Belgium is a popular Western European destination, bordered by The Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France and the North Sea. Belgium is relatively a very small country in terms of area but boasts of having so many attractions for sight-seeing. First off, if you are a US citizen you don’t need a Visa to get around Belgium as a tourist, all that’s required is a valid Blue passport and a TSA document such as a Driver’s license to land in this country for the purpose of tourism, allows stay for up to 90 days without a visa.
Belgium is dominated by two major ethnic groups: the French speaking Wallonia and the Dutch speaking Flanders. Brussels is popular for being known as the ‘Capital of Europe’, the country boasts of being home to such great cities like Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, Liege, Spa, Bastogne, Mons and Mechelen.
Belgium is a democratic country and a Monarchy, has its own constitution, the King is the head of the state and plays a major role in appointing the PM and the ministers who comprise the federal government.
Belgium is sometimes dubbed as the capital of chocolate, invented the popular Pralines chocolate ( a chocolate shell with a soft center) in 1912 and soon got recognition as being home to some of the best chocolate makers in the world, apart from chocolates Belgium is also popular for its food & beverage items like fries, waffles and beers.
Let us now find out what Belgium has to offer to its global tourists, let’s touch all the prime cities and try to get more city specific insights on this
Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Belgium, known for its lush green parks and the gorgeous forest- Sonian Forest. This city is strategically located at the center of European continent, makes it easier for tourists to travel easily by air or by vehicles from neighboring countries. Brussels has diverse cultures, languages and is also home to world organizations such as European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to name a few. English is widely spoken and you don’t need to know French to communicate with the people.
For the best landmark attractions we suggest La Grand Place, considered by many as Europe’s most beautiful medieval square, also a World UNESCO heritage site and Belgium’s most famous Opera house, La Monnaie for getting a feel of the best theatrical sound experience, we recommend you to spend a night here and enjoy the Opera experience while tasting some delectable regional food and spirits of this city. Brussels is also your hangout for exploring some of the best Belgian Chocolates, for this head to Place Du Grand Sablon which has numerous of these chocolate shops.
Antwerp
Antwerp is your destination for experiencing the funky nightlife of Belgium, numerous nightclubs, bars pubs and restaurants are scattered all around this city. This city is also famous for ‘The Antwerp Fashion Academy’ that has turned out many top designers, especially in the 1980s, the academy is also known by its nickname ‘The Antwerp Six’. Antwerp is also a shopaholic’s delight for shopping, houses some of the most fashionable brands and also boasts of being the biggest diamond center in the world. Truly an amazing place for your travel delights.
Ghent
Ghent is popular for the luxury cloths made from English wool and the city’s prosperity has been derived mainly from the numerous cloth manufacturing facilities spread across this city. Ghent is Belgium’s third largest city, most of its towns are closed to cars and moving around by foot is one of the best ways to explore it. Head here to explore its museums, historical buildings, a renowned Opera House, restaurants and its regional Stropke beer.
When you get to Ghent you mustn’t miss the ten day Ghent celebration festival which takes place in July every year, the festival showcases many events like theater performances, concerts, singing, dancing and drinking. The top attraction of this city is the popular painting (The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb), a 14th century painting collectively done by Jan and Hubert Van Eyc.
Spa
The concept of Spa has sprung from this small town in Belgium, Spa records a lot of tourist influx for its world class healing hot spring water treatments since the 14th century. Spa is also world famous for being home to the world’s first casino built in 1763, music festivals in its French speaking region (The Francopholies) and the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack which hosts Grand Prix every year in August.
Bastogne
Bastogne is a small Belgian town close to the Luxembourg border and is renowned for the American soldiers who died here in WWII’S ‘Battle of the Bulge’. The Grand Place of the town displays a Sherman Tank from the 11th US Armored Division and in the suburbs of this town you will find the Memorial which honors the American soldiers who have died in the WWII and the Wood of Peace, a forest that has 4000 trees planted to mark the 50th anniversary of the historic ‘Battle of the Bulge’, dedicated to the American Veterans who fought this war, Belgian combatants and all the civilians and soldiers who died in 1944- 1945.
