Belgium – A Country Of Living History (And Delicious Chocolate)

by erin on December 8, 2010

Europe is full of countries, and each of these countries can be recognized by their unique peoples, culture, diets, and looks. Among these countries, Belgium is one of the most special. Belgium is a country located in the western part of Europe, and it’s bordered by Germany, the Netherlands, France, Luxemborg, and the Northern Sea. It’s landscapes consist of lazily rolling hills, lush green forests, and coastal plains. So as you can probably imagine, Belgium is a pretty interesting place to visit. That being said, it offers an escape from the traditional sort of European vacation. If you want something fresh and exciting, look into Belgium. Begin your journey by utilizing online American passport services.

Online passport services have changed the passport application process entirely. You no longer are required to visit a passport bureau or the post office. Everything takes place right from your computer, and these sites even specialize in expedited delivery, meaning your passport can be in your hands as quickly as you need it. You can get your passport rush shipped to you by filling our an expedited passport application.

Within the country of Belgium, there are three distinctly different regions: Brussels, Wallonia, and Flanders. Brussels is the capital of Belgium, and therefore harbors many cultural and historical attractions, one of which is the Grande Palace. There are also an abundance of art museums to browse. Wallonia is the primarly French-speaking part of Belgium, and is a very culturally colorful spot. Flanders is the region that contains some of Belgium’s largest and most interesting cities: Ghent, Bruges, and Antwerp. Each of these cities makes for an excellent day trip location.

One of the most interesting parts of Belgium is all the ancient buildings that are still standing and are still being used even today. History is always present when you walk around the cities of Belgium, and the old Belgian architecture is a sign of this. Fine art also ties closely with Belgian history, and I guarantee you will not have any issues finding art museums to explore. Both Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck, along with many other famous artists, are from Belgium. Also keep an eye out for the variety of art, music, and film festivals that happen all throughout the year.

As you can imagine, food is a very close cousin to culture, and Belgium definitely displays this. One food you might instantly associate with Belgium is chocolate. The art of chocolate and its making is a very serious subject to Belgium, and this means that you can be sure that Belgian chocolate is among the most delicious in the world. Belgium is also said to be the home of the french fry, and they have perfected it as well. Belgian beer is yet another symbol of Belgium, and there are often “beer tours” that take you through breweries and offer samples as well.

In Belgium, there is no shortage of things to do, and deciding on what to do is really a matter of personal taste. Just be sure to avoid the tacky tourist traps that offer “real” Belgian products and foods. The Belgian people are very friendly and will help you find the places to have the best Belgian experience. Don’t forget about online American passport services, where you can fill out an expedite passport application to get your passports conveniently and quickly.

Comments on this entry are closed.

Previous post:

Next post: