You are planning to use IKEA installation service after buying furniture from them. When you click on IKEA assembly page, it directs you to a third-party website ‘NeedHelp‘. IKEA no longer provides assembly service directly from their company in Belgium and has partnered with NeedHelp instead to fulfill this requirement, should you need it.

Now you hesitate and wonder if it is a reliable company and how does NeedHelp work? And honestly, is the process of hiring a professional carpenter through them complicated?

To clear things up, here’s my personal walkthrough and review based on my own experience. I also included what I paid to get my IKEA wardrobe assembled.

Item bought: One HASVIK wardrobe measuring 200 cm (L) X 63 cm (W) X 236 cm (H)

Designing My Custom IKEA Wardrobe with the IKEA Planning Tool

If you are also buying an IKEA wardrobe and would like to customise it according to your whims and fancy, like I did, here’s a tip: use the IKEA Planning Tool. It’s super fun and makes designing your wardrobe way easier. You can drag and drop sizes, colours, frames, doors, and shelves from an IKEA options basket until you get exactly what you want through digital visualisation.

Every time you add or remove something, the price updates in real time, which really helps keep your budget under control. Therefore, you can keep your budget in sight and not exceed it. You will have lots of fun doing the mix and match, bringing out your design creativity.

The best part? You can create as many designs as you like, save them with a design code, and come back to tweak them whenever. Once you’re happy with your design, you can download a picture and start getting quotes from NeedHelp.

Getting Quotes from NeedHelp for IKEA Installation

NeedHelp is basically an online marketplace that connects you with certified tradespeople. You don’t have to hunt for them, as they will come hunting for you once you post your enquiry online. This makes things so easy, as you don’t have to scroll through hundreds of profiles to pick one.

Here’s how it went for me:

➊ Register an account on NeedHelp.

➋ Submit your request. Upload a photo if you have one to avoid ambiguity and to communicate clearly what you want to assemble or install. Your city, postal code and text will be visible online for everyone to see, so remember to keep sensitive information private.

I attached the design made with the IKEA Planning Tool. One criterion I had was to bring up the IKEA materials from the ground floor to the first floor together with my partner.

➌ Get a market price. The portal will give you an indicative market rate based on your request. You can edit the price, but since it was my first time using the portal, I left the suggested market price of €175 as it was and see what comes later.

What impressed me greatly was that within a span of 10 minutes, I received 7 – 8 quotes via email. Over the next 2 hours, even more offers rolled in! Most hovered around €175, which seemed to be the fair rate suggested by NeedHelp. A few were slightly higher at €188.

One of them stood out by quoting €125 amidst the €175 price tags. The next day, I contacted him by replying to the portal before hitting the ‘confirm’ button. We first agreed on a date and time together, then I confirmed his job on Needhelp.

👉 Pro tip: If you set your price lower than the suggested rate and get no bites, try raising it.

➍ Make payment.

Payment Options on NeedHelp Explained

There are 2 ways to make payment after you have decided to use a tradesman from NeedHelp.

NeedHelp gives you two ways to pay:
① Pay a 10% deposit online, then the rest on the day.
② Pay the full amount directly on the day of assembly.

I chose option 2. At first, I was unsure if the 10% deposit was an extra fee for the platform, but after emailing NeedHelp (and getting a quick weekend reply!), I learned it’s just part of the total price — no hidden charges.

The tradesman I hired, let’s call him D, said I could pay by cash or Payconiq, whichever I preferred.

My Assembly Day Experience with NeedHelp

D showed up right on time and built my Hasvik wardrobe in under 3 hours. He was professional, knew exactly what he was doing, and everything went smoothly. I paid him in cash, and that was that.

Pros and Cons of Using NeedHelp for IKEA Furniture

✔️ Pros:

• Super quick to get multiple quotes (within minutes!)
• Transparent suggested market price
• Easy platform, no need to hunt for workers yourself
• Responsive customer service
• Reliable tradesman, smooth assembly experience

❌ Cons:

• Prices can vary, so you might need to compare carefully
• Deposit/payment instructions could be clearer
• You might feel hesitant at first since it’s a third-party site

Final Verdict: Is NeedHelp Worth It for IKEA Assembly?

Overall, I’d say NeedHelp is reliable. My first trial with them went really well — the platform was easy to use, transparent with pricing, and I ended up with a trustworthy tradesman who got the job done. I’m pretty sure if you have other types of big furniture that needs to be professionally installed or assembled, such as the kitchen cabinets, NeedHelp carpenters are responsive, offer competitive prices and are worth giving it a try.

Lastly, if my experience has been helpful to you, leave me a comment and let me know how it goes for you.

Which is the Best Prepaid SIM Card Plan for Mobile Calls and Data?

This article is a comparison guide for five prominent mobile service providers on their best prepaid SIM card plan in Belgium. By presenting the mobile prepaid plan tables on a single page, consumers can make a more informed choice on the desired value that they want to spend and the advantages offered by comparing.

*The 4G Mobile Coverage Statistic and the price plans for all Belgian mobile operators below are checked every 6 months to ensure the highest accuracy.

(Last Mobile Tariffs Check: 25 Jan 2022)

Mobile Network Operators

In Belgium, the three principle mobile network operators are Proximus, Orange and BASE.

Their MVNO Partnership

Although Proximus, Orange and Base are the primary mobile network operators in Belgium, there are also other Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) leveraging on their networks to offer competitive services to the consumers.

Belgian Institute for Postal services and Telecommunications (BIPT) provide a list below of the commercial partners of the three major network operators last seen in November 2018. Now, the information could not be found anymore.

4G Mobile Coverage Statistic

With the change of interface for BIPT, the latest information on the page was not found too. Hence, the data below would be the last update as seen in November 2018.

Comparison Guide

Choose Your Mobile Number

Do not be surprised that you can choose your preferred number if you purchase your first SIM card from the mobile store instead of ordering it online. If you order online, the telecom company can send you any mobile numbers. You have to resign your fate to accept it. That happened to me in the past when I ordered a SIM card online.

I walked into two stores one day and asked the staff to show me a list of all the mobile numbers available for sales. I chose a mobile number that was easy to remember and has a special meaning. If you do not ask the staff to show you the list of mobile numbers, they will select one number randomly and sell it to you.

Why Use a Prepaid Card?

You may not make a lot of calls due to limited contacts when you first arrive in Belgium. A prepaid card will take away the monthly commitment to pay when one is not working. It is deducted from the prepaid amount whenever one makes a call.

The maximum validity of the credit is 12 months provided by some mobile companies. Prepaid card plans which last for a long time allow you to retain back your mobile number while you go back to your country and then, return to Belgium later. It is suitable for frequent travellers.

In Belgium, it is easy to switch from a prepaid credit to a monthly subscription plan with the same or different mobile company free of charge. It is never too late to upgrade later. Do note that all SMS and data plans below last for 1 month only except for Orange Tempo Touch.

Out of Bundle Rate

The prepaid plans in Belgium are sometimes bundled together with free SMS and data volume for one month. Some plans come with free calling minutes as well. What remains one month later is termed as the “Out of Bundle” rate.

The tariff for “Out of Bundle” rate is usually €0.30/min, €0.10 to €0.15/SMS and €0.10 to €0.50/MB of data surfed when you have used up the bonus or when they expire, whichever comes first. You will receive the bonus again for your next top-up.

Best Prepaid SIM Card Belgium

Consider the following points based on the analysis of these five mobile operators to get the prepaid SIM card plan most suitable for your need.

Summary: Comparison Tables for 5 Belgium Mobile Operators

Best Europe SIM Card with Abundant Internet Data (More than 10GB!!!)

SimOptions provides a Europe SIM Card which allows you to use it in 50 countries and islands in Europe, inclusive of Belgium. The prominent advantage of the European SIM Card is its huge internet data volume of 5GB, 10GB, 12GB and 20GB. If you need to use more than 5 GB of internet data, then Europe SIM Card is a cheaper option than the Belgian Prepaid SIM Card.

The most prepaid card internet data found in Belgium is Mobile Viking, 8GB data at €25 whereas SimOptions Smart Silver for 10GB is only €29.90. The best seller is Smart Comfort 20GB at €49.90. So, get the delivery of the Best Europe Sim Card right to your doorstep now!

Registration of Prepaid SIM Card Required by Law

The Government wants to prevent the misuse of unregistered mobile numbers anonymously as a measure to counter-terrorism. Hence, every recharge must link to an identifiable person. All operators are required by law to register new prepaid cards from 17 December 2016. Before this date, anyone can buy a prepaid SIM card in the store without any other form of registration.

Existing prepaid card users must register their personal detail with the service provider before 7 June 2017. The registration can be done online (if this service is available) or in a store with your eID, passport or other forms of identification card. Thus, the mobile number not registered within the stipulated time will be disconnected and no longer be able to use the service.

On the other hand, consumers that have automatic top-up may not be required to register as their personal detail could already be inside the database. The same roaming benefit might not apply to the United Kingdom after the Brexit in spring 2019. Refer to more questions and answers in the European Commissioner.

EU Roaming Charges Abolished

Starting 15 June 2017, EU roaming charges are scrapped. It means that whenever you make a call or use mobile data when travelling abroad to 28 EU countries, you will not incur additional charges. It is a piece of good news for non-EU travellers as they can buy one prepaid SIM card and use the mobile data roaming in many European countries.

These are the 27 countries in which the EU roaming charges are abolished: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and in the countries of the European Economic Area: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway. If you need a SIM Card that covers more than these 28 countries, you have to check out this Europe Sim Card.

The same roaming benefit does not apply to the United Kingdom anymore after the Brexit in spring 2019. Refer to more frequently asked questions from the European Commission.

Whether you are a newcomer in Belgium, a foreigner who has been living here for a quite some time, a Belgian or just someone who is not living here but interested in Belgian culture, here are some Facebook Groups where you can “Join Group” and participate in online discussions or to ask questions.

There are many Facebook Groups in Belgium out there. Therefore, I am not going to list out all. The emphasis is for newcomers and expats living in Belgium regarding questions about integration, life in Belgium and seeking a solution, opinion or a recommendation for their day-to-day life.

Generally, event postings on these Facebook Groups are popular. It creates awareness of the activities happening in their neighbourhood or some other cities. People can visit new recommended places and find enjoyable things to do. Attending events is a big plus to spice up the daily mundane life.

Differences between Facebook GROUP and Facebook PAGE

Let’s go back to the basics. What is the difference between Facebook Group and Facebook Page? If you already know the difference, you may skip this section.

Facebook Group

People who join Facebook Groups are those that have a common interest in a subject, discussing and interacting among members. The moderator can set the privacy level of the Facebook Group to ‘open’, ‘close’ or ‘secret’. If the setting is not ‘open’, members have to request permission to join to look at the group posts or to start a discussion.

Facebook Groups usually have their set of rules on the type of things to post and what not to post set by the group moderators. There is usually moderation on the posts before the admin allows the questions or information to go live as prevention for spams and unwanted advertisement.

Notification: Whenever someone starts a discussion, you will receive a notification immediately. You can change the notification setting to “Off”, “Friends’ Posts” or “Highlights”. Select “Highlights” if you find that the Facebook Group is too active and you have been receiving too many Facebook notifications.

