Belgium | |
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| A federal country, with three official languages and an intense regional rivalry, Belgium has a cultural diversity that belies its rather dull reputation among travellers. Its population of around ten million is divided between Flemish-speakers (about sixty percent) and French-speaking Walloons (forty percent), with a few pockets of German-speakers in the east. Prosperity has shifted back and forth between the two communities over the centuries, and relations remain acrimonious. The constitution was redrawn in 1980 on a federal basis, with three separate entities: the Flemish North, Walloon South, and Brussels, which is officially bilingual (although its population is eighty percent French-speaking). The north and south of Belgium are visually very different. Marking the meeting of the two, Brussels , the capital, is a culturally varied city at the heart of the European Union. The north , made up of the provinces of West and East Flanders, Antwerp, Limburg and much of Brabant, is mainly flat, with a landscape and architecture not unlike Holland. Antwerp is the second city, a bustling old port with doses of high art, redolent of its sixteenth-century golden age. Further south and west are the great historic cities, Bruges and Ghent , with a stunning concentration of Flemish art and architecture. Another enjoyable inland Flanders town is the cathedral city of Mechelen , halfway between Brussels and Antwerp. The southern reaches of Brabant are French-speaking, and merge into the Walloon province of Hainaut - rich agricultural country, scarred by pockets of industry and boasting the historic city of Tournai . East of here lies Belgium's most scenically rewarding region, the Ardennes , an area of deep, wooded valleys, high elevations and dark caverns. The Ardennes reach across the border into the northern part of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , a verdant landscape of rushing rivers and high hills topped with crumbling castles. Diekirch , Vianden and Echternach are perhaps the three best centres for touring the countryside, and Luxembourg City itself is at least worth a stop, although its population of around 80,000 is tiny by capital-city standards. Travelling around Belgium is rarely a problem. Distances are short, and an efficient, reasonably priced train service links the major centres Run by the Societé Nationale des Chemins de Fer de Belgique/Belgische Spoorwegen (Belgian Railways; www.sncb.be ), Belgium 's rail system is comprehensive and efficient, and fares are comparatively low. InterRail and Eurail passes are valid throughout the network, as is the Belgian Tourrail pass , which gives entitlement to five days' unlimited rail travel within a month for ?56.50. There is also the so-called Fixed-price reduction card (Carte de réduction à prix fixe/Reduktiekaart), which costs ?15.90 and allows you to purchase tickets at half-price during a specified monthly period, or the under-26 Go Pass , valid for ten second-class, single journeys within six months (?38.40). Consider also the Benelux Tourrail Card , which gives five days' train travel in a month for ?81.80 (over-26s ) throughout Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Belgian Railways publish information on their various offers and services, and all are detailed in their comprehensive national and international timetable book, Indicateur/Spoorboekje, which has an English-language section and is available for ?4.50 from major train stations. As so much of Belgium is covered by the rail network, buses are only really used for travelling short distances, or in parts of the Ardennes where there are fewer rail lines. Belgium is well covered by networks of main roads and (toll-free) motorways , and congestion is normally tolerable outside the major cities. The speed limit in built-up areas is 50kph, on main roads 90kph and on motorways 120kph. Seat belts are compulsory and penalties for drunken driving stiff. Spot fines are common for some offences. The leading national motoring organization is the Touring Club de Belgique (TCB), rue de la Loi 25, Brussels 1040 (tel 02223 2211, www.touring.be ), which can be called upon in case of breakdown - and most major roads are dotted with phones - but only if your insurance grants you affiliated membership; check this out before departure. Car rental is quite pricey, about ?250 a week with unlimited mileage, though there are cheaper weekend rates. Cycling is something of a national sport in Belgium , and the distances and flat terrain make it a fairly effortless way of getting around. You have to be selective, however; cycling in most big cities and on the majority of trunk roads - where cycle lanes are unusual - is precarious. Once you've reached the countryside, though, there are dozens of clearly signposted cycle routes to follow. Fortunately, you can rent a bike from around 30 train stations during the summer. Rates are economical: reckon on ?8.50 a day, though note that some train excursion tickets include the cost of bike rental . Non-Belgians have to stump up a refundable deposit of 12.50. For a list of train stations offering this service, get a copy of Belgian Railways' Train & Vélo (Trein & Fiets) leaflet. It is possible to take your bike on the train for about 4.50 per journey. | |
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Popular Destinations in Belgium: Bruges - Brussels View All Cities in Belgium
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