Sat July 4, 2009
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Bruges
Traveling to Belgium
Traveling to Belgium? Want to know how to get there, where to go, what to see? We're not travel agents, just beer importers, but we love Belgium and have been there many times. Here are some of the recommendations we pass on when people call us about a trip to Belgium.
A little diversion...Read our guide to find out if you've been in Belgium a little too long.
Click here.
Getting There...
Guides to Getting Around...
Start with Michael Jackson's The Great Beers of Belgium . An important part of Belgian culture is the beer, and a fascinating way to discover the country is through visiting its breweries. Michael Jackson's book is the definitive source for information about Belgian beer culture, breweries, and beer styles. This is an indispensable source for those wishing to learn more about the breweries to visit, or about the 300+ beers to taste in Belgium. If you forget to get this book before you go, you can now pick it up at the W.H. Smith Bookstore located in Brussels at 71 Adolf Max. This English bookstore is worth a visit!
Getting beyond beer... The Belgian Tourist offices located in each city (almost always on the Grand Place) are indispensable resources for road maps, bike trip, and rail guides to Belgium, as well as events, accommodations, and restaurant recommendations. Well worth a visit when you get there.
Belgium by Bike ... There is no better way to see Belgium than by bike. This country makes biking particularly accessible. Most roads have bike lanes, most cities have places to rent bikes reasonably, and many have tours of the surrounding countryside.
Bandes Dessinees - The most visited
site in Brussels is the museum of the comic strip. It sounds silly,
but it is fabulous. Belgian "bande-desinneeists" have elevated the
medium to an art - and there's even a scholarly research library on the
ground floor of the handsome Victor Horta designed, art nouveau, former
department store that houses the museum.
On-line Belgian Travel Resources
The Belgian Travel Network offers online guides to major Belgian cities, maps, accommodations, events, and more! Don't get on the plane without looking at this site first.
Belgian Tourist Office - The Official site of the the Belgian Tourist Office in The Americas -a must for planning your visit to Belgium.
Belgian Embassy - Read the "Belgium Today" bi-monthly newsletter to keep current with Belgian and Belgian-American happenings.
Belgian Culture - visit this site for Belgian travel links, restaurant info, trivia (including a list of famous Belgians), and more!
Events Worth Planning Your Trip
Contact the Belgian Tourist Office at 011 32 2/513 89 40 for more info. on most events.
January - Antique Fair in Brussels
February - Binche Carnaval - Better than Mardi Gras.
July - Ommegang Pageant - a centuries old tradition, the pageant was originally given for Emperor Charles IV. It's filled with flag-throwers, brightly bedecked horses, stilt stunts, and a parade of the guilds. Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY stages their own version of the pageant.
August - Every two years, during the third week of August, Belgian begonia cultivators decorate the Market Place with a beautiful flower carpet.
September - The Poperinge Hop Festival, held every two years (this year holds a festival!)
October - Jenever festival in Hasselt is a celebration of the local jenever and the program of events includes a fastest-running waiter competition, the Borrelmanneke (literally the little schnapps man) and a fun fair.
October - 24 Hours of Beer "The Great Belgian Beer Festival" held in Antwerp
December - Holiday Christmas Market - in the Grand Place in Brussels.