Facebook Page

A Facebook Page is a platform to receive information on your Facebook Page whenever you ‘like’ a Facebook Page. It is a company or any individual to advertise, promote or to create awareness of their products.

It is not a place for you to start a discussion usually. Well, you can still post a question on Facebook Page, but the display of your question is not on the main thread. Visitors’ posting is usually at a small corner in the sidebar which is not highly visible especially on mobile view.

Notification: You will not receive a notification from Facebook Page. It appears together with the posts of your friends as a feed whenever there is a posting. You may or may not see it. However, if you like a particular Facebook Page and would not want to miss any of it, you can change the setting on it. On the top menu, under “Following”, select “See First”. Those Facebook Pages that you have prioritised will be displayed on the “News Feed” section before other Pages.

12 Top Facebook Groups in Belgium

Here are some of the top Facebook Groups in Belgium that I have scooped out from Facebook which has a significant number of members. That is also one of the reasons why there is a lot of active interaction among the expatriates. The latest members’ update is in November 2018.

Life in Belgium (26,916 members)

Life in Belgium is by far the largest and fastest-growing discussion group found online based on the number of members it has. The most distinct feature about this Facebook Group is that it has no moderation unless someone spams or breaks their house rule. Your post will go live immediately upon posting.

So, it will reduce your waiting time in getting a response from the members. The topic revolves around anything in Belgium although many members come mostly from Brussels. Hence, most discussions revolve around the capital which is not a surprise. No advertisement or any sort of event posting allowed though. It will likely be deleted later.

Expats in Brussels (22,920 members)

For people living in Brussels, Expats in Brussels is a useful Facebook Group to ask questions about life in Brussels. There are not too many events posted here. So, your question would get more attention from people who in turn can give you a faster solution. On the other hand, posts that are non-related to Brussels may not be approved by the moderator. No housing advertisement allowed here.

Expats in Belgium (XiB) – (15,169 members)

Expats in Belgium (XiB) seems to be a more generic title for immigrants living in Belgium although the highlights of many posts are in Brussels. The group encourages the expatriates to share their experiences, reviews and recommendation of any sorts and event activities in Belgium. One can also post apartment rentals, commercial products and services. Selling ads posting on used items are not allowed as they do not want to be seen like a flea market. Public profile with a connection to Belgium ought to be visible to get approval for joining.

Whats Happening Belgium? (14,505 members)

Whats Happening Belgium? The moderator, Mike Chamber is an open-minded man. He allows members to post anything they want. Subjects include advertisements and sales of goods which are usually not welcomed in other Facebook Groups. The good thing is that members of this group did not misuse the advantage and start spamming it with dull ads. Advertisements of such sort are minimal.

The only requirement is that all links and information have to be relevant to life in Belgium. Mike Chamber is very active in posting a lot of events happening in Belgium daily, not confining just to Brussels. So, you will always get a good dose of the latest activities in Flanders and Wallonie as well.

If you post something to the group, he approves pretty fast too. I would say he responds the swiftest and has the highest reliability among all Facebook Group moderators who can take days for approval to the natural death of the post. Whats Happening Belgium?, one of my favourite Belgium Facebook Groups which I check out regularly for articles too.

Pangaea – Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (14,098 members)

Leuven is a student city in Belgium. The Pangaea – Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Face Group is for former, present and future Pangaea members to share information and to ask questions. The setting of this Facebook Group focuses on KU University, internship and life of a student. But that is not all about it. You can also find housing advertisements, workshops, activities in Leuven and also some other cities.

Expats in Antwerp (12,438 members)

Expats in Antwerp was the first group I joined in 2014 while studying in France. I was not living in Belgium then. At that time, the Facebook Group had only 1,000+ members. What remains unchanged until today is the spontaneity of the members responding to questions. The Group does not allow spamming, recruiting, propaganda and politics.

The moderation policy is rather strict. They may not publish the post not related to Antwerp. It also has to depend on which moderator is looking at your post. The moderator, Maroun Kay and his team hold a monthly meet-up session at one of the bars in Antwerp. It is a wonderful way to meet other expatriates who just arrived in Belgium.

Brussels Connected (11,644 members)

Brussels Connected aims to connect people in Brussels and over Belgium through their page. It encourages people to help one another by giving input to questions. The Facebook Group does not emphasise strictly on events happening in Brussels but also welcomes events happening all over Belgium. Advertising such as selling of items, rental of houses and services are allowed but do not overdo it. Overall, you get a good mix of everything since the rules are reasonable and not that strict.

Brussels Expat (9,685 members)

The Facebook Group, Brussels Expat is an extension for its members on the Facebook Page Brussels Expats. The founder of both sites is Jil Kesh. He owns a pub, Apéro Afterwork which he creates an event for the expat to meet there every Wednesday. The Facebook Group has a good mix of both events and discussions among members. Housing advertisement is permitted here.

Interactive Expats Brussels (7,509 members)

About 90% of the posts on Interactive Expats Brussels are Events in Brussels. You can always find something to do in Brussels and be on the move to somewhere else. You get the information mostly in the English language. Sometimes the postings are in French. A fabulous website if you are learning French and exposing to a few French articles here. The Facebook Group does not allow real estate ads and classified.

Expats in Gent, Belgium (4,931 members)

There are two Expats Groups in Ghent which I have found. Expats in Gent, Belgium is the bigger group among the two. I think the same team of people operate both groups because the screening process for new members is strict and has the same entry questions. As long as the moderator does not see your Facebook location reflecting ‘Ghent’, they would send an email to verify the reason for joining. They would also reiterate that no advertisement or spamming was allowed.

I understand the intention is to filter out potential spammers. However, the strict rule also means that fewer events would be posted as it might be considered a form of advertisement as well and get deleted off in the screening process. Expect the activities and related conversation to confine within Ghent city and less active due to the restriction.

Turkish Expats in Belgium (892 members)

For Turkish living in Brussels or other parts of Belgium, the Turkish Expats in Belgium is the largest group on Facebook with 600 over members offering advice and regular events to the Turkish in Belgium. Due to the language used, the Turkish Group is unique because they will strictly accept only Turkish immigrants living in Belgium and also to maintain their unique identity.

Turkish Expats in Leuven (221 members)

I tried to break the rule to join the Turkish Expats in Leuven but ended up having a short conversation with the friendly founder, Murat Pak to find out more about the Turkish Group. Most members are PhD, Postdoc and Research Engineer working at IMEC. Turkish is the language used.

90% of the information inside the Turkish Facebook Group are on events sharing. There would be some meetups every week ranging from 10 to 20 people. The event venue is usually in a bar drinking and chatting. Members are free to post an event, advertisement or ask a question. According to him, there are no hard and fast rules for this group.

Conclusion

Although the Facebook Groups in Belgium mentioned above are for expatriates, there is quite a handful of Belgians inside the groups who can assist in answering some questions or to post their events online. Hence, with all these Facebook Groups, you have no problem staying connected in any parts of Belgium. For things to do in Belgium monthly, check out the post.

Are You Intrigued by Het Steen, the Oldest Monument in Antwerp Along the Scheldt River?

Het Steen, literally translated in English means ‘the stone’. It remained much of a mystery for me having passed by the fortress for the past few years but have not once visited it. Finally one fine day, I insisted on visiting it to see what was the secret lying behind the magnificent fortress. The entry is free though.

Het Steen History

Het Steen is the first and oldest stone fortress in Antwerp located along the River Scheldt near the Former Werf Penisula. The first settlement with earth fortification was built on the Werf in the ninth century, which subsequently became a fortress.

Between 1100 to 1200, a stone wall and Het Steen, one of the fortress three gatehouses were added. In the early sixteenth century, Charles V has completely refurbished Het Steen. Furthermore, you can witness the refurbishment from the distinct colour difference of the façade.

In 1880, there was a demolition of many parts of the castle due to the need to expand and straighten the Scheldt quays. Het Steen is the last remaining fortress from historical time in which you see today. Between 1889-90, a neo-Gothic wing was erected as part of the development plan.

From Prison to Museum

Het Steen was used as a prison for more than 500 years from 1303 to 1823. It became the home for the disabled soldiers later. Het Steen was also used as a residence, a saw mill and a fish warehouse too. Later in 1862, it reopened as a museum which focused on the theme of ancient time.

Subsequently, from 1952 onwards, the National Maritime Museum replaced the genre. After its permanent closure in 2008, MAS (Museum aan de Stroom) housed its collection in 2010. Now, you could see the collection on display in MAS.

Het Paleis

Concurrently in the same year 2010, the city government asked Het Paleis which is a house performing arts for all children and young people in Antwerp to transform the function of Het Steen to a child-friendly environment, organising activities and events for them. Het Steen is a project of Het Paleis, a theatre for the children, youngsters and artists, commissioned by the City of Antwerp.

Lange Wapper

A statue of Lange Wapper stood in front of Het Steen on the left side of the fortress. Lange Wapper was a Flemish folkloric character. A devilish character which had many versions of stories. He had the ability to make himself grow bigger which explained the reason for his height as compared to the other two shorter men standing in front of him. There were rumours that Lange Wapper was afraid of the images of Mary.

Due to this reason, people placed statues of Mary at the facades of their houses to ward off the devil. He fled to the city centre and drowned in the Scheldt River eventually. However, I was unsure of the meaning as to why this evil man’s statue was placed outside Het Steen. My guess was that his death was associated with the Scheldt river which was nearby and hence, the signification behind it.

Inside Het Steen

Upon entering Het Steen, on the right is a statue of Jesus Christ.

Oldest Half-Hour Glass in the World

Did you know that the oldest half-hour glass in the world is in Het Steen? There is a sentence under the huge hourglass which states:

“This is the oldest 1/2 hour glass in the world.“

On the right of the image is an old water pump.

Salon

Stepping into the fortress, on the left is a salon with some cushions. There is also a study room. Here, it is a quiet place for people to read or surf the net.

Workshop and Café

Beside the hall is a large room where Het Paleis organises youth and children’s workshops. From 2012 to 2013, the theme is “Water”. From 2013 onwards, the new theme is “Time” and always changing. The workshops focus primarily on science and let children conduct experiments and understand more about time-related subjects. There is a cafe where you can grab some cookies and drinks too.

Instant Photographs Beautifying the Wall

It was astonishing to see numerous instant photographs beautifying the wall around the toilet. Guests could take two sets of photos from the photo booth for €2. It is optional for them to leave behind one photo outside the photo booth so that the staff could display it on the wall. My friend and I did just that. We might see our faces on the wall sometimes later and leave a permanent print in Het Steen.

Exhibition Room

On the left of the toilet is a staircase leading to an exhibition room of Prince Biscuits. A video was playing a film about the production process of Prince biscuits in the factory. It was an enlightening video. We had enjoyed watching it. There was no one inside the room except for us.

Prince Biscuit originated from Antwerp in 1870 in honour of King Leopold II. He had a nickname “Belgium’s Prince” because he was a prince for 30 years before he became the second king of Belgium. Leopold II like chocolates but did not like his fingers to be dirty. Hence, a brilliant Belgian baker, Edouard de Beukelaer, stuffed the chocolate into the biscuit.

