing and it showcases everything around it. The most recognizable building is the Hotel de Ville.
Travel by: car
Time taken: 10 minutes
Distance from city center: 1.6 km
This venue can be a bit of laugh for tourists as it is the infamous statue of a boy peeing, Though no one knows how it was built, it is called the oldest citizen of Brussels with several rumors surrounding it.
Travel by: car
Time taken: 9 minutes
Distance from city center: 1.8 km
The structure was found in the 12th century but completed in the 15th. With impressive work and beautiful interiors, it’s a great place to visit and see the work of the Gothic era.
Travel by: car
Time taken: 8 minutes
Distance from city center: 110 km
While the beach itself is attractive, the surroundings are more so. The area has a riveting nightlife with bars and restaurants where you can unwind after a long day of sunbathing. A harbor, numerous food stalls and shops sum up the rest.
Travel by: taxi
Time taken: 1 hour 24 minutes
Travel by: train
Time taken: 1 hour 34 minutes
Distance from city center: 111 km
This is for the more adventurous tourists as it is possible to catch the coastal tram from the Ostend train station to the resort of De hann. It’s a great way to see the entire coast as well as discover a nudist beach. There are different villas and cottages and you can also rent chairs to bathe in the sunlight and breathe in the fresh air.
Travel by: taxi
Time taken: 1 hour 20 minutes
Travel by: train
Time taken: 1 hour 47 minutes
Distance from city center: 111 km
9 kilometres of great sandy beaches beckon tourists to sunbathe, walk along the beautiful promenade and even take a refreshing dip in the sea water. The beach is open for festivals, playing host to the Sand Sculpture Festive in June to August. It’s a great place to spend the day at the beach.
Travel by: taxi
Time taken: 1 hour 12 minutes
Travel by: 111 km
Time taken: 1 hour 20 minutes
travel by taxi, 9 minutes
The street is known to be the second busiest street in Brussels with many visitors per day and stores devoted to fashion, decoration and leisure. It’s a great place to go and spend the day, dabbling in several products that would be great as gifts.
travel by taxi, 1 minute
Considered to be one of their oldest, 19th century inspired shopping arcades, it has several shopfronts which are glazed and separated by pilasters with two upper floors containing other boutiques and shops. Chances are you’ll find anything you need here without any trouble.
travel by taxi, 6 mins
The most populated street in Brussels, this is well known for having international brands, making it a great place for tourists who want to take things back home with them. It also has several cafes for you to sit after you are done with all of your stressful shopping.
Avenue de Tervueren 453, 1150 Bruxelles, Belgium
Another beautiful restaurant which offers several options for their patrons. They serve Belgian, European and gluten free options and all their dishes are beautiful to look at as well.
+32 2 346 66 15
Chaussée de Charleroi 115, 1060 Sint-Gillis, Belgium
Best known for their Italian dishes, this restaurant also serves Mediterrian and European food. It’s interiors are bright but modern and with friendly staff, it’s no wonder that it’s a hit among the customers.
+32 2 538 17 00, Open every day, 12 to 2.30 PM, 7 to 10 PM
Stoverij
A hearty beef casserole that is cooked to beer to give it a stronger taste, it is usually served with fritters in the side.
Waterzooi
A soup dish that was traditionally made with fish and eggs. As modern times appeared, the fish is substituted with chicken but the essence of it remains the same.
Luikse Siroop
A sweet jelly that is made from evaporated fruit juices, namely dates, pears and apples, this can be eaten as a spread with baguettes and is the perfect breakfast.
As one of the city’s techno temples, it’s a must for any decent clubber. The atmosphere is different from other clubs and attracts different clubbers. There are gay evenings on Sundays and there is supervised free car parking before midnight.
Located 300 meters from the grand palace, this is a place charged with history. The club has three floors each showcasing different atmospheres. You can drink and dance all night long, have a drink and watch the DJs or smoke a cigarette in the comfortable smoking area. It’s open from Thursday to Sunday from 11 PM till the morning.
Rue des Riches Claires n°7, 1000 Brussel, Belgium,
List of countries that can enter without a visa,
Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City and Venezuela.
There is no drinking age limit but the alcohol content in blood is 0.05 and driving under influence can lead to legal issues.
Prostitution is legal but is to be kept separate from brothels as a whole. Homosexuality is legal.
While Belgium is still susceptible to crimes, it is relatively safe provided that certain precautions are taken. Pickpockets and body snatches roam in certain places. Some suburban areas can be dangerous and it is advised not to be there after sundown. Be careful in train stations as this is one of the most important methods of transport in Belgium. There may be pickpockets around.
Car theft is also an issue as if any valuables are spotted, thieves will break the windows and steal it, disappearing in a flash.
Health care is readily available so there is no danger of that.
Belgium’s history starts from when it was conquered by Julius Caesar in 57 BC then was overrun by the Franks in the 5th century. In the 1555, it went to Phillipe II the Kind of Spain but then gained independence in 1713 after it was transferred to Austria. It was later occupied and annexed by Franch following the French Revolution. Belgium rebelled against the Dutch rule to gain independence in 1830. After World War II, it was overcome by Nazi Germany but in 1958, the European Economic Community was born which later led to Belgium being made a federal state in 1994. Slowly it rebuild itself to become what it is now.
