Living in Belgium

Overview of Belgium

Belgium is a small country with a population of 10 million. The expatriate population is concentrated in two main cities, Brussels and Antwerp, where many work for organizations such as the European Union or Nato, and multinational companies.

Belgium is a country where several languages are spoken. Dutch is the official language in Flanders, French in Wallonia and German in the tiny eastern cantons in the Ardennes. Brussels is officially bilingual, with both French and Dutch given equal status.
The language issue goes back to the fall of the Roman Empire, when German tribes conquered the low land to the north, while Romanised Celts held on to the land in the south. For many centuries, Brussels was a Dutch-speaking city, but a small French-speaking elite began to take over in the 15th century. Elsewhere in Flanders, the upper classes often spoke French until well in the 20th century, while Dutch speakers were treated as second-class citizens. Inspired by civil rights movements elsewhere in the world, Dutch speakers gradually asserted their rights in the 1960s, leading in 1962 to the creation of a language frontier dividing the country into two regions. As a result, the country has slowly drifted apart, with different television stations, newspapers, schools and even libraries. It occasionally provides a cultural confusion, as when an address is given as Rue de Namur/Naamsestraat.

The Belgian capital, Brussels, is undeniably the heart of the EU. The European Union now counts 25 member states and some 450 million citizens since the latest enlargement on 1 May 2004. The number of members (MEPs) in the Parliament is 732. Brussels is a complex and constantly surprising city of one million people, one quarter of them are foreigners (around 36%).

Housing in Brussels

The choice of housing in Brussels is wide and varied, ranging from studio flats to apartments, houses and villas. Before deciding where to settle, take time to familiarize yourself with the various districts in Brussels, bearing in mind such factors as:
Commute to work
Where your children go to school
The airport and the stations
Public transportation
The neighbourhood and surrounding area
Shops
Parking
Sports centres
Parks
Restaurants
Noise levels

The Brussels-Capital Region is made up of 19 communes:

1000 ï¿½ Brussels Central
1030 ï¿½ Schaerbeek
1030 ï¿½ St. Josse-ten-Noode
1040 ï¿½ Etterbeek
1050 ï¿½ Ixelles/Elsene
1060 ï¿½ St. Gilles
1070 ï¿½ Anderlecht
1080 ï¿½ Molenbeek
1081 ï¿½ Koekelberg
1082 ï¿½ Berchem St. Agathe
1083 ï¿½ Ganshoren
1090 ï¿½ Jette
1140 ï¿½ Evere
1150 ï¿½ Woluwe-St.-Pierre/St. Pieterï¿½s Woluwe
1160 ï¿½ Auderghem/Oudergem
1170 ï¿½ Watermael Boitsfort/Watermael Bosvoorde
1180 ï¿½ Uccle/Ukkel
1190 ï¿½ Foret/Vorst
1200 ï¿½ Woluwe-St.-Lambert

Beyond Woluwe-Saint-Pierre and Saint-Lambert, on the other side of the Ring road, are three Dutch-speaking communes Kraainem, Wezembeek and Sterrebeek that attract many English-speaking foreigners along their wide tree-lined avenues and quiet green roads. Tervuren is the preferred country residence of the Belgian aristocracy up until the 1920s, this area is now very popular among expatriates, especially Britons, thanks to the British school. Houses in Tervuren ranges from big to huge.

Sint-Genesius-Rode/Rhode-Saint-Genese & Waterloo. The former is noted for its large, white-brick villas, the latter for its transplanted American flavour. While Rhode/Rode has its shopping areas and restaurants, there is almost no downtown. A true suburb, it is still close enough to the city to rely on its resources.

Waterloo, on the other hand, was already a town before Napoleon made it famous. A central shopping street and huge hypermarkets replete with American-style parking lots, drive-in hamburger joints make it possible to live in Waterloo without ever going into Brussels.

Overijse/Jezus Eik & Hoeilaart. Beyond the Ring, off the E411 motorway to Namur, the countryside becomes truly agrarian. Most of Belgiumï¿½s table grapes come from Overijse and the area is dotted with greenhouses and farmhouses. There are some magnificent houses in this area with swimming pools and tennis courts but for the greater part, they are comfortable suburban villas built for middle class families with children.

Renting advice

There are two types of leases in Belgium. A standard 9 year lease or a shorter 0-3 year lease. The standard Belgian lease covering unfurnished premises is drawn up for a period of 9 years. Leases generally state the conditions, amount of rent, maintenance charges (where, and if, applicable) and duration.
The shorter ï¿½0-3 yearï¿½ lease is for a fixed term and is in fact, less flexible than the 9 year lease. This type of lease can be renewed for the same period only once. Normally three monthsï¿½ notice must be given at the end of the term by either party and, in the case, neither party gives notice, the lease is automatically transferred to a 9 year lease.

For a standard lease early termination will result in penalty payment amounting to 3, 2 or 1 month rent depending on whether the lease was terminated in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd year of the lease. Beware some non-standard leases cannot be broken and you will be required to pay until the end of the lease.

Guarantee

You will be required to put up a ï¿½guaranteeï¿½ to cover any damage made to the property. The standard is 2 months rent. This ï¿½guaranteeï¿½ is normally put into a blocked account and released upon signature of both the landlord and tenant.
Expertise

Before and after occupancy, a qualified expert will undertake a survey of the property, known as ï¿½Etat des Lieux/Plaatsbeschrijvingï¿½ in order to establish its condition. This survey comprises a very detailed room-by-room listing of any defects or existing damages. Landlords usually arrange for this survey, but both the tenant and the landlord share the costs of the survey. The new tenant will receive a copy of the report for study. You have 30 days to compare the expertï¿½s findings with your own observations. Any disagreement and comments should be added in writing before signing. Should arbitration be required, another expert may be called in.

On the tenant's departure, an expert will make another survey of the premises and the tenant will be charged for any repairs that were not listed as defects in the original survey. It should be noted that defects might even include slight scratches, discoloration of paint etc.

Healthcare in Brussels

The Belgian medical care is among the best and most modern in the world. Unlike in some other countries, in Belgium you have complete freedom to choose your own doctor. A list of doctors both GPs and specialists, is given in the telephone directory under "Docteurs en Medicine/Doctors in de Geneeskunde" and Dentists under "Dentistes/Tandartsen" are listed separately by alphabet in the Yellow Pages (Pages d'Or/Gouden Gids www.pagesdor.be . The Community Help Service's Help Line 02-648 40 14 or see www.chsbelgium.org can provide details of English-Speaking doctors. You can also locate a GP in your area by visiting www.mgbru.be . It is always helpful to ask around among colleagues and friends for recommendations. Then Telephone the doctor of your choice for an appointment and expect to pay (cash) your consultation before you leave. Make sure you ask for a receipt for your insurance.

Social security cards and reimbursements

Everyone is obliged to take out health insurance in Belgium to cover health care expenses and disability benefits. These mutual health insurance companies are known in French as ï¿½Mutualitesï¿½ and ï¿½Ziekenfondsen or Mutualiteitï¿½in Dutch. Individuals are free to join whichever mutuality they wish. However, in practice, Your company will normally arrange this for you. All social security contributors receive a personalised social security card called SIS (Systeme dï¿½Identification Sociale). The cards contain details such as the holderï¿½s national insurance number, date of birth, and mutuelle cover. They have to be presented at hospitals and chemists so that reimbursement can be calculated on the spot with the patient paying the outstanding amount. Each time you visit the hospital, doctor or dentist you will receive a care certificate (ï¿½attestation des soinsï¿½) which you need to complete with a sticker with your personal details and provided by the mutuelle and should send or take to the mutual association in order to claim your reimbursement.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies are open Monday to Friday from 0900-1800 or 1900 hours, with quite a few also opening on Saturday mornings. There will always be one or two in each district on emergency call after hours and all weekend. A list of "On duty" chemists is prominently displayed outside their premises and often published in local papers. You can also telephone 0900 - 10 500 or consult www.pharmacie.be or www.apotheek.be (type in your communeï¿½s postcode to locate the nearest duty chemist).

Hospital/Clinic

You are free to choose yourself which hospital or clinic you wish to use. The basic difference between a hospital and clinic is that the hospital has its own medical staff and services and a clinic is private and generally does not maintain a resident staff.