War Memorial

At the back of Het Steen, you can also find a war memorial to the Canadian soldiers in World War II. Beneath the stone monument states:

“As a tribute to all who have resisted and fought for the liberation of Antwerp. ~1 September 1944 to 4 September 1989~”

“The plaque is dedicated to the heroism of the 1st Canadian Army, which, with British and Polish Units, liberated the Scheldt estuary in the autumn of 1944 after bitter fighting, thus opening the Port of Antwerp.”

View from Het Steen

From one corner, you can see the view of Museum Vleeshuis (Meat House) from Het Steen. One suggestion is to cross the street and visit the museum at the same time to make your time more worthwhile. The other corner of the fortress is facing the Scheldt River.

Het Steen Review

You have seen a virtual tour of Het Steen. The fortress is beautiful to look at and to take photographs from the outside. Other than that, there was nothing much to see inside. Moreover, the staircase access within the castle is sealed except for the one inside the workshop / café. Therefore, the experience was a little disappointing as I expected to see more of this medieval fortress.

On the other hand, Het Steen would be undergoing a new revamp in 2018 for two years and after which, tout as a tourist centre. The development project costs €9 million which will convert Het Steen into a welcome centre for cruise passengers with tourist facility. Additionally, there will be a new tower construction and a roof terrace in the city side overlooking the river, the port and the city centre.

With the future project in hand, hopefully, the renovated Het Steen would inject more vibrancy and live up to the expectation of many others rather than just looking good on the outside and mainly used as a workshop currently. Surely, with its long historical standing, Het Steen Antwerpen can do more than that.

Durbuy Travel Guide

What are the Things to Do in Durbuy When It is So Small?

Durbuy, located in Wallonia is in the province of Luxembourg in the eastern part of Belgium. However, do not be confused with this province that has the same name as the country, Luxembourg. Durbuy is at Ardennes, south Belgium which belongs to the French-speaking community, Wallonie.

Durbuy has a pretty old charm that makes one indulge in the tranquillity away from the bustling city life. Additionally, there are some display boards outside the Tourist Office and some shops which proudly proclaims Durbuy as the ‘smallest city in the world’.

Upon seeing Durbuy town on arrival, on first glance, I thought to myself that one could complete the tour in Durbuy in 30 minutes. “Is that all?” I asked my boyfriend. He replied, “Let’s explore!” Surely, that is not true if one knows where are the places to visit and the things to do in Durbuy.

Is Durbuy Really the Smallest City in the World?

While searching for a concrete answer online, there are many spheres of arguments. Vatican City has the smallest surface area in the world with a size of 0.44 km2 and a population of 840 in 2016 among all the cities. Since it gained its independence in 1929, it could no longer be called a city but a state.

Durbuy, although dubbed as the smallest city in the world, its size is bigger than that of Vatican City, which is the smallest country in the world. 

It has a size of 156.61 km2 and a population of over 11,000 inhabitants in 2016. Medieval old stone houses built in the 17th and 18th centuries, cobbled streets and lush green forest surrounding are some notable attractions of Durbuy. I would prefer to call Durbuy a little old town instead of a ‘city’ by such a definition.

Nevertheless, Hum in Croatia is officially listed as the smallest town in the world. It has an elevation of 349 m, a surface area of 100 metres long and 30 metres wide. The population is between 20 to 30 inhabitants. It was claimed that Hum has only been in recent years, during the 70s, declared as a town to gain popularity in the tourism industry for being “the smallest town in the world”.

Customised Google Maps – Durbuy Belgium Travel Guide

20 Top Things to Do in Durbuy

① Visit the Tourist Office

After driving for two hours, the first sight of Durbuy, a pretty little town greeted me as seen in the profile image. One travel tip for a free and easy trip in any city is to always go to the Tourism Office to get a map first. You can screen the places of interest from the map even without doing prior online research. Secondly, another advantage is to find out any events, activities or promotion happening in Durbuy at the time of your visit. From the photo below, the Tourist Office is on the right.

② Dine in a Nice Restaurant

We arrived in the city around noon time. One of the best things to do in Durbuy was to try out one of the restaurants there especially the fishes from Ardennes. That would be a great start of the tour later. We went to Côté Cour Hotel-Restaurant to order the fish and the wild pheasant.

The food was not fresh and way below the standard. Furthermore, the service was not good either as the waitress was cold and robotic in manner. I am sure you would have better luck in trying out other restaurants. In my next post, I will show you some Durbuy restaurants and where you can eat.

③ Walk in Forest Nature Trail

Another top thing to do in Durbuy is to explore nature and take a short trail in the forest. Hence, we went for 30 to 45 minutes walk in Durbuy after our full but unsatisfying lunch. Our intention was to search for the highest point on the hill so that we could see Durbuy medieval town more clearly from the peak. The first part of the walk was mostly on an even ground.

As shown in the first image below, we walked up from the slope on the left side of the restaurant, La Piazza from the road Tier Moreau. It linked to road Neuve Voie later. When we switched path to Rue des Crêtes later, we saw a holiday vacation lodge, Gite des Crêtes. The following photo below La Piazza was Hotel Wellness. We walked down from the left side of Hotel Wellness after completing one round of the trail loop.

In the second image above, we continued walking on Rue des Crêtes until we saw a signboard stating “Boucle de Durbuy” which means “Loop of Durbuy”. This narrow path was the starting point of our forest trail, supposedly to be only a 10-minutes walk. It was a spin-off from Rue des Crêtes as shown on the Google Maps labelled (C) above. The nameless road would lead you back to Hotel Wellness. The image below was the view of Durbuy.

I expected the scenery to be unblocked but the trees were blocking the view. So, a little disappointing. The first image below was the point that we saw the town. The soil was a bit muddy and slippery then. As a result, we had to walk down slowly with handrail support most times as shown in the second image. Consequently, the hike took longer than 10 minutes for us.

④ Visit Durbuy Castle

The Durbuy Castle (Chateau de Durbuy) history dated back as early as 1078. It has undergone several devastations over the centuries due to fire and wars. The Durbuy Castle was rebuilt on the ruins of the old castle in 1731. The present building is the result of reconstruction from the eighteenth century. There was an extensive restoration by the Countess d’Ursel from 1880 to 1882.

⑤ Admire Shrub Art in the World Largest Topiary Park

Topiary is the art or practice of clipping shrubs or trees into ornamental shapes. Since 1997, Durbuy Topiary Park (Le Parc des Topiaires) has been offering visitors more than 250 designs from human to animal forms in a 1-hectare garden. Entrance fee is €4.50/adult and €1 for children between 6 to 12 years old. Free for children below 6 years old.

There are also guided tour for 10 people with a discounted rate. You can request for a guide who speaks English, French or Dutch too. Ironically, the world smallest city has the largest topiary park of 10,000 m² in the world. The Durbuy Topiary Park is definitely a top place to visit and pride of Belgium not to be missed.

⑥ Stroll along Scenic Ourthe River

The 165 km Ourthe River which runs in Ardennes flows through Durbuy. The picturesque scenery provides a stunning background for several photography shots in different angles and locations. Therefore, a leisure stroll along the river capturing different perspectives of the landscape is one of the things to do in Durbuy.

⑦ Drink Beer at Durbuy Local Brewery

Durbuy has also their own locally brewed beer – Marckloff at La Ferme au Chêne. Located along the River Ourthe, the brewery cum restaurant is easy to spot as it seems to be the one and only one around the vicinity. The brewery was originally established in 1560 by Philippe Marckloff.

Other than savouring the brewed beer speciality in a historical monument beside the Ourthe River, guests can also dine in the restaurant with local cuisine. The other beer brand, La Durboyse which states on its label “Beer of Durbuy” is in fact brewed at the Lefebvre Brewery in Quenast which is 100 km away from Durbuy. The restaurant is reported to be closed until end June 2020.

⑧ Play 18-holes Mini-Golf

The 18-holes Mini Golf entrance with the modern steel construction is captivating. It costs €5 per person for a 30-minute game. The area opens all year except January. During the weekday, Mini-Golf starts from 1 pm. Over the weekend and during the school holiday, it opens from 10 am. The games are subjected to weather condition. Adequate lighting is provided in the evening.

The toilet is on the left side of the building. The toilet may seem to be a very trivial matter but not when nature surrounds you especially for the ladies. Otherwise, you really have to answer the call of nature in nature.

⑨ Visit Saint-Nicolas Church

Saint-Nicolas Church is a Roman Catholic Parish church behind the Mini Golf. The construction of Saint-Nicolas Church begun in 1630. Later in 1643, it was consecrated. It housed a baptismal font dated back to the sixteenth century. Subsequently, it was converted to a convent in the city in 1675 and enlarged in 1774.

⑩ Look at Anticline Durbuy

Although Durbuy is a charming old town, I had the deepest impression on this huge rock located along the pathway of Chemin Touristique and Avenue Hubert Philippart. Suddenly, I looked like a tiny ant. That was what happened to me when nobody was watching. The landscape surrounding the rock, Saint Nicolas Church and Mini-Golf is rather remarkable and worth to take a look. You rock!

The stupendous granite is the Anticline Durbuy. It is already 300 million years old! The anticline is the geological term to describe a U-shaped rock formation. The apparent folds were the accumulation of the sea sediment over millions of years containing calcium carbonate. More than 50% of the limestone deposited on the granite. The peak of this anticline is the highest point of Durbuy. Another name for the Anticline is Homalius’ Rock or Roche à la Falize.

⑪ Visit Halle aux Blés Museum

Halle aux Blés located along the cobbled street of Rue du Comte d’Ursel has a distinctive red plaster on the upper half of the monument. Dated as early as 1530, Halle aux Blés was a market-hall and was home to the jurisdiction of the judiciary. The present building has been on the list of the exceptional heritage of Wallonia since 1976 and hosts cultural exhibitions currently.

⑫ Explore Durbuy by Cycling

Cycling is a great option to explore more of Durbuy in a shorter time. If you do not have a bike, you can select from five different types of bikes and then get it rented there. The bike rental cost from €19 for 3 hours to €37 depending on the selected bike model.

From 8 April onwards, you might be able to cycle together with a mountain bike guide over the weekend for 2 to 3 hours duration based on the number of participants. The bike rental activity of Durbuy Adventure at Rome Rue 1 opens daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Wearing a helmet is compulsory.

⑬ Kayaking in Ourthe River

Here is another fun thing to do in Durbuy when the weather is good. Durbuy is a popular destination for kayaking in Belgium on the Ourthe River from 1st April to the end of October too. The Durbuy Kayak offers a choice of 8 km, 12 km and 23 km kayaking distance. The rental price of the kayak starts from €8 for a 4-km single kayak and below €30 for a 23 km tandem kayak.

Due to occasional high or low water level, the Ourthe River might be closed for kayaking activities. It is mandatory by law to wear a lifejacket to avoid getting a €50 fine. Lifejackets are provided free for children below 4 years old.

