Belgium has its capital in the city of Brussels which is its largest city also. If you want to experience pleasant temperature throughout the country, the stunning spring and fall weather and enjoy a number of festivals happening in Belgium, the months of April to October is the best travel time to see the country of Belgium. During summers here, the weather is warm and the heat isn’t really unbearable however the winters get rather wet and chilly. Belgium is home to two main ethnic groups, ( the Flemish and the Walloons people), a unique cuisine with a diverse culture. Good dishes influenced by the French and fine beers are peculiar to the Belgian culture. It’s most common foods are Belgian waffles, waterzooi (a broth made with chicken or fish, cream and vegetables), Belgian fries and speculaas. The official languages spoken here are Dutch, French and German; however you will some of the locals speaking English, Spanish, Italian or Arabic. Christianity is the largest religion in Belgium, while the rest of the population is divided between the atheists, agnostics and the Muslims.
If you intend to travel to Belgium by air and not by train, there are national airports in the city of Brussels and several other budget airports across the country. The city of Brussels is the only Belgian city with a subway which charges a flat-fare system. It is a small country with a well-organized and affordable public transportation system, so to get around the cities, there are buses, taxis and rented cars available or you can try out cycling if you love bikes. Belgium is generally a safe place to visit with an overall low crime rate, crime rates tend to be on the increase in bigger cities than rural areas.
The city of Brussels is famed for its wealth of museums, magnificent gothic architecture, world class art galleries and fantastic restaurants. Whenever you are visiting in Brussels, you should attend the Brussels Summer Festival, Ommegang Festival, Jazz Marathon and Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival. In Antwerp, you can go see Laundry Day, the biggest electronic dance music festival, or the Zythos Beer Festival in the city of Leuven where you would taste over 500 different types of beers. You would find the longest bar in the world in this city too. The Chocolate Festival of Mons is a great way to taste some of the finest chocolates in Europe.
There are a lot of fascinating places of interest to see in Belgium. You can go explore the:
La Grand Place which is surrounded by beautiful guildhalls and other buildings dating from the 14th to 17th centuries. One side is dominated by the ornate medieval town hall, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The square is busy with tourists and locals at all times of year, but especially in August of alternate years, when the center is filled with the 75- by 24-meter Flower Carpet, made up of more than 700,000 cut begonias.
Waterloo, this is the place where Napoleon was defeated in the famous battle. Today, the countryside is a bucolic landscape of agricultural fields, but an artificial hill rises up from the surrounding flatlands with a memorial lion sculpture atop the summit to commemorate the day when Napoleon's army was finally stopped. From the top, there are excellent views across the countryside.
Hallerbos which every once a year and only for two weeks or so, its ground turns purple with blooming bluebells. It’s absolutely beautiful and the forest is a nice place to go for a walk. If you want to take the best photos, go in the morning or the evening.
Canals and Belfry of Bruges are beautiful reminders of Bruges history, and cruising or walking along them is one of the most popular things to do in Belgium. You can explore the inner canals, where you'll find beautiful views of picturesque bridges and glimpse into hidden gardens. Or tour the canals by boat.
Travelers to Belgium will find a wide range of accommodations, particularly in the major cities, where the choices include boutique and traditional hotels as well as rental apartments. In Belgium’s countryside and small villages, there are countless small inns and bed and breakfasts.
