Visiting Belgium is a truly unique experience in every sense of the world, specially because there is so much to look forward to in this fascinating European country. Tourists can visit any time between May and September, although it is advisable (or rather, necessary) that one makes reservations in advance so that there are no occupancy issues. Since this is the best time to see the sights of Belgium, there are quite a few tourists that flock together during these months. Following are some of the most popular places to visit.
Royal Museum of Fine Art, Antwerp: This museum has a huge collection of paintings as old as the 14th century to the more recent years. Showcased are the works of some of Antwerp's finest painters - Rubens, Van Dijck and Jordaens. Besides the art, the neoclassical architecture is also a memorable sight, what with the Corinthian columns and two huge bronze hoses. Basically, the Royal Museum of Fine Art was built as a temple to fine art for the 1894 Antwerp World Exposition
Waterloo: Who can forget the name of this fascinating place which was the battle ground for one of the greatest wars in the history. It was here that the Duke of Wellington defeated Napoleon I, and even in the modern times, there have been countless references to this place in all sorts of ways. Tourists can see the Lion of Waterloo victory monument (Butte du Lion), which is a huge man-made hill with a 28-ton lion resting on top. What's more, for those of you who have the energy to climb the 200-odd steps to the peak, there is a magnificent view of the surrounding area awaiting.
There is also the Column of Victor Hugo, the battlefield site, the headquarters of Wellington and Napoleon, and the Wellington Museum that features an audio-visual reconstruction of the battle.
The Groeninge Museum, Flanders: This museum has a fascinating collection of more than 600 years of Dutch, Belgian and Flemish paintings. Some of its key exhibitions include the works of Flemish Primitive art by Renaissance and Baroque masters, significant highlights of Belgian Symbolism and Modernism, paintings from the 18th and 19th century Realist and Neoclassical periods, and many other specimens of post war modern art.
The Ypres War Memorials and the Flanders Battlefields: Ypres is a glaring remembrance of World War I, for it is the grave-site of thousands of soldiers from the epic battle. Tourists can see the trenches in Sanctuary Wood, the bunker of John McCrae, author of the poem "In Flanders Fields", and scenes of the war reconstructed in a life-sized manner. Another very memorable place to visit are the British cemeteries, that are 170 in number, scattered around Ypres. One of these, the Tyne Cot cemetery, has more than 12,000 graves of soldiers.
These are just some of the tourist attractions in this fascinating country. Also, while you are on your vacation, do remember to use the most cost-effective way of keeping in touch with family and friends, using Matrix international calling cards, that guarantee the most economical calling rates around the world.
