Belgium Passport and Visa entry requirements

http://travel-to-belgium.blogspot.com/2011/12/belgium-passport-and-visa-entry.html
Belgium Passport and Visa entry requirements
Travel tips for your trip to Belgium Hotel Maps Famous Places in Belgium helps you to make your trip to Belgium in the holiday a Splendid One




Passports:

To enter Belgium, a passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay is required by all nationals referred to in chart above, except:
(a) 1. EU nationals (except nationals of Denmark, Sweden and the UK) holding a valid national ID card.

Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. They are not required to show possession of a return ticket, a certain length of validity on their document and sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit.
Passport note:

Belgium is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Visas:

Visas are not required by the nationals referred to in the chart above for stays in Belgium of up to three months within a six-month period. Nationals staying for longer than three months may require a Long-stay visa.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.

Passport and Visa entry requirements :-

Entry requirements for Americans: US nationals must have a passport valid for at least three months beyond period of stay. A visa is not required for stays of up to three months.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals must possess a valid passport. A visa is not required for stays of up to three months for passports stating European Union on the front cover, British Overseas Territories Citizen, British National (Overseas), British Citizen or British Subject, with the right of abode in the UK. Other passport holders require a visa.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians must have a passport valid for at least three months beyond period of stay. A visa is not required for stays of up to three months.

Entry requirements for Australians: Australian nationals must have a passport valid for at least three months beyond period of stay. A visa is not required for stays of up to three months.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South African nationals require a passport valid for at least three months beyond intended period of stay. A Schengen visa is required and should be obtained before travel. South African temporary passports are not recognised.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for at least three months beyond intended period of stay. No visa is required for stays of up to three months.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a valid passport. No visa is required.

Passport/Visa Note: The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. Nationals of non-EU countries are recommended to hold return or onward tickets, sufficient funds and documents for their next destination.

Famous Places in Belgium For Your Holiday

http://travel-to-belgium.blogspot.com/2011/10/famous-places-in-belgium-for-your.html
Famous Places in Belgium For Your Holiday
Travel tips for your trip to Belgium Hotel Maps Famous Places in Belgium helps you to make your trip to Belgium in the holiday a Splendid One




Belgium is a small country in size but one of the most popular tourist attractions of Europe. It is located in the western part of Europe bordering Netherlands in the north, Germany in the east, France in the west and the south. Dotted with rich heritage sites and architectural wonders, Belgium has fabulous things to see and do that have been drawing tourists from all over the world. There are a lot of places to see in Belgium, the most popular tourist cities of Belgium are Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent and Liege.



The 65 kilometers of sandy beach along its coastline has always been a major attraction for the tourists. The sun on these beaches does not damage the skin that much due to the content of iodine and salt in the air, therefore it is preferred by sunbathers over other beaches. Also, there are several recreational activities available here both for children as well as adults ranging from bicycling, bungee jumping, sailing, fishing, horse riding or just surfing the beach.

Belgium is also popular for its large variety of Belgium beers. Hundreds of different types beers are brewed here, making it its national drink. Delirium Cafe has one of the largest selections of beer in the whole world. Along with beer Belgium is also known for its mouth watering cuisines. Almost all small and large restaurants offer a large variety of sea food, meat and poultry with Beef, Pork and Sheep being the most popular meats that are served by the restaurants. Belgium chocolates are also popular all round the world.


Brussels
The capital city of Belgium, Some of the popular things to see here are- Mannekin Pin which is the most popular statue of Belgium, the Grand Palace located in the Grote Market, the Royal Museum of fine Art, Town Square which is a collection of houses as well as the Gothic Town Hall but will leave you mesmerized with its beauty, Atomium which is in the shape of a large iron crystal with nine atoms. Other popular attractions are Cosmic Strip Museum and the gigantic Royal Park.

Bruges
Also known as the 'Venice of the North' Bruges is a popular tourist attraction of Belgium. It is one of the most beautiful cities of Europe which has also been recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site since 2000. The whole city is covered with canals, cobbled streets and attractive homes that cast their images into the water. .

Antwerp
The city of Antwerp has been known for its historic diamond industry and popular underwater tunnel at the Auatopia Aquarium where the tourists are able to get a very close view of the sea world through a glass tunnel. Antwerp Zoo is also a popular tourist attraction housing over 5000 animals. Other attractions include Catamaran Castle and Pirateiland which the country's biggest indoor playground.

