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Belgium, a country in Western Europe, is known for medieval towns, Renaissance architecture and as headquarters of the European Union and NATO. The country has distinctive regions including Dutch-speaking Flanders to the north, French-speaking Wallonia to the south and a German-speaking community to the east. The bilingual capital, Brussels, has ornate guildhalls at Grand-Place and elegant art-nouveau buildings.
Belgium may be small but it’s packed full of sights. UNESCO-acclaimed sites in the capital city of Brussels range from 14th-century guildhalls surrounding the elegant Grand Place to the early 20th-century Art Nouveau townhouses of Victor Horta.
Bruges is a major attraction for tourists, with its perfectly-preserved medieval streets rimming tranquil canals that lure flocks of travelers each year. But plenty of other towns in the country — particularly Ghent and Mechelen — retain excellent architectural examples from the Middle Ages as well.
This small nation has been right at the forefront of Europe’s history, with many of the continent’s most important events played out across its countryside.
It was in Belgium that Napoleon met his match at the battle of Waterloo, and during both the First and Second World Wars, Belgium found itself thrust into the frontline. The World War I battlefields of Ypres are now important pilgrimage sites that are among the most popular places to visit in Belgium.
Whether you’re here for the ancient or modern history, Belgium provides a huge chunk of European heritage within a bite-sized piece of land.
1. Audrey Hepburn was born in Brussels
2. Belgium holds the world record for the longest period without a government
3. Belgium produces more than 220,000 tons of chocolate per annum
4. The Zaventem airport is the place where chocolate is being sold the most in the world
5. Robert Cailliau, co-inventor of the World Wide Web, is a Belgian
6. The “Communist Manifesto” by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels was written in Brussels
7. The French-Belgians are prolific comic creators
8. In the 1970s, light beer was served during school lunch
The best time to visit Belgium is between mid-May to mid-October. You get to enjoy ideal weather conditions and avoid the coldest months of December and January. Spring is a good time to travel to skip the crowds and enjoy the striking scenery.
1. Grand Place, Brussels
2. The Canals and Belfry of Bruges
3. The Battlefields of Flanders
4. Ghent's Gravensteen and Old Town
5. Horta Museum and Town Houses
6. Cathedral of Saint Bavo, Ghent
7. Basilica of the Holy Blood, Bruges
8. Grand Place (Grote Markt), Antwerp
9. Meuse Valley
10. Mons Old Town
11. St. Peter's Church, Leuven
12. Mechelen Old Town
13. Waterloo
14. Semois Valley
Boombal Festival – 20th-23th Aug 2021
Rock Werchter – 2nd-5th July 2021
Carnaval De Binche – 23rd-25th Feb 2021
Tomorrowland – 24th-26th July 2021
Salon Du Chocolat Brussels – 14th-16th Feb 2021
Bruges Beer Festival – 31st Jan – 2nd Feb 2021
Brussels Animation Film Festival – 21st Feb – 1st Mar 2021
Flower Carpet Festival – 13th-16th Aug 2021
Ghent Light Festival – Jan 2021
Brussels Food Truck Festival – June 2021
Elrow Town Summer festival – June 2021
Dour Festival – July 2021
Paradise City Festival – June/July 2021
Extrema Outdoor Belgium – 5th-9th June 2021
CactusFestival Belgium – July 2021.
New Year’s Day
After New Year’s Eve common to all countries, Greece celebrates New Year’s Day as St Basil’s Day, with church services followed by festive seasonal gifts to the children, commemorating the Three Kings and their gifts to the baby Jesus.
Epiphany
This traditional festival falls in January at the end of the 12 days of Christmas. It’s a ceremony to bless the waters of the sea, rivers, and lakes in order to banish evil spirits, with its origins lost in the mists of time. Taking place in Piraeus, as well as in fishing villages all over the country, it involves a local priest hurling a crucifix into the water, followed by young men diving in to retrieve them.
Carnival
The pre-Lent Carnival festivities take place in Athens, Greece and across the country in February, with traditional costumes worn by all, street parties, food and wine, and all kinds of traditional and modern entertainment. Kite-flying is a standard game, while eating and drinking to joyful excess are a must.
Greek Orthodox Easter
Holy week for the Orthodox Church falls later than the Catholic Easter, with celebrations beginning on Palm Sunday and continuing until late on Easter Sunday. Good Friday sees candlelit processions, but midnight on Easter Saturday is the heart of the celebration, with massive fireworks displays and the ceremony of the Holy Flame. A priest carries the flame from church at 12:00 p.m. and lights worshippers’ candles until the area is a sea of flickering flames. Special foods include red-painted Easter eggs and roast lamb, with the traditional fast broken after midnight on Easter Saturday.
Feast of St George
St George of dragon-slayer fame is Greece’s patron saint, as well as the patron of many Greek towns and villages. His day, April 23, sees celebrations across the country involving parades, church services, and street fun, often including costumed reenactments of the hero’s victory over the dragon.
May Day
Officially known as International Workers’ Day, May 1 in Greece sees the pagan Festival of the Flowers, traditionally linked with deities Persephone and Demeter. Wreathes of May flowers are hung on doors and buildings, and parades of flower-decorated floats take place.
Epidauros Festival
This theatrical and musical event runs every June through August at the spectacular Greek amphitheater at Epidaurus. Every Friday and Saturday evening, the massive stone theater with its amazing acoustics hosts recreations of famous classical plays, concerts, and recitals, truly a unique experience to relive history.
Christmas
A community event, as well as a family feast, Christmas sees midnight masses, sparkling Christmas trees, and carols on Christmas Eve. Families reunite for the festivities and Christmas markets, dance and music processionals, and Christmas lights all set the holiday spirit. Many hotels offer special Christmas and New Year packages and, although the weather isn’t at its warmest, the Greek people compensate with their love of this season.
1. Belgian Fries
2. Moules-Frites
3. Stoemp
4. Grey shrimp Croquettes
5. Speculaas
6. Waterzooi
7. Belgian Waffles
8. Belgian Chocolates
9. Sirop de Liege
10. Tomates aux Crevettes Grises