⑭ Clear Obstacles in Durbuy Challenge Park

Challenge Park is an altitude adventure park which comprises of six courses at three different heights of 3 m, 6 m and 10 m. It has more than 100 obstacles for participants to clear different zip lines. Additionally, it also has a climbing wall with three routes and a multi-facet adventure trail with various combinations of difficulty overall. Participants will be taught how to use the Expoglider lifeline system for different courses too. Wearing of helmet and harness is compulsory throughout the obstacle.

Video Length: 2m 04s

⑮ Climbing Activities

For the more adventurous soul, there are three types of climbing activities in the old quarry at Durbuy Adventure at Rue Rome – Click and Climb, Via Ferrata and Via Ferrata + Rappel. For Click and Climb, you ascend the vertical climbing wall of 20 m consisting of several elements with a Powerfan security system. Via Ferrata is more challenging with four levels of difficulty running along a steel rope with the Expoglider security lifeline up to 35 m high.

Video Length: 1m 42s

With Rappel added to Via Ferrata experience, participants will scale up to a height of 55 m and descend from the top through an abseiling. On the summit, enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Ourthe Valley. There will be professional guides around and to explain the use of the security lifeline system.

Video Length: 1m 56s

⑯ Glide Down Mega Zipline

Get that hook on your body. Then, hold your breath and glide down the longest Mega Zipline of Benelux high up there in between the trees. The 1-km slide will pass in a flash so do not close your eyes. Scrutinise Durbuy, the world smallest city within minutes from the top and enjoy the breeze. The starting point is accessible with a path through the woods. Mega Zipline is one of my favourite activities. Though so much fun sliding down nature, it is not for the faint-hearted and the acrophobia.

Video Length: 1m 09s

⑰ Free Fall Rock aka Bungee Jumping

Another name of Free Fall Rock is Bungee Jumping. However, in the Adventure Valley Park, you get less terror than the actual bungee jumping and more fun in return. From a height of 32 m and said to be the highest altitude in Belgium, you experience a more controlled fear of falling as compared to bungee jumping. The company guarantees you with a 100% safe Powerfan safety system to slow you down gently before landing on the ground. Now, do you dare take the plunge?

Video Length: 16s

⑱ Visit Durbuy Christmas Market

The most fruitful way and perhaps the best time to visit Durbuy is to linger there longer by visiting the Christmas market concurrently. Especially if you love autumn like me, you will appreciate the different hues of warm colours on the leaves in November. Durbuy Christmas Market attracts a lot of visitors every year from November to December during its opening.

• Durbuy Christmas Market 2019/2020

The Durbuy Christmas Market starts on 22 November 2019 until 5 January 2020.

⑲ Pamper Yourself with Wellness Treatment

For those want to indulge in a little bit more luxury and pampering can go for spa, massage, face and body treatment in Durbuy Wellness by Le Sanglier des Ardennes or Hotel Wellness by Eau de Roche. Rejuvenate yourself in sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, swimming pool with jets hydromassages or even wellness rituals provided by experienced professionals. With a wide variety of wellness programmes and a cosy interior to spoil you, your choice of relaxation will never go wrong.

⑳ Stay Overnight in a Durbuy Hotel

Not enough time to do so many things? You may like to consider staying in one of these Durbuy hotels to maximise your time in the city. The medieval village may be small but some people can rejuvenate when they are far away from the typical city life. Such an old town has the magic to free anyone from stress especially when nature surrounds them.

Adventure Valley Durbuy

The family Maerten founded La Petite Merveille (LPM) in 1964. Subsequently, La Petite Merveille bought Durbuy Adventure in 2016. Adventure Valley Durbuy was a branch out of La Petite Merveille specialising in organising activities in Durbuy Adventure Park. Their office is at Rue Rome 1 which is 1 km away from Durbuy.

Adventure Valley organises activities from 12 to 17 mentioned above. There are much more than the seven activities. The concept of their adventures is for people to purchase different types of passes according to their desires:

• Adventure Day (Various Prices f ~ €30+)
• Fly Pass (€15)
• Adventure Day + Fly Pass (€52)
• Adventure + Fast Tag (€52).

Therefore, participants select their interests indicated by the pass. They also have à la carte activities like Escape Rooms, Tourist Train, Speleo Experience/Extreme and Laser Game which do not fall into any of the packages.

How to Go to Durbuy by Public Transport?

It is not convenient to go Durbuy because there is no train station which one can take a train and stops directly there. To go Durbuy, one has to take a train that departs hourly from Brussels to Barvaux. From Barvaux Train Station, there is a shuttle bus to bring you to Durbuy. The journey is a 2.5 – 3 hrs ride to visit the smallest town on earth from Brussels.

The signboard at the Durbuy Pont Bus Stop may not look presentable but the information written on it is valuable if someone wants to know more about the public transport info.

Tourist Information about Durbuy

The Durbuy Office Communal of Tourisme agenda has events and things to do in Durbuy throughout the year. You can consult their official website during the period that you will be going. The Syndicat d’Initiative Durbuy Vieille Ville also has a lot of useful tourist information that you can check.

For the next two posts, follow me to explore 10 Impressive Durbuy Hotels to Stay and 12 Chic Restaurants to Keep Your Stomach Happy. I will show you where to eat and the estimated cost of staying in a hotel in Durbuy to keep your budget under control if you know the cost beforehand.

Durbuy Accommodation

Here are the hotels and Airbnbs at the lowest prices available online in Durbuy so that you will always get the best offer without hunting around. Book your stay now with your preferred travel partner!

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Durbuy Restaurants Travel Guide

Where to eat in Durbuy Belgium restaurant? In this third part of the Durbuy Travel Guide, I will show you the gastronomic experience of dining in a Durbuy restaurant and the estimated cost. Some restaurants are recommended by Michelin Guide 2017. You can refer to ideas on 20 Best Things to Do in Durbuy and 10 Impressive Hotels to Stay in Durbuy.

Durbuy 1331 Signboard

There are many food signages outside several restaurants in Durbuy which have the imprint heading “Durbuy 1331”. 1331 was the year which John I, Count of Luxemburg, and King of Bohemia declared Durbuy as a city. Before the declaration, Durbuy was a prominent hub for commerce and trade during the medieval time. 1331 was widely used and marketed as a remembrance of the significant change in Durbuy during that year.

Customised Google Maps – Durbuy Belgium Travel Guide

You can get the official URL links of the hotel and restaurant directly from the Google Maps below.

12 Chic Durbuy Restaurant for a Gastronomic Experience in Belgium

Disclaimer: As with each changing season in Belgium, the food menu offered in a Durbuy restaurant may or may not be the same. Similarly, the array of food presented might affect the price below. The rate stated in this article is correct at the time of writing. 

① Le Fou du Roy

Le Fou du Roy is the only restaurant located inside the Durbuy Castle, for a magical moment in the heart of the smallest city in the world. The decoration has a soft and romantic atmosphere. You can relax on a terrace away from the hustle and bustle of the town centre of Durbuy.

It serves traditional French cuisine yet refined with Italian influences. A 3-course meal costs €35. Le Fou du Roy restaurant also offers “Becky’s Breakfast” from 7.30 to 11 am. You can take the breakfast package at €11 or simply grab a croissant, muffin or cake with coffee or tea of your choice.

A 3-course meal costs €35. The restaurant also offers “Becky’s Breakfast” from 7.30 to 11 am. You can take the breakfast package at €11 or simply grab a croissant, muffin or cake with coffee or tea of your choice.

Michelin Guide 2017
This small house is just a hop from the bridge and nestles at the foot of the castle, of which it was formerly an outhouse. The menu alternates between tradition and modernity, all at reasonable prices. Decorated in an exuberant flea market style, it also offers a terrace. Crayfish festival in summer.

② Le Clos des Récollets

The chef and his team promise a gastronomic experience that you will never forget at Le Clos des Récollets. A 3-course menu costs €35 and €55 with a selection of wine. It has an indoor restaurant and a shaded terrace that can accommodate up to 40 people.

Michelin Guide 2017
The picturesque charm of Durby is fully echoed in this delightful restaurant with a superb terrace. The cuisine, firmly anchored in classical techniques, occasionally delves into a more modern repertory. Each dish is a skilful association of flavours. Stay overnight to finish your meal in style.

③ Le Sanglier des Ardennes

Hotel-Restaurant Sanglier des Ardennes restaurant has one of the best locations in the heart of Durbuy. If dining in a vibrant atmosphere is what you are looking for, you have come to the right place. There are 3 types of set menu – Gastronomic Menu €65, Discovery Menu €125, Lunch Menu €35. Wines are charged at a different rate for each set of proposed menu.

Sanglier des Ardennes offers caviar €80 as an appetiser which might not be found in other restaurants. Something that caught my attention. They also offer King Crab €34 as another of their starter for seafood lovers.

Michelin Guide 2017
This hotel-restaurant received a facelift in 2011, but its successful formula has remained intact. It has a classic foundation, attentive service, a fine wine cellar, a collection of armagnacs – and on the hotel side – it is bright and comfortable. There is also a wellness area, a bar and a brasserie.

④ La Bru’sserie

Another restaurant located in the Hotel-Restaurant Sanglier des Ardennes, La Bru’sserie is serving Tapas and Sharing Food. Perfect for those who want to do away with eating the main course once in a while and have some small bites. The tapas has a few regional specialities – Provence, South America, Spain, Asia and Classical. Price range from €8 to €18 for the Tapas range. 4 and 6-course menu are available respectively at €45 and €70.

⑤ La Canette

Established more than 30 years, La Canette presents traditional cuisine and changes their menu seasonally. Priced at €33 for a 2-course dining – starter and a main course only. La Canette also offers a “pink room” (La Chambre Rose) above the restaurant overlooking the vegetation. The room rental is €85/night for 2 pax. You can reserve it by sending them an email.

⑥ Jean de Bohême

Jean de Bohême is a Durbuy hotel-restaurant that serves a 3-course dining at €37. There are five selections from the starters and the main course that you can choose from the menu. There are also plenty of choices for à la carte menu if you prefer that. Kid’s menu starts from €7.50 for Bolognese Pasta to €12 for Steak Salad and Chips. Their dessert offer is as much as their main course. I spotted my favourite dessert – Moelleux with Chocolate Black – Ice Caramel Salted Butter €10.00.

⑦ Le Vieux Pont

Hotel-Restaurant Le Vieux Pont is in a prominent location in the centre of Durbuy and beside the Tourist Office. It has a full spread of menu with a lot of choices of food and drinks under each category. One can consult the food menu online including the type of drinks they have. Set menu has an attractive price range from €19 to €24. Kid’s menu has three choices available for €13 at Le Vieux Pont. You can reserve the dinner online in advance.

⑧ La Ferme au Chêne

For beer lovers, stop by at Durbuy only local brewery La Ferme au Chêne. Other than drinking beer, the restaurant has a Seasonal Set Menu €33, Set Menu de La Ferme au Chêne €19 and a Kid’s Menu €9 for children below 12 years old. For groups comprising of minimum 12 adults and children, there are four options of the set menu at €19.50/pax. It also has a wide variety of food to choose from and side dishes to complement their beer. All their sauces are home-made. A great place to drink beer and savour their cuisine.

