The original do-it-yourself travel guide to Europe SM

BELGIUM
Prime Travel Data

Belgium is in western Europe on the North Sea.
It is is bounded by Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and France.

A page of the Prime Travel Data section from enjoy-europe.com with John Bermont


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Belgium
Michelin Green Guide


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Note: Italicized notations by the author.


Important information about this data sheet. Revised 27 March 2011
Native name Belgique and Belgie
Capital Brussels (Bruxelles and Brussel)
Postal code B
Telephone code +32. See Chapter 19.
Language Dutch and French
Currency Euro. See Euro and Other Currencies.
European Union Member. See Chapter 25.
Schengen Agreement Member. See Chapter 3.
Time zone GMT+1. See Chapter 28.
Electricity 220 volts, 50 Hz. See Chapter 11.


General open hours, often longer in major cities  
Restaurants 1200-1500-, 1900-2300
Banks 0900-1530 M-F (many are closed at lunch)
Post offices 0900-1700 M-F
Stores 0930-1800 M-Sat
City Tourist Offices 0900-1900 (Summer 0900-2000)


Date Holiday Jour de Fête (French)
Feestdag (Dutch)
Jan 1 New Year's Day Nouvel An
Nieuwjaar
  Easter Monday lundi de pâques
pasen
May 1 National Holiday fête du travail
feest van de arbeid
  Ascension Day ascension
hemelvaartsdag
  Whit Monday lundi de pentecôte
pinksteren
Jul 21 Independence Day fête nationale
nationale feestdag
Aug 15  Assumption assomption
maria hemelvaart
Nov 1 All Saints' Day Toussaint
Heiligdag
Nov 11  Armistice armistice
wapenstilstandsdag
Dec 25 Christmas noël
kerstmis


Belgian Offices in the USA
Embassy
T 202-333-6900
F 202-333-3079
Embassy of Belgium, Washington, DC
3330 Garfield St. NW
Washington, DC 20008
Consulates See the embassy website.
Tourist Office
T 212-758-8130
F 212-355-7675
Belgian National Tourist Office
220 E 42nd Street, Suite 3402
New York, NY 10017


American Offices in Belgium
Embassy
T 02-508-2111
F 02-511-2725
United States Embassy, Brussels, Belgium
27 Boulevard du Regent 
B-1000 Bruxelles


USA is known as: États-Unis or as Verenigde Staten


NOTE TO READERS

I welcome your questions and comments. If you have any concerns about your trip to Europe that have not been covered well enough in this chapter do not hesitate to write and ask.

My email address is johnbermont@enjoy-europe.com.

When you write please include as much detail as possible. There are about 50 countries in Europe. It will help me answer if you mention the countries and/or cities you plan to visit. I will reply in a day or two.

Don't forget to scroll through the Table of Contents below. All 30 chapters of HOW TO EUROPE are also available, free to read on line. In addition, the Google search box below can locate specific subjects in any chapter or page on site.

For a check-off punchlist of everything go to The Finale, Packing List and Last Call For Travel In Europe .

If you know of someone else who would appreciate reading this web page please send the URL link to him or her. To easily do that, click your "File" tab in the tool bar and scroll down to "Send" or "Send Link." Your friend will thank you, and I thank you.

Recommended books for further information:

There are plenty of guide books for Belgium. Michelin Red Guides (hotels and restaurants) and Michelin Green Guides (man-made and natural wonders) are my favorites but there are many other good ones. Some publishers produce "Benelux" books. Because Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxemburg are so small they are often grouped as "Benelux." Notice that I do not recommend any Frommers, Dummies, Steves, or other inferior guides. For some of the reasons please go to the hoi polloi.

As one example of a substandard guide, I have a 400+ page book titled Rick Steves' France, Belgium, & The Netherlands which has not a single mention of Marseille, Dijon, or Aix-en-Provence. That's like leaving Chicago, New Orleans, and Newport Beach out of a USA travel guide. But this book did include enough pages to promote his whirlwind guided bus tours, videos, backpacks, sink stoppers, and Steves' other branded products. A page of sophomoric French phrases plus sort-of maps cap off the disaster. Steves is strong on self promotion but weak on meaningful content.

For the good stuff, the links below take you directly to a page at Amazon.com. That page details the item, and in some cases includes candid comments from others who have bought the item. Enjoy-Europe.com benefits when you order here. Thanks for your support!

Note: emphasis in the titles is mine — to help you in finding the information you need. Don't worry too much about publication dates. Many books are updated every three to six years. The monuments and cathedrals haven't moved in 500 years!
Guides
Michelin Green Guide: Belgium Luxembourg, English Edition
Michelin Red Guide Belgique - Luxembourg 2010 Annual Guide
Fodor's Belgium, 4th Edition
Insight Guides Belgium
Berlitz Belgium
Blue Guide Belgium, Ninth Edition
Brussels (DK Eyewitness Travel Guides)
Top 10 Brussels & Antwerp Bruges, Ghent (DK Eyewitness Travel Guides)
Fodor's Brussels' & Bruges' 25 Best, 4th Edition


Maps
  Lonely Planet Best of Brussels Bruges Antwerp and Ghent Encounter
  Michelin Map Belgium Luxembourg
  Streetwise Brussels Map
 

Words (French and Dutch are both spoken in Belgium)
French Words
  Larousse Concise French/English-English/French Dictionary
  Berlitz French Phrase Book & Dictionary
  Oxford-Hachette French-English/English-French Dictionary
  Collins Gem French Dictionary
  Fodor's Fodor's French for Travelers (Cassette Package)
Dutch Words
  Berlitz Dutch Phrase Book
  Hippocrene Dutch-English/English-Dutch Concise Dictionary

Life and Leisure etc.
  Good Beer Guide to Belgium
  The Garden Lover's Guide to the Netherlands and Belgium
  Living and Working in Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg
 

History
  The History of Belgium: Part 1. Cæsar to Waterloo
  The History of Belgium: Part 2. 1815-1865. Waterloo to the Death of Leopold I

Icons tell you where to find services in the Brussels Midi/Zuid train station. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/P1020016-BrusselsMidiZuid.jpg Icons tell you where to find services in the Brussels Midi/Zuid train station.
Travelers Supplies
Shopping easy at

You will need one or more of these plug adapters for your appliances and chargers.
Electrical Plug Adapter USA to Continental Europe
Plug Adapter (doubler)
Universal to Continental Europe "Europlug."
4.0 mm prongs


SIMRAN PLUG ADAPTER - CONVERTS GROUNDED USA PLUGS TO EUROPE PLUG-GERMAN SHUCKO PLUG (VP 11W)
SIMRAN PLUG ADAPTER
Adapts grounded USA plugs to European "Shucko" plug.
4.8 mm prongs


For charging the batteries of more than one gizmo at a time use this 250 volt universal power strip. It comes with a grounded Continental plug so it does not need an adapter plug for Europe.
Universal Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip for AC 220V/240V Countries. Max Load 13A 250V 50/60HZ - 450 Joules. CE Certified
Surge Protector
Power Strip
6 Universal Outlets
220/240 Volt 50/60Hz


Save money on auto, SUV, and RV rentals.



Who wrote this?

Home and general index.
Table of Contents
HOW TO EUROPE
The Complete Travelers Handbook

All of the text, updated to March 2011, is available on line, FREE. Updated photographs with captions are available on line for those chapters as noted "with illustrations."
The entire book, copyright 2003, can be purchased by clicking Amazon.com.
Chapter 1, with illustrations.
What's It All About?
In Europe, Travel Like a Native