Liege
Liege is also a popular tourist attraction of Belgium, mainly known for its historic and old landmarks. Some of the places to see in Liege are Carre which is a historic centre, Outremeuse district which is known for its riverside pathways, Town Hall that is known for its unique architecture, Palace of the Prince Bishops dating back to the 16th century and the Saint Paul Cathedral. Another place to see is Mountain of Bueren which has more than 375 stairs to climb before you are able enjoy wonderful views of the city.

Free Guide Antwerp City

http://travel-to-belgium.blogspot.com/2011/10/free-guide-antwerp-city.html
Free Guide Antwerp City
Travel tips for your trip to Belgium Hotel Maps Famous Places in Belgium helps you to make your trip to Belgium in the holiday a Splendid One


The second biggest city in Belgium, Antwerp is located about 50km north of Brussels on the River Schelde, roughly 88km inland from the North Sea. Since the city lies within the Flemish part of Belgium, it is known unofficially as the capital of Flanders. This historical aspect of the local identity is taken quite seriously by the people of Antwerp.

Antwerp is a very old city, dating from the Gallo-Roman era. The name most likely derives from the Dutch "aan de werpe", meaning "at the throw", because of its location at the point where the river 'throws', or deposits sand.

Because of its important location as a port city, Antwerp has an illustrious history as a centre of tradimg from all over the world. Trade brought a lot of distinction and wealth to the city. This is most evident in the fine churches and museums that can be seen throughout the downtown area. Today it is the world capital of the diamond trade -- with an estimated 70% of the world's diamonds having been traded through the city.

Some attractions for the visitor include 'Rubenshuis', the house of the famous painter, Rubens, which contains a museum of his life and work. The Plantin Moretus Museum, which is the home of Christoffel Plantin, the 16th century printer and bookbinder. Antwerp Zoo, is one of the oldest in the world, with beautiful architecture from the 19th century and home to over 4,000 animals. The Fine Arts Museum, known locally as Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, has a great collection of paintings dating from the 15th century up to the present day. The museum is home to such masters as Rubens, Van Eyck, Van Dyke, Van Brueghels and Jordaens to name but a few.

There are also a number of scenic boat trips that can be taken in the city, particularly around the old port of Antwerp.

Money Exchange for Belgium -Services - Money

http://travel-to-belgium.blogspot.com/2011/10/money-exchange-for-belgium-services.html
Money Exchange for Belgium -Services - Money
Travel tips for your trip to Belgium Hotel Maps Famous Places in Belgium helps you to make your trip to Belgium in the holiday a Splendid One




Currency information:

Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2, 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Credit cards:

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are widespread.
ATM:

ATMs are widespread.
Travellers cheques:

Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, visitors are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.
Banking hours:

Mon-Fri 0900-1600.
Currency restriction:

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding €10,000 or equivalent must be declared if travelling from or to a country outside the European Union.

Health and Medical Information for Belgium

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Health and Medical Information for Belgium
Travel tips for your trip to Belgium Hotel Maps Famous Places in Belgium helps you to make your trip to Belgium in the holiday a Splendid One




Belgium’s health service is known for its easy accessibility and high quality treatments. With four doctors per 1 000 inhabitants, Belgium is well above the OECD 2.9 average. Belgian hospitals are equipped with advanced technology and run by highly qualified staff. They provide optimal care in the best conditions and have considerable capacity. The Belgian health care system is well-connected, with a large number of specialised centres and internationally renowned doctors. Furthermore, various Belgian companies have become international players in the medical equipment and software sectors.



If suddenly taken ill or involved in an accident, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available for European travellers - in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). These should be obtained before leaving the UK. Comprehensive insurance is advised for all other nationals.
Other risks:

Rabies may be present in animals, although risk to travellers is very rare. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Short History Of Belgium and Culture

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Short History Of Belgium and Culture
Travel tips for your trip to Belgium Hotel Maps Famous Places in Belgium helps you to make your trip to Belgium in the holiday a Splendid One


Belgium only became an independent country in 1830. Before that it had belonged to nearly all major continental European powers during their heydays: the Romans, the Franks, the Holy Roman Empire, Habsburgian Spain and Austria, Revolutionary France, and the United Kingdom of Netherlands.

Prehistory
Belgium was first settled by the Homo Neanderthalis over 100,000 years ago, well before the first Homo Sapiens set foot in Europe. Neanderthal caves were discovered in numerous locations around the Meuse Valley (Spy, Sclayn, Engis, Trooz).

