Belgium: Mozart's symphonies... and chocolates!
Belgium, the world capital for chocolates, now has so much more to give, with all its culture and history and beautiful sights and splendid sounds all around. It is indeed one of the very few nations not only in Europe, but the world over, where differences of culture add on to the beauty of the land and its atmosphere. Following are some of the most happening places in the country:
Leuven: One of the most revered and beloved Flemish towns, Leuven is as picturesque as any city or town in Belgium can get, and is often compared to Venice in certain terms. A visit here will certainly dispel all doubts regarding whether or not there are any spectacular places to see besides Switzerland, France and Italy. Located just 25 kms from Brussels, it is the main town in the Vlaams-Brabant province, besides being an ancient capital and the home of the Dukes of Brabant since 1200. Presently, it is home to one of Belgium's most magnificent town halls and is also Flanders' oldest university town. Close to 25,000 students study here (the number is more than a quarter of the town's population!). The city is also the beer capital of Belgium, and the world famous red label Stella Artois is produced here.
La Roche: A small but spunky town, La Roche is situated obscurely in a deep valley, and has a ruined castle overlooking the entire territory. It lies adjaacent to a bend in the Ourthe River which is 30 kms away from Bastogne in the north west direction. The chief differenciating factor of La Roche is that it is one of the most popular summer resorts in Ardennes. There are quite a few decent places to eat, and the drinking scene is also pretty upmarket even according to European standards. History comes alive here, in all its colour and splendour. All in all, it's a great family destination.
Ypres: Pronounced as Ieper in French, Ypres is situated in the south west corner of Belgium, and its surrounding area has the distinction of being the last bastion of the Belgian territory that was left unoccupied by the German forces in the first world war, and that is only part of its historical charm, as there is a rather infamous story behind it. The region was a resistance point to the Germans, who were soon approaching the French coastal ports. After four years of fighting, more than 300,000 Allied soldiers were killed at this very spot. Needless to say, the town was absolutely devastated, and nobody thought there would ever be any signs of life here. However, slowly and patiently, the town was rebuilt, and today, it is surrounded by a region known as the Ypres Salient, that is full of memorials and cemeteries.
To be in Belgium and not be in constant contact with one's friends and family is certainly not the right thing to do, for there is so much excitement that needs to be shared. And the best way to do it is with Matrix international sim cards' outstanding network coverage and great discounts on every call.
Leuven: One of the most revered and beloved Flemish towns, Leuven is as picturesque as any city or town in Belgium can get, and is often compared to Venice in certain terms. A visit here will certainly dispel all doubts regarding whether or not there are any spectacular places to see besides Switzerland, France and Italy. Located just 25 kms from Brussels, it is the main town in the Vlaams-Brabant province, besides being an ancient capital and the home of the Dukes of Brabant since 1200. Presently, it is home to one of Belgium's most magnificent town halls and is also Flanders' oldest university town. Close to 25,000 students study here (the number is more than a quarter of the town's population!). The city is also the beer capital of Belgium, and the world famous red label Stella Artois is produced here.
La Roche: A small but spunky town, La Roche is situated obscurely in a deep valley, and has a ruined castle overlooking the entire territory. It lies adjaacent to a bend in the Ourthe River which is 30 kms away from Bastogne in the north west direction. The chief differenciating factor of La Roche is that it is one of the most popular summer resorts in Ardennes. There are quite a few decent places to eat, and the drinking scene is also pretty upmarket even according to European standards. History comes alive here, in all its colour and splendour. All in all, it's a great family destination.
Ypres: Pronounced as Ieper in French, Ypres is situated in the south west corner of Belgium, and its surrounding area has the distinction of being the last bastion of the Belgian territory that was left unoccupied by the German forces in the first world war, and that is only part of its historical charm, as there is a rather infamous story behind it. The region was a resistance point to the Germans, who were soon approaching the French coastal ports. After four years of fighting, more than 300,000 Allied soldiers were killed at this very spot. Needless to say, the town was absolutely devastated, and nobody thought there would ever be any signs of life here. However, slowly and patiently, the town was rebuilt, and today, it is surrounded by a region known as the Ypres Salient, that is full of memorials and cemeteries.
To be in Belgium and not be in constant contact with one's friends and family is certainly not the right thing to do, for there is so much excitement that needs to be shared. And the best way to do it is with Matrix international sim cards' outstanding network coverage and great discounts on every call.
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