Belgium and Luxembourg (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

320 SURVIVAL GUIDE

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

B

elgium and Luxembourg are

well organized countries,

whose people like to see

the practicalities of life properly
managed in a transparent and effi-

cient manner. Tourism is a major
industry in both nations and is

actively promoted by the authori-
ties. As a result, tourist offices,

both abroad and within the countries,
have a wealth of information, much of

which is accessible on the Internet.

Travel hubs and most towns also

have visitor centres. If things go

wrong, these centres have help-

ful, English-speaking people to

help sort out problems. However, it

is always best to learn a few

basic phrases or to take a phrase-

book along. In Wallonia, most

information is given in French, while in

Flanders it is provided in Dutch.

The glittering Christmas market in Brussels’s Grand Place

WHEN TO GO

Both countries can be visited
year-round. However, in sum-
mer (June–August) there is a
better chance of sunshine and
warm weather, and towns lay
on a host of festivities and
outdoor concerts. Summer is
also the height of the tourist
season, so all museums, gal-
leries and attractions are open
to the fullest schedules. From
October to March, many of
the smaller museums, and the
less frequented churches and
historic houses, open only at
weekends, or may close com-
pletely. December has its
Christmas markets (see p35)
while February and March
have carnivals (see pp32–33).

Belgium’s tourist

information sign

winter, but the weather is

always unpredictable – it is

easy to adjust to this by just

adding or subtracting a fleece

or a cardigan. It is also best to

be prepared for wet weather.

Despite Belgium’s reputation

for cutting-edge fashion, most

people dress in a practical,

down-to-earth kind of way.

Smart-casual would be the

dress code for better restau-

rants and even business meet-

ings and formal occasions. A

pair of sturdy walking shoes

TOURIST INFORMATION

The Belgian authorities, and

individual towns and cities,

are working hard to promote

their country as a holiday des-

tination. They produce copi-

ous amounts of promotional

Smart-casual wear and sturdy shoes, the norm in Belgium and Luxembourg

WHAT TO PACK

Where clothing is concerned,
visitors need to think in terms
of layers. The average tem-
peratures are 20ºC (68ºF)
in summer and 5ºC (41ºF) in

is recommended to deal with

the cobbled streets. Also essen-

tial are adaptor plugs for elec-

trical appliances and mosquito

repellent for places with open

canals, such as Bruges.

Narrow brick houses fencing a quiet cobbled alley in Bruges