Cro-Magnon arrived some 30,000 years ago (archeological sites were found in the province of Limburg). The Ice Age and the advance of the glacier over northern Europe forced humans to retreat south, probably in the Franco-Cantabrian refuge, north and south of the Pyrenees. After the melting of the ice cap around 10,000 years ago, humans progressively recolonised northern Europe.

The Neolithic period was characterised by the megalithic culture. The Seine-Oise-Marne culture flourished in the Fagne-Famene region of Wallonia between from 3000 BCE, and left some impressive monuments, notably around Wéris.
Ancient times

Around 500 BCE, the La Tène culture spread around Western Europe. The modern territory of Belgium was populated by Belgic tribes apparently of Celtic culture but Germanic blood. Among them were the Menapians (in the provinces of East and West Flanders), the Nervians (in Brabant and Antwerp), the Eburones (in Limburg and Liège), the Atuatuci (in the Hesbaye region), the Condrusi (in Condroz), the Paemani (in Famenne) or the Treveri (in Luxembourg).

Julius Caesar conquered the whole of Gaul in 57 B.C.E., and famously said that of all people of Gaul the Belgians were the bravest. However, the bravery of the Belgian tribes was to be fatal to most of them. Julius Caesar exterminated the Eburones to the last one, and most of the Menapians. This created too much free space for the Romans to fill, and soon new tribes were to arrive from the North and East. Ever since Emperor Augustus, the Romans would have to fight back invadors from Magna Germania.

In 16 C.E., the sub-province of Germania Inferior is created as a subdivision of Gallia Belgica. It comprised most of the territory of modern Belgium, as well as the Southern Netherlands (Maastricht, Nijmegen, Utrecht), Luxembourg and the part of Germany west of the Rhine. It becomes a province of its own right in 89 C.E.

Around the 2nd and 3rd centuries, a Germanic tribe known as the Franks descended from Scandinavia toward the Low Countries. Surrendering to Emperor Maximian (250-310), the Salian Franks became Laeti (allies of the Romans), and were allowed to settle in Germania Inferior. They were the first Germanic tribe to settled permanently on Roman land, and thus the first to become latinised, integrating quickly, and providing numerous generals and consuls to the Empire. The Frankish way of speaking Latin eventually evolved into a new language, French. The conquest of Roman Gaul by the Merovingian dynasty was to spread the Frankish language and customs, and eventually give their name to a new country, France (=> see history of the Franks).

Merowig (447-458) was the first Frankish king mentioned by the Romans and is considered the founder of the Merovingian dynasty. He was based in Tournai, which the Romans had founded around 50 C.E. and had later been given to the Franks as a fief. His son Childeric I (437-482) helped the Romans defeat the Visigoths.

Merowig's grandson, Chlodovech, better known as Clovis I (466-511), also from Tournai, conquered the neighbouring Frankish tribes in the Low Countries and Rhineland and established himself as their sole king. He defeated Syagrius, the last Roman official in northern Gaul, then the Visigoths in south-western Gaul, thus becoming the ruler of most of the old Roman Gaul. He converted to Catholicism at the instigation of his wife Clotide, a Burgundian princess, thus spreading Christianity among the pagan Franks.

Belgium as a nation only came into being in 1831, after France helped it wrest its independence from the Netherlands and Leopold I was inaugurated as the country’s first king. Over the next century it evolved into a parliamentary democracy with French as the official language of government. French influences also dominated the mainstream culture, making the friction between Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia at times very pronounced. The era was also marked by the rise of Belgium as a colonial power, and is remembered for the brutal treatment of King Leopold II (son of Leopold I) in the Congo Free State.

The country suffered four years of German occupation during World War I, seeing some of the most intense conflicts of the entire campaign and emerging in ruinous condition, something repeated when it again fell into German hands over World War II. It experienced good post-war economic growth, however, and state reforms helped it to recover stability, although there remain tensions between Flanders and Wallonia. The current prime minister, Yves Leterme, took office for the second time in November 2009.

Belgium Accommodation. Hotel Guide. Details

http://travel-to-belgium.blogspot.com/2011/10/belgium-accommodation-hotel-guide.html
Belgium Accommodation. Hotel Guide. Details
Travel tips for your trip to Belgium Hotel Maps Famous Places in Belgium helps you to make your trip to Belgium in the holiday a Splendid One




Hotels in Antwerp
Hotels in Antwerp offer its guests with the finest of services and luxurious staying options in the city. Guests in the city will definitely find a hotel from the innumerable hotels city. The Hotels in Antwerp are available in all types and caters to all kinds of visitors in the city. Great hospitality, luxurious rooms, elaborate dining facilities and strategic location characterize the Hotels in Antwerp.

