Five things which make Belgium such a great place to visit
In terms of attracting tourists Belgium tends to be overlooked in favour of its rather more famous neighbours.
On Belgium's southern border is France, on its northern border is the Netherlands and on its eastern border is Germany.
Yet Belgium has so much to offer; people willing to choose a less traditional holiday destination will find the country so rewarding to visit.
And it is so near –why not check out this nation's hidden delights. If you flying from London, travel services companies like FHR can help you book Heathrow and Gatwick airport parking before your trip. Or if you want to relax before your trip why not check in to a Heathrow or Gatwick airport hotel.
I challenged Brighton-based Belgian Sarah De Vos to name five great things about her mother country. Sarah, 31, didn't struggle to come up with answers.
1. Ghent
Ghent (pronounced ‘gent') is the place where Sarah grew up and lived in until she was 24. She said: "I might be biased but I really think Ghent is beautiful; the people are very jovial, friendly and welcoming and there is plenty to do. There are lots of nice little places to sample the local cuisine – don't forget to sample our famous Ghent ‘waterzooi', which is a stew with fish or chicken."
Sarah recommends visiting the Castle of the Counts (Gravensteen) and the surrounding medieval district and Saint Bavo Cathedral where the famous The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, painted by the van Eyck brothers, is kept.
She added: "Also make sure that you include St. Michael's Bridge, Het belfort (the Belfry), the Graslei and the museum of modern art in your itinerary."
2. Bruges
Bruges' storybook setting was one of the reasons why the 2008 film In Bruges starring Colin Farrell was such a success. Visiting the city shows that the film's producers didn't need to use any CGI wizardry to enhance the location's beauty.
Sarah believes that Bruges is perfect for the first-time visitor to Belgium. She said: "I love Bruges; it is so compact – all its sights are within easy walking distance of each other and can be seen during a busy weekend. The city has a lot of registered historic buildings, is very pretty and the people are so friendly and welcoming."
She recommends visiting the Belfry and the Market Square and taking a boat trip on the Canal. "Eating and drink nice things by the river and browsing the many chocolate and lace shops is always fun!"
3. The Ardennes
If you want a break from the bustling city life of places like Ghent and Bruges, there is always the Ardennes in Wallonia. Sarah says: "This area is absolutely beautiful; it's the place to go for forests and hills, castles, abbey beers and dried sausages! The Ardennes is ideal if you want to chill out and go for long walks in beautiful surroundings."
4. Food and drink
Sarah is a Belgian who shares tourists' love of chips from a frituur, waffles and chocolate.
There are even more exotic local delicacies on offer such as tomate-crevette ("delicious with chips") dried sausages and pate and chicory in cheese sauce with ham.
Sarah says:" I'm less keen on eel in green sauce but it's a national dish so don't let me put you off! Washed down with one of Belgium's beautiful Trappist monastery beers it tastes fine."
5. The Belgian people
Sarah says: "Belgians love the British – we love the British humor and the traditions! Also, old people in Belgium have never forgotten that the British freed Belgium from occupation during the war. Us Belgians are open and jovial; we love life, good food and talking for hours over a beer!"
On Belgium's southern border is France, on its northern border is the Netherlands and on its eastern border is Germany.
Yet Belgium has so much to offer; people willing to choose a less traditional holiday destination will find the country so rewarding to visit.
And it is so near –why not check out this nation's hidden delights. If you flying from London, travel services companies like FHR can help you book Heathrow and Gatwick airport parking before your trip. Or if you want to relax before your trip why not check in to a Heathrow or Gatwick airport hotel.
I challenged Brighton-based Belgian Sarah De Vos to name five great things about her mother country. Sarah, 31, didn't struggle to come up with answers.
1. Ghent
Ghent (pronounced ‘gent') is the place where Sarah grew up and lived in until she was 24. She said: "I might be biased but I really think Ghent is beautiful; the people are very jovial, friendly and welcoming and there is plenty to do. There are lots of nice little places to sample the local cuisine – don't forget to sample our famous Ghent ‘waterzooi', which is a stew with fish or chicken."
Sarah recommends visiting the Castle of the Counts (Gravensteen) and the surrounding medieval district and Saint Bavo Cathedral where the famous The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, painted by the van Eyck brothers, is kept.
She added: "Also make sure that you include St. Michael's Bridge, Het belfort (the Belfry), the Graslei and the museum of modern art in your itinerary."
2. Bruges
Bruges' storybook setting was one of the reasons why the 2008 film In Bruges starring Colin Farrell was such a success. Visiting the city shows that the film's producers didn't need to use any CGI wizardry to enhance the location's beauty.
Sarah believes that Bruges is perfect for the first-time visitor to Belgium. She said: "I love Bruges; it is so compact – all its sights are within easy walking distance of each other and can be seen during a busy weekend. The city has a lot of registered historic buildings, is very pretty and the people are so friendly and welcoming."
She recommends visiting the Belfry and the Market Square and taking a boat trip on the Canal. "Eating and drink nice things by the river and browsing the many chocolate and lace shops is always fun!"
3. The Ardennes
If you want a break from the bustling city life of places like Ghent and Bruges, there is always the Ardennes in Wallonia. Sarah says: "This area is absolutely beautiful; it's the place to go for forests and hills, castles, abbey beers and dried sausages! The Ardennes is ideal if you want to chill out and go for long walks in beautiful surroundings."
4. Food and drink
Sarah is a Belgian who shares tourists' love of chips from a frituur, waffles and chocolate.
There are even more exotic local delicacies on offer such as tomate-crevette ("delicious with chips") dried sausages and pate and chicory in cheese sauce with ham.
Sarah says:" I'm less keen on eel in green sauce but it's a national dish so don't let me put you off! Washed down with one of Belgium's beautiful Trappist monastery beers it tastes fine."
5. The Belgian people
Sarah says: "Belgians love the British – we love the British humor and the traditions! Also, old people in Belgium have never forgotten that the British freed Belgium from occupation during the war. Us Belgians are open and jovial; we love life, good food and talking for hours over a beer!"
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