⑨ La Piazza

If you have a craving for pizza, swing to La Piazza restaurant for the traditional wood-fired pizzas. Known to have the best pizza in town, the thin and crispy crust with the generous topping will leave you wanting for more. As one of the owners is a vegetarian, it would be an excellent choice of restaurant for vegetarians too. Found beside Hotel Wellness and beside a slope, the rustic styled La Piazza has a mesmerising view overlooking Durbuy town for patrons who sit outside the restaurant.

⑩ Eau de Roche Restaurant

Restaurant Eau de Roche in Hotel Wellness has warm and contemporary colours setting. Set Menu comes in €25, €29 and €35 and the choice of food is limited. For the health conscious, you get more variety of salad here compared to some other restaurants. À la carte menu offers a lot of selections. Moreover, their food menu has a lower price overall for those with a tighter budget.

⑪ La Vieille Demeure

If you just want to get dessert or grab some small bites, go to La Vieille Demeure which has a serene atmosphere. The restaurant specialises in the famous Belgian dessert and snacks since 1971. You can get ice cream, pancakes, salad and sandwiches. Not forgetting the famous Belgian waffles which you can savour in the quiet surrounding while admiring the tranquil medieval town.

⑫ Boucherie Serge Bodson

Believe me. This pig has been outside Traiteur Boucherie Bodson Serge for quite some time. Even Pinterest and Google have the same piggy images spilling all over the shop. Since the pig is so well-liked, surely you would like to have one photo of it for memory as well.

The shop sells not only charcuterie but also bread in 2009 ever since the last bakers in the village retired. It has been a success till date. Over here, you can also buy paninis and sandwiches for as low as €2.50.

Other things that you can purchase are well-known traditional cheeses and artisanal cheeses such as “Le Chèvre Frais d’Ozo”, “Le Petit Moressée”, “Le Petit Rossé” and “Le Doré de Lathuy”. The one cheese to bring home is the “Le Durbuy“. The flagship product is the ‘salaison’ which is the salted meat in different kind of flavours.

Durbuy Accommodation

Here are the hotels and Airbnbs at the lowest prices available online in Durbuy so that you will always get the best offer without hunting around. Book your stay now with your preferred travel partner!

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Durbuy Hotel Travel Guide

Where to stay in Durbuy? Simply a day trip of a few hours might not be enough for those who want to do more in the Durbuy town. If you are worried about burning a hole in your pocket, there are also budget hotels in Durbuy if you know where to find it. The hotel room rate can go as low as €50 to €70 per room for two people in a lovely hotel over the weekday. Not that expensive, right?

In the previous post, I have mentioned about 20 Best Things to do in Durbuy Belgium. The 20th activity was to stay overnight in a Durbuy hotel. Since I have given you several Durbuy travel tips, there are so many things you can do and explore in the world smallest city in Belgium. Check out the link if you want to know how to go to Durbuy by public transport.

Surely for those who are into a more luxurious stay in a Durbuy hotel and would like to have some spa or pleasure in a Jacuzzi, you are not forgotten. Find out what’s in store for you below. In the next post, I will recommend you 12 Chic Restaurants to Dine and to Keep Your Stomach Happy.

Customised Google Maps – Durbuy Belgium Travel Guide

You can get the official URL links of the hotel and restaurant directly from the Google Maps below.

10 Impressive Durbuy Hotels

Disclaimer: Hotel rate might change with every season, festive period and school holiday. The Durbuy hotel tariff stated in this article is correct at the time of writing. You have to verify the hotel price again before booking.

① Le Sanglier des Ardennes

Hotel-Restaurant Le Sanglier des Ardennes was the first prominent hotel that we saw upon arriving in Durbuy. It is located prominently in the heart of the medieval town having an excellent view of the city centre.

First established in 1946, this hotel has been passed down for three generations. The hotel has undergone a major renovation recently since its time. Hotel Sanglier des Ardennes has 4 types of rooms under its wing – Tradition Room, Superior Room, Junior Suite and Jacuzzi Suite. It has a total of 17 rooms and 2 suites.

Price range starts from €130 for a Tradition Room and €200 for a Jacuzzi Suite. The hotel also has a Durbuy Wellness Centre for those who like to pamper themselves in the spa and exclusive face and body treatments. The Restaurant Sanglier des Ardennes is recommended by Michelin Guide 2017.

② Le Vieux Pont Hotel

Newly renovated in 2011, Le Vieux Pont Hotel is also in the heart of Durbuy. A traditional touch of the 18th century stone house of Le Vieux Pont Hotel on the exterior juxtaposes with an ultra-modern design in the hotel creating a brilliant effect for the guests.

Rooms are lit with a glowing blue light to create a relaxed atmosphere and stimulating melatonin production to make you sleep better. The hotel room rate for two starts from €70. Breakfast costs €15 per pax. For a range of dining options at Le Vieux Pont restaurant, check out the page.

③ Hotel Wellness – Eau de Roche

Hotel Wellness – Eau de Roche is ideal for people who like to have relaxing wellness stay in a Durbuy hotel. The hotel provides pampering treatment like wellness area, face and body care, massages and a 29℃ indoor swimming pool in a Zen setting.

There are two types of room themes – Rock Water and Court Side. Both themes have different choices of room to suit your needs. Note that the hotel rate below may not have access to the sauna, hammam, infrared cabin unless the use of the service is inclusive in the Hotel Wellness offer. Please check with the hotel again.

The Rock Water theme has large windows which you can wake up to a scenic view. The hotel tariff starts from €140 per room for two people for Rock Water Theme. The Court Side hotel is a more budget choice for those who want to watch their pocket. The rate starts at €70 per room for two people. All the rates are inclusive of buffet breakfast.

Tips: At the side road of the Hotel Wellness, guests can go for a 1-km short walk in the Durbuy nature trail. You can check out the customised Google Maps in another post which we have tried it.

④ Le Gîtes des Crêtes

On the way to the nature trail in the forest, we saw a holiday lodging house – Le Gîte des Crêtes. There are a total of three bedrooms in which six people can stay. For those who like to BBQ, the house has a terrace with barbeque and garden furniture.

As the house is on the hilltop, the scenery is splendid and has an unblocked view of nature. Beware that since Le Gîte des Crêtes is at a higher altitude, so expect some walking on the slopes to go up and down to the Durbuy town if it does not bore you or make you tired.

The lowest rental cost starts from €250 for midweek, €430 for the weekend and €480 for a week stay during low peak season. The rental prices fluctuate during different months of the year. There are also more costs which you have to pay.

⑤ Hotel Jean de Bohême

Hotel Jean de Bohême offers 26 comfortable rooms and suites that are renovated in January 2017. The hotel has an elevator which serves all their rooms. Their guests love the elegant and romantic room furnishing. There is open fire both in the rooms and in the bar too.

There are 3 types of rooms in Hotel Jean de Bohême – Standard, L and XL rooms. The Standard Room is at the back of the hotel in a quiet location. The “L” room has a view of Durbuy. Three “XL” rooms have a view of the square and suitable for families due to their ample space.

Hotel tariff starts from €109/night for two people on the weekday for a Standard room and up to €249/night for an “XL” room over a weekend. They have a golf package for their rooms too. All their quoted hotel rates are inclusive of breakfast. Private parking is available.

Hotel Jean de Bohême is taken over by La Petite Merveille Group which is also one of the major players in organising activities in Durbuy under the name Adventure Valley. If you want to find adventurous and fun things to do in Durbuy, check out the link.

⑥ Hotel Des Comtes Durbuy

Dated from 1862, Hôtel Des Comtes Durbuy has a magnificent view to die for based on my last visit impression. That would be my first choice as I fell in love with it at first sight. Located along River Ourthe in a quiet surrounding, what’s not better than to wake up with fresh air from nature and perhaps the crisp sound of the river flow?

There is a total of 8 rooms in Hôtel Des Comtes. Four of them are suite rooms with full bathroom, telephone, TV and internet access. Hotel tariff starts from €95 for two in a Standard Room (17m²) and €340 for six people in a Family Suite (84m²). Guests can expect to have breakfast for their room reservation.

With the expansion of Hôtel des Comtes in April 2010, their spacious Family Suite can accommodate up to six people. It has a large living room, 2 double bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. A convertible double sofa bed enables two more people to sleep in the living room. The hotel is suited for people with limited mobility too. Free private parking is available. Furry creatures are not allowed into Hôtel des Comtes.

⑦ Le Clos Des Récollets

One Durbuy hotel, Le Clos des Récollets is an old farm that has borrowed its name from the monks of Durbuy. It then turned into a hotel-restaurant ever since. The hotel is not near to the Ourthe but inside the cobbled stone town. It has a mesmerising cottage-style allure that would make one stop to take a second look.

With a tranquil surrounding, Le Clos des Récollets rooms are modern and clean-looking with a white setting. Hotel tariff starts from €110 for two pax per night, €142 for three pax and up to four people per room at €175. Breakfast costs €12.50 per person with homemade jams and local hams.

The restaurant in Le Clos des Récollets is recommended by Michelin Guide 2017. Hence, they package gastronomic experiences in their room booking too. Dogs are not allowed in the hotel. Covered parking is €10/night with a maximum height of 2.05 m.

⑧ La Petite Maison

La Petite Maison is a captivating guesthouse in Durbuy furnished in a country style constructed between Durbuy Castle and Saint-Nicolas Church. It is equipped with a double bed and a single bed in the mezzanine. Do note that the ladder access to the area is quite stiff.

One noteworthy point is that the rooms still have a traditional open fireplace. Other facilities include a shower room with separate toilet, central heating, TV, a small fridge, a microwave, an electric kettle, a toaster and crockery. The Price ranges from €50 on weekdays and €150 over the weekends for up to 3 pax. Check-in time is 2 pm unless you have made pre-arrangement with the owner.

⑨ Hotel Côté Cour Durbuy

I would not recommend you to eat at Hotel-Restaurant Côté Cour due to our disappointing dining experience with the restaurant on our last trip to Durbuy. However, to be fair, the prime location of the hotel for staying overnight in Durbuy is worth mentioning. It is indeed a charming hotel with a glass-panel on the exterior in the middle of the Durbuy town.

You are a few steps away from Place aux Foires which has the busiest spot in Durbuy especially when there is a Christmas Market taking place in November and December yearly. The hotel has 25 rooms and 4-room types. The lowest is €70 for a Standard Room on a weekday to €120 on a pricier weekend for a Suite Studio.

⑩ Hôtel La Librairie

Hôtel la Librairie offers 8 chic rooms and a terrace overlooking the River Ourthe, Le Parc des Topiaires and the castle of Durbuy. Ask for a fan in the bedroom during warm weather as there is no aircon. Hôtel la Librairie has dark enough blinds to ensure minimum disturbance from the first light. The free Wi-Fi signal is strong and has good connectivity.

Parking is free but may pose a challenge to people who have physical disabilities as there is staircase access to it. The hotel room rate per night for two is from €89 to €95 and includes breakfast. The hotel location is near to bustling streets. Hence, you may hear outside noise occasionally.

Choose Your Durbuy Accommodation

Here are the hotels and Airbnbs at the lowest prices available online in Durbuy so that you will always get the best offer without hunting around. Book your stay now with your preferred travel partner!

