Travel Tips to European Countries: Belgium

Belgium is situated in the west of Europe. The land here mostly comprises of flat coastal plains in the northeast, and southeast is occupied by the Ardennes Forest. Dutch, Flemish, French and German are the official languages of Belgium, with Dutch being the widely spoken followed by French. The weather here is pretty predictable. Months from April to September are the warmest. Otherwise the weather is pretty humid and skies are gray, that explains why umbrellas and raincoats are a part of the dressing. So, if the visit is planned for holidays during the rainy season, one must not forget to carry sufficient cover for maximum protection, as this is a coastal region. In case of emergency call 100 or 112.

Culture

Belgians are English-friendly and will make every attempt to speak in English with a foreigner. Always remember to carry a small gift or at least flowers especially when invited over dinner. The dress to wear will be mentioned in the invitation, when invited for a party. Smoking in public is acceptable.

Shopping

Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, Ostend, Namur, Mons, Liège, Ghent and Mechelen are the main shopping centers. Belgium is famous for ceramics and hand-beaten copperware from Dinant, laces from Bruges, crystals from Val Saint Lambert, woodcarvings from Spa and Belgium’s finest chocolates. In jewelry, diamonds from Antwerp are on high demand.

Eating Out

The specialty of most of the restaurants is horse and rabbit meat dishes. Although visitors can find a wide range of ethnic foods, but the most famous are frites and mayonnaise and mitraillette; mitraillette is a large bun filled with fries, donair meat and garlic sauce, the vegetarians can ask for a veg. substitute for the donair meat. While eating at a restaurant, tipping is considered customary along with the value-added tax. At the cinemas, leave a €0.50 tip for the attendant and €0.25 after using the public toilets.

Electricity

Voltage is 230 V and frequency is 50 Hz.

Travel

Delta Air Transport has inaugurated its new European airline SN Brussels Airlines recently. It flies to more than 58 destinations in Europe and as well as worldwide. The Brussels Zayentem airport is twelve km from the city and it takes 35 minutes to reach the city from the airport. The airport has facilities like duty free shops, car parking, taxi booking, car hiring, banks, post office, restaurants, and medical help. Internet and fax services are provided for the passengers. The Airport City Express train transports passengers to three main railway stations - Brussels North, Central and South. One can avail a bus which runs regularly from the airport, taxis can also be hired which wait outside the arrival hall. Tipping the taxi drivers is considered customary. Train runs every 15 minutes.

Another airport, Brussels South Charleroi, is 5 km away from Charleroi and 46 km from Brussels. Ryan air serves as the local airline here and has cheap deals for several European destinations to and from Charleroi. The facilities provided here are bus and train services, café, car hire, and duty free shops.

Ostend airport is 5 km away from the city and car parking, car hire, duty free shops, and restaurants are provided here.

Antwerp airport is just 2 km away from the city. Buses run to the Brussels Central Station every few minutes.

Liege is situated at a distance of 5 km away from the city. Buses run at regular interval here.

The departure tax at Brussels Zayentem is €20.93, Brussels South Charleroi is €3.49, Ostend and Antwerp is €10, and at Liege is €7.

There is a network of high-speed trains, which are operated by Thalys, from Belgium to France, connecting Brussels with other destinations like Bordeaux, Chambéry, Cannes, Marseille, Lyon, Nice, Valence Perpignan, and Rennes. Booking should be made in advance for these trains. The national railway operates through out the day providing service every few minutes to destinations such as Andorra, Austria, France, Czech, Germany, Italy, Poland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the UK and the Netherlands. Insiders can avail the Inter-Rail pass which allows visitors to travel almost 29 European Countries. This service is valid for residents who have been settled there for more than 6 months.

Duty Free Items

Visitors can carry alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes, coffee and tea without getting customs duty levied on them, but only the goods should be limited. Check out for the limits before carrying such goods. Food items that are not preserved are better avoided.

