Carl | Complete Belgium

Ten Reasons to Holiday in Belgium!

9th January 2023 by Carl

We love Belgium… here are ten reasons to make Belgium your next holiday destination!

Delicious food and drink: Belgium is known for its delicious cuisine, including iconic dishes like Belgian waffles, fries, and chocolate. The country is also home to a variety of tasty beers, including famous brands like Stella Artois and Leffe.
Beautiful cities: Belgium has a number of charming cities that are worth a visit, including Brussels, Bruges, and Ghent. These cities are known for their historic architecture, picturesque canals, and beautiful squares.
Fascinating history: Belgium has a rich history that can be explored through its many museums, castles, and historic sites. The country has played an important role in European history and has a number of interesting stories to discover.
Cultural events: Belgium has a thriving arts and culture scene, with a variety of festivals and events happening throughout the year. Some popular events include the Brussels Jazz Festival, the Tomorrowland music festival, and the Bruges Beer Festival.
Beautiful countryside: In addition to its cities, Belgium also has a number of beautiful rural areas to explore. The Ardennes region is known for its forests, rolling hills, and charming villages, while the Flanders region is home to beautiful fields of colorful flowers.
Great shopping: Belgium has a number of stylish cities with great shopping options, including Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent. You can find everything from high-end designer stores to quaint markets selling local crafts and products.
Convenient location: Belgium is located in the heart of Europe, making it an easy destination to get to from other European countries. It’s also a great starting point for exploring other nearby destinations, like Amsterdam, Paris, and Luxembourg.
Excellent public transportation: Belgium has an efficient and convenient public transportation system, making it easy to get around the country.
Affordable prices: Belgium is generally an affordable destination, with prices for accommodation, food, and activities similar to those in other Western European countries.
Friendly locals: Belgian people are known for their hospitality and friendly nature. You’ll find that locals are happy to help you with any questions or needs you might have during your visit.

Overall, Belgium is a great destination for a holiday, with something to offer for everyone. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, food, or nature, you’ll find plenty of reasons to visit this charming country.

Beer in Bruges? The places NOT to miss!

7th January 2023 by Carl

Bruges is known for its rich brewing tradition and delicious beers. If you’re a fan of craft beer, you won’t be disappointed with the selection in this Belgian city. Here are some of the best places to get beer in Bruges:

De Halve Maan Brewery: This family-owned brewery has been making beer in Bruges for over 500 years. They offer tours of the brewery, where you can learn about the brewing process and try some of their delicious beers.
Brugse Zot Brewery: This local brewery is named after the nickname for the people of Bruges, which means “fool.” They offer a variety of beers, including a popular blond ale and a fruity cherry beer.
Cambrinus: This popular pub is located in the center of Bruges and has a wide selection of beers, including some rare and hard-to-find options. They also serve traditional Belgian dishes to enjoy with your beer.
De Gouden Boom: This cozy pub is located in a historic building and has a great selection of beers, including some local options. They also have a courtyard where you can enjoy your beer in the warmer months.
Bierbrasserie Cambrinus: This large beer hall has over 100 beers on tap, including some rare and hard-to-find options. They also have a variety of Belgian dishes to enjoy with your beer.

No matter where you go, you’re sure to find delicious beer in Bruges. So next time you’re in the city, be sure to indulge in some of the local brews.

The very best places to get a hot chocolate in Bruges!

5th January 2023 by Carl

If you’re visiting the beautiful city of Bruges, also known as the “Venice of the North,” you’ll want to make sure to try some of the delicious hot chocolate that the city has to offer. Here are some of the best places to get hot chocolate in Bruges:

Chocolatier Dumon: This chocolate shop has been around for over 100 years, and it’s easy to see why. They offer a variety of hot chocolate flavors, including traditional, mint, and orange. The hot chocolate is made with high-quality Belgian chocolate and is served in a cute, ceramic mug.
Choco-Story: This chocolate museum and shop is a must-visit for any chocolate lover. In addition to their delicious hot chocolate, they also offer chocolate tastings and chocolate-making workshops.
The Old Chocolate House: This charming cafe is located in the heart of Bruges and serves up some of the best hot chocolate in the city. The hot chocolate is made with real chocolate shavings and topped with whipped cream.
De Proeverie: This cozy cafe serves up a variety of hot drinks, including hot chocolate made with Belgian chocolate and milk. They also have a variety of pastries and sandwiches to enjoy with your hot chocolate.
Chocolate Line: This trendy chocolate shop is known for its unique flavors, including hot chocolate made with chili peppers and black pepper. They also offer a variety of chocolate truffles and other sweets to enjoy with your hot chocolate.

No matter where you go, you’re sure to find delicious hot chocolate in Bruges. So next time you’re in the city, be sure to indulge in this warm and comforting treat.

Ghent Light Festival 2018 Details

14th June 2017 by Carl

The Ghent Light Festival is back in 2018. The three-yearly festival of light will run between Wednesday the 31st January 2018 and end on the following Sunday – the 4th February 2018.

This year sees the 4th edition of the festival and an extra day has been added to help with demand.

What time do the lights shine?

The lights will start shining from 7pm until Midnight on all days apart from Sunday which will start a little earlier at 6pm making the event more accessible for families.

Over a half a million visitors were attracted to see the light spectacular in 2015 which saw an extension of the lights show outside of the centre.

New Route

There’s a new route highlighting the historical city centre, the arts quarter and the city’s past. We’ve put together a Google Map detailing the route. Feel free to share and save to your devices.

On a Personal Note

We’ve been meaning to visit the light festival since 2015 when we thought we’d go and see it the year after… nope! we didn’t realise at the time that the festival is once every three years. We’ll have in tow our (at the time) 20 month old daughter who loves lights at the moment – we’ll have to see if she still does in 8 months time!

Price of Beer in Belgian Carrefour Supermarkets

22nd May 2015 by Carl

As frequent travellers by car to Belgium we often stop off at the Carrefour B-Park Hypermarket just a few miles north of Bruges. Of all the Carrefour Hypermarkets/Supermarkets we’ve been to we’ve found this to be the best stocked. The question is – which beers are stocked by these supermarkets? Well…

We’ve compiled a list of beers you should find along with the price you will be paying. This list will be frequently updated so bookmark or favourite it for when you need it. Please share if you find this useful.

Price List

[Last Update: 22nd May 2015]

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Hallerbos – The Belgian Bluebell Forest

4th May 2015 by Carl

Hallerbos is quite rightly nicknamed ‘The Blue Forest’ because every year in April/May the forest floor transforms into a stunning carpet of bluebells.

The forest is located, by car, approximately 20km south of Brussels (from Brussels it’s approximately 35 minutes in a car). If you’re in the area at the right time we’d definitely recommend going to see this for yourself – it’s certainly a memorable experience.

When Should I Visit

Bluebells carpet the forest floor from the mid-April until mid/late May time.

Where is it?

20km south of Brussels – near the town of of Halle.

Bluebell Forest in Motion

Further Information

For a map of the site please click here.

You can read more about Hallerbos at its dedicated website.

Author: Carl