In the centre there are two markets, Markt and the Burg, with most attractions within walking distance around this area. There are also many tourist excursions you can take, such as canal boat trips, which are a pleasant way to see the city. For information contact the local tourist information office.

Antwerp is the second largest city in Belgium and has the second largest harbour in Europe. Antwerp has numerous architectural delights even though many were destroyed during the second World War and of course, as every girl knows, it is the diamond centre of the world!
Adding to these attractions, Antwerp is also now becoming known as one of the fashion cities of the world, due to the many Flemish designers making a name for themselves in the fashion world.

Ghent is often seen as the city many people overlook in the rush to Bruges, but it is worth a visit if only to check out the city centre alone, which shows to perfection the Flemish medieval period and its wealth. Ghent is also known as the flower city of Belgium, selling their beautiful begonia's and azalea's all over the world. Every five years, the 'Gentse Floraliën" (Ghent Flower Show) attracts thousands of visitors.

There are many excursions available in and from Brussels around Belgium, here are some ideas:

De Boeck runs various trips such as day excursions to Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, Waterloo as well as Ardennes and Luxemburg City. During the summer they also offer trips to Amsterdam, Cologne and Paris.

Contact:
Rue de la Colline 8
B-1000 brussels
Tel : + 32 (0) 2 513 77 44

Quasimodo offers types of trips around Bruges and the surrounding area.

Contact:

Tel: + 32 (0) 5 037 04 70
Fax: + 32 (0) 5 037 49 60
E-mail: info@quasimodo.be

Brussels City Tours offer various tours around the city as well as the Visit Brussels Line. The latter option is a good way to see the city. You can hop on and off the double-decker bus at any of the stops, as many times as you like, for 24 hours after you first use your ticket. Also, with this ticket you will get discounts in museums and other sights. The full trip takes about 1 1/2 hours to complete.

Stops include: Central Station, Pacheco, Place Rogier, Heysel, Bourse Grand Place, Sablon, Place Louise, Lesbroussart, Luxembourg Station, Gaulois, Place Schuman and Royal Square.

Contact:

Brussels City Tours
Heuvelstraat, 8 Rue de la Colline
Tel: + 32 (0) 2 513 77 44
Fax: + 32 (0) 2 502 58 69

Useful information:

Tourist Information Office Bruges
Tel: + 32 (0) 5 044 86 86
Fax: + 32 (0) 5 044 86 00
E-mail: toerisme@bruges.br

Tourist Information Office Antwerp
Tel: + 32 (0) 3 232 01 03
Fax: + 32 (0) 3 231 19 37
E-mail: toerisme@antwerpen.be

Tourist Information Office Ghent
Tel: + 32 (0) 9 266 52 32
Fax: + 32 (0) 9 225 62 88
E-mail: voorlichting@gent.de

See Hotels in Brussels