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Travel Tips to European Countries: Austria

 Austria celebrates world’s best music festivals like the Salzburg Festival, Haydn Festival in Vienna, and the International Chamber Music Festival. Vienna is the capital of Austria as well as the musical capital of Europe. Music and art are in full flare here after centuries of hardship and innovation. That explains Vienna being the birthplace of Mozart. Horse dances are also part of these festivals. Since it snows in winter, the snow covered Alps is a must be visited place during the winter. Austria experiences a moderate summer. Rains can be expected year round. Incase of emergency call 120 or 123.

The romantic castles simply leave you astounded. The Schloss Durnstein provides a magnificent view besides the River Danube. A 10% tip should be paid to the taxi drivers, which is customary here.

Culture

German, Hungarian, Slovene, and Croatian are the languages spoken by the locals. To greet the locals, a handshake will do. When meeting someone for the first time, its better to refer them by their last name, but once better known they can be addressed by the first name. When out in the public, say Guten Tag or Gruss Gott to greet people and while leaving say Auf Wiedersehen. Carry along flowers when going over to someone’s house. The locals here have a passion for horse riding. The world’s best art of horsemanship can be found here which is as old as 400 years and to watch the horses perform at these schools; tickets must be booked in advance. Although service charge is levied on restaurant bills, an extra 5% should be paid as tip.

Getting there

Three national airlines operate in Austria, Austrian Arrows, Austrian Airlines and Lausda Air, which work in collaboration with the Austrian Airlines Group. The Vienna airport is 18 km away from the city. Airport buses transport passengers to the South Train and West Train Station. Railway, chauffeur-driven car and taxi service is also provided at the airport. Duty free shops, post office, bank, eateries, left luggage, tourism information, conference hall, nursery, car hiring and car parking facilities are provided to the passengers at the airport.

Salzburg airport is 4 km away from the city and buses, trains, taxis and hotel coach shuttle passengers to and from the airport. Facilities such as duty free shops, post office, currency exchange, left luggage, conference hall, restaurants and car hire exist at the airport. Check out the other airports such as Klagenfurt airport, Graz airport and Linz airport for more details. All the airports charge a fixed rate for porter service. 

International tourists can get to Austria by Austrian Federal railways, if planning to travel by train. It has a large network which connects the major cities within Austria and also outside Austria. Travelers can find connections to/from Germany, Russia, Greece, Romania, Turkey Brussels, Paris and Italy. International rail passes or Eurail pass can be bought to travel around Austria as they provide unlimited travel and other offers too.

A good network of roads here provides an interesting journey. Take Eurotunnel when crossing the Channel Tunnel while traveling by car. Bookings should be made in advance. The cars can be hired at the airports and railway stations and if driving own car carry documentations like UK driving license or national driving license and car registration papers. Toll booths are installed on the motorways and ‘S’ roads, so if change is carried in advance it will ensure no delays in the journey. Registration documents should be carried along all the time while driving. The lights should be turned on while driving, in the city or outside, all the time. There are strict laws for seat belts and drinking while driving. If using the motorbike, high visibility jacket and helmet must be worn, it’s a compulsion for both the passenger and the driver. Many federal, private companies and local authorities provide bus service. Coaches are provided for moving around within the cities.

Wurm and Kock provide cruise passenger service. Along with the cruise trip, packages include stay at a hotel. Check out, before hand, for offer. There are many Ferry service providers too.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco or a proportional mix of these products
2. 1l of spirits over 22 per cent or 2l of fortified wine or spirits up to 22 per cent or 2l of sparkling wine or liqueur and 2l of still wine

3. 500g of coffee or 200g of extracts, essences or concentrates of coffee, and 100g of tea or 40g of tea extracts

4. medicinal products sufficient for the journey
5. 50g of perfume or eau de toilette
6. All the above mentioned goods should be carried by a person over 17 years of age.

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tourism in croatia

Croatia looks set to finally eclipse the tourism figures achieved in its heyday before war broke out with Serbia, the Croatian Tourism Minister has told reporters. 

Capital attraction:The stunning Adriatic coast including southerly Dubrovnik is proving a big draw for European holidaymakers

Veljko Ostojic said the country had registered record figures for the first eight months of 2012 and is on target for its most successful year ever as a tourist destination. He said: 'Based on the results achieved so far and announcements (for the rest of the year) this is the best tourist season in Croatia's history.'

