|
||
|
|
||
|
|
• Don't miss the highlight of Brussels (website: www.brusselsinternational.be) - the spectacular gothic Grand Place. Pose for a photograph in front of the famous Manneken Pis nearby, and his less heralded sister the Janneken Pis; both statues hint at the exuberance and irreverence of the ‘Bruxellois'.
• Explore Brussels further, with St Michael and St Gudule's Cathedral and the Mont des Arts park, which links the upper and lower parts of the city. And don't forget the elegant Place Royale.
• Take a short trip out to Heysel to see the bizarre Atomium (website: www.atomium.be), a giant representation of a molecule originally built for the 1958 World Fair, and Mini Europe which recreates major EU cities in miniature.
• Pay homage to history at the 1815 Battle of Waterloo site, 18km (11 miles) to the south of Brussels, commemorating the battle that shaped the future of both Belgium and modern Europe.
• In Antwerp (website: www.antwerpen.be), see how the more traditional attractions complement the new, with the impressive Grote Markt, containing the Town Hall and the Brabo Fountain, which commemorates the legend of the city's origin, and also the 18th-century Groenplaats, with its Rubens statue.
• For architectural beauty, make the short journey to UNESCO World Heritage City Bruges (website: www.brugge.be), whose attractions include the 14th-century town hall, the belfry tower and the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour.
• Admire the medieval heart of Ghent (website: www.visitgent.be), which boasts many historic buildings, including three abbeys. Key attractions include St Bavo's Cathedral, place of Charles V's baptism and home to The Adoration of the Mystical Lamb, the Van Eyck brothers' masterpiece.
• Head southeast from Brussels into French-speaking Wallonia. Stop off at Dinant (website: www.dinant.be) with its spectacular cliff-top Citadel (website: www.citadellededinant.be), and the equally impressive cliff-face Notre Dame church by the banks of the River Meuse. Dinant was birthplace of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone.
• Also in Wallonia, visit Liège (website: www.prov-liege.be) a popular tourist destination situated on the banks of the Meuse. The view from the Citadel covers the old town, the most impressive part of the city.
• Explore the Belgian coastline, a largely sandy affair that stretches for 67km (42 miles) from Knokke near the Dutch border to De Panne on the French border, with over a dozen resorts. Knokke, Middelkerke and Ostend are the liveliest resorts.
• In Tournai (website: www.tournai.be), the country's second oldest city, admire the oldest belfry in Belgium, and the Cathedral of Our Lady (12th century), both of which are UNESCO-listed heritage buildings.
• See the site of the Battle of the Bulge (1944-1945) at Bastogne Historical Centre (website: www.bastognehistoricalcenter.be), close to the Luxembourg border, which features a large American memorial and collections of memorabilia relating to the pivotal WWII engagement.
See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.
• Explore Brussels further, with St Michael and St Gudule's Cathedral and the Mont des Arts park, which links the upper and lower parts of the city. And don't forget the elegant Place Royale.
• Take a short trip out to Heysel to see the bizarre Atomium (website: www.atomium.be), a giant representation of a molecule originally built for the 1958 World Fair, and Mini Europe which recreates major EU cities in miniature.
• Pay homage to history at the 1815 Battle of Waterloo site, 18km (11 miles) to the south of Brussels, commemorating the battle that shaped the future of both Belgium and modern Europe.
• In Antwerp (website: www.antwerpen.be), see how the more traditional attractions complement the new, with the impressive Grote Markt, containing the Town Hall and the Brabo Fountain, which commemorates the legend of the city's origin, and also the 18th-century Groenplaats, with its Rubens statue.
• For architectural beauty, make the short journey to UNESCO World Heritage City Bruges (website: www.brugge.be), whose attractions include the 14th-century town hall, the belfry tower and the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour.
• Admire the medieval heart of Ghent (website: www.visitgent.be), which boasts many historic buildings, including three abbeys. Key attractions include St Bavo's Cathedral, place of Charles V's baptism and home to The Adoration of the Mystical Lamb, the Van Eyck brothers' masterpiece.
• Head southeast from Brussels into French-speaking Wallonia. Stop off at Dinant (website: www.dinant.be) with its spectacular cliff-top Citadel (website: www.citadellededinant.be), and the equally impressive cliff-face Notre Dame church by the banks of the River Meuse. Dinant was birthplace of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone.
• Also in Wallonia, visit Liège (website: www.prov-liege.be) a popular tourist destination situated on the banks of the Meuse. The view from the Citadel covers the old town, the most impressive part of the city.
• Explore the Belgian coastline, a largely sandy affair that stretches for 67km (42 miles) from Knokke near the Dutch border to De Panne on the French border, with over a dozen resorts. Knokke, Middelkerke and Ostend are the liveliest resorts.
• In Tournai (website: www.tournai.be), the country's second oldest city, admire the oldest belfry in Belgium, and the Cathedral of Our Lady (12th century), both of which are UNESCO-listed heritage buildings.
• See the site of the Battle of the Bulge (1944-1945) at Bastogne Historical Centre (website: www.bastognehistoricalcenter.be), close to the Luxembourg border, which features a large American memorial and collections of memorabilia relating to the pivotal WWII engagement.
See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.