One of the most exciting things about traveling to another country is learning about the culture. By taking the time to do a bit of research on the country of destination, travelers can learn more about what to expect, what things to see and what things should be packed in the luggage to be best prepared for the journey. Also by knowing a little bit about the country, travelers can best decide what items indigenous to the country will make the best souvenirs to take back home to loved ones. This is one reason why preparing a travel itinerary is a must before starting a vacation. The educational and cultural insight the traveler can gain when going to another country is quite invaluable and part of the delights of traveling.

When visiting one of the low countries, Belgium should be at the top of any traveler’s list. Our travel guide Belgium will serve as a unique and comprehensive guide to one of the most charming European countries. Learn about some of the things that have placed Belgium on the map: chocolates, fries, lace and the saxophone. For our Travel Guide Belgium, you can learn about the delicious and delectable flavors of Belgian chocolate. Travelers will also enjoy learning about Belgian frites or fries, which are served as potato wedges dipped in a number of creamy sauces. You can also learn about the fine history of lace making in Belgium, which as historically been used by royalty and the European elite in their many articles of clothing. Finally, learn about how the saxophone was given to the world by Belgian Antoine Sax.

Sumptuous Belgian Chocolate

When one hears of the country Belgium, one of the first things that come to mind is the rich delectable flavor of Belgian chocolate. Godiva, Neuhaus, Leonidas, Marcolini, Guylian, Barry Callebaut, Goossens, Burie, Del Rey and Galler are just some of the famous Belgian chocolate brands in the market today. Although the Swiss have made chocolate famous and accessible to the rest of the world, it seems that chocolates and pralines made in Belgium are still held as the gold standard when it comes to gourmet chocolate. After all, the Swiss imported the original recipes from their Belgian neighbors to later become world-class chocolatiers.

What makes Belgian chocolate different from other chocolates from other parts of the world is the preciseness of the production process, making it both a science and an art. Belgian chocolatiers use only the finest ingredients in the production process. Their main ingredients are sugar, cocoa paste and cocoa butter, in varying proportions according to the type of chocolate candies they are making. They do not add vegetable shortening. Many of the chocolates sold are still made by hand, just like in the olden times. Seafood pralines, such as those made by Guylian are one of the most popular chocolates sold in Belgium. They still use the original recipe created by its founder, Guy Foubert. These melt-in-your-mouth confections are shaped like delicate shells, which was developed back in 1912.

Chocolate from South America was first brought to Europe by the Spaniards. Under Spanish rule, the chocolate or cacao was introduced to Belgium, as well as other parts of Europe. Enjoyed early on by royalty, the dark sweet confection was enjoyed at the Grand Palace. The development of chocolate making between the Belgians and the Swiss is closely interrelated. It was in the Grand Palace in Belgium in 1697 that Zurich mayor Henri Escher first tasted chocolate and decided to bring it to Switzerland. This later gave birth to the Swiss chocolate industry, which to this day competes strongly with the Belgian chocolate industry.

It is often said that the sweet chocolate industry of Belgium has bittersweet beginnings. Chocolate making has been around in Belgium since the 17th century, during the time of Leopold II. During this time, Belgium was an aggressive colonizer, especially in many regions in Africa. In 1885, King Leopold II conquered Congo in Africa and became responsible for the massive genocide of over ten million Congolese. At the same time, the King obtained an unlimited supply of cacao. It is because of their colonization efforts that the country was able to procure the cocoa plants and seeds that were later used to make chocolates and other confections.

However, the industry fully developed when in 1912, Brussels based Swiss chocolate maker Jean Neuhaus developed pralines. Here, he used a couverteur, a special type of chocolate that he used as a shell to create pralines. These bite sized chocolate creations were the world’s first butter cream filled confections made with a chocolate candy hollow. These pralines were filled with a number of delicious fillings, such as nougat, nuts, coffee, cream, hazelnut and fruit.

In the same year, chocolates evolved to become highly prized gift items. These pralines required special packaging. This was created and patented in 1920 by the Neuhaus family under the name Ballotin, which is why people are able to buy ballotin de pralines today.

Today, there are even tours designed to take travelers to various chocolate shops to witness firsthand the fine art of chocolate making in Belgium. Be sure to pick up a box of Belgian chocolate pralines when you visit Belgium. It’s the perfect gift items to bring back as presents for friends back home. Also, be sure to pick up a box for yourself and enjoy the delicious taste of Belgium chocolate. Choose from any of the world famous brands, or try the confections from smaller chocolate shops found all over the country.

Delicious Belgian Fries

Food lovers will enjoy going to Belgium because the country is known for being a gastronomic feast. One of the food items that we owe the Belgians for is the potato fries. The name French fries is a misnomer, as these cut up potato wedges were invented by the Belgians and not the French.

Some claim that since 1680, the potato has been cut up and fried in this European nation often referred to as the Spanish Netherlands. In the Meuse Valley, located somewhere near Dinant and Liege, the locals would often substitute fried potatoes when they couldn’t fry fish caught from the frozen river. However, this is often disputed, as it is widely believed that the potato didn’t reach Belgian shores till 1735. Whatever the case may be the Belgians did popularize frying the potato in such a manner to be served as a snack or a side dish.

