Belgium Holidays

The Kingdom of Belgium sits on the edge of Western Europe and is bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, tiny Luxembourg and France. The country's long history is marked by successive conflicts with Europe's great powers and the struggle for independence, but it is Belgium's role in the First World War, and the great battles for control of the Western Front, many of which were fought in the fields of Flanders and Ypres, that have brought the country to the world's attention.

Belgium's small size ensures that its temperate marine climate is largely unvaried throughout the country. Whilst spring and summer, from May to September, are the driest and warmest seasons, rainfall can occur at any time. Peak summer temperatures generally range between 25-30°C (77-86°F), and whilst winters are generally mild temperatures can fall below zero, particularly in January when snowfall is common.

Belgian cuisine is widely respected and is often favourably compared with French cuisine. Unsurprisingly a fair proportion of Belgium's dishes have been influenced by the gastronomy of neighbouring countries, but authentic specialities include Belgian waffles, Moules-frites; mussels served with fries, rich stews of fish or chicken known as Waterzooi and the Speculoos, a popular cinnamon biscuit. Belgium is world-famous famous for its vast range of speciality beers, and for its particularly fine chocolate.

The three official languages of Belgium are a variant of Dutch also known as Flemish, German and French with the northern half of the country speaking Dutch and the southern half speaking French. German is only officially spoken in the small eastern region of Liége.

Our guests' experience of rail travel in Belgium is often characterised by a blend of the peculiar and familiar. While the Belgians may enjoy their chips with mayonnaise in the continental manner they also make small talk about the weather in a distinctly British way.