Holidays to Belgium

Belgium uses the Euro, having adopted the currency in 1999. They were one of the first countries to adopt the Euro, along with Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

Bruges 

Holding a UNESCO listed historical centre full of gorgeous architectural delights at its core, charming canals flow outwards to run alongside narrow cobbled streets lined with gabled houses to create a sense of tangible romance that harkens back to a simpler time. It’s possible to wander these said streets for hours, taking in the sights and sounds of a thriving Belgian city brimming with life, but there are certain highlights which warrant particular note. The Basilica of the Holy Blood has elements dating back to the 12th century, including the St. Basil Chapel which is one of the best-preserved examples of West-Flanders Romanesque churches. For any art lovers, a visit to the Church of Our Lady should definitely be on your itinerary as it contains Madonna and Child - marble statue crafted by Michelangelo. 

Ghent 

Once upon a time, Ghent played a pivotal role as a major city-state during the Middle Ages and went on to be a major hub of activity within Western Europe, placing it as the second largest city in the region just behind Paris. The size of Ghent has since been eclipsed by other cities, but this often-overlooked gem of European architecture and wonderful waterfronts is well worth giving your attention. The Patershol district is a dense network of narrow streets and local shops, with many of their original Baroque facades still remaining intact that give you the sense of stepping back in time. Temmerman, a local confectionery just next to the Patershol neighbourhood, is a firm favourite that makes for a great stop-off for those with a sweet tooth and especially good for grabbing some Cuberdon – a traditional raspberry sweet that originated in Ghent. 

Antwerp 

The self-proclaimed Belgian capital of cool isn’t to be taken lightly – there’s evidence to back up their claim in spades. Take one look at the historical buildings that comprise Antwerp’s centre and you’ll get a sense of what draws people from around the world to gaze upon the quaint patchwork of gorgeous buildings. The Rubenshuis is one of the more curious buildings in the city, commemorating the birthplace of the masterful artist Peter Paul Rubens who made waves in the 16th century by turning his hand to almost every craft to producing wonderous works of art, whether it was traditional painting or designing his own home. When taking in the sights of the city, there are two of the major museums that shouldn’t be passed up. The first is the Plantin-Moretus Museum, where the original King James Bible and world atlas were published, and the second being the MAS, a critical landmark that not only tells the tale of the city’s port history but also the starting point for the neighbourhood’s journey as a hub of culture and cool. 

Flanders Fields Museum 

The municipality of Ypres in West Flanders saw a great deal of devastation during World War One, having been almost completely destroyed after battle took place within its land. Having been rebuilt since, modern day Ypres stands as an enduring reminder of the toll war takes on a country and its people. The Flanders Fields Museum can be found in Ypres’ town centre, breaking down the harrowing details of what unfolded during World War One and allows you to look back at the lives lead by the soldiers and the civilians caught up in the conflict. You can also find the sites of some of the battlefields nearby, lending a further sense of perspective into how close the fighting was to the town. 

Belfry of Bruges 

Towering over the main square in Bruges is the Belfort van Brugge – a medieval bell tower which has been ringing out over the rooftops for over 700 years announcing anything from the time to the arrival of important guests in the city. The bell tower itself has an unfortunate history, having been destroyed twice by fire and once by a lightning strike. Because of this the tower isn’t quite as tall as it used to be, but the carillon which was added back in the 16th century means that the bells became much easier to ring. The Belfort is one of the main reasons the city centre has been deemed a UNESCO world heritage site, and once you’ve seen it in person it’s easy to understand why considering its been a key part of the city for so long. 

Saint Bavo’s Cathedral & Adoration of the Mystic Lamb 

This 89-metre-tall Gothic cathedral has stood over Ghent since 1274, with its original wooden construction dating back to 942 after being consecrated by the Bishop of Tournai and Noyon. Saint Bavo’s Cathedral is the oldest parish church in the centre of Ghent, which was converted into a cathedral around the mid-16th century by the Bishops of Ghent and provides a stunning centrepiece within the central district of the city. It also houses one of the world’s most coveted art pieces – The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by the Van Eyck brothers, which is also known as the Ghent Alterpiece. This polyptych – a painting divided up into individual panels – contains multiple folding wings which showcase different religious scenes, some of which are only viewable by the public at specific times of the day, but timing your visit right means you can witness the true majesty of this European masterpiece. 

Belgium has a temperate maritime climate, thanks to its proximity to the North Sea. The country enjoys mild summers with average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C, while winters tend to be cool with temperatures averaging around 0°C to 5°C. Rainfall is evenly spread throughout the year, with slightly drier conditions in the spring and autumn months. Fog is common - which only makes the landscape more atmospheric - especially in the cooler months and in regions closer to the coast. Belgium's climate supports lush vegetation, making it an ideal environment for agriculture, including the famous beer industries.

Belgium has an excellent reputation for its cuisine, one which can rival that of France and other gastronomic centres of Europe. Aside from the beer and chocolate that carry the Belgian name, there’s also Belgian waffles which make for the perfect hit of sweetness for an afternoon pick-me-up. Moules-frites and steak-frites are two dishes originating from Belgium that have seen international interest but are best enjoyed when bought straight from the source. Many restaurants also serve regional dishes such as Flemish Carbonnade, a beef stew made using beer, or Waterzooi from Ghent amongst others, but all pride themselves on the standard of their food and quality of the locally sourced and seasonal ingredients.

Tipping isn’t required in Belgium, as most service staff are paid a living wage, but it is common to leave a bit of change to reward great service. However, check your bill before you do, some restaurants will include a 10%-15% service charge.

Well over half the population of Belgium identify as Roman Catholic, 29% are agnostic, atheist or non-believers, almost 7% identify as Muslim and other religions, such as Judaism, Buddhism and other denominations of Christianity make up around 5% of the population.