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Brussels

Practical Information

Belgium is split between French and Flemish speaking regions with Brussels officially classified as a bilingual community. Although most of the surrounding suburbs are Flemish speaking the centre feels more French than Flemish. Most travellers have a better grasp of French than Flemish, although South Africans generally find Flemish an easy language because of its similarity to Afrikaans. Because of Brussels position as a centre for various European and international organisations, many of the locals speak English very well, so language shouldn't be a problem.

Brussels bilingual situation makes things a little confusing for travellers since there are often two (and sometimes three) different names for institutions, streets and places. Generally we list the name in the language in which it is most commonly known. However in other cases we may list the French name followed by the Flemish name, if there is a commonly recognised English name we may quote that as well.

Value Added Tax and service charges are included in most prices. With the exception of cinema ushers (who expect €0.50), tipping is not really necessary in Belgium. If service is exceptional, you may want to add up to an extra 5% in restaurants.

If you can read French, the monthly Kiosk has listings of whats happening around town including info on cafés, bars and cultural events. If you can't get by in either French or Flemish then pick up the English-language weekly, Bulletin (€2.35). This rather dry publication has a What's On section with cinema and event listings among the business news and European Union related gumpf.

INFORMATION CENTRES & USEFUL NUMBERS

BITC - Brussels Tourist Information

Hôtel de Ville, Grand Place, 1000 Brussels

Métro Bourse

Tel (02) 513 89 40

Website www.brusselsinternational.be

Belgian Tourist Information Office

63, rue du Maché aux Herbes, 1000 Brussels

Métro Bourse

Tel (02) 504 03 90

Waterloo Tourist Information Office

149, chausée de Bruxelles, 1410 Waterloo

Tel (02) 354 99 10

Train Information

Gare du Nord

Tel (02) 203 36 40

STIB Public Transport Enquires

20, galeries de la Toison d'Or, 1060 Brussels

Tel (02) 515 20 00

Lost property - STIB métro, trams & buses

Porte de Namur, 1050 Brussels

Métro Porte de Namur

Tel (02) 515 23 94

Lost property - trains

Gare du Nord

Tel (02) 224 61 12

CREDIT CARDS

American Express

2, place Louise

Métro Louise

Tel (02) 676 21 21

Mastercard/Eurocard

Lost card hotline 0800 1 5096

Diners Club

Lost card hotline (02) 206 98 00

Visa International

Lost card hotline 0800 1 8397

EMBASSIES

Australian Embassy

6, rue Guimard, 1040 Brussels

Métro Arts-Loi

Tel (02) 231 05 00

British Embassy

85, rue d'Arlon, 1040 Brussels

Métro Maelbeck

Tel (02) 287 62 17

Canadian Embassy

2, avenue Tervuren, 1040 Brussels

Métro Merode

Tel (02) 735 80 40

Irish Embassy

rue Wiertz 50, 1050 Brussels

Tel (02) 235 6676

New Zealand Embassy

47-48, boulevard de Regent, 1000 Brussels

Métro Arts-Loi, Madou

Tel (02) 512 10 40

United States Embassy

27 boulevard du Regent, 1000 Brussels

Métro Arts-Loi

Tel (02) 513 21 11

INTERNET ACCESS

Cyber Theatre

4-5, avenue de la Toison d'Or, 1050 Brussels

@internem

68, boulevard Général Jacques, 1050 Ixelles

Tram 23 or 90

Tel (02) 649 45 09

closed on Tuesdays

Le N@vigator

12, rue de Pont de la Carpe

1000 Brussels

Tel (02) 514 37 20