Press Reviews:
"Whatever you're looking for in a travel destination (except perhaps skiing or a safari), if you can't find it in Flanders you're probably better off without it. Emma Thomson's excellent new book celebrates this splendid corner of the Continent."
Simon Calder - Senior Travel Editor The Independent
Contents
Introduction vi
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 1
Chapter 1 Background Information 3
Geography 3, Climate 3, Natural history 4, History 4, Government and politics 14, Economy 15, People 15, Language 16, Religion 17, Culture 18
Chapter 2 Practical Information 27
When to visit 27, Highlights 27, Suggested itineraries 28, Tourist information 29, Tour operators 29, Red tape 30, Embassies and consulates 31, Getting there and away 31, Health 34, Safety 34, Focus on specific groups 35, What to take 38, Money 38, Budgeting 38, Getting around 39, Accommodation 42, Eating and drinking 44, Public holidays 52, Festivals 52, Shopping 57, Sport 59, Media and communications 61, Business 63, Buying property 63, Cultural etiquette 63, Travelling positively 64
PART TWO THE GUIDE 65
Chapter 3 Brussels 67
History 67, Getting there and away 68, Orientation 69, Getting around 70, Tourist information 73, Where to stay 73, Where to eat 84, Entertainment and nightlife 87, Shopping 91, Other practicalities 93, What to see and do 93, Brussels' communes 121, Around Brussels 135
Chapter 4 Flemish Brabant 139
Leuven 139, Grimbergen 148, Halle 150, Aarschot 152, Diest 154, Tienen 159
Chapter 5 East Flanders 161
Gent (Ghent) 161, Laarne 187, Sint-Niklaas 188, Dendermonde 192, Aalst 194, Geraarsdsbergen 199, Ronse 201, Oudenaarde 203, Deinze 207
Chapter 6 West Flanders 209
Brugge (Bruges) 209, Around Brugge 231, The Flemish coast 234, Veurne 249, Around Veurne 253, Diksmuide 254, Ieper (Ypres) 258, The Ypres Salient 263, Poperinge 269, Kortrijk 274, Roeselare
Chapter 7 Antwerp 279
Antwerp 279, Mechelen 303, Lier 312, Herentals 316, Geel 317, Turnhout 319
Chapter 8 Limburg 323
Hasselt 323, Sint-Truiden 329, Tongeren 331, Maaseik 335
Appendix 1 Language 339
Appendix 2 Glossary 352
Appendix 3 Famous Flemings … there's more than you thought 354
Appendix 4 Further Information 357
Index 359
v
Emma Thomson formerly an editor at Bradt Travel Guides has lived in Brussels.