| Home > Belgium Country > General Information |
| General Information |
| Brussels is alluring any time
of year. Most visitors arrive between May and September, when the weather
is at its best. Unfortunately, the lovely temperate beauty of the place
can be undermined by considerable crowds at tourist sites and a scarcity
of accommodations. If you're considering a weekend visit, Brussels is a particularly attractive option, as the majority of the city's top-end hotels drop their rates dramatically from Friday to Sunday. Don't settle for the first price you're quoted. The Country : Belgium is a small country (11,730 square Miles, the size of Maryland) with a population of slightly less than 10 million. It has been a constitutional monarchy since 1830. There are three languages (Dutch, French and German). Time : Six hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time. One hour ahead of GMT. Customs Formalities : Passports and visas : Requirements for U.S. and Canadian citizens : valid passports without visa, provided their stay does not exceed 90 days. Pets, cats and dogs : A veterinarian's certificate is needed, issued not less than 30 days or more than one year prior to entry, certifying that the animal is in good health and has been vaccinated against rabies within one year. Airport : Brussels Airport is connected with frequent trains to the center of the town. The ride takes 17 minutes. Electricity : Current is A.C. 220 volts 50 cycles Postal service : Hours : 9 AM to 12 AM and 2 PM to 5 PM Bank service : Hours : Monday through Friday 9 AM to 3 PM (some closing for an hour at lunch time) Religious Services : Practically every religion is represented in the main towns in Belgium Tips, VAT, Taxes : In Belgium prices are quoted "all inclusive". No additional tipping necessary Telephones : The main international operators (AT&T, Sprint, etc.) have free call-in numbers in Belgium.In most of the Belgian street phone boots, international calling is possible. Weather : The weather in Brussels and Belgium is not very good. It rains a lot and if it is not raining the sky is usually grey . However, it is not raining 365 days a year! The weather is usually quite good in the summer and the temperature can be quite warm and pleasant. Travelling : By car : Rules of the road There is a speed limit of 90 km per hour (56 mph) on all roads throughout the country, with the exception of highways and trunk roads with four traffic lanes, where speed is limited to 120 km per hour. In most main towns the speed limit is 50 km.p.h. and is indicated by traffic signs. Traffic of the right has right of way. Safety belts must be worn at all times and children under 12 are prohibited from sitting in the front seat, unless no other seat is available. The roads Roads are very good. Since Dutch is spoken in the northern part of the country and French in the Southern part, several towns and villages have two names, one in French and one in Dutch. Accidents Dial 100 in case of accident when medical help is needed. Breakdowns On highways, orange phones enable you to call for assistance (police, garage, medical help) Parking Most cities and towns have parking meters. Taxis Available in most towns. the tip is included in the price shown on the meter Car rental You must have a valid driver's license and be at least 23 years of age. By Train : The Belgian National Railways operate the densest rail network in the world and the majority of the international lines pass through Brussels, the center of this network. There is a frequent efficient train service from Brussels to almost all parts of the country. Look in our special train section for the departure schedules of the most important lines |