Right in the heart of Europe, Belgium is famous as a centre for Europian politics but offers much for the modern traveller. The long history and cultural intrigue of this small country is complemented by beautiful landscapes and tranquil rural areas. The capital, Brussels is a truly cosmopolitan city, being the seat of Europian politics. A good way to travel to Belgium is by ferry and the busiest ferry port in Belgium is Zeebrugge.

The traffic to and from Zeebrugge is immense with over 10,000 ships using the port every year, carrying 32 million tons of cargo and countless passengers. If you are travelling to Belgium from the UK, one option to look at is P&O North Sea Ferries, who operate a route from Hull to Zeebrugge. There is only one crossing each day and it takes about 12 hours, 30 minutes on the ferry. In addition to the journey time, it’s important to check in about 1 hour, 30 minutes before departure.

Other ports in the UK are connected with Zeebrugge. For example, if you want to travel from Rosyth in Scotland, you can take the Superfast Ferry which takes about 16 hours, 30 minutes. This service is also once daily, but this is the only direct ferry route from Scotland to Belgium.

Zeebrugge may be the most important ferry terminal in Belgium, but it isn’t the only one. Ostend is also an important hub for all kinds of maritime activity, especially fishing. The town of Ostend is very popular amongst travellers since it has much to offer. You will find casinos, hotels, bars and a good night life in the town itself and the area generally features historic sights of interest. Perhaps most popular are the beaches, which are clean and sandy. If you’re travelling from Dover in England, you can sail to Ostend directly by Hoverspeed catamarans. This is a two hour crossing.

One of Belgium’s most popular tourist destinations is Bruges. You will find all the amenities that are needed are on hand. Yet the place has a very historic and atmospheric feel. There are numerous ancient sites, including two medieval cores and the 14th century Stadhuis. Since Belgium is a small country, it is relatively easy to explore and with the Ferry services available, it’s quite convenient to visit.

Tags: Belgium, Brussels, Europe, Hull, Ostend, P&O North Sea Ferries, Scotland, UK, Zeebrugge