AT A GLANCE Theres more to Belgium than just chocolate, beer and mussels - although each of these is definitely worth

sampling on any trip here. The country offers fantastic architecture, a rich art history and over 60 UNESCO World Heritage sites, meaning theres plenty to see and do, whether enjoying a weekend break or staying for the whole week. WHEN TO GO Most events in the country take place in the summer months, when the weather is a lot warmer. Visiting between May and September guarantees you the highest temperatures of the year. If youre travelling in winter, be sure to wrap up warm as rain and snow is likely, although youll be able to experience the Christmas markets in cities such as Bruges and Brussels. Weather Spring: The weather begins to warm up in April although showers are still common Summer: Temperatures are at their highest in July and August and average around 23C Autumn: From the beginning of October, temperatures start to drop as the days become shorter Winter: The chilliest time to visit with grey, dark days. Expect snow and rain.

Image: Snow in Brussels by Matt Barber

THINGS TO DO With so many big cities, there is plenty to do in Belgium and some of the most spectacular architecture in Europe to see, from statues to cathedrals. For a spot of culture, there are also a range of museums around the country, while other days out includes zoos and theme parks. Attractions Belfry of Bruges: One of the most famous landmarks in Belgium, this historic bell tower can be found in the centre of Bruges Atomium: An iconic monument in Brussels with eight levels and five spheres

Manneken Pis: A small bronze fountain that is in the shape of a peeing boy Grand Place: The central square of Brussels, this UNESCO World Heritage site is the most famous attraction in the city Bruparck: An amusement park located in Brussels, home to a miniature model continent, a sub-tropical water park and a modern cinema complex Antwerp Zoo: A popular zoo in Antwerp that provides a number of exhibitions, as well as a range of animals from reptiles to elephants Royal Museums of Fine Arts: A collection of museums in Brussels dedicated to art, paintings, sculptures and more Gravensteen: A castle in Ghent that originates from the Middle Ages meaning castle of the count in Dutch Sint-Salvator Cathedral: The main cathedral in Bruges that is also home to various pieces of art Royal Palace of Brussels: The official palace of the King and Queen of Belgium, which is open to the public during the summer Groeningemuseum: A museum in Bruges home to six centuries of Flemish and Belgium paintings Nightlife Theres always somewhere to go for a drink and a dance, no matter where you are in Belgium. From concerts and nightclubs to traditional pubs and casinos, theres something to suit every taste. So whether youre looking for a quiet drink or an all-night party, youre sure to find the perfect place for you.

Brussels: Theres a wide selection of evening entertainment in Brussels. Clubbers will be able to dance long into the early hours of the morning with international DJs regularly playing. There are also live music bars (from jazz to rock) and several theatres. Bruges: For traditional Belgian pubs, Bruges is the place to be. Although there are no huge nightclubs here, theres no better place in the country for a pint of beer. Most of the pubs can be found in the Old Town, while the places around Kuipersstraat and Zilverstraat are also popular.

Antwerp: Nightlife in Antwerp is incredibly lively and offers something for all tastes. The main areas for evening entertainment are around Grote Markt and Groenplaats, which are home to many bars, cafes and theatres. Jazz clubs can also be found around the High Town area, while the Centraal Station area offers discos and nightclubs. Ghent: As its predominantly a student city, there are a wide variety of bars and nightclubs. Choose from traditional Belgian pubs, jazz bars, live music venues, clubs and wine bars. Day Trips Around Belgium: As Belgium is a relatively small place, its easy to visit another country whilst visiting here. Whether travelling by car or by train, many places in Belgium are between 30 minutes to an hour away from the border of France, Germany and the Netherlands, so you could easily go there and back again in a day or stay over for the night if you want to. Lille: Apart from Paris, Lille is the largest city in the north of France and its really easy to get to from Brussels. The city is home to various buildings including 17th century city gates, Veille Bourse - Lilles Old Stock Exchange - and the neo-classical Opera House. Travel Time: 35 minutes

Maastricht: As the most southenly city in the Netherlands, Maastricht lies on the River Meuse, just across the Belgian border. The city is home to two basilicas that are over 1000 years old; Basicila of Our Lady and Basicila of Saint Servatius. Two modern shopping malls and a large two square can also be found here. Travel Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Monschau: This historical town can be found in the Eifel mountain range, just a couple of kilometres over the Belgian border. It is one of the most beautiful towns in the region, and perhaps the whole of Germany. Things to see here include a ruined medieval castle, the River Rur and the watermill near the Market Square. Travel Time: 2 hours

Rotterdam: If you dont mind travelling a little further afield, Rotterdam is a fantastic option. Take the high speed bullet train from Brussels to discover the second biggest city in the Netherlands for various art museums, an old harbour, and plenty of amazing architecture. Travel Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Images: Belfry of Bruges by Stephan Rinke / Grand Palace in Brussels by Thang Van / Gravensteen Castle in Ghent by Bernt Rostad / Pubs in Bruges by Ricardo Samaniego / Lille Opera House by Daxis / Maastricht by Metro Centric / River in Monschau by Glasseyes View / Erasmus Bridge by Sandra Fauconnier

