Belgium

SAFETY: excellent
The whole country is generally considered safe. No particular risks are reported apart from petty crime (suburbs, big cities...).

TRANSPORT SYSTEM: excellent
A comprehensive, modern transport system covering the whole country (air, rail, bus, underground, tram, taxi, ferries) makes it possible to reach any destination. Hiring cars, motorbikes, campervans, bikes and boats is easy and convenient. Very well connected with Italy and all the neighbouring countries.

Main airports: Brussels (Zaventem), Antwerp, Charleroi, Ghent, Liège, Ostend, Bruges.

Main ports: Antwerp, Ghent, Liège,  Zeebrugge.

ACCOMMODATION: excellent
Belgium offers a wide choice of accommodation of every kind, category and price. The international hotel classification (one to five stars) applies; there are also farm stays, b&bs, guesthouses, hostels, campsites, and spa and wellness centres. The choice of restaurants is equally varied.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Kingdom of Belgium- Location: western Europe. Borders: the North Sea to the north-west, the Netherlands to the north, Germany and Luxembourg to the east, France to the south and south-west- Time zone: UTC+1, the same as Italy, observes daylight saving time - Area: 31,000 sq km- Capital: Brussels- Population: 10,392,000 - Religion: 75% Catholic, 25% Protestant- Languages: Flemish, French, German (official languages), English understood- Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: euro - Credit cards: the major cards are widely accepted.

ELECTRICITY: 230 V and 50 Hz - Sockets: three-pin type, bring an adaptor.

DOCUMENTS: identity card valid for travel abroad. There are no customs restrictions on personal luggage (Schengen) - Driving: Italian driving licence - Car: for Italian vehicles, Italian third-party motor insurance is sufficient.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES:International dialling code: 0032 - GSM: coverage across the whole country. Standard: GSM 900/1800 and 3G 2100 (as in Italy). Local operators: BASE, Belgacom Mobile and Mobistar- Internet: very widespread and available throughout the country - Web domain: .be- Emergency numbers: roadside assistance 078-152000 / 070- 344777, ambulance 100/112, police 101.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT: the use and/or dealing of drugs (soft or hard) is punishable by 3 months to 5 years in prison. Sexual abuse and violence against minors are likewise punishable by 6 months to 5 years’ imprisonment, with a sentence of hard labour in the most serious cases.

HEALTH: the health situation is very good. The standard of local health facilities is very high and medicines are easy to find. Italian citizens travelling temporarily who hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) receive the treatment provided by the local public health service.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year’s Day; Easter Monday; 1 May, Labour Day; Ascension Day; Whit Monday; 11 July, Day of the Flemish Community; 21 July, National Day; Assumption; 1 November, All Saints’ Day; 11 November, Armistice Day; 25 December, Christmas Day.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 9.00-17.00, Sat 9.00-12.00 - Banks: Mon-Fri 9.00-13.00, 14.30-15.30 - Shops: Mon-Sat 8.30-13.00, 15.30-19.30 - Closing day: Sunday.

CLIMATE: continental with frequent rainfall. Milder on the coast than inland, and the difference grows the closer you get to the Ardennes. The best time to visit Belgium is from late May to late September.

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USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY

Embassy and Consulate of Belgium
Via dei Monti Parioli 49- 00197 Rome- Tel. 06 3609511- Fax 06 3610197 - Web: italy.diplomatie.belgium.be - E-mail: rome@diplobel.org

Consulates
Via Al Ponte Reale 2/60 - 16124 Genoa - Tel. 010 2498270 - Fax 010 2498275
Via Montevecchio 28 - 10128 Turin - Tel. 011 597733 - Fax 011 505742
Via Dei Monti Parioli 49 - 00197 Rome - Tel. 06 3609511
Via Escriva 2 - 95125 Catania - Tel. 095 438622
Via Alessi 27 - 06122 Perugia - Tel. 075 5736467
Via S. Giovanni Bosco 5 - 34144 Trieste - Tel. 040 361934
Via Delle Palombare 2 - 60127 Ancona - Tel. 071 2801935

Tourist Boards

TOURISM FLANDERS, BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
Piazza Santa Maria Beltrade,  2  - 20123 MILAN (MI) - Tel. 199442111
www.visitflanders.com/it

BELGIAN TOURIST OFFICE-BRUSSELS/WALLONIA
Viale Vittorio Veneto, 28  - 20124 MILAN (MI) - Tel. 02/86463136
www.belgioturismo.it

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN BELGIUM

Italian Embassy
Rue Emile Claus 28 - 1050 Brussels - Tel. 0032 2 6433850 - Fax 0032 2 6485485 - Web: ambbruxelles.esteri.it - E-mail: ambbruxelles@esteri.it

Consulates General
Boulevard Audent 24 - 6000 Charleroi - Tel. 0032 7 1328650 - Fax 0032 7 1318077 - Web: conscharleroi.esteri.it - E-mail: segreteria.charleroi@esteri.it
Place Xavier Neujean 31 - B/4000 Liège- Tel. 0032 4 2302800- Fax 0032 4 2224972- Web: www.consliegi.esteri.it - E-mail: consolato.liegi@esteri.it

Consulate
Rue de Livourne 38 - B/1000 Brussels - Tel. 0032 2 5431550 - Fax 0032 2 5375756 - Web: consbruxelles.esteri.it - E-mail: segreteria.bruxelles@esteri.it