Emergency medical and ambulance service: 100 or 112 (this is the emergency number for police, fire and ambulance in Belgium throughout the EU)

Children

In Belgium there exists a Early Childhood Organisation, which administers free vaccinations to children under 6, post-natal check-ups and lots more.
French-speaking community: www.one.be or telephone: 02-542 1211
Dutch-speaking community: www.kindengezin.be or telephone: 02-533 1211

Insurance in Brussels

You can find insurance agencies under "assurances/verzekeringsmaatschappijen" in the Yellow Pages but of course it is better to have personal recommendations from your company or colleagues. Contracts are for one year and are renewed automatically, but as a foreigner, you may ask for a rupture clause allowing you to terminate the contract if you have to leave Belgium for professional reasons. Cancellation must be in writing, sent by registered post, three months before the expiration date.

Home insurance

Home insurance is required by the rental lease. While it seems unusual, tenants must insure their rented premises against damages caused during their occupancy. The tenant is responsible for damage caused by fire and water and for broken glass in windows or doors.
The landlord will have insurance for the building, but this will cover damage that is not caused by the tenant such as earthquake, lightning or fire beyond the fault of the tenant.

Contents insurance

Your lease usually requires you to take insurance for fire and water damage. In the event of a fire it is difficult to prove how it started and therefore it is counted as the tenant's liability. It is advisable to have your broker visit the property to ascertain the value. In addition, a complete inventory of the contents should be carried out in order to obtain a realistic global value.

Make sure theft is covered in your insurance. Even the simple repairs following a burglary or attempted burglary are costly to repair. Damages to doors, windows, furniture etc. from a break-in would not be covered without a theft clause and, of course, nothing could be claimed for stolen items. Insurance companies sometimes insist on changing the locks or installing a official alarm systems in order to offer this type of cover.

All Risk Insurance is subscribed to as an additional cover to the standard Fire and Theft Insurance, and is subscribed to as to obtain a refund amounting, to the cost of replacement. This type of insurance is sub-divided into several categories:
All risk Jewellery
All risk Work of Art
All risk Photographic and Video Equipment
All risk Computer and Electronic Equipment

Family Liability Insurance

Also known as Third Person Liability, this coverage protects the head of the household and all persons for whom he is responsible, form claims for damages by third parties. This responsibility includes pets and children of friend staying, even temporarily, on the household premises or accompanying the family elsewhere. All persons need to be covered.

Hospitalization insurance

Insurance covering hospitalisation expenses is available to supplement the maximum benefits of the mutual coverage provided under the federal program. Coverage can include full in-hospital expenses as well as pre-and post treatment for the person and the whole family (these are expenses not covered by the mutual program).

Car insurance

The minimum compulsory coverage is Third Party Liability, which in Belgium is unlimited for death, bodily injury and physical damage. Each car owner is obliged to have this insurance.
Premiums are based on the carï¿½s horsepower and the accident record of the insured. Based on a bonus point system, the annual rates jump rapidly, with point increases following accidents where the insured is at fault, whilst descending only a single point for each year of unclaimed accidents, until the lowest level of 1 is achieved.

You can take a full cover out but this is expensive and not normally recommended for cars over three years old. All Risk Insurance is an optional contract, the premium is calculated on the basis of the vehicle's catalogue value, net of VAT.

The insurance company provides a certificate of motor insurance, which is commonly known as the ï¿½green cardï¿½, as proof of third party liability insurance. The original document should be kept in your car at all times and may be requested by the police.d must be carried in the car at all times.

Banking in Brussels

Most expats coming to Belgium open up a bank account at a bank branch convenient to where they live or work. The most common banks are KBC, ING, Fortis and Citibank. Most of these banks can help you in English. It is always worth comparing at least 2 branches to get an idea about the services, prices and how expat friendly they are.

All the major banks have a PC or e-banking facility, which allows you to make online transactions.

The opening hours of the bank are from Monday to Friday 0900-1300 and 1400-1600. Some branches are also open on Saturday morning.