The Hotels in Antwerp are located in all parts of the city. Guests can select the hotel according to their preference of location. For the visitors on a business trip to the city, many hotels are situated in the financial and business district of the city. The hotels are also close to the city’s attractions. Many Hotels in Antwerp are centrally located, and is ideal for both business guests as well holidaymakers in the city.

The rooms in the Hotels in Antwerp well furnished with comfortable beds, comfortable sofa sets, chairs, and work desk with lamp. Some hotels boast of suites, which are epitome of luxury. Suites in the hotel offer all the modern luxuries in life and make the stay in the hotels truly eventful.

The hotels also provide with host of amenities and services. Plenty of recreational facilities in the hotel include swimming pool, Turkish steam room, solarium, sauna, Jacuzzi and a well-equipped fitness center. The fitness center has all the latest technology machines and trainers to help with the exercises.

Most of the Antwerp Accommodation has well-equipped business services. The business center of the city hotels provides with latest facilities. The banqueting halls in these hotels are ideal for hosting business parties or social events.

Hotels in Brussels

Hotels in Brussels are many and provide great support to tourism in Brussels. The capital is visited everyday by thousands of visitors both domestic and international. The Hotels in Brussels provide great lodging facilities to the growing number of tourists visiting the city. The Hotels in Brussels range from expensive and luxurious 5 Star Hotels to low-budget hotels, guest houses and lodges which are preferred by budget tourists and family tourists.

The most preferred accommodation options in Brussels are the expensive star rated hotels. The hotels are also ideal for business and holding social events. The Dominican, Brussels and the Hotel Metropole, Brussels are the most preferred luxury hotels in Brussels. The Floris Hotel Ustel, Brussels is quite popular among the budgeted tourists and family tourists who prefer enjoying comfort at a moderate price. These Hotels in Brussels are known for their world class services and amenities that are the hallmark of the hospitality industry.

Budgeted tourists need not bother for comfortable accommodation in Brussels as there is no dearth of moderately priced hotels in Brussels. These hotels though priced reasonably, do not compromise on the quality of service, facilities and the comfort factors in the rooms. These hotels provide comfortable rooms with basic amenities provided by many international standard hotels under the same category. Some hotels also give special attention to serving the dining, recreational and business needs of the travelers and hence have swimming pool, fitness centers and business centers to assist corporate travelers to continue with their business activities during their tour.

The hotels also offer facilities for holding several types of events which draws good number from the corporate world to host business meeting, international conventions, seminars, business parties, presentations, interview sessions and large business gatherings and exhibition of products as well as product launches. The hotels in Brussels also provide effective professional service to conduct a successful business event or social events like weddings, birthday parties, etc.

Hotels in Dinant

The travelers will come across a number of hotels in Dinant during their visit to this beautiful city of Belgium. The place has slowly developed into a very popular tourist destination and hence it gets quite a number of visitors all round the year. The city has got a number of attractions and these places must be visited by the tourists. The different hotels in Dinant solve the various problems related to accommodation for all the visitors. The hotels are situated at convenient location and the visitors can reach the hotels, whether they are coming here by train or by plane. The stay in any of the hotels in Dinant will be a memorable one for all.

The different Dinant hotels have got variety of facilities and services. The different facilities provided by the hotels suffice the various needs of the different type of guests checking-in at the hotels. The accommodation in Dinant ensures that all the guests have a very comfortable and relaxing holiday. The rooms of almost all the hotels of the city have got variety of comfort amenities that make the guests feel completely at home. The hospitable and efficient staffs of the hotels provide attentive service to all the guests.

The hotels in Dinant have got very good restaurants where the guests will have delightful dining experience. The restaurants serve a wide range of regional cuisines and some international dishes as well. The bars of the hotels are just the ideal place to relax with friends and enjoy some refreshing drinks. The hotels even have good conference and meeting facilities. The meeting rooms of the hotels are provided with lot of facilities and technologies. Any type of events, conferences and seminars can be arranged conveniently in these hotels.

Some of the hotels in Dinant have got some fitness and recreation facilities for the guests as well. The guests can easily spend their leisure time in the hotel by indulging themselves in some activities. There are many standard facilities and amenities as well which fulfill all the basic demands of the leisure travelers and the corporate travelers staying in the hotels.

