Brazilian Myths and Legends

Brazil is a melting pot for cultures of many different continents. Therefore, it’s no surprise that this is portrayed in the folklore and traditions passed down in Brazil. Brazilian myths and legends stem from influences from other South American nations, native tribes, European settlers or African slaves.

Saci-Pererê

Saci-Pererê is described as a young boy missing a leg and wearing a red cap with magical properties. One of the supernatural elements of this cap is its ability to create a rideable dust storm that Saci-Pererê can ride as a form of transport. He is a mischievous trickster that harasses the local populace, letting farm animals out of pens and mimicking wild animal sounds.

However, it is said that you can coax the Saci-Pererê into helping you find lost items using gifts and treating him with respect. He is one of the most popular figures in Brazilian folklore, having been solely conceived in Brazil but with a mix of Iberian, native and African cultures having an influence on his nature.

Mapinguari

Said to dwell in the depths of the Amazon jungle, the Mapinguari has the characteristics of a very large sloth or anteater. However, it only has a single eye and its mouth is located on its belly. Mapinguari devours lone adventurers that wander into the jungle.

Curupira

Derived from Tupi-Guarani mythology, the Curupira protects the jungles from unfair hunting and exploitation as a sort of ‘King of The Jungle’. He tricks hunters by making confusing backward tracks (due to his backward legs), animal sounds and resurrecting animals killed by the hunters. However, he helps hunters who follow the rules of the hunt and accepts offerings of tobacco to appease him. The Curupira is known nationwide as a significant folkloric figure.

Chibamba

Covered head to toe in banana leaves, this monster preys on children who cry when they go to bed. Its origins are suspected to be of African descent, with its dancing motions resembling certain African ritual dances that came to Brazil from slaves sent to the region. The Chibamba snorts like a pig and has demonic eyes, perfectly made to terrify those who stay up too late.

Church Serpents

It is a common myth in cities that giant, centuries-old serpents lay dormant under many religious buildings. The serpents are so large that if they wake up, they would destroy their respective cities, even their movement during their slumber causes tremors and landslides. To make sure these serpents don’t wake up, regular prayers and processions are held at the church. Some serpents are also said to have unusual origins, like a transformed child.

How To Make The Perfect Belgian Waffle

First Off, What Is A Belgian Waffle?

Belgian waffles are waffles, but better in every single way. The main differences are that Belgian waffles are lighter and airy compared to their standard counterparts, and have larger squares that are deeper, which is useful for containing syrups, sauces and other toppings.

What Do I Need To Make One?

You will need:

1 waffle iron
1 large bowl
2 medium bowls

Ingredients:

2 ¼ Cups of flour
1 Tablespoon of baking powder
3 Tablespoons of sugar
½ Teaspoon of salt
1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon
2 Separated large eggs
½ Cup of vegetable oil
2 Cups of milk
1 Teaspoon of vanilla extract

How Do I Make One?

First things first, preheat your waffle iron, spray it with nonstick cooking spray and then set it aside. This is key to making the waffles crispy, so make sure to do it.

After that? Take your large bowl and whisk the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and cinnamon all together.

Next, grab a medium bowl and beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form, then set it aside for now.

And we’re already halfway through all the steps! Now, grab your second medium bowl and start mixing together the egg yolks, vegetable oil, milk and vanilla extract.

Then, add the egg yolk mixture to the dry ingredients inside the large bowl and mix well.

Afterwards, fold in the egg whites

Following that, pour the batter onto your waffle iron and cook according to the manufacturer’s directions

Finally, serve immediately with butter, syrup, sugar or any other toppings, and enjoy!

Some Extra Tips And Ideas:

Now that you have made yourself a Belgian waffle, you’ll be wanting to try to perfect it and make it your own, so here are some ideas perfect for personalising and perfecting your waffle:

Before we started using baking soda as a raising agent, we used yeast. Although it is an older method, it doesn’t make it a worse method, in fact, many people prefer it, as it’s generally more fluffy, crusty and has a slightly different taste. However, the main drawback and the main reason baking soda is used instead, is that yeast takes time to rise, but an hour is plenty good and overnight turns it into waffle gold.

One small tip some people swear by is raising the eggs to room temperature, this helps the eggs mix evenly with the other ingredients and helps to create a smoother batter that will rise easily. One quick and easy method to heat the eggs up is to run warm water over the eggs until they are no longer cool to the touch

Another tip is to add melted butter to the batter in order to add a rich and savoury-sweet taste to the waffles, as well as improve the soft, airy and spongy interior.

Want to keep the waffles hot for later consumption? The well-known trick is to keep them in an oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit until you’re hungry, but you can go one step further and make the waffle crispier by setting the heat to 300 degrees.

Try melted buttermilk. To really add some flavour you can add buttermilk to the mix to really make it delicious, with or without toppings. Note, however, that this method won’t work with the yeast, due to the buttermilk’s acidity.

By Bernard de Laguiche

What Are The Biggest Brazilian Agriculture Exports?

