Today, the country of Belgium is slowly becoming one of the prime travel destinations in Europe.  Located in the western part of the continent, the country of Belgium had long been shadowed by its neighbor countries of France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands in terms of tourism.  But that is all changing.  In fact, more and more travelers are veering away from the typical tourist destinations in Europe and are now visiting some of its lesser known countries.

Like all travelers heading out to Belgium for the very first time, you would want to make the most out of your trip.  Here are just some tips to help you do just that.

When to Go

Belgium, like most countries in Europe, is visited by travelers from all parts of the world throughout the year.  This is partly due to its climate.  Because Belgium shares its borders with the North Sea, the country experiences a maritime climate.  This means that locals and tourists experience warm winters and even warmer summers in Belgium as compared to its neighboring countries.  In fact, the coldest temperature recorded in this country, which is during the month of January, does not go below 3 degrees Celsius.

The best time to travel the country is during the months of July and August.  During this time, the temperatures are just ideal for you to explore the outdoors which can be quite a problem before these months since the climate of the country is known for frequent rainfalls.  On top of that, the months of July and August are when the rates in hotels and other accommodations are at its lowest, which is perfect especially if you are traveling on a budget.

Places to Visit

The best place to start to learn about any country is starting at its capital.  In the case of Belgium, it is the city of Brussels.  Here, travelers would be able to experience something old and something new.  Modern-day shopping malls and the headquarters of NATO can be found right next to beautiful buildings dating back to the 13th century.  This is also where the trendiest pubs and restaurants are also found.  While you are in Brussels, make sure to take some time to sample their beers.  This is where most of the breweries of the country can be found, thus giving the city of Brussels the nickname The City of a Thousand Beers.

From here, head out to the famous town of Waterloo which is situated just 10 miles from the capital city of Belgium.  Known in his history as the place where Napoleon fell in battle, the town has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country. For a dose of culture, head out to the town of Bruges.  Here, travelers can visit a number of different museums that feature some of the finest artworks by both contemporary local artists as well as some of the famous artists in all of Europe.  Food to Taste – No trip to Belgium is complete without sampling some of the finest chocolates in the world.  While you are at it, sample some of the unique blends of beer that is brewed in the country, particularly in the city of Brussels which is known locally as the city of a thousand beers.  Make sure that you leave room to try mitraillete, a favorite local snack in the country which is made out of fried potatoes, quality cut meat and loads of garlic.

One of the most fascinating places to go to in Europe is Albania. It is Located in the southern Europe, and it is one of the most bucolic places to be seen. This is because it hasn't witnessed much of economic prosperity as compared to other European countries.  This is the reason why Albania is such an enticing tourist spot to travel and explore. You can enjoy some of the best aspects of Europe's natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, here.

If you have plans to travel to Albania from the United Kingdom, you can avail of plenty of flights, which ply regularly between London and Albania. In case you are searching for a cheap flight, then at a look at the many British Low-Cost carriers, that fly frequently to Albania very frequently. There are numerous websites that provide you with options for comparing competitive ticket rates, so that you can find the least expensive flight.  Make sure you check these websites out, before you zero down on your choice of tickets.  All flights to Albania, land at the capital city of the country, called Tirana. The name of the International airport is Mother Teresa International Airport.

Tourists are welcome and more so since the country opened its doors to the world in 1990. This is quite a safe place for tourists and no untoward incident has yet been reported here. However, before you proceed with your bookings, you need to look into some travel tips for Albania so that you can get around easily. Let's take a look at what these are. People who can converse in English will have no trouble in communicating with the locals. However, in addition to English, it is helpful if you know some Italian, as well.

Most of the major cities of Albania have lots of hotels and options for staying. These hotels are clean, comfortable and offer good food. Not only that, all this luxury comes very easy and cheap, here. The exchange rates are very good, and hence traveling in Albania isn't very expensive for Europeans.  Albanian cuisine has a delectable Turkish influence and a traditional Albanian meal comprising of Shesh-Kabab, meat soup, bread, ice cream or coffee, is not only very tasty and filling, but quite cheap too.

While most part of the country is safe to travel, you must be aware of the fact that the northern areas near Kosovo have landmines, which have not been uncovered yet. Hence, this region can be quite dangerous. So it's vital to avoid such places. It is advisable to take local guides along if you are planning to visit any of these places.

Albania, on the whole, is very safe to travel. However, the northern part of the country, near Kosovo, has landmines, which have not yet been cleared. Hence, if you plan to travel to this part, it is advisable to take a local guide along with you. 

Look into these Travel Tips for Albania and you can be sure of having a great time here. You can enjoy the most of your vacation here in this beautiful and unspoilt land. Explore as much as you can to relish the beauty of the countryside and the local culture, so that you take back fond memories of a time well-spent.

Belarus is located in the Eastern half of Europe and covers an area of 80,153 sq miles. It is basically a safe place to travel but the foreigners should bear in mind that they have to behave nicely. The local population is helpful and will pass a smile at the foreigners. This makes this place an enchanting hub. But Belarus has its fair share of rogues. People who are in their sports suits and have short haircuts should be avoided at all costs. They are the potential harbingers and can easily loot the innocent foreigners.

Visitors can reach Belarus by air and BELAVIA is their national airline. There are two airports in use in the capital city Minsk. There are taxis and buses available round the clock from airport to other parts of the city. One can reach Minsk by bus from various nearby cities like Moscow, St Petersburg and Riga etc. Three international bus stations are available in Minsk. Railway option is wide open if you are not far away from Belarus. There are rail lines that run from Warsaw, Vienna, Moscow and Odessa.  And traveling within Belarus you have quite a few options to roam around to watch different parts of the country. The luxury coaches and taxis are available. Tourists can drive their vehicles with international license without violating terms with in the country.

Try to see if you have any contacts in Belarus. This is because they will be able to guide you well about the local attractions or transport system that is so vital to your travel. It is advantageous if you are a student or connected to the universities in any way. Then you will surely get help from one of the educational institutions. Just approach them and they will be all the more happy to assist you. 

Communication can be at times a problem in Minsk. This is because the internet connections are a bit slow. There are several post offices which offer the internet services at cheap rates. If you want to use the public phones then you can use the cards which can be easily bought at the local shops or the news agents. One good thing about the postal office at Minsk is that it provides internet facility for cheap rates round the clock.

It is illegal to carry drugs in Belarus. And there are strict punishments for those who are caught with these. Even death sentences can be given if found guilty of highest level of crime pertaining to drugs. So be careful while you are traveling to Belarus.