In the first of a new feature on Expatica, we compile tips provided by you, the reader, on how to get the most out of life in Belgium.

A taste of the Irish

I know your links for bars and clubs etc are mostly in Brussels. However, I have found a great many expats living in the Wavre-Ottignes areas. In the centre of Louvain-la Neuve, located on the Grand Place right beside the UGC cinema complex, you will find Beckett's Irish Bar. Check out the website www.becketts.be.

 
John Corcoran

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Terracing it at a good café

A good tip for a pleasant cafe just outside of Leuven:

De Oude Kantine
Kantineplein 3
3001 Leuven (Heverlee)
Ph: 016 509 510

Set in lovely surrounds, the cafe is opposite the Arenberg Castle and is perfect for a leisurely coffee or snack. The castle itself is also well worth a look.

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Better Telenet bills!

I have phoned Telenet and asked them why new customers were getting a better deal than I was for internet connection and they changed my price within the half hour.

Val Rathmell

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Where to buy your chocolates

The best place in Brussels to get a sense of the chocolate culture is Place du Grand Sablon. In this square, you'll find all of the big names in Belgian chocolate: Neuhaus (the inventor of the praline), Godiva (whose gold box is known around the world), Pierre Marcolini (whose chocolates are avant-garde and often unusual) and — my personal favourite — Wittamer.

Alison Cornford-Matheson

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Helping those less fortunate

The group www.eurochildren.be places disadvantaged children from various European countries with host families in Belgium for well-deserved holidays.

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Short-term accommodation

We are a non-profit organisation giving short-term accommodation all over Brussels.

Trainees: We provide a database providing short-term accommodation (1-6 months) for trainees, students, EU employees etc in furnished rooms, furnished flats or co-location. Website: www.traineesinbrussels.be

Bed and Brussels: A booking office with more than 350 guest rooms in private houses offering bed and breakfast (one night to one month) all over Brussels. Website: www.bnb-brussels.be

Susanne de Cock
BDLF Bruxelles Destination Langue Française
www.bdlf.org

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Vegetarian food

Great veggie restaurant in Leuven and Gent: www.greenway.be. Online menu and prices, friendly service, everything is fresh, tasty, healthy and reasonably priced. Monthly suggestions.

Audrey O'Connor

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Biking it in Belgium

Keen to take to your bike this summer and tackle Belgium's great cycling paths? Use this website as a starting point: www.visitbelgium.com/bike.htm.

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19 May 2006

[Copyright Expatica 2006]

Subject: Living in Belgium