Monday, February 25, 2008

An Overview of Belgium for Travelers

An Overview of Belgium for Travelers
By Richard Monk

Located on the European mainland, Belgium often is short-shifted in discussions of Europe. Following is an overview of Belgium for travelers.

An Overview of Belgium for Travelers

Belgium is located on the coast of the North Sea between Holland, German and France. The name comes from the Belgae, a celtic tribe.

Belgium’s geographic location places it at the crossroads of much of Europe, particular in relation to the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. As a result, the country has been heavily influenced by the powers that be in Europe during certain periods of times. You can find aspects of Romans, Celtics, Germanic, French and Spanish influences.

Ruled by various European empires, the cities of Bruges, Brussels and Antwerp were major commercial trading posts. They also produced some of the more spectacular artists in Europe, including Eyck and Rubens.

In modern times, the country is really three separate states with significant autonomy. The country is divided up into Flemish, Walloon and a smaller Germanic area. The Flemish are Dutch speaking while the Walloon are oriented to French. The divisions between these areas are significant and they have significant autonomy from the federal government. One might argue they are countries unto themselves.

The official name of Belgium is the Kingdom of Belgium. The country is located in Western Europe and covers approximately 12,566 square miles. Brussels is the capital of the country and has a population of approximately 922,000 people. The second largest city is Antwerp with 452,000 residents.

The people of Belgium are known as Belgians. Total population for the country is 10.4 million with a paltry annual growth rate of less than one half of one percent. The country is divided into three linguistic regions, Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels. French is the dominant language in Wallonia, Dutch in Flanders and German in the Brussels area. Most people of Belgium claim Roman Catholic as their faith, but Protestant, Jewish, Muslim and Anglican communities exist. The literacy rate is 95 percent.

Belgium is an odd hodgepodge of influences. That being said, everyone seems to get along in these modern times and Brussels is a major financial center in the Europe.

Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and Belgium facts.

Belgium: Sweets, Fun and Relaxation

Belgium: Sweets, Fun and Relaxation by Denisse Romero

Belgium chocolates and Belgium waffles have made this small European country famous around the world. But Belgium offers more than just sweets and breakfast items. In fact, Belgium is known for hosting more street and music festivals than any other country in Europe. After all, this is where the Saxophone was invented, by Adolph Sax, in 1846. Belgium's historical sites, small towns, and peaceful countryside make it an excellent destination for inquisitive travelers.

Belgium is both multicultural and multilingual. Flanders, in the north, is a land surrounded by canals that hosts medieval art cities such as Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent. Wallonia, in the south, leads you to the hills of the Ardennes, countless castles, and the cities of Liege, Namur, and Tournai. Brussels, the capital, is one of the world's great cosmopolitan cities, home to the European Union, NATO and the Atomium monument. All these cities and regions are connected through a train network that makes it easy and simple to hop on and hop off at your desired destination.

What to do?

Christmas in Belgium, with Christmas markets in Brussels, Bruges, Liege, Antwerp and in other cities, is really an experience you cannot miss. Every winter, Brussels features a magical decor, superb Christmas market, illuminated Big Wheel, roundabouts, street activities, music and the famous skating rink. Winter in Bruges is a month long celebration of the holidays with carillons concerts, Christmas markets and processions making it an original Christmas wonderland.

Looking for something to do during your vacations? Belgium has become the hot destination in Europe for the 20-30 something set. Students and young travelers are gathering at cities like Brussels, Antwerp, Leuven and Namur for stylish shopping, inexpensive hotels, great food, and a pulsating nightlife.

Looking for rest and relaxation? Belgium offers you the original Spa. Located in the middle of the Ardennes and surrounded by forests and rivers, the city of Spa is famous for the mineral springs that initiated the hydro-therapy industry centuries ago. In addition, Belgium offers 67 km of coastline along the North Sea in the Flanders region where you will find beautiful beaches such as De Panne, Ostend, De Haan and Knokke-Heist.

Where to eat?

Trendy cafes throughout Belgium are crowded with students and young professionals. In most places you will find Brussels legendary "frietkots" where they serve Belgian fries for those who want to hang out after the restaurants close. For those blessed with a sweet tooth, Belgium can be paradise offering exquisite chocolates, pralines, and waffles. For more information, here is a complete list of restaurants.

Visas & Documents

Visas for stays of no more than 3 months are required by all except EU/EEA nationals and citizens from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, United States, United Kingdom and other countries. A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued for tourist, business and private visits. All visas cost either US$44 (short stay; up to 90 days) or US$64 (long stay). For more information, contact the Belgium embassy or consulate in your country.

Denisse Romero
Study Abroad and Travel Portal
http://www.macquil.com

About the Author

Denisse has worked with international students and scholars at universities in different countries and in different departments ranging from international relations in Ecuador to graduate admissions in the United States. Currently, Denisse operates MacQuil.com and works for an international organization in Washington, DC. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of New Orleans and a Master of Science from the George Washington University.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Italy Travel Guide

Italy Travel Guide By Kevin Stith

Italy can be ranked as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, so there is an abundance of information available for anyone who wants to travel to Italy. Italy travel guides can be broadly classified into two categories--the first category includes those guides which contain all the relevant information about various tourist spots in the country, and the second category includes those travel guides which give information about a particular region or city.

A number of tour and travel operators, private publishers, and hotel and resort owners often bring out such travel guides. But it is always best to refer to the official web site and publications of the tourism board of Italy, as they provide authentic information.

In some of the private travel guides, there might be deliberate attempt to promote certain hotels, restaurants, resorts, shops, etc. This could actually mislead a tourist, especially one who is traveling to the country for the first time.

Italy seems to have endless number of tourist spots. Visiting all of them may not be possible for a tourist, even during the course of a long vacation. So it is always better to go through a good travel guide related to Italy, select the places you want to visit and get your reservations well in advance. Most of the Italy travel guides also provide information about hotels in various regions, along with a list of their rentals.

Several online travel guides provide free information about Italy's popular places. However, it is always better to verify the information provided by non-governmental web sites. This could be done by using online travel and tourism guides provided by the Italian government and several city administrations. While traveling within Italy, a travel guide with maps of various Italian cities could always be a prized possession.

Italy Travel provides detailed information on Italy Travel, Golf Travel Italy, Italy Travel Guide, Train Travel In Italy and more. Italy Travel is affiliated with Map of Italy.

Flying To And From France Just Got Cheaper

Flying To And From France Just Got Cheaper By Howard Farmer

Those who have recently bought property in France will be pleased to hear that it has just got that bit easier and cheaper to visit family and friends in Blighty. Perhaps you are searching for a property to buy - then you can now access most regions of France cheaply and easily!

Paris based airline Air France has made travel to and from the continent and further abroad less of a chore by dropping long haul levies by seven euros (4.6 pounds).

The changes came into effect on February 3rd and will see surcharges on transcontinental flights go down by one euro to 21 euros.

Long haul trips are five euros cheaper per sector, reducing the charge to 33 euros.

Air France cited the fact that oil prices have remained below 60 dollars (30 pounds) a barrel for some time as the reason behind the move.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, which is not only the oldest but now the largest airline company in the world since merging with the French national carrier, has followed suit by lowering the extras on its longer journeys, as well as on European travel.

Earlier this month, Sky Team, the group which both KLM and Air France belong to, was awarded Best Airline Alliance by Global Traveller Magazine.

Air France also performed well at the awards as an individual managing to scoop the prize for best transatlantic airline. Scheduled airline fares to France are becoming more competitive.

These changes are also a response to the success of the budget airlines offering low cost fares to corners of France. RyanAir, Flybe, Easyjet and others have had a significant effect on property prices. Property prices have risen significantly in the area around French airports served by the low cost airlines.

Howard Farmer
1st for French Property - Travel Services
French Travel
1st for French Property - we have French property from 15,000 euros - stone houses, land and farms. Residential, vacation and investments property for sale across all of France. Investments: leaseback, buy to let and reversion property.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Vacationing In Italy

Vacationing In Italy Submitted By: Jennifer Weiss

Italy is a country filled with lush, vibrant landscapes and stirring regions that remind one of the rich historical relevance of this diverse country. From the stunning architecture of Florence to the fashion of Milan to the ruins of Rome, you can find an abundance of sights that will take your breath away upon first glance and draw you in with their sheer magnificence. Travel through the regions of Italy for your next vacation and experience all this glorious country offers to its visitors.

A journey to Tuscany is well worth the adventure for any traveler who can appreciate fine wine, exquisite cuisine, and a beautiful rolling countryside that appears to have jumped right off the canvas. Florence, the capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of the Renaissance, is a must-see for its famous museums and galleries such as the Uffizi, which houses a wealth of Renaissance art, and the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s David. In Pisa, known for the recognizable leaning tower, visitors can enjoy the impressive medieval architecture and soak in the lively atmosphere by strolling the busy streets and the grassy square.

In the northern region of Lombardy, visitors can enjoy the capital city of Milan with its upscale fashion and exceptional cultural attractions. Milan is well known for its place atop the fashion industry and here visitors will find the flagship stores for designers such as Prada, Armani, and Dolce and Gabbana. In addition to shopping, visitors will want to head to the historical opera house La Scoula and enjoy one of the regularly staged operas, ballets, or concerts in the most acoustically perfect theatre in the world.

The center of commerce and culture, Rome sits in the Latium region and boasts strong and resilient historical sights that no visitor should miss. Home to the Pantheon and Colosseum, visitors can take in these incredible pieces of architecture that have withstood the test of time and hark back to far different eras. In the center of Rome lies the sovereign Vatican state, which is the symbolic home of Catholics around the world and the residence of the Pope. For views of two of the most breathtaking religious buildings, head over to St. Pete’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, which Michelangelo meticulously painted in a span of four years.

Located about six miles east of Naples, a journey to Mount Vesuvius is a worthwhile excursion for those who are intrigued by the rich and volatile history of the only active volcano on the European mainland. The area around the mountain is now a national park and visitors can explore the small network of paths that travel around the mountain for a glimpse of this towering monstrosity. For those with more than a passing interest, visitors are also allowed to reach the summit by foot (after driving within 200 feet) or they can make their way to the crater from the spiral walkway that leads off the road.

In the southern portion of Italy, Naples is perched along the Bay of Naples, providing the most beautiful water views in all of Italy. When searching for food to satisfy your appetite, Naples is the perfect place to try pizza in Italy since this is the birthplace of the pizza pie. After a filling meal, visitors can make their way to the National Archaeological Museum of Naples to view one of the most complete collections of Greek and Roman relics and afterwards, wander the winding, narrow streets of the Spaccanapoli and stop by any of the numerous churches and shops.

Whether you plan on traveling throughout the country or planting yourself in your favorite region, you can find the perfect accommodations for your adventure by staying in Italy vacation rentals. There is a wide selection of apartments, villas, and houses located throughout Italy that make it easy to enjoy the rich history and beautiful landscapes of this country. Begin your search for the perfect rental today so you can experience the amazingly diverse Italian vacation of your dreams.

About the Author:http://www.GreatRentals.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, consider Italy vacation rentals for your next trip to Europe.

Seeing The Sights Of Austria

Seeing The Sights Of Austria Submitted By: G. Chadwick

Austria has a rich history and has managed to maintain many of the old buildings and architecture that go along with it. The country is small and nestled between Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. The largest city is Vienna, which has a rich cultural history, restaurants, and a diverse cultural mix that resulted from different wars and from the immigration of people from nearby countries.

When planning a trip to Vienna, you should consider visiting the city's Museum Quarter, which offers art museums, history museums, and the Sigmund Freud Museum. You can also visit Schonbrunn Palace, which is outside the city, but accessible by the metro system. While most people stay in Vienna, there are many other cities including Salzburg, Gratz, and Innsbruck.