Nightlife Durbuy

Unfortunately, Backstage Club located at Rue du Comte Théodule d’Ursel 3 has closed permanently. Perhaps, you could find a new discotheque in the same location.

Here is a bonus for you if you are staying overnight in a Durbuy hotel and wondering how to kill time at night. There is an entertainment outlet, Backstage Club which has discotheque and karaoke. It operates on Monday and Thursday to Saturday from 22:00h. It closes at 05:00h on Friday and Saturday night. Otherwise, Backstage will close at 03:00h. With this discotheque and karaoke to blast your lungs away, who says Durbuy is boring in the evening?

Next Article: Are you ready for the traditional food gastronomic experience in Durbuy?

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Job Interview Tips: How to Answer Interview Questions and Interview Questions Meaning

How to answer interview questions? What are the implied meanings ringing at the head of the recruiters when they ask a question during the interview? This article is a continuation of the job-seeking process in Belgium conducted by the speaker Miss Eugenia Khodakovska. I have also introduced Eugenia’s profile in the first part of the article on tips to write CVs for a job application.

Congratulation if you have succeeded in getting a job interview after sending your CV. That’s half the battle won. The other 50% lies in how you answer the interview questions during the job interview process. In this article, Eugenia continues to provide useful interview tips and tricks to handle a job interview. We delve deeper into the underlying meaning of some common interview questions ringing behind the back of the recruiters’ minds.

Be Well-Prepared and Confident

Before we blurt out everything on our mind unprepared, it is always better to prepare the job interview answers mentally. Rehearse the answers well every time we go for a job interview. Adequate preparation will also bring out a confidence streak which all prospective employers like to see. They want to look for a candidate who is well-prepared for the interview questions and think through what to say. Moreover, it speaks about his readiness in handling last-minute interview questions which are not that easy to answer.

Ready to Answer Interview Questions Below?

1. Why do you want to work for us?

• What is your motivation?

2. Why do we need to hire you?

• And not others?
• How do we get the best outcome of this choice?

3. What do you know about us?

• What is your opinion?
• How will your engagement and commitment be?

4. How do you develop yourself?

• Are you self-reflective enough?
• How manageable are you?
• What will be your development and integration speed?
• What will be your ownership of the job?
• Are you able to cope with corporate dynamics and changes?

5. Tell us about your best achievement.

• What is your capability and potential to the business?
• How passionate are you in your field of work?
• What is your endurance and perseverance level to get things done to its maximum performance?

6. Describe some of the failures that you had.

• How self-conscious are you?
• What is your ability to cope with stress?
• How much did you learn from the lesson?
• How optimistic are you when facing an obstacle in life?

7. Do we need to know anything that we did not ask you about?

• This question creates an opportunity to tell the interviewer more about your achievement.
• Be pragmatic. Relate incidents only to what the employer needs for the job position.

8. Do you have any other questions?

• What is your real motivation? Perhaps you will reveal more about your intention after being comfortable during the conversation.
• Beware. The comfort level at this point is where you will ask and say unappropriated things too.
• What are the negotiation points if the interviewer makes a job offer?
• Avoid the standard reply – “I have no questions asked.”
• An ideal approach to ask questions is during the job interview process where appropriate so that it will seem natural for the interviewer to reply.
• Here are some job interview tips to ask a few relevant questions to the company.
  • “What is your development strategy?”
  • “Who are my colleagues and the people that I work with?”
  • “Who are my customers?”

Emails after Job Interview

Thank You Email

It is always polite and good practice to send your prospective employers a thank you email. It gives you the opportunity to add relevant information which you did not highlight during the interview. However, keep the email short and brief. Do not use a standard template like “Thank you… It was a pleasure meeting you.” Write something more personalised.

Reminder Email

It is fine to send a reminder email to check your job application status after the interview if you do not receive a reply after the agreed dateline. If you are going for multiple interviews in the midst of waiting for the update, it is also reasonable to keep potential employers informed about your status. This piece of information may add a little value to yourself when the prospective employers know that you have been asked to attend job interviews from other companies.

Rejection Email

If you receive a rejection email, you may like to ask the relevant person the grounds for the job rejection. One can learn from their job interview experience and to do better for the next job interview.

Handling Job Offer

In Belgium, it is common to go for more than one round of job interviews. If the employer calls you back for the second interview, it is likely that both the company and you will negotiate on the job offer on that day. Certainly, you want the best for yourself. Hopefully, the employer would be willing to accede to your requests. So, what is a reasonable stand for you?

Research the Belgian Labour Market

• What is the salary scale for the position that you are interested?
• What are the skills in demand? Do you have what it takes to negotiate a higher salary?
• What are the fringe benefits provided by the company?

Prepare Your Positioning

• Questions about your current package
• What is the minimum package that you can accept?
• Prioritise your needs. What are the must-have / nice to have / negotiation buffer?

Important Signal to Your Employer

• You are aware of your market value.
• The amount of salary is no doubt important but is not the primary factor for accepting the job.
• Enthusiasm for the job is equally important to enrich your life.

Belgian Employers Like to Test Their Job Applicants

I have been through two job interviews in Belgium so far. The recruiters gave me tests during both interviews. One tested on writing to make sure my English standard is acceptable. The other gave me a logic test with some IQ questions and mathematics. It seems that the Belgian employers enjoy giving tests to their candidates. I had many job interviews in Singapore. However, it is not so common to test the potential candidates over there.

Curriculum Vitae: Tips for a Job CV Resume Format

What constitutes a perfect job CV format? How to write a CV – Curriculum Vitae for a job interview? Applying for a job in Belgium is like warfare. You are likely to have several other job applicants as your strong opponents. Especially so when a job position interests many people and is not one of those in a niche labour market.

You get only one chance to impress when applying for a job. The biggest obstacle is clearing the CV so that you can cross the gate and get that chance to sit face to face with the interviewer. Even if you are certain that you are the perfect candidate for the job, without getting the opportunity to impress the interviews personally, the job search has failed.

The interviewers normally take 50 seconds to screen every job resume. Therefore, it is vital that your relevant experience stands out immediately from the beginning as the eyes scrolled down the CV.

Presentation Credit

During one of my Social Integration Class, the instructor arranged for a few external speakers to give us a talk. The most enlightening speech was by Miss Eugenia Khodakovska, a Ukrainian expatriate who works in Melexis Technologies NV. The company is an MNC with 1,100 employees in 14 countries since 1988 with headquarter in Belgium.

Eugenia works as a Global Talent Acquisition Manager in the Human Resource Department with the company. Needless to say, the responsibility of screening candidates’ resumes and interviewing them are her fortes. Possessing a rich experience of screening countless Curriculum Vitae and conducting over hundred of interviews, she is undoubtedly the best person to advise the dos and don’ts for job application in Belgium.

Besides giving tips on how to write a job CV, she shed some lights on how to read the questions asked by recruiters during the interview process. She also provided valuable insight into what to say and what not to say during a job interview. Behind every question lurks a motive which the interviewer wants to hear the appropriate response.

Indeed, an eye-opener for new expatriates searching for jobs in Belgium and knowing how to manage the expectation of the Belgian employers. Do check out the second part of the article on Common Job Interview Questions later. Read on.

Get Your Job CV Template Right

Make Your CV Template Reader-Friendly

In another word, your job CV format has to look presentable from the first glance.

• Use appropriate font size (not too big and not too small).
• Eliminate fanciful or weird font designs that are difficult to read.
• Avoid the use of colours and clipart too.
• Use paragraph and line spacing so that the texts do not look cluttered.
• Avoid long sentences. Use commas and full stops where appropriate.

Maximum Two Page Job CV Resume

How long should a resume be? Keep the resume to a maximum of two pages. Do not over-stuff information into these two pages even if you have a lot of work experiences to highlight.

• Sort your work experience chronologically.
  • From the current to the past work experience.
  • Most relevant job experience to the less relevant. Highlight your most relevant experience for the position that you want to apply so that the recruiter can identify it immediately.
• State your academic qualification after your work experience unless you are applying for a teaching job position such as a professor or a teacher.
  • Additionally, some job positions in a niche market single out highly educated professionals. In this circumstance, prioritise the education qualification over the work experience.
• Put your contact detail in the footer (or header) of every page like your name, contact number and email address.

Proofread Your Resume

It is a very unpleasant experience to read a job CV full of grammatical and spelling errors particularly when you write the resume in a foreign language. It does not reflect well especially when report writing is one of the requirements in the job scope. Errors tell the recruiters that you make no effort to check your work.

• Ensure no grammatical and spelling errors.
• Get a native to proof-read your job CV if you have to write them in Dutch or French which are not your mother tongue.
• If you do not have anyone to help you, here is a list of grammar and spelling checkers websites that you can help yourself online for free. At least, making use of some online language tools is better than none.
  • English: Grammarly
  • French: Bon Patron
  • Dutch and several other languages: Language Tools

Save File Attachment with Description

Label your saved file attachment with a descriptive title or a file reference number if the recruiter indicates it online. Enter in the description such as your name and position applied. The company might have several advertised positions. Hence, it would help them to identify your interest immediately when they save your file together with others. On a subconscious level, the recruiters evaluate little detail like this to form an impression of the applicant organising ability.

What Not to Do on a Job CV Template?

Here is a recommendation of “Do Not Do” list to pay attention when applying for a job in the Belgian Labour Market. Some points are essential to note as they are instant deal-breakers when you put on your CV template.

Do Not…

Use Photograph

You do not know how the recruiter will judge you and what are they thinking off when they look at your photo. This rule is not applicable unless you are applying for some glamorous jobs where you have to sell your face. Eg. Models.

If you insist on putting a photograph (like me… it is my habit), attach a more professional looking headshot that has a clear image and will stand you in good stead.

Date of Birth

Is it necessary to fill in your Date of Birth on a job resume? This piece of information is not helpful. You do not want your prospective employer to discriminate you based on your age.

Irrelevant Information

Do not give information that is irrelevant to the job. You are taking up more space within the ‘two-page resume rule’. The recruiter also spent more time reading detail that is not helping you. Again, this is an indication of a lack of structuring by not providing a clear and concise description.

Requirements that are Expected by Default

First example: “I am helpful to my colleagues.” Can one even survive in an organisation by not supporting his colleagues? That goes without saying.

Second example: “I am a plumber who fits and repairs pipes.” Well, the job scope of a plumber is of that. Therefore, a default requirement associating with a job position has not much value to the recruiter as well.

Images or Creative Visual Design

Do not use images or creative visual design unless this is your professional portfolio. Graphic Designers will most likely escape from this rule since they have a valid reason to demonstrate their creativity skill by making the job CV more impressive.

For most people, this is not advisable. Some people try to stand out from the rest by putting the logo of their former company. For the recruiters, the image does not serve its purpose. Instead, it clutters the space of the job CV and takes their focus away from your job resume.

Abbreviation and Industry Slang

Always use the full term accompanied by the use of abbreviation. The person looking at your job CV might be a general administration staff of an employment agency who may not understand the term of those alphabets that you use.

Neither to a Human Resource (HR) personnel since their role is to recommend suitable candidates after the first assessment either by your CV or after the job interview. Besides, many working in the HR Department may not understand their industry slang because their roles do not require them to do so. Anyway, it is common to have more than one round of interview in Belgium.

