GENERAL INFORMATION



CITY INFO BRUSSELS

Often called the political Heart of Europe, Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium and home of Belgium’s Royal Family as well as host to NATO headquarters, but also the administrative heart of the European Union.

Founded by Charles the Great’s grandson near the river Senne in the 10th century, the city gradually spread across the surrounding hills and nowadays has over one million inhabitants.

Brussels is an international metropolis – a vivid mix of languages, cultures, and traditions, with a vibrant social scene. Hosting over 80 museums and numerous tourist attractions, it is also famous for its varied architectural styles. Next to Vienna and Barcelona, Brussels is a centre of Art Nouveau style, with architects Victor Horta and Paul Hankar as main representatives.

The starting point for many a tour of Brussels is the Grand Place, built as a merchant’s market in the 13th century. With its ornate baroque and gothic guild houses, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Manneken Pis, the famous statue of a little boy peeing into a fountain, is another popular tourist attraction. A perfect example of irreverent Belgian humour, it has been amusing visitors on the corner of Rue de L’Etuve (Stoofstraat) and Rue du Chêne (Eikstraat) since 1619.

Another symbol of the city is the Atomium, built for the 1958 World Fair and representing a molecule’s nine atoms – magnified 165 billion times. The 9 spheres that make up the ‘atom’ are linked by escalators and provide a panoramic view of Brussels and its surroundings.

But no stay in Brussels is complete without getting a good taste of some of the city’s delicacies – whether it be fresh waffles, some ‘Vlaamse frieten’ (French Fries), or tempting sweets from one of the many chocolate shops. In addition, more than 1800 restaurants are waiting to introduce you to the ‘art de vivre bruxellois’!

Whether you are window-shopping at the city’s many fashion boutiques, lingering over lunch at a bistro, people-watching from a street café, or picking up antiques at the Place du Grand Sablon – Brussels is waiting to be discovered by you.

Find out more about what Brussels has to offer by visiting www.brusselsinternational.be.

 

BELGIUM

Well situated between France and the Netherlands, Belgium encompasses all the best that Europe has to offer. It is a parliamentary democracy under a hereditary constitutional monarchy: Albert II is the sixth King of the Belgians. Often called the ‘Essence of Europe’, Belgium is both multicultural and multilingual (with 3 official languages, Dutch, French and German).

Flanders lies in the north, a flatland criss-crossed by canals, taking great pride in its medieval cities Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent. To the south in Wallonia, the Ardennes, numerous castles and the cities of Liege, Namur, and Tournai wait to be discovered.

The city of Brussels, one of the world’s great cosmopolitan capitals, is home to both the European Union and NATO, as well as a great number of international trade and finance companies. This is in keeping with Belgium’s history, which has always been linked to both commercial and cultural exchange, and much of Belgium’s character is due to its role as the great meeting place of Western Europe.

Despite the fact that Belgium only gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830, it has a very long and rich history, traces of which are omnipresent – in its architecture as well as in the lifestyle of its people.

Somehow, the Belgians have maintained a low-key approach to all of this international sophistication. Energetic and carefree, the overall mood in Belgium is infectious, summoning its visitors to live as Belgians and enjoy life to the fullest.

REGISTRATION / INFORMATION DESK HOURS:

REGISTRATION / INFORMATION DESK HOURS:

Saturday, May 15, 2010 16:00 – 19:00 h
Sunday, May 16, 2010 07:30 – 19:00 h
Monday, May 17, 2010 07:30 – 18:00 h
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 07:30 – 18:00 h



WEATHER CONDITIONS IN BRUSSELS

The temperature in Brussels in May usually ranges between 13–18º C by day, nights are cooler.
For a detailed weather forecast, please visit www.weather.com and enter “Brussels”.

TIME

The time is Central European Time (CET) = Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +2 in summer.

LOCAL CURRENCY

Belgium’s currency unit is the Euro. Banks are usually open from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Some are also open on Saturday mornings.
ATMs and exchange facilities are found on and around the Grand-Place, at Brussels South and Brussels National Airport. The logos of the cards accepted are shown next to the machine. Banks are the best place to change money, as they charge only a small commission on cash or travellers cheques.

PASSPORT AND VISA

Please check passport and visa requirements in due time before your departure. There are no entry requirements or restrictions on EU nationals visiting Belgium. Citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and the USA do not need visas to visit the country as tourists for up to three months. Except for people from a few other European countries (such as Switzerland and Norway), everyone else must have a visa. Three-month tourist visas are issued by Belgian embassies or consulates. They can take a while to be processed, so leave enough time before departure to apply. Fees vary depending on your nationality.

Visa information can be obtained from Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, www.diplomatie.be.

INSURANCE AND LIABILITY

The organisers cannot be held responsible for any personal injury, loss, damage or accident to private property, or for additional expenses incurred as a result of delays or changes in air, rail, road or other services, strikes, sickness, weather and other causes. All participants are encouraged to make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance.