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Holiday Rentals Belgium Locals will tell you that Belgium is more than just beer and chocolate, and they’re right. Still, no European vacation is complete without a trip to one of Belgium’s 2,000 artisan chocolate shops. Nor will even the most avid beer lovers will find it easy to sample every last one of Belgium’s hundreds of beer varieties, from the refreshing lager of Stella Artois to the fruity-sweet, purple-colored Kirks brew (served in a goblet-shaped glass), the full-bodied Leffe ale to the hardy Duvel (Dutch for “Devil).
Yet visitors to Belgium less enamored of such sinful consumables need not worry; from the vibrant, cosmopolitan culture of Belgium’s major cities to its picturesque, pastoral countryside, Belgium is a gem for travelers. Consider the city of Bruges, a fairytale city of castles and canals known throughout Europe as the “Venice of the North”. So beautiful is Bruges, that even Hitler could not bring himself to bomb this medieval wonderland. Spend a morning walking through its enchanted cobblestone streets and discover the magic of centuries seeping out from every corner. It’s not uncommon to see splendid street performance of classical music upon a pedestrian bridge, or an aristocratic wedding spill out from one of the ancient churches, and into a caravan of horse-drawn buggies.
Yet despite its medieval charm, throughout Belgium you’ll find the excitement of modernity. Belgium in the 21st century has become ground zero for the resolution of pan-European issues. Even traditional power centers such as London are starting to see their influence wane as European Union’s power centers gravitate toward Brussels. Indeed, if you’re staying in Belgium, Brussels is a fascinating base camp. Full of museums, concerts, live music, Parisian-style café culture and more, Brussels can’t be missed.
But don’t forget Antwerp. If it’s fashion and Bohemian culture you seek, then set your gaze north. The port city, although small, rivals Italy for fashion, and Amsterdam in permissiveness. Its red-light district is far less hyped than its neighbor to the north, but nonetheless exotic and tantalizing. And numerous bars and nightclubs and cafés provide a perfect backdrop for that distinctly European experience, if a little bit off the beaten track.
Overall, travel in Belgium is safe and efficient, benefiting from high public transportation capacity. Belgium has well-maintained rail links to several other countries, including the Netherlands and France. Major air hubs such as Frankfurt are nearby, giving Belgians and visitors several good options for international travel.
Belgium’s year round climate veers toward the mild, though winters can range from chilly to bitter, though they are relatively dry. Residents find charm in all of Belgium’s seasons, though visitors from some regions may prefer summer for a first visit. Many artists have found inspiration in Belgium’s blue skies and low, green hills—maybe you can too. |
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