Belgium
Spoken Languages
Dutch (60%) / French (40%)Main Currency
EuroLargest City
Brussels (2.1 million)Largest Border
France (556km)The Place to Be!
Recommended Activities
The Hallerbos/Blue Forest
One of the most eye-catching landscape views in Belgium is a dense forest region located between Zenne and Zoniën and is affectionately known as the Blue Forest or ‘Hallerbos’. It’s colorful name comes from the fact that the entire area of 1,364 acres is carpeted in the rich blue violet shades of bluebell beauty, particularly in April and May.
The Hallerbos is a springtime sanctuary for the brightly colored bluebell petals which thrive in massed abundance exploding over every square inch of this enchanted forest turning its surfaces a vivid signature shade of azure beauty.
And interspersed randomly amidst the bluebell carpet stand giant Sequoia trees, many having grown there for several centuries.
Belgium Beer Tour
Belgium has become popularly regarded as a mecca for beer enthusiasts if not indeed a beer lover’s paradise! The nation is teeming with independent and amalgamated breweries offering a wide range of fine real ales and lagers designed to delight and tempt every palate.
By joining an enticing Belgium Beer Tour accompanied by a local guide you get the opportunity to visit some of the nation’s finest breweries where you not only witness the age old techniques of traditional beer brewing from barley to the barrel, but best of all you get to sample the delights of three different beers whilst enjoying a delicious Belgian snack.
Gravensteen
A decidedly darker side of Belgian medieval history casts its forlorn shadows over the ancient city of Ghent standing as the fearsome Gravensteen. Dating back to 1180, this imposing castle, once the residence of the Counts of Flanders until 1353 has been repurposed on several occasions.
As a dreaded prison with its subterranean dungeons it was once regarded as an intimidating house of barbaric torture, inquisition and injustice, and was almost demolished because of its history of atrocities.
The castle of Gravensteen has since been employed as a city courthouse comprising several elaborate chambers, the city of Ghent’s mint and financial depository, and even as an industrialized cotton factory.
Other Great Things to See and Do
Caves of Remouchamps
Flanders Fields
Gravensteen
The Bruges Belfry
Abbaye de Villers
Established in 1146 and taking 70 years to complete, explore the practically ruined yet still standing remains of the Cistercian abbey known as Abbaye de Villers.
