Short URL: http://tnot.es/BE - National Anthem of Belgium.
Belgium is also called Belgique in French and België in Dutch. It
is a constitutional monarchy and together with the Netherlands
and Luxembourg forms the Benelux Countries.
Belgium
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Guides, Brugge, Brussels, Brussels Accommodation, Cheap Hotels and Hostels in Belgium, Flanders Fields, Ghent, Historical Brussels, Map of Belgium, Visiting Belgium.
Driving From Brussels.
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Countries neighbouring Belgium are: Holland,
Germany, Luxembourg and France.
Weather in Belgium
View a graphical weather forecast for the week ahead in places around
Belgium.
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Weather.
Getting to Belgium
The main railway station in Brussels is the Gare du Midi; the nucleus
of the Belgian railway system.
Airlines and Airports:
The Belgian national airline is Sabena.
Tourist Information
Visit Belgium:
The domain of the Belgian Tourist Office in America.
Language
You'll hear a variety of languages in Belgium: Dutch in the north,
French in the south, and German along the eastern border.
The majority of the population speak Dutch, formerly known as Flemish,
and the rest speak French; the French-speakers making up the larger group in Brussels.
Some people are bilingual, and many Belgians speak English as well.
Displaying the most popular 51 of 333 cities in Belgium.
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The capital of Belgium, also spelt Bruxelles in French or Brussel
in Dutch, is on the Senne River; in the middle of the country.
Brussels is the headquarters of the European
Union and NATO.
The town developed from Gallo-Roman settlements in the marshes of the
Senne Valley before the 7th century AD and probably derived its name from the Dutch word
Broekzelle; meaning village of the marsh.
In 1383 Brussels replaced Louvain as the capital of the Duchy of
Brabant and continued to be a seat of government for the next four centuries.
Brabant was amalgamated by the duchy of Burgundy in 1430, then became
a possession of the Austrian Habsburgs in 1477.
The city was made the capital of the Netherlands in 1530 [See Holland].
Before the European Commission erected their modern architectural
statements, the futuristic, molecular shaped Atomium was a modern symbol of Brussels.
The Brussels theme park attracts visitors to see the mini- replicas of
Europe's monuments.
Historical landmarks in the capital of Belgium include a
13th-century Gothic church, famous for its stained-glass windows, the Nôtre Dame de
Finistère, and St Jacques sur Coudenberg.
The Gothic style Hôtel de Ville dates from the 15th century; the
Palais de la Nation from the 18th- century, and the Palais de Justice from the 19th-
century.
Grand-Place
Emperor Charles V established Brussels as his northern capital 450
years ago. The Grand-Place, in the centre of the city, has majestic baroque Guild Halls
and is a striking testament to Belgium's place in history.
La Bourse
The stock exchange, near the Grand-place, is housed in a neo-classical
building topped by Rodin statues.
To the west of La Bourse are some of the city's trendiest watering
holes.
Parc de Bruxelles
The Royal Palace is the king's official residence, built on the site
of the old dukes of Brabant's seat; which burned down in 1731.
At the other end of the Parc de Bruxelles is the Belgian Parliament;
housed in the 18th-century Palais de la Nation.
Sightseeing
City
Sightseeing in Brussels:
Take a city sightseeing tour round the heart of Europe and see the elaborate buildings of
La Grande Place then enjoy a beer in the shade of medieval guild houses and browse round
the chocolate shops - if you dare.
Leave and re-board the bus as often as you like within the stated
validity period of your ticket (usually 24 hours) and enjoy the City of Brussels at your
own pace.
Brussels City Sightseeing Tours, with multi-lingual commentary, start
from Central Station; every hour, between 10:00 and 18:00, and take about 90 minutes.
Brussels Tour Ideas:
More ideas for sightseeing tours originating in Brussels.
Accommodation in Brussels
Hotels
in Brussels:
Find hotels in Brussels with special online rates.
Sort Brussels Hotels by: Hotel
Price, Hotel
Rating, Hotel
Name.
| Conrad Hotel:
Brussels. |
Avenue Louise 71.
