Guide links UK Travel Travel Europe Europe Maps
Extensive travel and tourism guide for Belgium, Europe

Belgium Tourist Information

The Grand'Place, BelgiumIt happens time after time. People understand Europe the way they've been introduced to it - The usual tourist meccas, the attractions on a thousand postcards. Then they remember Belgium, the little country, they passed through a few days ago. It seems beautiful, it's practically next door to Paris, London and Amsterdam, and they have 24 hours to explore it before heading home. Two hours later, they are in love with Belgium.

Baroque architecture and a street named Meat & Bread; an exhibit of comic strips; and jazz until dawn --- you could only be in Brussels. Don't miss the Grand'Place and its Gothic Town Hall; it is one of the most beautiful squares in the world. All our museums are uniquely rewarding but with 70 of them, you might want to limit your enjoyment to a special few.

You get off the train in Antwerp thinking diamonds, and the first thing you see is an elephant. One of the world's most popular zoos is right next to the station. Bruges is only an hour from Brussels; climb the 366 steps to the top of the Belfry for a spectacular view of a perfect medieval fairyland. If the soaring spires of Ghent don't take your breath away, what's inside the Castle of the Counts will-a torture chamber dating from the 12th century.

Translate "la Cité Ardente" and you'll know what makes Liège irresistible. The people of this fascinating "hot-blooded city" in the Ardennes region are known for their passionate love of life and carefree way of living; see the 11th-century Palace of the Prince-Bishops. Namur, a city under siege for 2,000 years, now peacefully awaits your visit. In Dinant, climb the 408-step stairway of the massive Citadel, now a museum of arms and history. If you want to see a really old house, Tournai has two built in 1175; the oldest private homes still standing in Europe.

Belgium is the ideal destination for business and for pleasure. Unbeknown to many, the old saying, "Good things come in small packages" began as a
description of Belgium. For we are a country that has it all --- from fabulous medieval cities, rich museums, elegant shopping, and lively local markets to festivals and folklore, opera and jazz.

We just hope that your schedule will allow time to sip one or several of our more than 400 beers and to sample our chocolates. Don't forget that
hand-drawn Belgian chocolates are a must. They will make you very popular with family and friends if you bring them home!

Warning: If you come to Belgium, you may become addicted!

What's New in Europe!

Events & Festivals

London events highlights: Japanese crafts, ‘Pop Art’ and gardening all feature in London’s cultural events calendar this summer and beyond.

Royal wedding dress at Buckingham Palace: A special exhibition at Buckingham Palace this summer will recreate the day in 1947 when Princess Elizabeth - now Queen Elizabeth II - married the Duke of Edinburgh in a glittering ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey.

Attractions

Shrewsbury recreates its summer season: Performances by Jools Holland, George Melly and Beverly Knight are among the 370 cultural and artistic events over 100 days at the 'Shrewsbury Summer Season' this year (May 19-Sept. 9).

Scotland’s oldest house marks 900 years: The longest continually inhabited house in Scotland is 900 years old. Once a hunting lodge for the kings and queens of Scotland (it hosted 27 monarchs over the years), the Stuarts of Traquair House supported Mary, Queen of Scots and the doomed Jacobite cause.

News

Ceramics Festival in The Potteries: Designers, studio potters, experts and collectors will be making their way to The Potteries this autumn for the Stoke-on-Trent Ceramics Festival 2007 (Oct.5-7).

Macdonald Hotels transforms Cheshire golf venue: Three championship golf courses and the largest indoor golf academy in Europe at The Portal Golf Club venue are to be part of the new four star Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa in Cheshire when it opens in July.


Belgium Facts

Area: 11,781 square miles (the size of Maryland).
Population: 10,204,000 (Brussels, 970,000; Antwerp, 480,000; Ghent, 234,000; Liège, 201,000).
Languages: Dutch, French, German.

Hotels in Popular Cities