Belgium Travel Guide

Compact enough to be covered in a week and spirited enough to count as one of Europe's most under-rated destinations, Belgium does many things well, not least winning over sceptical visitors. If all that comes to mind is waffles and EU bureaucracy, then the reality - with its frothing beer, medieval steeples and simmering cultural mix - will be a pleasant wake-up call.

True, Brussels has more than its share of faceless political buildings, but take a closer look and you'll find a dynamic city big on café living and Art Nouveau, while Antwerp and (particularly) Bruges are both custom-made for picture postcards, the pair of them rich with finely crafted Middle Ages architecture. The country itself is split into two sections - Flanders (the predominantly Dutch-speaking north) and Wallonia (the predominantly French-speaking south) - which, when taken together, add up to a visitor package far greater in scope than Belgium is generally given credit for.



History of Belgium

Belgium as a nation only came into being in 1831, after France helped it wrest its independence from the Netherlands and Leopold I was inaugurated as the country’s first king. Over the next century it evolved into a parliamentary democracy with French as the official language of government. French influences also dominated the mainstream culture, making the friction between Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia at times very pronounced. The era was also marked by the rise of Belgium as a colonial power, and is remembered for the brutal treatment of King Leopold II (son of Leopold I) in the Congo Free State.

The country suffered four years of German occupation during World War I, seeing some of the most intense conflicts of the entire campaign and emerging in ruinous condition, something repeated when it again fell into German hands over World War II. It experienced good post-war economic growth, however, and state reforms helped it to recover stability, although there remain tensions between Flanders and Wallonia. The current prime minister, Yves Leterme, took office for the second time in November 2009.
Belgium Culture
Religion:

Mainly Roman Catholic (75%, although few attend regular mass), with small Protestant and Jewish communities.
Social conventions:

Flemish Belgians will often prefer to answer visitors in English rather than French, even if the visitor's French is good. It is customary to bring flowers or a small present for the hostess, especially if invited for a meal. Dress is similar to other Western nations, depending on the formality of the occasion. If black tie/evening dress is to be worn, this is always mentioned on the invitation. Smoking is banned in venues where food is served.
Language in Belgium

The official languages are Dutch, French and German. Dutch is slightly more widely spoken than French, and German is spoken the least. English is widely spoken in the Flemish region.

Weather & climate
Best time to visit:

Belgium is a small country with little climatic variation, although the area around the Ardennes is more prone to continental weather than the area around Brussels, which conforms more to a temperate European climate. Throughout the country, warm weather can reasonably be expected from May to September and snow is likely during the winter months - temperatures, however, are rarely extreme. As elsewhere in Europe, the major historical sights draw particularly large crowds over summer. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year.
Required clothing:

Due to the aforementioned rainfall, waterproofs are advisable at all times of year. Otherwise, pack light clothing for summer and something warmer for winter months.
Geography

Belgium is situated in northwestern Europe, bordered by France to the south, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast and the Netherlands to the north. There is 60km (37 miles) of coastline to the northwest, on the North Sea. The national landscape is varied, with the rivers and gorges of the Ardennes in the southeast contrasting sharply with the rolling plains which make up much of the northern and western countryside. The country's two contingent parts - French-speaking Wallonia and Dutch-speaking Flanders - are roughly the same size. Capital city Brussels sits close to the centre of the country.