It was in 1857 that a newspaper article featured a man named Fritz who was dubbed the King of Fried Potatoes who sold these fries at town fairs. The name French Fries is attributed to the American soldiers who tasted these tasty potatoes in World War I. Because French was the language that the Belgian Army was using, the American soldiers called the potato dish French fries.

In Belgium, pommes frites or frieten are cut up into thick potato wedges and deep fried. It is served and dipped in mayonnaise or a number of other delicious sauces. These are conveniently purchased at a number of food stalls on the streets, much like hotdog stands in New York or gelato in Rome. This means that travelers can take a good whiff of the tantalizing smells of freshly made fried potatoes as they go about walking the streets of Brussels. Specialized fries shops in Belgium are called Frietkots or fritures. These hot fries are served in a white cone, called cornet de frites, instead of in a plate.

The manner of preparation is quite different from the American style French fries we know today. First, Belgian fries are cut into thick chunks or slabs, unlike thinly cut up pieces found in many modern fast food joints. Also, these potatoes are not frozen but prepared fresh. Finally, it is served with a dollop of sauce, such as mayonnaise, curry and a number of other dips. It can be enjoyed as a snack or as a side dish to a number of food items.

Travelers to Belgium can try a serving of hot and delicious cornet de frites as you tour and explore Belgium. It makes for a satisfying treat!

Beautiful Belgian Lace

Belgian lace is known the world over for its beauty and intricacy. Lace making traces its roots during the Roman era. However, historians believe that lace making in Belgium became prevalent in the 15th century because Charles V decreed that the practice be taught in the schools and convents in the country. It was during this time that lace making began to replace embroidery as a way for women to pass the time. As an added plus, lace could be transferred from one garment to another, unlike embroidery that was permanently sewn on the fabric.

In the olden times, Belgian lace distinguished the garments and accessories of the nobility and the rich. The clergy also made use of the lace, especially in the 16th century for use in religious ceremonies. This is because Belgium had a highly developed lace making industry. Many lace makers used only the finest fabrics and thread to create the most delicate and intricate patterns of lacework. Many of the lace from Belgium are named after the towns, which created the pattern of the fabric, especially Bruge and Brussels.

It is from the 16th century to the 19th century that lace making exploded in Belgium and in the other Low Countries. The reason for the growth of the industry is the competition between towns to craft the best lace. This is especially true in the towns of Bruge, Binche and Brussels. Needle lace, which was developed in Brussels, and bobbin lace, developed in Bruges, are the two techniques that are still practiced in the lace making art in the Flemish region.

Some of the most famous laces that can be purchased today are called Rosaline, Duchess and Bruges laces of Brussels, Renaissance Lace (the sturdiest lace often used in tablecloths and other linens, also called Ribbon Lace or Brussels Lace), Tape Lace, Princess Lace (most commonly used today for wedding veils and other special occasions), Rose Point Lace (the most delicate and most difficult needle lace to make) and Lilies and Fairy Point laces.

It was much later on that lace evolved and became more accessible to the masses. From clothing and accessories such as fans and hats, lace found their way into sheets, curtains, interior decorations and table settings.

Today, Belgian lace is classified as handmade, modern or contemporary. These are based on the techniques employed to make the lace. Travelers going to Belgium should take the time to visit the many lace museums in the country, especially in Bruges, such as the Study Lace House, Arentshuis Lace Museum and Begijnhof. There is also a lace and textile museum in Kortrijk. In Brussels, the lace making heritage can be seen in the Lace and Costume Museum. Pass by a lace workshop when in Antwerp to see how it’s all done. It is also at these locations where some authentic fine Belgian lace can be purchased.

The Sexy Saxophone

Belgium has given much to the world, although not many people know that the country is also the birthplace of the musical instrument saxophone. The saxophone is considered one of the newer musical instruments, since it only has a 150-year old history. It is considered a reed instrument, and takes special skill to be able to manipulate and play music with it.

The saxophone was invented in 1840’s by Belgian Antoine Joseph (Adolph) Sax. A resident of Dinant, Belgium, Sax was a musician and musical instrument inventor. His father was also a musical instrument designer who was known to make some changes to the horn. The father inspired his son to pursue a career in music, being a musician and musical instrument inventor as well.

The younger Sax made changes to the bass clarinet when he was only twenty four years old. In 1841, he made vast improvements to the sax horns, which were put on display in Paris in 1844.

In 1841, Sax invented the saxophone. It is a brass instrument that is played similarly to the clarinet with a sound that has a brass tone of the trumpet. When he introduced his instrument to his friend Hector Berlioz, it was very well received due to the instrument’s versatility. In 1842, Berlioz wrote an article about the saxophone and gave it glowing reviews. By 1844, the rest of the world was introduced to the saxophone at the Paris Industrial Exhibition.

Sax was able to patent the design in 1846. He intended the instrument to be used by orchestras and bands. He integrated the use of the body of a bass instrument, with the woodwind mouthpiece in the creation of this new horn instrument.

The saxophone became a well-received instrument and was integrated in a number of bands as a standard instrument. Many composers started writing music for the instrument.

Almost eight decades later, minor modifications to the saxophone led to its use in modern dance music. By using a smaller mouthpiece than the original design, the resulting sound produced became louder, making it perfect for jazz music.