Notes prepared by Gene Gill
BELGIUM
CURRENCY: The Euro... 100 cents to the Euro. Bills are 5,10,20,50,100,200. Coins are
1,2,5,10,20,50 cents and 1, 2, Euro. The Euro was introduced in 2002.
LANGUAGE: 65% speak Flemish, which resembles Dutch, only softer. 32% speak French.
English is widely understood.
TEMPERATURE: 70’s during the summer...with rain about every other day.
BANK HOURS: M- F…9-4
SHOP HOURS: M-S … 9-6
THINGS TO BUY: Lace, crystal, pewter, linen, and chocolate.
FOOD: It is excellent... some say as good, or better than in France. Lots of fresh fish. Street
stands abound and their food is very good ... toasted waffles, or cones of French fries with
mayonnaise ... also sausage. Belgium waffles are the best.
DRINK:
Beer and wine are available everywhere. Beer has a vague Cola taste... like it or
loathe it. No restaurant without a “club” license can serve spirits, and these are limited, generally,
to hotels and membership organizations.
TIPPING: 16% is added to restaurant bills. You may leave a little more. Leave tip for
Chambermaid ... tip porter...Taxi's get 15%.
ZAVENTEM AIRPORT
From the basement of the airport building, a special
train goes to Central Station or North Station in Brussels…16 minutes.
FOR FREE MAPS and INFORMATION: BELGIAN TOURIST OFFICE, 780 Third
Ave. Suite 1501, New York 10017. (212) 758-8130.
MISCELLANEOUS: It’s surprising that Belgium hasn’t “caught-on” as a major tourist
country. The people are among the friendliest in Europe, and the attractions in Brussels, Brughes,
and Ghent rival the attractions, or surpass the attractions, of other countries. One visit and you’ll
be sold!
BRUSSELS
RAILWAY STATIONS: There are 3... all on the same line. Most trains stop at all three.
TRANSPORTATION: Buses, trams, and a new very good subway system. One can walk to
most attractions. A ONE DAY TICKET is available... also a 10 journey ticket.
LE GRAN' PLACE: “The most beautiful public square in the world”...in the heart of
Brussels. Beautiful ancient Guild Halls and Town Hall, dating from the middle Ages, surround
the square. Each building sports a medieval flag and the cornices of the building are gold leaf. It
is still used as a market place in the early morning. At night, colored lights are flashed across the
HOTEL DE VILLE, with Bach or Beethoven music played over a loud speaker. Sit and have a
drink and enjoy. In addition there are NUMEROUS events staged daily in this beautiful
square..always something going on. HOTEL DE-VILLE (TOWN HALL): ...on Le GRAN
PLACE ... begun in 1402 ... a fine example of Gothic Architecture, and the most imposing
structure on the square. The hours are Tue-Fri 9:30-5. Sun 10-4. MAIS0N DU ROI: ... on Le
GRAN PLACE ... opposite the Hotel de Ville ... constructed in the 16th century ... now the
HISTORICAL MUSEUM OF BRUSSELS. The collection includes the numerous costumes the
natives have placed on their favorite statue - The Manneken-pis. (More about him later) Hours
are Tue-Fri 10-5. Sat/Sun 10-12.
MANNEKEN-PIS: This small bronze 17th century statue of a boy “making water” is
considered symbolic of Brussells spirit, which seems to be "Pee on it". The statue is frequently
dressed in outlandish custom-made outfits and hats by pranksters. This practice started over 100
years ago and continues. You never know when you'll find him dressed. (This fountain is down
from the GRAN PLACE on Rue de I’Etuve.
MUSEE DE L'ART ANCIKEN: 3 Rue de la Regence. Daily 10-5. Closed Mon. Near the
ROYAL PALACE ... with the best collection of Flemish Art ... Bosch, Breughel, Rubens, Van
Dyck, Rembrandt, and Hals. The MUSEE OF MODERN ART, after a recent renovation is now
connected to the ancient art Museum. The Modern contains works mostly by Belgian moderns ...
especially Magritte, Ensor, and Delvaux. The Magritte’s are First Rate.
ROYAL PALACE: This palace was the residence of royalty. It’s located on a Classical
square of elegant proportions. Hours 10-4. Closed Monday.
PALAIS DE JUSTICE: On Place Poelart ... a massive stone structure whose courtyard
affords a panoramic view of Brussels. Daily 8:30-4. Clo. Sun.
ST. MICHEL CATHEDRAL (St. Gudule): Begun in the 9th c ... took over 300 years to
complete ... the national Cathedral of Belgium and one of the oldest buildings.
PETIT SABLON: A beautiful square with Gothic columns and 48 bronze statues.
BRUEGHEL HOUSE: The house (difficult to find) where the artist lived late in life.
BRUGES
Bruges is a beautifully preserved 14-15th century Flemish town with canals, gabled houses on
narrow cobble-streets, and charming people who love their town. Do this town on foot because
THE TOWN IS A.MUSEUM! Spend one day, or a life time here. Bruges is 1 hour, by frequent
trains, from Brussels. This will be one of the cleanest places you'll ever visit.
