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)

Sample itineraries

Essential Belgium: Brussels, Bruges, Ghent

Duration : 5 days

Route : Brussels (2 nights, Grand-Place, Magritte, Atomium) → train Bruges (2 nights, canals, belfry) → train Ghent (1, Saint Bavo Mystic Lamb) → return Brussels

Cultural Belgium: Brussels + Bruges + Ghent + Antwerp

Duration : 7 days

Route : Brussels (2) → Bruges (2) → Ghent (1) → Antwerp (2 nights, Rubens House, diamonds, fashion) → return Brussels

Gourmet Belgium: cities + beers + chocolate + Ardennes

Duration : 10 days

Route : Brussels (3) → Bruges (2) → Ghent (1) → Antwerp (2) → Wallonia ARDENNES (2 nights, Chimay-Orval-Rochefort Trappist abbeys, Bouillon castle, Bastogne WW2 memorial) → return Brussels

When to go

April-October is the best period (mild climate 12-22 °C, long days, perfect for urban walking and Bruges canal excursions). TOURIST PEAK June-August (perfect temperatures but Bruges very crowded). DECEMBER for CHRISTMAS MARKETS (Brussels Place Sainte-Catherine, Bruges Markt — snowy medieval magic). Avoid November-February for urban visits (short days, frequent rains — Belgium is one of Europe's rainiest countries with 200 rainy days/year).

  • Ideal spring (April – June) — 1-h Holland tulips, artisanal markets
  • Summer tourist peak (July – August) — 10-day Ghent Gentse Feesten, Tomorrowland
  • Autumn Ardennes colors (September – October) — Autumn-colored Ardennes forests
  • Winter Christmas markets (November – March) — Brussels, Bruges, Liège Christmas markets

Practical information

Very safe (one of Europe's safest countries). Vigilance at Brussels Midi Station (pickpockets, some districts at night). No visa for French citizens (Schengen, free circulation). No mandatory vaccine. Tap water POTABLE good quality. Cards accepted everywhere. French spoken everywhere (official language Wallonia + Brussels). Tipping: not mandatory but 5-10% in restaurants appreciated, €1-€2 for taxi. RIGHT-HAND DRIVING. FRENCH PLUG (Type C/E, 230 V — no adapter needed). BICYCLE recommended in Bruges and Ghent (flat, 100 km of bike paths, €12/day rental). BRUSSELS CARD PASS (24/48/72 h, €30/40/50, 50-museum access + unlimited transport).

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.