Soybeans

In 2020 Brazil became the world’s largest exporter of Soybeans at 44.7% ($28.6B) by trade value once again in recent years, beating out the long-lasting United States at 39.9% ($25.6B). The largest importer of Brazilian soybeans is China at 73.1%, making the market very profitable but also vulnerable to Chinese consumer demand, this is followed by the Netherlands at 3.84% and Spain at 3.29%.

Raw Sugar

Brazil is the world’s largest and long-standing exporter of raw sugar, accounting for 35.8% of the market share by trade value, with a total value of $8.95B. The second largest exporter of raw sugar is currently India at 10.7% ($2.67B), leaving a large margin for Brazil to dominate. The largest importer of Brazilian raw sugar is China at 14.4%, followed by Algeria at 7.47% and Bangladesh at 7.01%.

Frozen Bovine Meat

Brazil is also the world’s largest exporter of bovine meat with a 24.8% market share by trade value with a value of $6.69B. Brazil’s main competitor is Australia, with a market share of 14.9% and a value of $4B. The largest importer of Brazilian bovine meat is China at 60.4%, followed by 12.1% and Egypt at 5.91%.

Soybean meal

Brazil is the world’s second-largest exporter of soybean meal with a 24.4% market share by trade value, with a total worth of $5.99B. Brazil’s competitor in the space is Argentina, which holds a 32.1% market share with a value of $7.89B. The largest importer of Brazilian soybean meal is Indonesia at 13.3%, followed by Thailand at 12.9% and the Netherlands at 11.5%.

Corn

Brazil is the world’s third-largest exporter of corn, with a market share of 15.6% by trade value with a value of $5.95. The largest worldwide exporter of corn is the United States, which holds a 25.4% market share with a value of $9.72B, followed by Argentina, which owns 16.9% with $6.46B. The largest importer of Brazilian corn is Iran at 12.5%, followed by Japan at 12% and Vietnam at 10.6%.

Poultry Meat

Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of fresh chicken meat, accounting for 14% of worldwide production and 30% of global exports in 2021. Brazilian exports increased by 8.2%, reaching approximately 4.4 million tons, compared to 2020. The Second largest world exporter is the United States, with exports estimated at 3.4 million. Overall, in 2020, poultry meat accounted for 2.61% of Brazilian exports, with a value of $5.59B. The largest importer of Brazilian poultry was China at 22.7%, followed by Saudi Arabia at 12.3% and Japan at 11.8%.

Written by Bernard de Laguiche

What Are Switzerland’s Biggest Exports?

Gold

Gold accounts for 15.1% of all of Switzerland’s exports, and accounts for 16.2% of the global market share by trade value, with a value of $68.5B, making Switzerland the largest exporter of Gold in the world. The largest importer of Swiss gold is the United States with 39.8%, followed by India at 14.7% and the United Kingdom at 9.53%.

Packaged Medicaments

Switzerland is the world’s second-largest exporter of packaged medicaments, Switzerland holds 11.3% of global exports by trade value, with a value of $46.3B. However, this is beaten by Germany, the world’s largest exporter, which holds 14.8% with a value of $60.9B. The largest importer of Swiss packaged medicaments is the United States, which takes up 28.5% of all Swiss exports, followed by Germany at 11.2% and Slovenia at 8.49%.

Vaccines, Blood, Antisera, Toxins And Cultures

Despite previously being the world’s leading exporter of vaccines, blood, antisera, toxins and cultures and its steady growth in Switzerland, 2020 saw competition from the new leader Germany (15.6% and worth $34.1B) and close-second Ireland (15.1% worth $33B), however, the industry is still competitive, holding a market share of 13.8% by trade value and a total export value of $30.2B. Switzerland’s largest importers consist of Germany (19.7%), the United States (11.7%) and China (10.2%).

Base Metal Watches

Switzerland is the world’s leading exporter of base metal watches by trade value, taking a market share of 57.3% with a value of $11.5B. Switzerland has a large 40+% margin between its exports and its leading competitor, China, which only holds a 10.6% share with a value of $2.13B. The largest importers of Swiss vaccines, blood, antisera, toxins and cultures consists of China (16.7%), the United States (13.8%) and Hong Kong (8.89%).

Nitrogen Heterocyclic Compounds

In 2020, Switzerland was the world’s second-largest exporter of nitrogen heterocyclic compounds, holding 13.7% of the market share by value, and worth $11.4B, which was only bested by Ireland with a value of $26.3B and a share of 31.7%. The largest importer of Swiss nitrogen heterocyclic compounds is Germany, taking up 24.5% of all Swiss exports, followed by Spain at 19.9% and Italy at 15.2%.

Written by Bernard de Laguiche

Swiss Myths and Folklore

Swiss and Alpine folklore are closely intertwined, influencing local traditions in the region immensely, along with influences spanning across the Rhine and even into northern Italy. With this being said, Switzerland has some unique mythology, which will be explored in this article.

Kobolds

These are small household spirits that are depicted to be ambivalent or indifferent, playing the role of the labourer and the trickster. Kobolds are usually described as invisible, but able to appear as an animal, a candle, a fire and a human. They usually take the form of a humanoid figure, around the size of a small child. Whilst commonly known as a helpful spirit, the Kobold can be malicious and troublemaking when insulted or disrespected, such as the lack of offerings and punctuality.

