subject: Adventure Advice That Is Going To Help You For Sure, Acoording To Rene Fiereg [print this page] Rene Fiereg: Traveling to Belgium Rene Fiereg: Traveling to Belgium
Belgium is situated in the west of
Europe. The land here mostly comprises of flat coastal plains in the northeast, and southeast is
occupied by the Ardennes Forest. Dutch, Flemish, French and German are the official languages of
Belgium, with Dutch being the widely spoken followed by French. The weather here is pretty
predictable. Months from April to September are the warmest. Otherwise the weather is pretty
humid and skies are gray, that explains why umbrellas and raincoats are a part of the dressing.
So, if the visit is planned for holidays during the rainy season, one must not forget to carry
sufficient cover for maximum protection, as this is a coastal region. In case of emergency call
100 or 112.
Culture
Belgians are English-friendly and will make every attempt to speak in English
with a foreigner. Always remember to carry a small gift or at least flowers especially when
invited over dinner. The dress to wear will be mentioned in the invitation, when invited for a
party. Smoking in public is acceptable.
Shopping
Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, Ostend, Namur, Mons,
Lige, Ghent and Mechelen are the main shopping centers. Belgium is famous for ceramics and
hand-beaten copperware from Dinant, laces from Bruges, crystals from Val Saint Lambert,
woodcarvings from Spa and Belgiums finest chocolates. In jewelry, diamonds from Antwerp are on
high demand.
Eating Out according to Rene Fiereg:
The specialty of most of the restaurants is
horse and rabbit meat dishes. Although visitors can find a wide range of ethnic foods, but the
most famous are frites and mayonnaise and mitraillette; mitraillette is a large bun filled with
fries, donair meat and garlic sauce, the vegetarians can ask for a veg. substitute for the
donair meat. While eating at a restaurant, tipping is considered customary along with the
value-added tax. At the cinemas, leave a 0.50 tip for the attendant and 0.25 after using the
public toilets.
Travel
Delta Air Transport has inaugurated its new European airline SN Brussels
Airlines recently. It flies to more than 58 destinations in Europe and as well as worldwide. The
Brussels Zayentem airport is twelve km from the city and it takes 35 minutes to reach the city
from the airport. The airport has facilities like duty free shops, car parking, taxi booking,
car hiring, banks, post office, restaurants, and medical help. Internet and fax services are
provided for the passengers. The Airport City Express train transports passengers to three main
railway stations - Brussels North, Central and South. One can avail a bus which runs regularly
from the airport, taxis can also be hired which wait outside the arrival hall. Tipping the taxi
drivers is considered customary. Train runs every 15 minutes.
Another airport, Brussels South
Charleroi, is 5 km away from Charleroi and 46 km from Brussels. Ryan air serves as the local
airline here and has cheap deals for several European destinations to and from Charleroi. The
facilities provided here are bus and train services, caf, car hire, and duty free shops.
Ostend
airport is 5 km away from the city and car parking, car hire, duty free shops, and restaurants
are provided here.
Antwerp airport is just 2 km away from the city. Buses run to the Brussels
Central Station every few minutes.
Liege is situated at a distance of 5 km away from the city.
