iBooknow.com Now Booking Belgium For The 2012-2013 Season

iBooknow.com has instantly confirmed hotel accommodations across Belgium for the 2012 - 2013 holiday season. Book early and get the deepest discounts available without any hidden charges or fees. Belgium, it’s not only about the beer.

iBooknow.com believes that for anyone seeking a holiday rich in old world charm, history, museums, world class architecture, food, fashion, and shopping needs to visit Belgium.  What Belgium may lack in size, Belgium surely makes up with attractions. Home to 35 UNESCO World Heritage sites, thousands of chocolate shops, art nouveau buildings that are some of the best representations in Europe, an incredible 200 plus museums, and over 170 breweries - Belgium has a  lot to be proud of.

Belgium experiences cool summers and mild winters and whether you are touring the coastal plains in the northwest, the central rolling hills and the wooded valleys of Ardennes Forest in the southeast, walking the urban landscapes of Brussels and Antwerp, or the cobble stones of Bruges, Belgium is always in the mood to accommodate travelers.

Belgium’s most popular destinations are:

• Antwerp
• Bruges
• Brussels
• Flanders
• Ghent
• La Roche-en-Ardenne
• Leuven
• Liège
• Namur
• Rochefort & Han-sur-Lesse
• Tournai
• Wallonia
• Ypres

 Belgian destinations have a lot to offer:

• Antwerp:  Belgium's second largest city, With its massive cathedral, medieval streets and long history of artistic endeavor Antwerp is now also becoming a center for the fashion world in Europe. Great dining and clubbing can also be found in Antwerp and after a busy day of touring, enjoying all the history, or shopping for fashion and diamonds, these are the hip places to be.
• Bruges: With its narrow 13^th and 14^th Century lanes, centuries of history, and at one time being one of Europe’s wealthiest cities, Bruges is one of the most authentic examples of medieval European life. iBooknow.com recommends a quite few days in one of Bruge’s many inns, guest houses, or bed and breakfasts.
• Brussels: The bilingual capital region of the country, and headquarters of the EU, is where you go to experience great cuisine, an endless barrel of what many believe to be the best brewed beer in Europe, and some rocking nightlife. Brussels is also home to traveler’s favorite statue, the Manneken Pis, or peeing boy fountain.
• Ghent: Hundreds of years ago Ghent was one of Europe's biggest metropolitan centers, now it’s a warm and inviting crisscrossed by canals. Having a very large student population lends a particular young feel to the city which blends well with its cafes and pubs.
• Dinant: Although Belgium is small adventure sports can be found within its borders. Dinant is a destination for many who wish to rock-climb, canoe, bicycle, and hike. Built in a stunning natural setting that all green travels will appreciate, many believe Dinant is best visited in winter when the surrounding hills are dusted with snow.
• Leuven: Although Leuven is a small city in comparison to many in Europe, it is home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, and like Ghent, has a large population of young lively students. In keeping with its young population the city has a vibrant nightlife.
• Mechelen: Rich in art and history, Mechelen is a small medieval city with a colorful history and such famous UNESCO sites as the Sint-Romboutskathedraal (St. Rumbold's Cathedral), the Lakenhal, the 14th century Belfry, and the Klein Begijnhof and the Groot Begijnhof. Because Mechelen was home to the art patrons Margaret of York, Margaret of Austria and Jeroen Van Busleyden it became the epicenter for artistic production during the Northern Renaissance. The city is now made famous by the painters, printmakers, illuminators and composers who have chosen to reside there over the years.
• Ypres: One of the largest cities in the Low Countries, Ypres is rich in history and has borne the full brunt of war as European history was being made. First attacked by the Romans in the first century BC, and then nearly destroyed during the World War I, Ypres has rebuilt itself in a modern city. Ypres is a great destination for history buffs.

If an urban holiday is not your thing getting out into Belgium’s countryside can be just as much fun. Hiking, biking and camping are also favorite tourist activities in Belgium. The rugged hills of the Ardennes with their old growth forests, caves and cliffs are the perfect place to go and benefit from the great outdoors. The country is rich in its own unique flora and fauna and is the natural habitat of wild boar, deer and lynx. Dotted among the landscape visitors will find castles, caves and historic landmarks.

iBooknow.com cannot praise the art of Belgium enough. The sheer abundance of world class art museums is an ongoing tribute to the great masters. One of 80 museums in Brussels, the Musees Royaux des Beaux-Arts is a full day’s outing on its own, and the Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten in Antwerp is also among art lover’s favorites.

Too many Museums, try a Belgian Beer Tour

Beer to Belgians is what wine is to the French, or Whiskey to a Scotsman, life itself. Beer in Belgium is a major part of everyday life with over 650 different kinds of beer being produced in 178 different breweries. The brewing of beer in Belgium goes all the way back to the time of the crusades. The first to brew and market beer were the Trappist monks whose beer is now considered to be some of the finest in the world. Beer aficionados travel from all over the world to drink Trappist beers in Belgium. They are not simply looking to drink the beers though; the rich history behind the Trappist brews is also what they come to learn about and enjoy.

iBooknow.com has room reservations available, and for beer lovers taking a tour of Belgian’s Beer Route is surely to be a once in a lifetime holiday. Spend the day driving through Belgium’s scenic countryside enjoying the castles, restaurants and breweries along the way. Sleep in a country inn and relax over a fantastic dinner in a local cafe. Follow the path that others have taken since the Middle Ages and drink in the history and beers of Belgium.

Belgian beers come in many styles, geuze, brown, lambic, white, chocolate, and cherry beer. Imilar to wine, Lambec beer improves with age, and the older bottles of this very dry and tart brew are prized.

A full list of Belgian style beers:

• Belgian beer types
• Amber ales (Ambrée and Speciale)
• Blonde or golden ale
• Brown ale
• Champagne beers
• Dubbel
• Flemish Red
• Hop-accentuated beers and India Pale Ale
• India Pale Ale
• Lambic beers (including Gueuze and Fruit Lambics)
• Oud bruin, or Flemish sour brown ale
• Pils or pale lager
• Saison
• Scotch ales
• Stout
• Strong ale
• Table beer
• Tripel
• White or wheat beer
• Winter or Christmas beers

Just like countries that proudly show off their wines, have competitions, and celebrate their historical culture, Belgians have festivals throughout the year that proudly showcase their beers. One popular event is the Belgian Beer Festival held in the town of Lustin. Brewers from all over Belgium come to Lustin to show off their year’s best, and visitors come from all around the globe to join in.

There are many festivals to choose from:

• Belgian Beer Festival
• Beer Festival of Mons
• Beer Collectors' and Exchange Market
• Meeting of the Breweries in Belgian Luxembourg
• The Festival of 100 Beers
• Arch'en Biers
• Brussels Beer Weekend
• Bruxellensis Festival
• Hops Festival in Val de Sambre
• Brassigaume - The International Festival of Small Breweries

So if you like countries known for their friendly hospitality, centuries of history and culture, world renown art and architecture, fantastic food and fashion, and a world class brewery on every corner, iBooknow.com invites you to log on and book a Belgian holiday now. Reserve your rooms hassle free, securely and instantly, and with no hidden charges.

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