You can demonstrate your industry jargon later when you get a chance to go for the interview with the correct person whom you might be working together in a team.

Cliché, Vague or Sophisticated Language

Use simple phrases and terms that are easily understood by everyone. The use of bombastic words may not deliver the right message across to the interpreter. Eventually, the meaning of the sentences would turn ambiguous. At its worst, misinterpreted by the interviewers and lost your chance for a job interview through the wrong choice of words used.

One of the most common clichés used is (I am a) “team player”. How does that sentence help you? Everybody has to be a team player when it comes to working for a corporate organisation. The sentence will not give you an edge over the rest of the job applicants.

Exaggerated Sentences or Lies

Do not exaggerate about things that you cannot do or have no experience. Needless to say, the outcome is obvious. One does not need to put himself in an embarrassing situation later when the lie is exposed.

Controversial or Bizarre Hobbies

Some weird hobbies and pastimes are better left unsaid if they do not strengthen your work capabilities. In fact, it may do more harm to job applicants when they put strange things on their resume.

Just imagine if someone wrote in the resume, “My hobby is keeping snakes” or “I love to collect exquisite knives from all over the world”. (Personally, I would be afraid to have such a colleague. What will happen to me if I were to offend him? So much left to the imagination.)

References upon Request

It is not necessary to put in any references unless the recruiting company asks for it. One can merely state in the job CV ‘References upon request’. If the prospective company ask for references later, the best referrals are your previous boss, supervisor, colleague and HR. Most importantly, they should be the people whom you had worked with earlier and willing to vouch for you.

Inappropriate Email Address

You can email me at sexyprincess@hotmale.com, sillygirl@xyz.com, game_maniac@bigmail.com, fashion.freak@wth.com. Self-explanatory. Those email addresses do not impress you, isn’t it?

Links to Your Social Media Account

One of the things not to do is to offer your social media account links voluntarily except if you are a social media marketeer. Your social media accounts belong to your private life which your future employers do not need to know.

On the contrary, it may be in your best interest that the lesser they know about your social life, the safer you are. We are not sure what the employers’ reaction would be if they see certain posts or images. If the employers want to know more about you, they will have a way to check on you discreetly.

Broken Links

If you place external links on your job CV for your research or work as references, make sure the links still work or have been updated.

School-Related

How long ago have you graduated from school? Leave out the information relating to the school unless you are applying for your first job. In the corporate world, the interviewers want to find out more about your prior working experience and how you can contribute to the growth of the company with your knowledge.

Avoid providing information that is decades ago. The glory of yesterday may not stay the same way today other than something that you can relate to the current job.

An illustration: You had been elected in school to represent the country to compete in a Physics competition worldwide. Now, you want to apply for a job that is specifically relating to physics. Your intelligence in the subject matter tells a lot about your innate talent when you were younger.

My Job Application Experience in Belgium

I did not follow a few of the CV tips above. I always use a headshot photograph when emailing my CV over to the recruiters not knowing the ‘CV guideline’ in Belgium. Nonetheless, the companies still contacted me up for two interviews after two months of arriving in Belgium. Subsequently, I for my first short-term contract job.

During the job interview process which I got the job eventually, the interviewer told me that my CV was too long. She advised me to shorten my future CV to a maximum 2-page instead of 3-page (excluding the cover letter).

To conclude, the above tips are guidelines. Even with a photograph attached to my CV, the interim agency and the company called me up for interviews. As for the 2-page CV format, it is better to adhere to the guideline. Anyway, most interviewers will not read all the information if they are not relevant.

The next article will provide interview tips on how to handle questions and answers during a job interview process.

2020 Update: Best Things to Do in Belgium

What to do in Belgium? What are the top places to visit and the best things to do in Belgium? The Timeless Monthly Affairs is a recurrence of events, activities and exhibition for one to do in Belgium every month for you.

Most of these activities take place yearly or bi-yearly. Therefore, no matter which month a tourist arrives in Belgium, there are always places to visit, things to do and which occur only on specific dates. I have also included rare events that may not occur yearly (one so far).

So, it is not a typical article on places of interests which are available 365 days of the year. Locals and tourists can refer to the suggested events no matter which year they are travelling to Belgium. Since they are repetitive in nature and so it will always be valid.

Due to the four seasons in Belgium, these exceptional events materialise for certain weeks of each year. For locals or tourists coming to Belgium, the list of the compilation will come handy. Click on the individual highlights to see more information.

January

Winter Sales

• Location: All Belgian Cities
• Date: 1 to 31 January 2020 

There are two proclaimed sales annually in Belgium, January and July for the whole month. The law determines the sales period. It is prohibited to have a sales one month before the commencement of the actual sales in the clothing, footwear and leather retail.

In other words, retailers cannot misuse the term “sales”. People can be sure that when there are sales taking place in January and July, the price reduction is genuine. Hence, for shopaholics, the best time for shopping is no doubt the sales period. The first one of the year is Winter Sales.

April

April is the beginning of spring. It is the best time to see gorgeous flowers bloom everywhere. There are many flowery events inspired by flowers and nature theme. Therefore, it would be a pity not to visit one of these places of interest below. Here are a few highlights of the top places to visit that have received good responses from the visitors.

Hallerbos

• Location: Halle
• Date: April to Mid-May 2020

For nature lovers, Hallerbos is a highly recommended top place to visit in Belgium between mid-April to May. The wild hyacinth flowers would carpet the Halle forest and transform it into a purple-blue magical land. The enchanting sight attracts many tourists and photographers all over the world to experience the fairytale comes alive.

Also known as bluebells, forests with such flowers are peculiar in the world. Moreover, the captivating moment only lasts for about two weeks before the leaves from the beech tree block the sunlight from reaching the flowers. Check out the Hallerbos article for more information.

Japanese Garden Hasselt

• Location: Hasselt

One does not have to travel to Japan to watch the symbolic spring flower, Cherry Blossom (aka Sakura). After all, one can see the flowers in the iconic Japanese Garden in Hasselt city. However, the cherry blossom bloom usually lasts for only two weeks. Therefore, you may also need some luck to catch the full bloom.

The Japanese Garden was a gift from Itami, a city in Japan. Back then, it was a symbol to foster cultural relations in 1992. The lush greenery is the largest Japanese Garden in Europe covering 2.5 hectares. Shipment of the material used for constructing the traditional ceremonial house and Japanese tea house were from Japan. Even the craftsmen came from Japan.

Tulpenpluk

• Location: Berendrecht, Antwerp
• Date: 13 April 2020

Every year, 160,000 tulips are planted in the meadow during autumn. In spring, the tulips bloom and ready for picking in a large field of Berendrecht. Thus, Tulpenpluk means ‘tulip picking.’ At least 13,000 people attend this event yearly. Additionally, the visitors can bring 10 tulips home from the 47 colourful species.

Stad Antwerpen organises the yearly event which occurs around mid-April since 2012. Furthermore, the number of visitors is growing due to more public awareness and publicity. Since the tulip picking date is not the same every year, one has to search it on the Stad Antwerpen website. Begin your search with the keyword “tulpenpluk” after the event publicity in March. Isn’t tulip picking a pleasurable thing to do in Belgium when the activity comes free?

Floralia Brussels

• Location: Groot-Bijgaarden Castle, Dilbeek, Brussels
• Date: 4 April to 3 May 2020

The 17th century Flemish Renaissance-style castle in Bijgaarden awaits you with their annual spring flower exhibition – Floralia Brussels. More than half a million of colourful flowers in a 14 hectares park engulf the visitors. The floral providers came mainly from major Dutch bulb producers and exporters. There are 500 varieties of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils. Besides, just the tulips alone command nearly 400 varieties.

Another remarkable attraction of the Bijgaarden Castle is the labyrinth designed in 1748. It gives the flower path an unparalleled flowery experience that one must not miss. It is less than 10 km away from Brussels as well. Tickets cost €14 for adults, €5 for children, €12 for senior citizens and groups. Children below 6 years old enter for free. Hence, date the flowers in Spring as it would be one of the best things to do in Belgium and definitely worth a visit!

Royal Greenhouses of Laeken

• Location: Laeken
• Date: 17 April to 8 May 2020

For three weeks starting from mid-April, visitors can visit the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken. This has always been following a century-old tradition to allow the public to view. Despite that, as the Greenhouses are part of the Royal Park, the private garden is usually not accessible to the public. Many people were left disappointed when they visited the place at different months. This 19th-century magnificent monument built of glass dome is not a 365 days typical tourist attraction due to its royalty.

King Leopold II initialised the brilliant concept of using steel and glass as a bold design. Finally, he constructed his ideal glass palace and his botanical garden which is famous worldwide to date. The Royal Greenhouses still behold some plants belonging to the original plantations of King Leopold II. The entrance fee is merely €2.50 and free for those under 18 years. Furthermore, it is only 2 km of walking distance away from the famous Atomium. Both are the top places to visit concurrently in Belgium.

May

Brussels Food Truck Festival

• Location: Cinquantenaire, Brussels
• Date: May 2020

Brussels Food Truck Festival is the biggest food fair in Europe with more than 101 food trucks on site. Started not many years ago, the event takes place during the first weekend of May yearly. It runs from Friday to Sunday, from noon to midnight for the first two days and ends at 9 pm on Sunday. Entrance is free.

The international food festival has 35% of food trucks coming from abroad. Among the Belgian food trucks, 35% comes from Flanders, 43% from Wallonia and 22% from Brussels. Other than the famous Belgian beers, with a splendid array of food assortment from different countries, there would surely be something that titillates your taste buds. Just remember to bring along an empty stomach!

Medieval Market of Etterbeek

• Location:   Cinquantenaire, Brussels
• Date: 15 to 17 May 2020

The Medieval Market of Etterbeek (Marché Médiéval d’Etterbeek) usually happens three days before a Christian holiday, Pinkstermaandag (Whit Monday or Pentecost Monday). Pinkstermaandag can take place either in May or June every year which affects the event date. Coming to its 27th years in 2019, you can see a lot of folkloristic characters performing and mending the stalls. No less than 180 exhibitors from all over Belgium and throughout Europe will present their artisan products. There will be lots of game booths for children.

Zwemvijver Boekenberg

• Location:  Boekenbergpark, Deurne
• Date: 17 May to 13 September 2020

During summer every year, the two outdoor swimming pools at Zwemvijver Boekenberg in Antwerp are opened for visitors to swim. The unique feature of this swimming pool is that the water is purified by plants and stones. No chlorine or harmful chemical in the water which would dry up the skin. During peak hours, the swimming is restricted to a 15-minutes block for 150 people.

There is also a lawn outside the swimming pool where people picnic or lie there for a suntan or a gathering with their family and friends. Zwemvijver Boekenberg is accessible by bus and city bike. Come and soak in the atmosphere with the locals! Check out the post for more detail and what to take note if you are going to Zwemvijver Boekenberg for the first time.