SHOPPING Belgium has large shopping malls, small boutiques and vibrant markets. One benefit of shopping here is that visitors will be able to claim tax back on some goods when they fly out of the country. Shopping Areas: Brussels: The place to be for all your favourite fashion labels. Youll also be able to find antique shops in the Marolles district. The Grand Place area is full of souvenir shops that are often overpriced; however there is plenty of quality chocolate and lace shops here, while designer boutiques can be found in the Galeries Royales St-Hubert. Bruges: Look out streets such as Streenstraat, Kemelstraat and Zilverstraat for major fashion brands. Chocolate shops can be found just about everywhere you look, while the Wednesday market is always a highlight. There is even a shop dedicated to Tintin - the Belgian comic book character. Antwerp: Followers of fashion are sure to appreciate the influences of the Antwerp Six - a group of fashion designers in the city. As well as designer boutiques, youll also find diamonds, chocolates and flea markets. Ghent: Lined with shops on both sides, the busiest shopping street in Ghent is Veldstraat, while nearby streets worth exploring include the Hoogpoort and the Hoomstraat. Goods to buy here include handmade linen and lace, marzipan, fashion accessories and of course chocolate. Markets: Brussels: Markets selling everything from antiques to cheese include the Gare du Midi, the Sablon and the Chatelain. Bruges: Held every Wednesday, Market Square is home to the biggest market in Bruges. It sells a range of goods such as clothing, chocolate and souvenirs. Antwerp: Several flea markets take place in Antwerp every week including every Friday at Vrijdagmarkt, the Saturday Lijnjwaadmarkt and every Sunday on the square at Sint-Jansvliet. Ghent: A range of markets selling crafts are available almost every day of the week, and there is also a flower market at Kouter and a fruit and vegetables market at Groentenmarkt.
Image: Gent Sunday Flower Market by Megan Amaral

FOOD & DRINK A lot of Belgian food takes its inspiration from France, but there are also many Flemish influences. Belgium is famous for its chocolate and its beer, and youll have ample opportunities to try both with chocolate shops around almost every corner, and hundreds of beers to choose from. In fact a lot of Belgian food is cooked in beer, and one speciality you must try at least once is moules frites - a steaming pot of mussels cooked with celery and onion, served with a generous portion of chips.

Popular Belgium Restaurants: De Karmeliet: With three Michelin stars, this restaurant in Bruges serves tasty seafood and meat Docks Caf: A fine quality brasserie in Antwerp with an artistic interior Nonbe Daigaku: A Japanese restaurant in Brussels, with sushi being the speciality De Vitrine: Run by one of the countrys most talented chefs, this restaurant in Ghent serves fresh dishes, as well as Flemish tapas
Image: Beer in Bruges by A. Wilkie

CULTURE & ETIQUETTE Everyday life in Belgium is pretty laid back but there are a few things worth remembering in order to enjoy your trip here as much as possible. Three national languages are spoken in the country so make youre in the right place before trying to speak some of the language. Useful Phrases Good Morning - Goedemorgen I dont understand you - Ik weet het niet Thank you - Dank je/u

Dos and Donts DO remember that the OK sign means zero in Belgium DONT be afraid to speak English if youre unsure about which language to use DO be careful when drinking beer, as Belgian beer is often a bit stronger than the beer we have in the UK - so know your limits! DONT put your feet up on chairs or tables as this is considered impolite DO sample traditional Belgian dishes such as moules frites (mussels and French fries) DONT slap someone on the back as this is considered offensive DO place your knife and fork at the 5:25 position on your plate after finishing a meal DO remember that the main language in Belgium is Flemish (or Dutch), while around 40% of people speak French

Tipping A service charge of around 15% is often included on your bill at the end of a meal, so youre not obliged to tip any more unless youd like to. Leaving a few extra Euros for the waiter is appropriate,

but no more than 10% of the bill. Simply round up the fare to the nearest Euro when travelling by taxi. TRANSPORT Belgium is a relatively easy country to get around, and there are also great transport links to neighbouring countries such as Germany, The Netherlands and France. Many of the biggest cities in the country have trams and an underground system that makes travelling around the city quick and easy. Getting Around Taxi: Taxis are readily available in most towns and cities. Your hotel will be able to book one for you. Train: A comprehensive railway network runs across the country. Tram: Available in several cities including Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent. Metro: A fast and efficient service that can be found in both Brussels and Antwerp.

Fare Information Train: Go Pass 10 offers 10 second class trips on the train for 1 year for anyone under the age of 26, while Rail Pass offers tariffs for people aged over 26. Children under 12 can travel for free. Metro: A single fare for one journey costs around 1.90, allowing you to change between lines, while a day ticket costs 6.50, allowing you to hop on and off trams, trains, buses and the underground as many times as you like in the same day.
Image: Tram in Brussels by Eoghan O'Lionnain

HEALTH & SAFETY British Embassy in Belgium - UK in Belgium Emergency numbers Police: 101 Ambulance & Fire: 100 General Emergencies: 112 TOP FIVE BELGIUM BLOGS 1. What is Belgium 2. Best of Brussels 3. I love Belgium 4. Maggie in Belgium 5. More than Waffles