Bordered by France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and the North Sea, Belgium has maintained its identity by preserving its medieval cities and gothic cathedrals and continuing rich traditions, such as culinary excellence and superb beer brewing.
Art lovers flock to Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent. Travelers and tourists seeking a slower pace drift south to the rolling countryside of Wallonia and its cities of Liege, Namur and Tournai. And those drawn to the center of it all linger in Brussels, where history, art, nightlife and street markets converge to form one of Europe's most vibrant capitals. Brussels is also the capital of the European Union and NATO, and is the European headquarters to more than 1,000 international companies.
Geography varies from the northern coastal cities of Antwerp and its long, sandy beaches to the Ardennes area in the west, famous for its forests and lakes.
Weather in Belgium is varied. The country experiences a moderate climate, often with long periods of gray skies. Winters along the coast are generally mild, though the hilly areas in the Ardennes may receive rain with cooler temperatures. Temperatures vary throughout Belgium, but the average is 19 C (66 F) in the summer and 3 C (37 F) in the winter.
The population comprises the Flemish-speaking people in the north and the French-speaking people in the south. English is widely spoken.
Travelers flying into Belgium will most likely arrive at the Brussels National Airport at Zaventem. The airport in Deurne, close to Antwerp, has less frequent flights, but usually has less expensive flights to London and Amsterdam. Public transportation is easily accessible in larger cities, and both regional buses and trains service routes between main towns. Belgium has a good network of four-lane highways.
Communication systems in Belgium are excellent. Postal, local and international phone, mobile phone, fax and Internet services are provided with good efficiency. Though the cost of traveling in Belgium is fairly low due to its size, general costs for goods and services are expensive. Hotel options are varied but prices can be a bit expensive, particularly in the cities.
The most common form of crime a traveler may face in Belgium is petty theft. Travelers can avoid this by guarding against pickpockets on trains and at train stations and tourist sites.
The iJET® Intelligence Center
Intelligence Officers at iJET are currently monitoring local conditions in Belgium to provide a level of information that surpasses any available from other public sources, including the U.S. State Department. Free from political constraints or concerns, our data provides vital, unfiltered information created specifically for travelers.
Travelers to Belgium or those considering travel to Belgium are strongly advised to purchase an Intelligence Brief early in the travel planning process for the most timely and concise information available on the country.
For only $7.50 you will receive the most complete intelligence available to the general public. Each Intelligence Brief contains data on 12 areas of concern for travelers (including local weather, Security and Health advisories, Local Travel Alerts, Entry/exit requirements, Cultural and Business information, Transportation updates, Communications/Technology, the Legal and Financial situation, Environmental concerns and Language) plus you will receive a detailed map and real-time updates from the world's leading private intelligence gathering organization.
To purchase and immediately download the latest Intelligence Brief for the country Click Here