Travel Tips To European Countries: Belgium

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Travel Tips To European Countries: Belgium
Travel tips for your trip to Belgium Hotel Maps Famous Places in Belgium helps you to make your trip to Belgium in the holiday a Splendid One

Brussels is located in the center of Belgium, and acts as the countys capital. Some people refer to the city of Brussels as a municipality known as the Brussels-Capital Region. The Brussels-Capital region is the home to over 1 million people, and if you extend this to include the metropolitan area the population increases to just around 2 million people. All of these people make the Brussels-Capital Region the most highly populated in the country. In addition, all of these people go a long way in ensuring that Brussels will always be the financial and political center of the country. The main seat of the European Union is also occupied by Brussels. As you can see, Brussels is a very important region throughout Europe.

The country of Belgium is cut in half by a language border. The northern half of the country speaks Dutch, and the southern half French. But there are pockets of people on both sides of the border that speak both languages. This is the category that Brussels falls into. Brussels is a bilingual city which allows people to do business more easily, and allows for a large group to feel comfortable within its limits

If you are planning a trip to Brussels there are several attractions that you will not want to miss. In fact, there are so many things to see that you will want to plan your trip out very carefully. One of the most popular attractions in Brussels is the Grand-Place. This is thought to be one of the most breathtaking squares in the world. It is surrounded by old buildings such as the Hotel de Ville. Another top tourist destination in Brussels is the Royal Museum of Fine Arts. If you are in Brussels to soak up the culture this is a must see. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts is the best collection of art in Belgium, and thousands of people from all over travel to the museum on a yearly basis.

The weather in Brussels is pretty easy to get along with. All year long the temperatures hold at a pretty steady pace. During the month of July temperatures reach a high in the low 70s and during the winter months lows can reach 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The precipitation in the area is also steady averaging between 2 and three inches a month. For most people the best time to visit Brussels is during the summer. But even if you wait for the winter you will not have to contend with any weather that is too harsh.

Transportation in Brussels includes several major train stations that connect Brussels to other large cities in the UK. In addition the Brussels National Airport makes it easy to fly in and out of the area

Attractions In Belgium

A beautiful and a huge compilation of paintings from the 14th century are found in the Royal Museum of Fine Art in Antwerp. Despite from the outstanding art collected works, the neoclassical planning of the museum is outstanding.

Waterloo

The fierce battle of Waterloo finished the Napoleonic Wars on June 18th in the year 1815. Napoleon I was overpowered by the Duke of Wellington. There is ample of battle belongings to visit together with the Lion of Waterloo victory monument , a huge man-made hill with a 28-ton lion on the apex. For the people who have the strength to climb 200 steps, the lion offers an imposing authoritative sight of the spot.

The Ypres War Memorials and the Flanders Battlefields

The town of Ypres is compared with the First World War. Speckled all through the neighboring countryside are quiet memorials to the deceased of the 1st World War. Must pay a visit to genuine dugout in Sanctuary Wood, the full-size modernization of scenes from the War in the Hooge Crater Museum and the trench of John McCrae where he had written the poem "In Flanders Fields", etc. The most touching sites comprises of the 170 British military cemeteries to be found around Ypres.

Tongeren

Tongeren is a very old city in Belgium. Initially a chief Roman throttlehold, the city was damaged twice. Firstly in the 4th century by Norsemen and later by the Salian Franks in 881. The Gallo Roman Museum in the middle of the city, which is constructed on the vestiges of a big lavishRoman villa, presents a startling insight into the settlement and its olden times and civilization.

The Town of Spa

The city of Spa has been famous from the Roman times for its swimming baths. It became so high-flying and the very word spa got associated with this place and was used for restoring and mollycoddling in the English language. Right from 16th century, the wealthy, majestic and well-known have visited Spas to be re-energized and recharged by the therapeutic powers of the areas waters and baths.

The Diamond Museum, Antwerp

Antwerp has been from the beginning been the major centre of diamond dealing out and the diamond business. The renowned ‘Antwerp cut’ and the highly developed systematic investigation are renowned in this fascinating museum. There is a restructured nineteenth-century diamond and a jewel chamber in which we can see some precious pieces of jewellery. Every Saturday afternoon you can observe a diamond-cutter working over here. 

Overall, traveling to Brussels will allow you to see a diverse culture. There are many popular tourist attractions in the area, and a transportation system that is top notch. If you have never visited Brussels you may want to put it on your short list.