Each have their own vibrant history as well.

There have been many famous authors, musicians, and scientists that lived and worked in Austria. You will be able to visit their birthplaces, and places they loved to go when not working. Walking tours are available. If staying in Salzburg, you will be able to take the 'Sound of Music Tour', which is a walking tour that has themes from the movie. The Mirabell Palace and Gardens is another popular tourist attraction for those who visit Salzburg.

With an active winter season, there are many places to ski in the Austrian Alps and enjoy the outdoors. You can stay at a lodge or just go skiing for the day. Other pastimes in Austria include ice skating, soccer, and ice hockey. You will be able to attend matches depending on the time of year that you visit. For those who enjoy sports, especially winter sports, there is much do to in Austria.

Austrian cuisine is considered some of the best food in the world. There are many styles that have melded together to create this cuisine. You should try wiener schnitzel, erdapfel salat, a potato dish, tafelspitz, a beef dish, cheese Danish, and kaiserschmarrn, which is a traditional Austrian dessert during your stay. You will be able to choose between small cafes, fine dining, or larger family style dining. After a long day of sightseeing, having a good, hearty meal is very comforting.

As you can see, there is plenty to see, do, and eat during your stay in Austria. You will be able to see a lot of historical buildings and get a better understanding of how Austria changed after WWI and WWII. There have been many political and religious changes that have happened during Austria’s history. You will be able to see evidence of these changes in the building and in the people themselves. With walking tours, palaces, museums, outdoor activities including skiing and horseback riding, you will have a wonderful trip to Austria.

About the Author:Greg Chadwick owns and operates the Austria Hotel Finder website. Please visit our website to find great deals on Austria Hotels.

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Schengen States

What is Schengen Visa?

If you plan to travel to Europeen countries that implement Schengen agreement, a Schengen Visa simplifies your travel between those countries.

With Schengen Visa you can travel between Schengen coutries like travelling inter-state in USA. So all internal air, road and train travel are handled as domestic trips between those countries.

What is Schengen?

If you are curious about what Schengen is, Schengen is a wine-growing village in south-eastern Luxembourg near the point where the borders of Germany, France and Luxembourg meet together.


Which Countries Can I Travel With Schengen Visa?

At present, there are 15 Schengen countries in Europe. The 15 Schengen countries are;
  1. Austria
  2. Belgium
  3. Denmark
  4. Finland
  5. France
  6. Germany
  7. Iceland
  8. Italy
  9. Greece
  10. Luxembourg
  11. Netherlands
  12. Norway
  13. Portugal
  14. Spain and
  15. Sweden.

All these countries except Norway and Iceland are European Union members.

Whate are the Benefits Of Schengen Visa?

Before Schengen people from some countries were required to have separate visas for every country in Europe they wished to visit. A vast network of border posts existed around the continent which disrupted traffic and trade, causing delays and costs to both businesses and visitors.

With the Schengen Agreement, border posts have been closed between participating countries. Road traffic is no longer delayed; road, rail and air passengers no longer have their identity checked when crossing borders.

How to Apply for Schengen Visa?

People from Non-EU(European Union), Non-EEA(European Economic Area) countries who wish to visit Europe as tourists, and who require a visa to enter the Schengen area, are simply required to get a common Schengen Visa from the Embassy/Consulate of the Schengen country they intend to visit first.

After this, they may visit any or all of the Schengen countries as tourists or for business without hindrance. They are not required to get separate visas for all the (Schengen) European countries they wish to visit.

Important Information.

Eventhough you can travel with one visa between Schengen countries, it is always safe to carry your passport and any other identification with you.

Some countries like Sweden and Finland still maintain customs control at their borders. Non-EU members Norway and Iceland are not a part of the EU customs union and therefore enforce the same level of custom control towards any traveller regardless of whether they come from within the Schengen area or not.

Schengen States