Custom travel to Belgium

Belgium is one of Europe's culturally richest destinations — 30,689 km² for 11.5 million inhabitants, 1 h 22 from Paris by high-speed train. Three linguistic regions with opposite personalities: Dutch-speaking Flanders to the north, French-speaking Wallonia to the south, and bilingual Brussels in the center (EU official capital). 12 UNESCO sites (one of Europe's highest densities per km²): Brussels Grand-Place, Bruges historic center, beguinages, Horta's Tassel House… Bruges 'the Venice of the North' and its 50 km of canals, Ghent and the Van Eyck brothers' Ghent Altarpiece, diamond-trading Antwerp and Rubens House, the Ardennes and Waterloo, and 6 of the world's 14 Trappist abbeys. 5-7 days are enough to combine Brussels + Bruges + Ghent + Antwerp. A gastronomic and cultural destination par excellence — fine chocolate, 1,600 beers, fries, Flemish painting, and medieval architecture.

Highlights

  • UNESCO Brussels Grand-Place ('world's most beautiful square')
  • UNESCO Bruges 'Venice of the North' (50 km canals)
  • Ghent Saint Bavo Cathedral (Van Eyck Mystic Lamb 1432)
  • Antwerp Rubens House and diamonds (80% world)
  • 6 Trappist abbeys (Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle, Westvleteren)
  • Belgian chocolate (world cradle of fine chocolate)

Frequently asked questions

When?

April-October (mild climate). December for Christmas markets. Avoid November-February (short days, rains).

How long?

5 days for essential Belgium (Brussels + Bruges + Ghent). 7 days with Antwerp. 10 days with Wallonia/Ardennes.

Budget?

€1,800-€2,500 per person for 5 days in comfort, TGV included. Premium: €3,200-€4,500. TGV: €100-€200 round-trip.

Visa?

No visa for French citizens (Schengen, free circulation, ID card sufficient).

How to get to Belgium?

Direct Paris-Brussels TGV 1 h 22 (Eurostar/Thalys/SNCB, €50-€200). Faster than plane (2 h center-to-center vs 3 h 30 plane including airports).

Family?

EXCELLENT family destination (Bruges canals for children, fun Atomium, amusing Manneken-Pis, delicious chocolatiers, TGV accessibility). All ages.

How to move between cities?

Excellent and frequent SNCB trains (Brussels-Bruges 1 h, Brussels-Ghent 30 min, Brussels-Antwerp 50 min, €12-€25).

Combine?

Yes: Belgium + Netherlands (Amsterdam 2-h TGV), Belgium + Luxembourg (3-h car), Belgium + Germany (Cologne 2-h TGV), Belgium + France (Lille 35-min TGV).

Westvleteren: how to buy?

PHONE RESERVATION 7 days in advance with abbey. Sale ONLY at abbey, max 2 cases per person. Or at Café In de Vrede right next to abbey (glass-by-glass sale, €7).

Tips?

Not mandatory (service included) but 5-10% in gastronomic restaurants appreciated, €1-€2 for taxi.