Travel in Belgium – Hotels, Belgium Vacations, Lodging, Trips, Attractions and Travel Guide



Belgium: A Tourists Dream

Vacation and Travel to Belgium
Bruges

The country of Belgium is in Northwestern Europe and is the founding member of the European Union in 1993, and is home to its headquarters. Belgium straddles the boundaries of culture with a population that speaks Fleming and French, plus a tiny portion that speaks German. Belgium shares its borders with France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Festivals in Belgium take root from folklore tales and plays an important part of the culture. There are several local festivals and celebration that revolve around religious or mythological events and backgrounds.

The Carnival of Biche takes place every year and is famous for drawing record crowds of people to Belgium and Biche, and provides much needed revenue for the town through tourism. The carnival finds its religious roots in Catholicism and it ends the last day before Ash Wednesday. History dates the carnival back to 1549, but still others claim the event is much older. The carnival is divided into two main categories; the first part is the forty-nine days prior to Lent and before the actual carnival, but still considered as part of the carnival. On Sunday, for seven straight weeks, there are ritualistic ceremonies, dances, acts and preparations that occur. Then there are the three, “fatty” days. The main attraction takes place in the middle of town and there are clown-like performers who dance to the sounds of drums. During the third and fourth Sundays, people gather in the street and march and dance in elaborate costumes. It is on a Monday, when the citizens of Biche gather in the streets to traditionally walk around in public in their costumes, if their identity is not concealed well enough they must pay the person who identifies them, there are honors bestowed on those who successfully pull off hiding their identity.

Belgium is also known for its diverse cuisine and the best restaurants are listed in the Michelin Guide, which is an annual series of books that contain the finest restaurants and hotels in Europe. Contrary to popular belief, Belgium is actually the home of french fries, which refers to the manner in which the potatoes are cut. National dishes include “steak and fries”, and “mussels and fries”. Belgium is also famous for its chocolates and pralines, and some of the most popular and delectable are Godiva, Guylian, Neuhaus and Leonidas.

Tongeren is the oldest city in Belgium and was originally a Roman stronghold. The town has been destroyed twice, once by the Norsemen and the by Salian Franks. In the town center is The Gallo Roman Museum, which is built on the remains of what used to be a large villa and the remains of the 4th century Roman tower is still intact. One of the most remarkable structures in Tongren is Our Ladys Basilica, with its 64 foot tall bell tower. The church has a long history and was built in 1240. Also located in Tongren is Church of Notre Dame and the Sunday flea markets which are brimming with fabulous handcrafted items.

Belgium has over three-thousand castles, three-hundred of which are open to the public for touring. The Gravensteen Castle in Ghent, is one of the most popular and best-known. This castle has a strong system of moats, built between 1180 and 1200, and is surrounded by the river Lieve. Gravensteen served as a military base for many years and served as the town mint, court, prison and cotton mill. There are crypts under the castle and a dungeon complete with torture devices on display. The castle is open in the summer months from April to September and during the fall season from October to March.

There are many hotels in Belgium that are built from old buildings and hold historical charm and elegance. Many tourists enjoy staying at the Queen Anne Mozart Aristotle, the Scandic Hotel Grand Place or the Hotel Le Dome. Belgium has a maritime climate which has cold winters and warm summers, snow is possible, but infrequent. Belgium has been a steadily growing tourist haven, having some of the most beautiful landscapes and interesting attractions in Europe.

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