Hotel Details.
Hotel Rates.
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View Map.Official
Website:
Conrad
Brussels. |
Recreated within an
original 19th-century facade, Conrad Brussels is a boutique hotel located on the famed and
highly fashionable Avenue Louise, and offers exceptionally stylish and elegant
surroundings, where you can discover the luxury of being yourself. The largest, most
sophisticated luxury hotel guestrooms in Brussels, an unrivalled guest service commitment
and the unparalleled cuisine of our hotel restaurant all come together at the Conrad
Brussels.
Hotel amenities include the Cafe Wiltcher's (brasserie-style restaurant with
international cuisine), Le Lobby Lounge, and three-level health and fitness spa with its
indoor pool, steam room, sauna, Turkish bath, and massage and beauty treatments.
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the Conrad Hotel
All rooms feature high-speed Internet access and double-glazed windows.
The hotel also offers concierge assistance, 24-hour room service, valet parking, a
business centre, 24-hour front desk service, floor butlers, babysitting, laundry
facilities, and dry cleaning. |
| Hotel Le Plaza:
Brussels. |
Bd Adolphe Maxlaan 118-126.
Hotel Details.
Hotel Rates.
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View Map.Official
Website:
Hotel Le Plaza. |
Le Plaza Hotel was
built in 1930 in the heart of Brussels' historical and cultural district, on a major
thoroughfare between the Nord and Midi train stations. The building was modelled on the
famous George V Hotel in Paris; with spacious luminous interiors.
Le Plaza quickly became a meeting place for Brussels' high society, and well-known
figures in politics, finance and the arts soon began staying there whenever they were in
Brussels.
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Book a Room at
the Hotel Le Plaza
In 1996, the hotel was completely renovated in a spirit of traditional luxury combined
with the most modern equipment, so it has all the advantages required to make it one of
the finest of European luxury hotels.
The rooms are personalised with elegant decoration and furniture, combining tradition
and modern comfort.
The Esterel, the hotel’s restaurant, is located in the heart of the hotel and
seats 48. |
| Metropole Hotel:
Brussels. |
31 Place De Brouckere.
Hotel Details.
Hotel Rates.
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Website:
Metropole Hotel. |
The Hotel Métropole
is located on the Place de Brouckère, between the Boulevard Anspach and the Boulevard du
Nord; two thriving centres of entertainment and business. Recently restored to its Belle
Epoque glory, the Métropole is the city's only remaining 19th century hotel. It has a
sumptuous lobby glittering with chandeliers and many of its original features. The 305
rooms (including 14 suites) are rather less elaborate.
A superbly renovated hotel (110 years old in 2005) whose gracious charm has been
splendidly preserved.
Guaranteed Best Hotel Rates
Online
Book a Room at
the Metropole Hotel
The hotel's restaurant l'Alban Chambon offers classical yet daring French dining in an
unique italian baroque environment. |
Or use the map to find and book the perfect hotel in
Brussels by location.
Brussels
Hotels:
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eBrussels Hotels:
This site is a front for TravelNow hotel reservations but it's beautifully presented with
interior pictures of the hotels and candid descriptions. Also includes practical
information about Brussels, its bars, museums and best spots to visit.
Antwerp is one of the busiest ports in the world, even though it
is located on the Schelde River between the North Sea and Brussels. It is also connected
to Liège by the Albert Canal.
Antwerp replaced the walls that formerly encircled the city with a
system of boulevards.
The cathedral of Notre Dame is the largest church in Belgium, and
contains several paintings by Rubens; who spent most of his life in Antwerp.
The market-place in Antwerp is interesting for the surrounding
Guildhouses; built during the Middle Ages, when Antwerp grew into one of Europe's leading
trading centres and the first European stock exchange was founded.
Antwerp has also been a centre for diamond cutting since the
16th-century.
The city's fine arts museum contains paintings by several of the
Flemish masters.
Accommodation in Antwerp
Hotels
in Antwerp:
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The Flemish Painters
Northern Europe was one of the centres of the Renaissance during the
15th and 16th centuries.