Your Belgian bankcard will allow you to use "Proton". This is a chip on your bank card which allows you to store cash, up to €125, on the card, useful in bakeries, parking meters and telephone booths, postoffice etc. for making small transactions. The bankcard has probably also a "Bancontact/Mistercash" sign. This is widely used in Belgium in supermarkets, petrol stations, shops etc. Money is withdrawn directly from your current account by using a PIN code.

Supermarkets in Brussels

Aldi
Mainly own brands, food and household products at low prices.

Colruyt
Household goods at low prices. Promotes "green" image with recycled packaging etc. Food and household goods.(No carrying bags delivered, bring your own.). It has also a delivery service.

Delhaize
Also uses recycled bags. Fresh fruit and vegetables, household products, beauty products and toiletries, some clothes. Lots of own name brands at good prices, plus well-known brand names.

Carrefour
Fresh fruit and vegetables, household products, beauty products and toiletries, some clothes. Lots of own name brands at good prices, plus well-known brand names.

Match
Fresh fruit, vegetables, groceries and some clothes.

Makro
This is a huge supermarket. You need a special membership card for Makro, ask your company if they have one.

Brico
do-it-yourself materials

Gamma
do-it-yourself materials

Transportation in Brussels

Metro, Tram, Buses

Brussels has a comprehensive network of trams, busses and metro. You can buy tickets for a one-way trip or on a daily, weekly, monthly, three-monthly or yearly basis, the prices decrease according to the length of time for which the tickets are valid. A single journey ticket costs 1,40 Euro and you can use this during one hour within Brussels on any form of public transport or a combination of all three.

You can buy tickets as you get onto the bus or tram, or from the metro stations, the STIB (Sociï¿½tï¿½ des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles) information offices, newsagents, and some supermarkets. Maps are also available from the STIB. The system operates from 0500 until 2400.

STIB/MIVB (Metros, Buses and Trams Information Centre)
Avenue de la Toison d'Or, 85
1060 Brussels
Tel: 02-515 20 00 or 0900-10 310
www.stib.be

Buses

De Lijn
Tel: 016-31 37 11 or 016-31 37 37 (Dutch speaking)
Website: www.delijn.be

It is important to know that public transportation is free for children up to the age of 6.

Train

To leave Brussels, there are 4 main stations: Gare Centrale, Gare du Nord, Gare du Luxembourg and Gare du Midi. Gare du Midi is the station where the TGV (high-speed trains) arrive and depart.

Useful to know: Rail travel is free for children under the age of 6 except on international journeys, when they need to pay from the age of 4. Also free for children under 12 after 0900 (except holidays).

For further details:
S.N.C.B. (Railway)
Rue du Progrï¿½s, 76
1210 Brussels
Tel : 02-555 25 25

For all national and international information, call: 02ï¿½ 528 28 28

Lost property: Tel: 02-224 55 91

Eurostar/Thalys/TGV:
Tel: 02-528 28 28
www.thalys.com
www.tgv.com
www.eurostar.com

Channel Tunnel/The Shuttle:
This train carries passengers and vehicles through the Channel tunnel.
Tel:070-22 32 10

Taxis

Belgian taxis are expensive and you will not find one cruising around the streets. You can find them at taxi stands or order one by telephone. See under Taxis/Taxi's in the Yellow Pages. The price of the journey includes service so you do not need to add a tip, but it is customary to give a small token.

Taxis Vert
Tel: 02-347 47 47

Taxis Autolux Airport Service
Tel: 02-411 41 42

Taxis Blues
Tel: 02-268 00 00

Airport

The international airport is at Zaventem, 14km to the north-east of Brussels. There are two options to get from the airport to the town.

Train: The journey to Central station (Gare Centrale) takes about 20 minutes. There are trains departing every 20 minutes from 0530 to 2345. Tickets may be purchased from 0630 to 2200 and cost 2,35 Euro per journey. 02-528 28 28

Taxi: The fare to the centre of Brussels will be about 27 Euro. The time taken will depend on the traffic (normally 1 hour).

To know the arrivals and departures you can call 0900-700 00. Please note that you must give the flight number).

If you need to go Charleroi airport, you can take a shuttle bus from Midi station (gare du midi).

