European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 22, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                On the go in Belgium by David Tarrant Brussels Bureau Belgium is a virtual history Book. From the Battle of-1 he bulge at Bastogne to. Napoleon s Waterloo just South of a Brussels the country  the a most memorable battlefields in history. But it is also the country of the great flemish painters broughel and Rubens of the glorious medieval canals of Bruges of the magnificent. Grand place of Brussels of.-121 he n Tury cat her in i s a no 2 01 Hec n Tury amusement Parks. Here Are a few tips to help you enjoy your visit food a Belgium Tsas much a Delight to grommets As it is to slackers. Dining picnicking and shopping around Belgium can turn into a wonderful Way to explore the country. A a Here it a Fronch Fries of. Des Are a National obsession served up at Snake food stands and restaurants alike. Moules or mussels. Are locally produced and abundant but Best avoided in the summer. Belgian Blanc Bleu cattle Are recognized throughout Europe As yielding wonderful steaks. Whole Isles in supermarkets Are elevated to sweets and Belgium is Home to such famous chocolate names As Godiva and Neuhaus. In every cafe you la gel a free chocolate or Spoulos biscuit treat with a cup of Coffee. A a r there Are several types of places to Dine out in. Belgium. A Brasserie us a place to buy one of some 400 Beers sold in be i i u a a n d gun b a a n Cowic i f you re -. Looking for a Quick fix try a croquet Monsieur a toasted Ham and cheese a Sandwich. A caf6  up a variety of coffees and pastries., in most cities there Are food markets in. Almost every neighbourhood where yoil1 can buy a Melon a hunk of cheese some bread and Vuila a lunch is ready. The front Gen will lot you Sample bits of Many types of cheeses. The fruit vendors also have some samples to try out. There s no such thing As a had place to a eat in 8efgium, can turn into any town and find a Homey restaurant serving a wonderful meal at a reasonable Price people in the know say belgian cuisine combines the Best of the French and Quot German traditions fresh and simple food prepared with imagination and style. Plan to spend about 1,000 francs about �?z$28 per  Good restaurant a Little cheaper if you shop around or get the Quot tourist  most restaurants in Belgium take the major credit cards. Lodging a the Best place to gel information about hotels books room or find the full Range of prices for rooms is t he tourist information office in each City. It is Well marked with an  pensions or guest houses Are available in most cities and towns. Hotels Aie expensive in Brussels because the City attracts so Many businessmen. But Check out a Chain of hotels tailed ibis which Are generally Good Quality for a Price of about the grand place in Brussels one of the most Beautiful City squares in Europe 3,000 francs $85. There is also the m Novosel in the same Price Range. In Mons near shape and about an hour s drive South of Brussels is an american forces hotel called the hotel Ramon Telephone 065-311131. This is mainly used As temporary lodging Lor arriving and departing personnel but it. A can also be used by All military and government civilian id card Holderson a. Space available basis. Rates vary by the ,. A room but  cheaper than most hotels. Shopping r the great secret to shopping in Belgium is the open air Market. There Are More than 100 in. Brussels alone. On any Given weekend you can stroll from an antique Market to a Flea Market to a food Market to an animal Market. The biggest of All is at the care do Midi train station every sunday morning featuring More than 300 stalls Selling everything from fragrant Middle Eastern spices to italian cheese and Jean jackets. A map showing the locations of the markets their hours and specialities is available from the tourist information office in Brussels. A. Outside Brussels some of the big markets can be found at t he following places Tongren near Liege the biggest open air Market in Belgium on sundays 6 am. To 1 . Antwerp at several a locations,-on.saturdays and sundays a a Bruges Rij Markt on the Edge of the old a town sunday mornings. Most stores in Belgium maintain regular daily hours they do not close for lunch and in most cities there Are some convenient Type stores and Small grocery stores that Are open in the evenings and on  tipping a in Belgium As in most of Europe be vice is generally included. Give cab Drivers a bit extra and in restaurants if the service has been Good you Are also expected to give a bit extra., Banks in Belgium Are open Between 9 . And 3 . Monday through Friday. There Are also Money changing bureaus Check the rate and com Mission charge. Sightseeing a All museums in Belgium Are closed on mondays. Transportation a the rail network in Belgium is extensive with connections Between All the major cities As Well As Many local lines. _. _ _ be sure to ask about the Many types of discounts including reductions for those under 26. For example there s the go pass a nine one Way tickets anywhere in Belgium for Only 990 francs $29 for the younger set. Children under 6 ride free. Also Check out information on special discounts for weekend travel or travel of five or More Days _ _ the Best Way to get around Brussels is by my Tro which includes both aboveground and underground trains. Buy a map at a a amp Tro station or tourist office language a there Are three major language communities  the a. French speaking population in the South a a the flemish speaking in the North and a Small Community of German speakers in1 the East. _ _ simple dearly spoken English usually a works in the big cities and places frequented by tourists. French and flemish Are the two official languages which can cause some _ a a problems for travellers on the Road. You May find yourself driving through a flemish area following roadsigns to a particular City a for example Bergen. And then enter the French speaking Region and discover the same City is now being called Mons on Road signs. Street names in Brussels Are written in both flemish and. French. It maps usually give the name of the town. In the language of the Region. But to help you Here Are some of the major towns in a flemish and then French Antwerpen anvers Brussel Bruxelles Luik Liege Bergen Mons Namom Namur Hoornik Tournai. 24 stars and stripes travel Europe May 22, 199 /