MARKET SQUARE: The heart of Old Bruges …dating from the 13th century. Guild houses
and Town Hall surround the square.
NOTRE DAME CHURCH: Beautiful interior/exterior... but go to see the out-standing
sculpture by MICHELANGELO - the only one outside Italy and France. The sculpture is located
in a chapel to the right of the main altar.
BURG SQUARE: Surrounded by buildings, which represent four different countries. It’s an
excellent place to watch people ... or to take one of the popular carriage rides. Note the clever
way the drivers keep the horses from soiling the streets. The building to see on this square is the
CHAPEL OF HOLY BLOOD, where the altar holding the religious relic of the Blood of Christ is
very impressive.
GROENINGE MUSEUM: Daily 9:30-6. Closed Tuesday. Dutch Masterpieces ... Van
Eyck, Memling, Bosch, Bosch, Brueghel, and the French Impressionists. Located in an ancient
building, but the interior has been completely renovated and is currently one of the most
impressively “hung” museums in Europe.
ST. JOHN’S HOSPITAL: The hospital contains some ancient equipment and tools used by
early doctors. The MEMLIIIG MUSEUM is located within the hospital and there are two
galleries with outstanding Memling’s. The hours are Daily, except Wednesday 9-12:30, 1-6.
THE BEGIJNHOF: The most picturesque part of town ... dating from 1245 ... near the port.
CANAL BOAT TRIP: From various parts of town. It’s a treat to see this beautiful town from
another angle. Bring lots of film.
WALKING: There is nothing that can't be reached easily ON FOOT in this beautiful town. If
you drive, park your car in one of several underground lots and WALK IT! Be warned: There
are frequent short showers in the summer. Take your umbrella. When the sun comes out, the
people will come out and wash their windows and everything will sparkle.
GHENT
Ghent is a medieval port city with more historic buildings than any other Belgian city. While this
town might also be considered A MUSEUM, there are more modern sections than Bruges and it
does not have quite the same charm. Ghent can be reached, by train, from Brussels, in about an
hour. Take Tram 4 from the station to the center of town. Once in the center you can walk to the
attractions.
KOORNMARKT: This is the center of town, where one usually begins to explore Ghent.
CATHEDRAL OF ST. BAVO: Daily 9:30-12, 2-6. Sun 1-6. This church is a hybrid of
Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque styles. The belfry offers fine views of the countryside. The
real reason one visits this church is to see the very famous masterpiece by Jan Van Eyck - "The
ADORATION OF THE MYSTIC LAMB, a very famous altar piece. The altar piece is located in
one of the chapels…to the left of the entrance.. It has recently been cleaned and is in perfect
condition. This altar piece is considered by many to be the first OIL painting. Most tours stop in
Ghent to allow the visitors to see this piece…and then continue on to Bruges. If you're "doing it"
by train, and have limited time, you can also stop, check out the altarpiece, and then get back on
the train to Bruges.
FINE ARTS MUSEUM (Museum voor Schone Kunsten): Hours 9-12, 2-5. Located in
Citadel Park. Contains a splendid collection of Dutch, German, French, Italian, and Spanish
paintings.
CASTLE OF, THE COUNTS OF FLANDERS (S’Gravensteen): This is a splendid old
castle-fortress, surrounded by a moat ... excellent views of the town from the towers. Self-guided
tours. It's worth a visit. Hours 9-5:15.
GUILD HOUSES: ... from the 12-17th centuries... all over town, and on every major square
... especially along the canal going toward the CASTLE. Very picturesque. Also see TOWN
HALL.
ANTWERP
Antwerp is about I hour by train, from Brussels, and is an old port city ... and the 5th largest
current port in the world. Much of Antwerp is rather modern but the old sections are well worth
seeing. Most museums and attractions are closed on Monday.
RUBEN’S HOUSE: 91 Wrapper Street. Hours 10-5. Rubens lived and worked here for 30
years. The museum contains some paintings and his original furniture. See his personal studio,
and the large studio for his pupils. He also designed part of the building. Most of the present
structure has been reconstructed. The garden in the back is lovely.
ROYAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS (Koninklijk voor Schone Dunsten): Hours 10-5.
Good natural lighting ... Flemish, Italian, French, Dutch, and German paintings. There’s a snack
bar in the museum.
OPEN MARKET (Grote Markt): A beautiful square with fountains ... a statue of Rubens in
the center... surrounded by old Guild houses.
OUR LADY CATHEDRAL: A spectacular Gothic structure ... the largest in Belgium.
There are paintings by Rubens, in particular, his DESGENT FROM THE CROSS, which hangs
above the TOMB OF RUBENS and his wife.
MAYER VAN DEN BERGH MUSEUM: On Lange Gasthuisstraat near Ruben’s House.
Hours are 10-5. The main reason to go is the see the famous Brueghel painting. However, the
interior of the old building is quite interesting.
CASTLE STEEN: A beautiful story-book fortress from the 10th century ... and the oldest
building in Antwerp. Located on,the harbor.
THE PORT: The 5th largest in the world. Short cruises are available.