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Belgium 59 VACATION ENHANCING TOURS Belgium is an artistic tour-de- force; pre-arranging your tour is a fantastic way to ensure you receive its full impact. BRUSSELS City Sightseeing Hop-on/Hop-off Tour Consult your travel agent for more details on these and other tours. BELGIUM Famous for its fluffy waffles and the decadent chocolate sold in more than 2,000 specialty shops, this country is full of other sweet surprises: 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites; over 200 museums; 650 types of native beer; and 5,000-plus friteries, purveyors of the original "French" fry, only top off the list. More street and music festivals all year than any other European country prove that the cloth of Belgium and its traditions are cut from something as intricate, one of a kind, and deceptively strong as its signature lace. The beauty of its cities is in the details. In Bruges, canals connect cobblestoned streets and historical buildings, from charitable (46 blocks of whitewashed almshouses) to authentically pedestrian ('t Zwart Huis, a pub that predates 1482) to simply stunning (the oft-photographed Rozenhoedkaai mooring dock). Forty-seven silver bells ring out from the Belfort, 130 performances fill the air with music at the Concertgebouw, and seven Michelin-rated restaurants make dining especially fine in Bruges. On the other hand, in the country's capital of Brussels, the tongue remains firmly in cheek, starting with the iconic Mannekin-Pis, a little rebel with a wardrobe of over 900 outfits for 36 annual occasions. Other grand traditions include Le Grand-Palace in the Nedermarckt, the Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries and shops, and homes of the Place du Grand Sablon, all of which are lovingly preserved…but avant-garde expression is also deeply embraced here. It's evident in the 300 Art Nouveau-style buildings found along its streets, an influence of architect Victor Horta, founder of the Art Deco movement; the art in the Atomium, built for the 1958 World Fair; the book trail, with museums featuring comic icons Tintin and Spirou; and Surrealist works peppered throughout. There's much to see and hear. Jazz festivals and performances are frequent in the birthplace of the saxophone, with 200 held every May. 2 10 111 99 803 G E R M A N Y F R A N C E LU X . G E R M A N Y N E T H E R L A N D S B E L G I U M Brussels North Sea Bruges 0 20 miles 0 20 km KEMPINSKI HOTEL DUKE'S PALACE O O O O O This 15 th -century castle, situated in the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage city, includes 93 magnificent rooms, including 22 exquisite palatial suites. Restaurant Manuscript offers fine Belgian cuisine. Cultural experiences await at the Duke's Art Gallery, situated in the garden. Guests can relax after a day of sightseeing at the spa with an indoor swimming pool. The hotel's professional team members will ensure an unforgettable stay. SOFITEL BRUSSELS LE LOUISE O O O O O This modern, six-story hotel is located near the prestigious Avenue Louise. There is a broad array of luxury shops and designer boutiques only a short walk away. Antiques shops and art galleries are also in the vicinity. The 109 guestrooms and suites are stylishly decorated, and have all the latest in contemporary amenities. THE STEIGENBERGER GRANDHOTEL O O O O O The Steigenberger Grandhotel benefits from a strategic and privileged location in the heart of the famous Avenue Louise, in the city's most fashionable shopping district. Each of the 267 fully renovated guestrooms offer all the modern amenities and are the most luxurious and largest rooms in the city. The N°77 restaurant offers an unparalleled range of international and local specialties to match every mood and palate. Enjoy a cocktail or snack in the relaxed and convivial atmosphere of the Loui Bar. PULLMAN BRUSSELS CENTRE MIDI O O O O Hotel Pullman Brussels Centre Midi is a brand new upscale 4-star hotel located in the heart of Midi station. The hotel is only 5 minutes by metro or a 15-minutes walk from the historical heart of Brussels. Featuring 237 rooms and suites with state of the art technology, guests benefit from free WiFi, Quadriga multimedia entertainment system, and Bose docking station. BRUSSELS BRUGES