Belgium travel guide
Belgium information
Belgium is nestled among France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, with 43 miles of coast line. Belgium is divided into 2 main sectors: Flanders is the Flemish speaking flatlands of the north-west, reaching to the coast and Wallonia or Walloon, the French speaking south-east part. This is a charming country with its wonderful museums, long stretches of beaches, beautifully wooded region of the Ardennes and the pasture lands of Flanders. The district of Ghent is renowned for its orchids, begonias and its azaleas. Most cities have beautiful public parks and a colorful cafe lifestyle. It is a marvelous place to take a holiday. French and Flemish are the official languages but most people you will make contact with have a good working knowledge of English.
Belgium is a Catholic country and, as a consequence, processions and pageants take place all over the country at different times of the year. Some interesting ones include the Carnival of Binches on Shrove Tuesday with the Procession of the Gillies; the Procession of the Holy Blood at Bruges on the Monday after 2nd May; the Combat of the Lumecon, a local version of St. George and the Dragon as well as the Procession of the Golden Cast of Ste. Waudru, both taking place at Mons on Trinity Sunday; Procession of the Pentinents at Furnes on the last Sunday in July; historic cortege and St. Guidon Procession at Anderlecht on September 16th. The most beautiful and spectacular is the mystery called 'Jeu du Saint Sang' played every 5 years in July/August on the open square at the foot of the belfry in Bruges. It relates the story of the relic of the Holy Blood belonging to the city of Bruges.
In Belgium you will eat some of the finest food in Europe. Many people think Brussels ranks with Paris when it comes to food. Local specialties are choesels a la Bruxelloise (kidneys), waterzoo (chicken in broth), lobster in whiskey sauce, snipe cooked in brandy, chicken in sherry. Some of the most famous restaurants in the world are in Brussels. Among them are: La Couronne and Les Ambassadeurs (Au Filet de Boeuf) on the Town Hall Square. Restaurant Chantraine (Epaule de Mouton) is over 290 years old and is a famous name in cuisine. It is located just off the Grand' Place. There are many other restaurants, equally good and at prices to suit all pockets.
Ardennes: Wooded hills and valleys, steep rocks and winding streams abundant with fish, forests teeming with deer, ruins of ancient castles, watermills and hunting lodges - such is the scenery in Ardennes and Fagne. La Roche, Ciney, Boullien and Arlon are worth a trip. The Grotto of Han on the Lesse river are also worth seeing. Pay a visit, too, to at least one of the many war memorials that remember the victims from all over the world who fell during the Battle of the Bulge.
Beloeil Castle: Is the residence of the Princes de Ligne. Rich museums, splendid French style park with ornamental lakes