Communication in Brussels

There are three large mobile phone companies; Proximus, Mobistar and Base. All companies will run special deals from time to time, so it is worth looking into the one with the offer or promotion that suits you best.
www.proximus.be
www.mobistar.be
www.base.be

For landline phone connections, you have three companies to choose from; Belgacom, Telenet and Tele2.
www.belgacom.be
www.telenet.be
www.tele2.be

All-in-one services are another option for consumers. All the above companies offer combined telephone, mobile, internet and some of them even television packages.

Television

Cable television is available in 95% of Belgium and offers 30 to 40 channels. English-speaking channels include BBC1 and BBC2, CNN, MTV. Belgian channels offer French and Dutch programmes, though the Flemish channels normally subtitle rather than dub films. The national channels from France and the Netherlands are also available here. Providers of cable TV include Telenet, Coditel, Brutele and UPC.
If you do consider satellite television, check with your landlord and your local commune as there are restrictions in certain areas.

Post
Post offices are open from 0900 until 1600 from Monday to Friday. Some of them are open until 1800 and are open on Saturday morning from 0900 until 1200.

Deliveries are done every day except Saturday and Sunday. If the postman tries to deliver a parcel and you are not at home he will leave you a note telling you which post office you can collect it from. Please note to bring your identity card with you and you will need to sign for receipt of your package.

Letter will take approximately 3 days within Europe and about a week to outside Europe (airmail).

Registered mail (recommandï¿½/aangetekend)
You need to fill in a small form at the Post Office which will be stamped and handed back to you as proof.

Tip!

If you need to send many cards, please make sure that they correspond with the Belgian standard sizes otherwise you need to pay a lot for stamps or your cards can be refused.

Language courses in Brussels

There are numerous language schools and methods to choose from and shopping around is the key. Here is a list of places to start setting about the task. You will find more schools in the main telephone directories or Yellow Pages or online at ww.xPats.com in the Community section.

Alliance Francaise de Bruxelles - Europe
Rue de la Loi 26, 1040 Brussels
Tel: 02-502 46 49
www.alliancefr.be

Active Language School
Brusselsesteenweg 416, 3090 Overijse
Tel : 02-657 20 44
www.activelanguagebelgium.com

Amira Language School
Rue du Trone, 14-16, 1000 Brussels
Tel: 02-640 68 50
www.amira.be

Berlitz
Avenue Louise 306-310, 1050 Brussels
Tel: 02-649 61 75
www.berlitz.be

Centre dï¿½Etudes du Franï¿½ais
Chaussï¿½e de Vleurgat 275, 1050 Brussels
Tel: 02-344 15 15
www.cefr.be

Centrum voor Volwassenenonderwijs
Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels
Tel : 02-629 21 11
info@vub.ac.be

CVO Tervuren-Hoeilaart
Brusselsesteenweg 106, 3080 Tervuren
Tel : 02-767 04 30
www.cvoth.be

Kiddy & Junior Classes
Rue de Taciturne 50, 1000 Brussels
Tel :02-218 39 20
www.kiddyclasses.net

Childcare in Brussels

There is a wide choice of pre-school playgroup and nursery options available in Belgium both municipal and private. Your commune has information about local cr ï¿½ches, garderies etc. The municipal nurseries and some private ones are run under the care of the French speaking organisation ONE (Office de la Naissance et de l'Enfance; tel: 02-511 47 51 or www.one.be ) or the Dutch speaking organisation Kind en Gezin (tel:02-513 23 33 or www.kindengezin.be ). They inspect the nurseries to ensure that the high standards are maintained and doctors visit regularly. For an updated list call ONE or Kind en Gezin.
Charges for childcare vary and some are income-related. Price is by the hour, ï¿½ day or day or month (with or without meal). It varies between 2 Euro to 29 Euro per day.

Halte-Garderie/Baby-Halte

Take children from birth to three years; hours are usually 0730 - 1800.
The "nurseries", which are state-run, give priority to working women.

Privately run nurseries

For privately run nurseries look in Yellow Pages under Crï¿½ches and Garderies d'enfant/Kinderdagverblijven. Always check that private establishments are registered with ONE or Kind & Gezin (see above).

Brussels Childbirth Trust

Some of the women's clubs organize nurseries or mother and toddler groups. Brussels Childbirth Trust (02-242 14 63) can also give you a list of contacts and also a list of babysitters (normal rate 3,75 Euro per hour, more after midnight).

You will find a list of English-speaking nurseries in the Community Help Service Calendar or telephone their Help Line (02-648 40 14).

ï¿½Attractions in Brussels

Here are some suggestions but for a more comprehensive list or for more details contact the Brussels Tourist Office or see "The Family Guide to Belgium" by the Community Help Service which is full of information on cities and towns, sports and leisure and miscellaneous places of interest specially created for families with children.

Bois de la Cambre/Terkameren bos
Bois de la Cambre is a lovely city park at the end of Avenue Louise. A wonderful spot for a picnic, roller skating, or ferry across the small lake to rent a paddle boat.

Villers La Ville
Villers la Ville is an old deserted abbey that is perfect for hiding, climbing, seeking and exploring. Take a picnic lunch. Directions: Take the Chaussï¿½e de Waterloo south towards Charleroi. Left turn is well marked. Can be combined with a visit to the Waterloo Lion.

Atomium
The Atomium is fun to explore and from the top you can see all of Brussels. Afterwards, visit Meli Park with its wonderful playground.

Chï¿½teau de la Hulpe
This is a castle with beautiful woods, lakes and fields for walking.

Beersel Castle
Beersel Castle is a perfect place for hide and seek with dungeon chambers and a moat, 7 miles from Brussels on the Brussels-Halle autoroute.

Gasbeek Castle
Gasbeek Castle is a medieval castle about 20 minutes from Brussels with sound and light performances and exhibitions during the summer months.

Huizingen Park
This is a park surrounding an 18th century mooted manor, with a small zoo, children's playground, waterfalls, mini golf, boat pond, outdoor swimming pool, wooded paths and more. Enchanting in springtime.

Kessel-Lo Park
This is a free entrance park, which has several playgrounds, a park with some small lakes and fishes. It has a few animals like sheeps, donkeys, chicken etc. In the summer you can enjoy the new swimming pool. You need to pay a small fee for this.

Walibi
Walibi is a big recreation amusement park with all the traditional park rides plus water-skiing, swimming, a water slide, a train and roller coaster. E40 towards Namur, exit at Wavre.

Plopsa Indoor (Hasselt)
On a surface of 2 soccer fields , 20 attractions are integrated in breathtaking scenery. Enjoy a stormy ride in the roller coaster, visit Plop the Gnome in his mushroom-house and lose track of time in the roundabout.

Planckendael
A Zoo situated in the city of Mechelen. In 2006 it celebrates its 50 years anniversary. Besides exotic animals it also has local animals that you normally cannot find or see in nature.

The Zwin & the Butterfly Park (Knokke-Heist)
The largest salt march in Belgium. Several thousand of birds breed in this sanctuary.
The butterfly park is a fairy-tale park for young and old, where you can admire hundreds of brightly-colored butterflies at your leisure. This visit might be included in a day trip to any of the beach front towns where it is great fun to rent bicycles and go-karts and spend the afternoon on the boardwalk.

Bokrijk Park (Genk)
The open-air museum contains more than 100 historic buildings with authentic interiors. You can step back in time and discover how people lived in the Flemish countryside before the industrial revolution. The playground is one of the largest in the country and there is a toddler's village with specially designed toys. Open from 1000-1800 daily.

Aquatopia (Antwerp)
More than 10,000 fish and animals (250 species) live here in 1 million liters of water! Sail along with a submarine, climb among mongrove roots, let yourself be ravished by the most colorful coral reefs and go looking for the most exotic fish and frogs in the rainforest.

Technopolis (Mechelen)
An activity center to enjoy science and technology. More than 261 interactive exhibits invite you to find it out for yourself.

Belgian Coastline
The Belgian coast has several popular resort towns like Ostend and Knokke-Heist where you'll find sand dunes, casinos and scenic boardwalks.

Kinepolis
27 movie theatres with the most comfortable seats around. All movies start at the same time. Check the Bulletin or www.kinepolis.be

Mini Golf
Boulevard du Souverain corner at Avenue de Tervuren, behind a restaurant.

Swimming pools
The communal pools are open to everyone. You don't need to be resident of the commune.

Neptunium, 56 Rue de Jerusalem, 1030 Brussels
Tel: 02-215 74 24

Calypso, 60 Avenue Leopold Wiener, 1150 Brussels
Tel: 02-675 48 99

Longchamp, 46 ave. de Frï¿½, 1180 Brussels
Tel: 02-374 90 05

Poseidon, Avenue des Vaillants, 1200 Brussels
Tel: 02-771 66 55.

Woluwe-St-Pierre, 2 Avenue Salome, 1150 Brussels
Tel: 02 - 773 18 20

Gemeentelijk zwembad 'T Begijntjesbad, Begijnhofplein, 3090 Overijse
Tel : 02ï¿½ 686 90 20
E-mail begijntjesbad@sporeo.be
www.begijntjesbad.be

Solarium Rossomme, Chaussee de Charleroi, Plancenoit (outdoor)

Wauterbos, 2 Rue Wauterbos, Rhode-St-Genese

Children's Museum
Children's Museum offers a hands on educational experience. Located on 15 Rue du Bourgmestre, 1050 Brussels. Open Wednesday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday.
Tel: 02 -640 01 07

Tramway museum
This museum shows many models of trams, buses, trolleys and taxis. You can even take a ride in an antique tram. The museum is located at Tervurenlaan 364b, 1150 Sint-Pieters-Woluwe (Tel: 02-515 31 08).

Toy museum
Youngsters and elders can revisit the magic of childhood through the toys of their parents and grandparents in a building full of happy nostalgia. Don't miss the life sized tram, the miniature kitchen or the merry-go-round cars. The address is Rue de l'Association, 24, 1000 Brussels.

Royal Museum of Central Africa
This museum is home to a collection of ethnographic objects from Central Africa that is the only one of its kind in the world. It also has a film library, a photographic library and a large collection of maps and geological data. Its zoology collection features a large number of type specimens of African fauna, while the Entomology Section boasts some six million insects. It is located at Leuvensesteenweg 13, 3080 Tervuren.
Belgian Centre for Comic Strip Art
Located in an art nouveau masterpiece designed by Victor Horta, this unique museum depicts the stages of putting together a comic strip as well as wonderful displays of cartoon art form artists around the world and of course Belgium's most famous cartoonists. This museum is located at Rue des Sables, 20, 1000 Brussels (tel: 02-219 19 80).

Royal Army and Military History Museum
Ten centuries of military history located adjacent to the Cinquantenaire Arch at Jubelpark. The collection includes suits of armor, masterly crafted swords, hundreds of uniforms from tens of countries medals, flags and even planes and armored vehicles.

Postal museum
This museum is located at 2 Petite Rue des Minimes, 1000 Brussels, just off the Sablon.

Mini Europe
this is the best miniature park in Europe, featuring model sample of each capital and of best ï¿½features' of the European Union members. It is located at Brupark, Heysel, 1020 Brussels (at the bottom of the Atomium) (www.minieurope.com).

Autoworld
One of the richest collections of veteran cars in Europe, situated in a remarkable building of the Cinquantenaire Park. (www.autoworld.be).

Museum of Natural Sciences
Minerals, moonstones, whales, insects, and of course the dinosaurs of which the famous iguanodons of Bernissart. These are only a small sample of the treasures of this dynamic museum. It is located at Rue Vautier 29, 1000 Brussels

Antwerp
Antwerp has lots to offer, besides the zoo, you can do a harbour tour, visit the Peter Paul Rubens in his home, see the fabulous paintings in the cathedral, and you can do a lot of shopping.

Ghent/Gent
A day trip to Ghent with a boat ride on the canals and a visit to the castle of the Count of Flanders and the Folklore museum is terrific. The folklore museum has 18 typical old Flemish houses characterized and you can see the candle maker, the carpenter, the pharmacist, etc. all at work.

Bruges/Brugge
In Bruges there are canal boats and carriage rides. Climb the bell tower and eat lunch in a typical American style Pizza Parlour complete with movies that the kids will love. Take the whole family to see the Holy Blood Procession in may. The horses and costumes are a treat.

Mechelen
Mechelen is where you can find a large toy museum, the Speelgoed. Also the site of carillon concerts Monday evenings in the summer months.

Bastogne
Bastogne is a historic location with a museum of the Battle of the Bulge and the Mardasson Monument.

Liege/Luik
Liege has several well done museums; the Arms museum and the museum of Wallonia Life are but two. It has also a colourful Sunday market on the banks of the Meuse.

Dinant
Dinant has caves to visit and a cable car ride that takes you to the Citadel where there is a wonderful view of the valley. or go for a kayak trip down the Lesse river (Tel: 082-22 24 86) A train takes you to the top of the river and at least four hours you arrive back at your car. Or, combine it with a visit to Spontin, a lovely inhabited castle.

Caves of Han sur Lesse
You visit this cave in three parts: by train as an old panoramic train ride brings you to the entrance of the caves, on foot walking 3 km of increasingly beautiful chambers and passages with a sound and light show and by boat as visitors exit on barges on the subterranean river. New for 2006 : The Speleogame, an interactive 4D show that makes your hair stand on end!

Entertainment in Brussels

(cinemas, restaurants, exhibitions)

Buy "The Bulletin" for 2,50 Euro available at every newsagent. This magazine comes out every week on Thursdays. Apart from news articles, restaurant reviews, letters from the public, classified ads etc. this English language publication lists everything going on in Belgium. Exhibitions, jazz festivals, rock concerts, theatre, opera, musicals, dance, circuses, fairs, puppet shows, television programs, cinemas, film museums etc. It is all listed in here.

Cinemas

When you plan to see a film make sure it is in English. It will be marked VO (version originale/originele versie). Watch out for Thursday night's Sneak Preview of a film (name not known until it starts). It will show a film weeks before it's distributed in other cinemas.

ARENBERG-GALERIES, Galerie de la Reine 26, 1000 Brussels
02-512 80 63

UGC ACROPOLE, Galerie de la Toison d'Or 17, 1050 Ixelles
0900-104440

UGC DE BROUCKERE, Place de Brouckere 36, 1000 Brussels
0900-104440

ESPACE DELVAUX, Place Keym, 1170 Boitsfort
02-660 49 60

KINEPOLIS, Hayseed Bruparck, 1 Avenue du Centenaries, 1020 Brussels
0900-00555
Europe's largest cinema complex with 25 screens, some with Dolby stereo.
Film programme on 077-233 510 (in French) or 077-234 510 (in Dutch).

LE NEW STOCKEL, Avenue de Hinsdale 17, 1150 Woluwe-St-Pierre
02-779 10 79

ACTORï¿½S STUDIO, Petite Rue des Bouchers, 16, 1000 Brussels
0900-29969

STYX, Rue de lï¿½Arbre Bï¿½nit 72, 1050 Ixelles
02-512 21 02

LE VENDOME, Chaussï¿½e de Wavre 18, 1050 Ixelles
02-502 37 00

IMAGIBRAINE, Boulevard de France, 1420 Braine l'Alleud
02-389 17 17

There is one cinema which shows old classics and silent movies:
MUSEE DU CINEMA, Palais Des Beaux-Arts, Rue Baron Horta 9, 1000 Brussels
02-507 83 70

Exhibitions
EXPO ROGIER CENTRE, Rue du Progrï¿½s 32A, 1000 Brussels
02-219 20 77

PALAIS DES BEAUX-ARTS, Rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels
02-512 50 45

PARC DES EXPOSITIONS, Palais du Centenaire, 1020 Etterbeek
02-478 61 61

Restaurants

Eating out is central to the Belgian lifestyle. There are innumerable restaurants, cafes and bistros in and around Brussels catering for every taste and pocket. The best way to find your favorites is by word of mouth or to try as many as possible yourself.

Be sure to try some of Belgium's specialties like frites, served with mayonnaise or ketchup, or moules (mussels); croquettes aux crevettes shrimp croquettes; waterzooi unappetizing soup/stew made with either fish or chicken; gauffres are delicious waffles.

"The Bulletin" also has an excellent weekly critic on restaurants tried by them. Look at www.resto.be to choose a restaurant. This is an excellent website on Belgian restaurants.

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