The Flemish painters Hubert van Eyck and Jan van Eyck, Hieronymus
Bosch, and Pieter Bruegel the Elder were among the outstanding artists of this period.
Rubens and Sir Anthony van Dyck were outstanding in the 17th century,
and are regarded by many as two of the most important Flemish painters.
The Monarchy
King Albert II became the sixth king of the Belgians on August 9,
1993.
His older brother, King Badouin, had been Europe's longest-ruling
monarch at the time of his sudden death on July 31. The former king left no heirs.
Albert's eldest son, Prince Phillipe, was expected to follow his
uncle, but Albert's decision not to renounce the throne was considered his duty.
Albert tries to use his role as a symbol of Belgian unity; urging
caution against further national dissolution.
The rivers and canals that cut through Ghent divide the city into
a number of small islands, which are connected by a network of some 200 bridges.
Every five years Ghent hosts the flower shows called Floralies,
attracting visitors from all over the world.
In the suburbs of St Amandsberg is a small, walled town containing
numerous small houses, 18 convents, and a church.
700 members of the Béguines sisterhood devote themselves to
charitable work.
The Cathedral of St Bavon, with a crypt dating from 941, houses the
celebrated 12-panelled Adoration of the Lamb, painted by Hubert van Eyck and Jan van Eyck.
Accommodation in Ghent
Hotels
in Ghent:
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Situated near the ports of Oostende and Zeebrugge, Bruges is a
popular weekend destination for many British stocking up on cheaper tobacco and beer.
There is even a small smuggling operation between Belgium and Britain.
If you haven't come to northern Belgium for as many packets of rolled
tobacco as you can squeeze into a shoulder bag before the ferries turn around, then you
will have time to explore Bruges.
There are many medieval buildings in Bruges, including the
13th-century market hall; the Cathedral of St. Salvator; the Chapel of the Precious Blood;
the 13th-century church of Notre Dame; and the Hôtel de Ville -- the oldest town hall in
Belgium.
Among the art treasures not to be missed are a marble Virgin and
Child, attributed to Michelangelo, and paintings by Hans Memling and Jan van Eyck.
The counts of Flanders fortified Bruges in the 9th century and it
prospered as a trading port until the rivers silted and the city became known as
Bruges-la-Morte; dead Bruges in French.
Construction of the canal between Bruges and Zeebrugge early in the
20th century brought the city back to life.
More than 50 bridges span the canals in the city, and they open for
ships to pass.
Bruges
Countryside Tour:
Get away from museums and churches for a day and learn some more about this beautiful and
unique little country. You'll travel around the beautiful Flemish countryside taking in
some of the historic castles and picturesque villages along the way, with stops for
chocolate, waffles and of course some Belgian beer -- after the brewery tour. Departs
Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at 09:15, from Park Hotel in Bruges, and returns at around
16:30.
Accommodation in Brugge
Hotels
in Brugge:
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Sort Brugge Hotels by: Hotel
Price, Hotel
Rating, Hotel
Name.
Hotel de
Tuilerieen:
This elegant 15th century mansion, with a privileged location alongside one of the most
picturesque canals in the historic city of Bruges, has been converted into a stylish,
luxury hotel - for visitors to Belgium who like a little something special.
Hansa Hotel:
Once built as a private mansion in 1869, later in the hands of bankers, this magnificent
19th century classical building has been renovated and converted into the Hansa Hotel.
Hotel Lucca:
What was formerly the Lucca warehouse has been converted into a soberly furnished hotel
with 18 rooms.
Flanders
Fields Tour:
Tour the ANZAC and Canadian monuments and other battlefield sights. There's plenty of war
evidence still to be found, like preserved trenches, underground dugouts where the
soldiers used to sleep, giant mine craters, preserved battlefield and even bombs lying all
over the place. Also includes Ypres, Menin Gate, Tyne Cot Cemetery and Passchendale.
More detailed travel destination information for:
Brussels.
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to Belgium:
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