The period including the peak season months of July and August saw 9.82million holidaymakers descend on Croatia, staying mainly on the popular Adriatic coast and the country's islands. The figure is a 4.22 per cent hike on that recorded for the same period in 2011. 

The eastern European country is hugely popular with German tourists who make up around 20 per cent of the overall tourism figures. 

Visitor numbers from neighbouring countries including Slovenia, Austria, Italy and the Czech Republic are also high. 

Mr Ostojic said the country was aiming to increase tourism - a lone high point for Croatia's struggling economy - by three to five per cent this year. 

'The goal is to achieve or surpass seven billion euros' in income from tourism, he said.

British travel operator Prestige Holidays would concur with the upturn in Croatia's tourism figures, having seen a 200 per cent rise in the number of bookings this year.
John Dixon, Managing Director of Prestige Holidays told MailOnline Travel: 'Croatia is very much in fashion and is being rediscovered. Travellers are recognising that the quality of hotels has gone up, the service and food has improved and there are no longer any language problems. Many travellers are returning for their second or third visit.' 

He added that Croatia retaining its own currency, the kuna, was also a bonus for British visitors: 'Croatia's appeal over more traditional summer sun destinations is that it's not in the euro so, while not cheap, offers excellent value. 

'The most popular part of the country is the Dubrovnik region but Istria and the Kvarner regions are far less crowded, equally beautiful and full of history. They are also more competitively priced and offer fantastic sea food.'

This winter sees increased flights between the UK to Croatia with BA recommencing flights to Zagreb from December. In May 2013, Jet2 will also add flights to Pula from Leeds-Bradford.

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tourism thailand

Thailand is a little country that is highly renowned worldwide for some the world's best and never-seen-before beaches. For time unknown, this place was a great tourist attraction. People, from all corners of the world, visited this place to have enormous fun and adventure, with some even travelling here for 'the sun and sand'. This country has lots to offer to its tourists, from ancient historic temples and forts, to the very entertaining and alluring cosmopolitan Thai nightlife.

For these and many other reasons unexplored, this place is also becoming a preferred choice of couples worldwide for tying their eternal knot of love and togetherness. This country, or the 'land of smiles', is a place just too amazing to ignore for your big day fiesta.

For all the adventure-seeking couples fantasizing for destination wedlock, must consider the spectacular Thai land as their ultimate choice to celebrate their once-a-lifetime moment. Let us try to answer a few queries that might arise in the minds of couples, before choosing this exotic country as their idyllic nuptial location.

Why do I choose Thailand?

Thailand has an abundance of marriage venue options, which are as varied as they are spectacular. In addition to the very beautiful venues in the island, Thailand is also very special for its gorgeous natural beauty, marvelous history, splendid cuisine, and the very friendly local population. Apart from all this, the place is also very popular for its breathtaking beaches, and the very delighting Thai culture.

What has this country to offer me for my wedlock gala?

If you are at this island, be completely relaxed about choosing your favorite venue to marry. The place has countless choices and various spectacular options to choose from – whether it is a private and isolated beachfront, or an adventurous jungle location, or a Buddhist temple, and many more. Apart from the naturally beautiful spots, the country also has a good number of luxurious hotels and resorts to celebrate your grand reception.

The place also has a lot to keep your wedlock invitees occupied and fully entertained. Being at Thailand, you will not have even a single moment of yours spare, and without having fun.

Whom do I seek help from for the D-day arrangements?

The island has many knowledgeable and skilled marriage planners, who put in the best of their efforts to make your special day, a memory of a lifetime. These coordinators are specialists into relieving you from all the marital workload, taking the entire union arrangement responsibility over their shoulders.

How do make my ceremony different and unique in the Thai wonderland?

A couple, who wishes to celebrate their day in a different style, can include the some glimpses of the Thai culture into their marital festivities. This will be like adding a cherry to your wedding cake, which will make your day much more enjoyable and fun-filled.

Having cleared all your queries about Weddings in Thailand, you will surely be all set to fly to this beautiful place for spending your life's most precious moment and making your dream come true. Thailand Weddings are undoubtedly, the most exclusive ways to celebrate unison with your soul mate at one of the most romantic oversea location in the world.

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