Chapter 2
On Budget in Europe
Travel Costs


Chapter 3
Passport and Visas
Identity and Travel Documents for Europe


Chapter 4
Flying to Europe
Travel Starts at the Airport


Chapter 5
What to Wear in Europe
Travel Clothes for all Occasions


Chapter 6
Your Packing List for Europe
A Short List for Travelers


Chapter 7
Luggage for Europe
Let It Roll


Chapter 8
Cash, ATMs, Credit Cards
Travel Money in Europe


Chapter 9
Your Travel Diary of Europe
Notes Supplement Your Photos


Chapter 10
Europe Guide Books and Maps
Travel in Europe with a Good Guide Book


Chapter 11
Electricity in Europe
Travel Voltage Fundamentals


Chapter 12, with illustrations.
Photography in Europe
Travel with Your Camera


Chapter 13
Bring a Smile
Travel Europe in Good Attitude


Chapter 14
European Hotels, Hostels, B&Bs, and Private Homes
Sleep Options for Travel in Europe


Chapter 15
Eating In Europe
Travel on Your Belly


Chapter 16
City Transport in Europe
Travel by Bus, Streetcar, Subway, Taxi, Bike, and Shoe Leather


Chapter 17, part 1,
with illustrations.
Trains in Europe
Travel Europe by Train, Bus, and Ferry


Chapter 17, part 2,
with illustrations.
European Rail Stations
Travel Europe by Train


Chapter 17, part 3,
with illustrations.
Night Trains in Europe
City to City While You Sleep


Chapter 17, part 4,
with illustrations.
Europe's Bus and Ship Services
Hit the Road or Take a Ferry


Chapter 18, with illustrations.
Driving in Europe
Travel by Car, Van, or Motorcycle


Chapter 19, part 1
Telephoning to, from, and within Europe
City Codes, 10-10, telephone cards, cell phones, PTT


Chapter 19, part 2
Sending Snail Mail to & from Europe
Air Mail, Priority Mail, PTT, Poste Restante, Amex


Chapter 19, part 3
Internet and Email in Europe
Cyber Cafes, Keyboards, Password, Your Laptop


Chapter 19, part 4
Telegrams
Wiring Cash and Keeping in Touch


Chapter 20
Health and Safety in Europe
Travel in Confidence but with Caution


Chapter 21
Working in Europe
Travel for Free


Chapter 22, part 1
Moving to Europe
Travel to the Max as an Expatriate


Chapter 22, part 2
Living in Europe
Travel to the Max as an Expatriate


Chapter 23, with illustrations.
Shopping in Europe
Buy Your Souvenirs, Gifts, and Stuff You Can't Live Without


Chapter 24
Shipping Your Treasures Home from Europe
Travelers Have a Number of Options


Chapter 25
Passing Customs in Europe
Know the Rules When Crossing Borders


Chapter 26
European Languages, Numbers, Alphabets
Encounter The Tower of Babel in Europe


Chapter 27
Metric System in Europe
Travel with Grams, Meters, Liters, and Celsius


Chapter 28
Time and Dates in Europe
Travel in a Different Time Zone


Chapter 29
Weather in Europe
Travel with Your Umbrella


Chapter 30
Melding with Europe
Travel Is Interesting and Entertaining




The Finale
Packing List and Last Call
For Travel In Europe
Learn the basic infrastructure:

Prime Travel Data
Elementary Travel Information for Europe
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland

France
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Slovakia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom

Utilize John Bermont's exclusive:

TRAVELERS YELLOW PAGES
A Directory of Links to Products, Services, and Information
Airlines to Europe
National Tourist Offices
City Tourist Offices
City Information and Tours
Country Information and Tours
Luggage and Backpacks
Discount Air Travel
Villas and Homes for Rent
Hostels in Europe
Hotels in Europe
Auto Rental in Europe
Rail Services of Europe
Eclectic Travel Sites
Internet Search Engines
Photography
Guide Books for Europe
Educational Programs
Newsletters from Europe
Personal Travel Pages
Personal Trip Planning

Get open hours, costs, locations, and more:

Travelers Portfolio
Essential Visitors Information for the Top Sights of Europe
       Amsterdam       
Anne Frank Huis
Rijksmuseum
Van Gogh Museum
       London       
British Museum
Buckingham Palace
National Gallery
Natural History Museum
Palace of Westminster
St. Paul's Cathedral
Tower of London
Westminster Abbey
       Paris coming soon       
Arc de Triomphe
Tour Eiffel
Hôtel des Invalides
Musée de l'Armée
Opera
Montmarte
Cathédrale Notre Dame
Musée d'Orsay
Musée du Louvre

Exchange rates, weather, maps:

Up-To-The-Minute
Be informed before you go.
       Money Exchange
Currency exchange rates, including the euro, British pound, Swiss Frank.
       Weather in Europe
Current European weather conditions and forecasts. Good luck.
    Maps and Time Zones
Free online maps of Europe. Guide to setting your watch ahead.