June

Zomer van Antwerpen

• Location: Antwerp (Few Places)
• Date: 13 June to 31 August 2019

Every year during Summer, Zomer van Antwerpen (Summer of Antwerp) organises various fun-filled activities. Participants can look forward to events such as Theatre, Summer Bar, Music and Evening Dance Parties. One noteworthy event is the Cinema Urbana since it was an unforgettable experience which I recommend as one of the best things to do in Belgium.

Film lovers watch their chosen film on a specific day in an unusual and open atmosphere near to the Schelde River. Furthermore, moviegoers can experience sitting on two sand mounds in front of a big screen. At the same time, you can grab some drinks anytime from the bar while watching the movie. A gentle reminder to bring along some blankets, carpets or shawl for sitting or wearing when the weather turns cold. Moviegoers can expect to get free soup during the event which is definitely a plus!

July

Summer Sales

• Location: All Cities in Belgium
• Date: 1 to 31 July 2020

The beginning of July is the second sales period in Belgium which is the Summer Sales. As opposed, the first sales period of the year is the ‘Winter Sales’ in January as mentioned above. Shop during the first few days of the sales due to the overwhelming response from people looking forward to it. If a shopper goes shopping at a later date, many of the good stuff will be snapped up. On the other hand, expect a huge crowd and long queue at the cashier.

Ommegang 

• Location: Grand Place, Brussels
• Date: 1 to 3 July 2020

90th edition of Ommegang 2020 festival is a parade of folklore appearing right in front of your eyes originating from a religious procession in 1348. The modern procession of saints and horses dress in fanciful costume march from the Sablon to the Grand Place since 1930. As a result, it is the biggest and the most medieval culture celebrated in Brussels historically. In 2017, the organiser has added more than 1400 participants in this festival.

Ticket price starts from €42 to €82 onwards for a 2-km Cortège and a 2-hour procession. However, do not let the cost deter you from watching the performance. Interested folks can still watch Ommegang for free at Village Renaissance in  Parc Royal (Brussels Park). The park entrance is facing opposite the Royal Palace of Brussels along the street “Place des Palais”. Therefore, the location is not that difficult to find for a whimsical evening.

Rock Werchter

• Location: Werchter
• Date: 2 to 5 July 2020

One of the best things to do during summer is to attend one of the long-standing pop and rock music festivals in Belgium. Rock Werchter started in 1975. Over the years, it has become one of the largest music festivals in Belgium. Furthermore, Rock Werchter has also received several years of awards from the International Live Music Conference (ILMC) for ‘Best Music Festival in the World’.

The event venue can host up to 88,000 guests. Expect about 150,000 people during the four-day event. The performance starts as early as 12 noon up to midnight. A one-day ticket costs €110 and usually sold out fast for Saturday and Sunday events. The purchase of the e-festival ticket allows you to download one free e-train ticket for public transport (train/festival bus) in Belgium. You can buy the food and drink coupons in advance which costs €2.50 each.

Dour Festival

• Location: Dour
• Date: 15 to 19 July 2020

Dour Music Festival is the biggest music event in the southern part of Belgium in the Wallonia region, the French-speaking community. Dubbed itself as the ‘European Alternative Music Event’, the Dour Festival has more than 100 performers from Belgium and overseas every year. More than 200,000 supporters turn up from all over Europe for the past few years.

Camping site, food and drinks are available to facilitate the spectacular performance affair. Despite that, please note that the visitors are not allowed to enter the Dour festival site with alcohol. Regular tickets range from €75 per day and €170 for a Combi ticket for all the 5-days event. Comfort tickets cost €165 for a day ticket and €295 for all 5 days.

Gentse Feesten

• Location: Ghent
• Date: 17 to 26 July 2020

If you are planning to go to Ghent, the best time to visit the vibrant city is in July. For over 170 years over a duration of 10 days, Ghent is celebrating the Gentse Feesten (Ghent Festival) in the heart of the city. Every year, it has been a tradition that the Ghent Carnival starts on a Friday and ends on a Sunday. The scale of the Ghent Festival covers almost all the inner city of Gent.

About 2 million visitors attend the festival every year, making it one of the biggest cultural festivals in Europe alongside with Oktoberfest in Munich and Las Fallas in Valencia. What you can expect this festival over the ten days are markets, street performances and music concerts at night. Go and immerse in the liveliness of the Ghent party all day long in July. The best part is good things always come free.

Tomorrowland

• Location: Boom
• Date: 17 to 19 & 24 to 26 July 2020

Tomorrowland is one of the biggest and most famous electronic music festivals in the world. The event venue lies in the Flanders region of Belgium which is the Dutch-speaking community. Ticket prices range from €100 per day to over €1,500 on the high side. Still, the astonishing fact is that over 100,000 tickets are snapped up within 1 hour on their release date.

Not only the Belgians are crazy over the event. International hardcore fans of Tomorrowland flock to Belgium from all over the world to attend this stupendous music festival too. Yes, that is the madness and enchantment of this event. Ever since its first debut in 2005 and spanning 15 stages, Tomorrowland has peaked its recognition in the realm of the dance music. Overall, it is one of the best things to do in Belgium for music fanatics.

Royal Palace of Brussels

• Location: Brussels
• Date: 22 July to 23 August 2020 (Estimate)

Since 1965, it is a tradition that the public can visit the Royal Palace of Brussels (Palais Royal de Bruxelles) every summer. The opening hours start from 10.30 am to 3.45 pm daily and close on Mondays, free entry. It is usually opened one day after the Belgian National Holiday on 21 July. The Royal Palace of Brussels was supposed to be a royal residence for the king and his family.

The Royal Palace of Brussels was supposed to be a royal residence for the king and his family. Instead, they live in the Royal Palace of Laeken. As for the Royal Palace tour, the visitors can expect to see the imperial halls and rooms embellished with exquisite ornaments like the chandeliers. Additionally, have some moments of vivid imagination living luxuriously like a king! For sure, the Royal Palace of Belgium is one of the best places to visit in Belgium during the summer.

August

Flower Carpet

• Location: Grand Place, Brussels
• Date: 13 to 16 August 2020

A bi-yearly renowned event in Brussels where an immense Flower Carpet stuns thousands of visitors. They flock to the heart of Brussels to witness the incredible formation of the Begonia plants. Decorated with 600,000 Begonias which are weather-resistant, the majestic flower carpet measures 75 m long by 24 m wide. What’s more, the mind-boggling sight attests the fact that Belgium is the largest world supplier for 60 million Begonias.

The credit goes to the nurseries in Ghent who cultivate predominantly 80% of these plants. 100 volunteer gardeners use less than 4 hours to do up the impressive floral presentation. An amazing feat that no one should miss when travelling to Brussels in August since the inaugural display in 1971. But, sorry folks. The schedule of the next four days affair is in 2020. Indisputably, it is a top place to visit in Belgium once every two years.

Flowertime

• Location: City Hall, Brussels
• Date: August 2021

Another bi-yearly event. Flowertime is another lovely affair organised by the City of Brussels and Flower Carpet. It showcases the trend of the flowers in alternate years when the Flower Carpet event does not take place. Based on an entirely different concept, well-known architects and floral designers decorate Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) with flowers. Started since 2013, the first flower time attracts more than 20,000 visitors each year. The entrance fee is €5 and free for children under the age of 10 years. Dogs are not allowed inside the heritage building. This grand event does not happen in 2020.

Brussels Summer Festival

• Location: Brussels
• Date: 19 to 23 August 2020
  

For concert lovers, the Brussels Summer Festival has traditionally organised a music festival every August in the evening since 2002. There are a few concert venues to convey a different mood. A few music groups would perform each day in every location. The 4 concert venues in 2020 are La Madeleine, Place des Palais,  Mont des Arts, Ethias Stage and Orange Stage. Tickets are available for a 1-day event or a 5-day pass. Unfortunately, it seems that the BSF ticket for 5-days event are sold out for 2020.

Pukkelpop Festival

• Location: Kiewit, Hasselt
• Date: 20 to 23 August 2020

Ever since its existence in 1985, Pukkelpop Festival is one of Europe’s best-known alternative music festivals after Rock Werchter in term of size. Various camping sites are available depending on the selection together with the types of tickets purchased. Campers are restricted to access only to the camping site that they stay.

Pukkelpop offers a range of food from vegetarian, biological, fast food and other varieties which you pay over there. One-day event tickets cost €99 and combi tickets are €199. The tickets are inclusive of public transport – train and bus. Camping vehicles of all sorts and motor vehicles are not allowed in the campsites. There is no separate campsite for such vehicles.

October

Forest Week

• Location: Various
• Date: October 2020

The Agency for Nature and Forest organises the Forest Week every October, targeting an educational experience for the children. If you are a nature lover, you can take part in different activities at different locations with your kids. The Organiser invites people to submit proposals for their ideas online if they can come up with interesting activities. The information for the current year will be released at a later date closer to the event. Otherwise, you would only see the activities of the previous year’s event.

November

Durbuy Christmas Market

• Location: Durbuy
• Date: 20 November 2020 to 3 January 2021 (Estimate)

Although the Christmas markets are abundant in Belgium and all over Europe, grasp the opportunity to visit the Durbuy Christmas Market. Pride itself for being the smallest city in the world other than the even tiniest Vatican City which is an independent country. Indeed, it remains one of the prettiest for its old charm. Due to Durbuy small surface area of 156.61 km², one might be able to walk around Durbuy in less than four hours.

The most fruitful way to spend more time in the medieval town is to visit the Durbuy Christmas Market concurrently from 20 November 2020 till 3 January 2021.

• 20 Nov – 14 Dec 2020, it operates from Friday to Sunday only.
• 15 Dec – 3 Jan 2021, Durbuy Christmas Market opens daily from 11 am to 8 pm.
• 24 and 31 December, it closes at 6 pm.

December

China Light Zoo Antwerpen

• Location: Zoo Antwerpen, Antwerp
• Date: 27 November 2020 to 10 January 2021 (Estimate)

Every year from December to January, many locals look forward to the China Light Zoo Antwerpen. As the name suggests, the Chinese decorates the zoo in Antwerp with creative lights. Consequently, visitors can experience the luminous conception in the form and shapes of animals and flowers. The lightings enliven the zoo with a magical touch at night too.

The cost of the tickets is €14 (member) /€17 for adults and €12 (member) /€14 for children. Students from 18 – 25 years old pay €14.50. The China Light Zoo is closed on 24 and 31 Dec 2019 (Tuesday). For the rest of the period, you can visit during the 3 times slot.

• 6 pm to 7.30 pm
• 7 pm to 8.30 pm
• 8 pm to 9.30 pm

Unknown Occurrence

Meise Corpse Flower

• Location: Meise Botanic Garden

The Corpse Flower is one type of flowers that defies the stereotype of what a typical flower should be. The technical name is Amorphophallus Titanum. Moreover, the pungent stench turns you off and smells like a decomposed object. So, what is the draw factor here? Because the stinky corpse flower only blooms every three to eight years.

Each time when it blooms, it lasts for only 72 hours approximately. It is a pride of Meise Botanical Garden located 10 to 15 km away from Brussels. The corpse flower is also an endangered plant in the world. The last record for the bloom in Meise Botanical Garden was in July 2018. So well, are you lucky enough to catch the fatal attraction in Belgium?

Accommodation in Belgium

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