Captioned photos from Europe

PhotoLog
Pictures of what we do in Europe.
       Queen's Day
Holland hosts a great one-day party, annually on April 30. Here is the action in Haarlem and Amsterdam.
       Keukenhof
A beautiful huge tulip garden blooms during middle spring. We made a leisurely bike ride from Haarlem.
       Bull Flight
My daughter Stephanie enters the ring and encounters a baby bull in Spain, then flies for her life!
O hey Europe Stephanie's Blog. A 22 year old spends a month in Paris, with a weekend diversion to La Baule on the Atlantic coast.

Didn't find what you need yet?
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Copyright
Internet edition
© 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001 James J. Broad
© 1987, 1986, 1984, 1982 Murphy & Broad Publishing Co.
All rights reserved. Tous droits réservés.
This is copyrighted material. Do not reproduce, copy, plagiarize, store, modify, extract,
transmit, or purloin any part of this publication in any nation in any form or by any means
or for any purpose whatsoever without permission in writing.

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Travelers:
You may print one copy of this chapter for your personal use. To order the complete book with all of the captioned photographs see the next section below.

Permissions:
If you want to copy any of this material to your web site, book, article, or term paper please ask first. Note that plagiarism includes paraphrasing text and even copying ideas. Everything on this page is original. Students, professors, journalists, and writers are outed almost every day, caught stealing the works of others and presenting it as their own work. Then they make excuses when caught. Then they are thrown out of school or fired, or they run for Vice President when they get away with it. At least one other travel writer has plagiarized heavily from my work, claiming and getting credit for writing a few dozen books every year. Some of his books have included my work for years on end, without credit. For honorable people, permissions are freely granted so you don't need to cheat, steal, and lie. Just say where you found the information and ideas. For permissions contact: johnbermont@enjoy-europe.com.

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No personal information is collected when you visit this site. To read the complete privacy policy go to Privacy Policy.

Site Map:
To see everything on this site in one compact listing go to Site Map


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The original
do-it-yourself
travel guide to
Europe.
SM


470 pages
7" x 10" softcover
345 b/w photos
Last Call checklists
and detailed index
© 2003
ISBN 0-940792-69-9
$28.50


Order from
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The cover of How To Europe shows the interior of Centraal Station in Antwerp, Belgium.

Read more about it at:
HOW TO EUROPE
The Complete Travelers Handbook
2011 — Our 29th Anniversary!


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FLAGS of EUROPE

Flag of Austria
Austria
Flag of Belgium
Belgium
Flag of Czech Republic
Czech Republic
Denmark flag Denmark
Flag of Estonia
Estonia
Flag of Finland
Finland
Flag of France
France
Flag of Germany
Germany
Flag of Greece
Greece
Flag of Hungary
Hungary
Flag of Iceland
Iceland
Flag of Ireland
Ireland
Flag of Italy
Italy
Flag of Latvia
Latvia
Flag of Lithuania
Lithuania
Flag of Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Flag of Monaco
Monaco
Flag of the Netherlands
Netherlands
Flag of Norway
Norway
Flag of Poland
Poland
Flag of Romania
Romania
Flag of Russia
Russia
Flag of Sweden
Sweden
Flag of Switzerland
Switzerland
Flag of Turkey
Turkey
Flag of Ukraine
Ukraine


Keywords for this chapter:
belgium travel brussels
antwerp ghent brugge
flanders belgium travel
belgique belgie travel

Prime travel data for independent
budget travel in Belgium.