The origins of the Kobold go back to the Hellenic trickster spirit called Kobulos. This belief spread due to the wide influence of the Roman Empire, where ideas were communicated faster than ever before, and eventually made their way to the Alps. This morphed into a form of the Kobold we know today and persisted through the Roman Christianization of the region as an integral pagan custom.

As a household entity, Kobolds would perform tasks in and around the house that were neglected by the homeowner at the end of the day. It was told that the presence of a Kobold would bring its chosen household wealth and prosperity. The idea of a domestic spirit is commonplace in European folklore as well, such as in the English Hobgoblin.

However, a form of Kobold was also said to inhabit the Alpine mines in Switzerland. These Kobolds were seen as evil and troublemaking spirits, with miners even praying for protection from them. The miners had good reason to be wary of these spirits, with Kobolds being said to create fake veins of copper or silver, but when melted would be poisonous to those who inhaled and handled it. This ore was later identified to be a new element and was subsequently named cobalt after its mischievous creator. Subterranean Kobolds were said to be much more hideous than their domestic counterparts, with a hunchback and an ability to turn into bricks.

Barbegazi

A variety of dwarf hailing from Swiss and French mythology, the Barbegazi are characterized as having enormous feet and a long, white beard. Famously proficient in skiing, they use their large feet to glide down mountains and take great joy in skiing during avalanches. They lay dormant in caves over the summer, emerging in the winter. Due to their isolated dwellings, there is a limited number of sightings of the Barbegazi.

They are known to be helpful on some occasions, assisting farmers in rounding up herds of animals. It is also known that they warm humans of incoming avalanches by producing a low whistling noise, and helping to dig buried humans out of the snow.

Frost Giants

Portrayed as wearing shoes made from hollowed-out fir trees, and beards covered in drooping icicles, it is no surprise that Frost Giants made a spot in this article. They are ruled over by an Ice King, inhabiting the peaks of the Alpine mountains. They send avalanches rolling down the cliffside and freeze any living thing that dares to venture into their domain.

However, they have a particular weakness to warmth, melting into puddles of water when the weather gets too warm for them to handle. They are in a constant struggle with the fairies, who use their warmth against the frost giants.

Jack Frost

A well-known European personification of Winter, Jack Frost is prevalent in Swiss Folklore. He occasionally appears as a trickster or a hero in certain more modern tales. Originating from Anglo-Saxon and Norse winter traditions, but spreading out as far as Finland and has adapted to several cultures. He is iconically responsible for leaving frost patterns on windows and changing the colour of leaves during autumn.

Frau Froste

Also known as Perchta in Germanic sources, where most of the knowledge about this deity comes from. Frau Froste is a goddess in Alpine paganism and was spoken of as early as the 10th century in Old High German texts. She is also described as a “guardian of the beasts”. She also appears during the twelve days of Christmas to oversee spinning and to uphold cultural taboos. Frau Froste has two forms: a beautiful woman as white as snow, or an elderly haggard woman depending on the region. She is portrayed as having one large, possibly swan, foot which is said to show her supernatural nature.

Frau Froste punishes and rewards children and young servants for their diligence or lack thereof. Punishments usually consisted of opening up their belly and filling it with straw and pebbles, whilst rewards would be a silver coin placed near their bed.

Written by Bernard de Laguiche

The Best Cities To Visit When In Belgium

Brussels

Brussels is a city known worldwide. Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and is very important for both Belgium and the wider world. For a start, it is a significant economic area, providing 17% of the nation’s employment and one-fifth of Belgium’s GDP. Brussels also supplies a well-connected transport system, both with the rest of the nation and Europe, but also within the city itself, with a metro, tram and bus system. Brussels is a beautiful city with many sites to see, with a little something for every tourist.

Want a good view of the city? The Atomium stands 100 metres tall (one of the largest in Belgium) and is an interesting structure made of six stainless steel-clad spheres, that contain exhibit halls and public spaces, with a restaurant and panoramic view of Brussels inside the highest sphere. Want to inspect Belgian art? The Royal Museums of Fine Arts is a group of six museums, full of old and new art alike. Can’t get enough of Belgian chocolate? Visit Choco Story Brussels for a delicious lesson on how it’s made.

There are many other sites in Brussels to see, a visit there will rarely be long enough to see them all, but a few more amazing attractions would be the Grand Place in the central square of Brussels, which gives you a view into the history of Brussels, Tour Place Royale, a historical quarter for the Belgian Royals to stay at, Mont des Arts and the Museum of Parc du Cinquantenaire.

Ghent

The third largest city in the country, Ghent is a city that has well-preserved medieval architecture, which is especially apparent with attractions such as the Gravensteen and Geeraard the Devil Castle. Gravensteen especially is a site to see as it is a full medieval castle, with walls, and a moat and is fully open to the public. There is also the picturesque St Bavo’s Cathedral and the ruins of St Bavo’s Abbey to visit, nicely joined with a stroll through the green gardens of Citadel Park and its accompanying contemporary art museum.

Antwerp

The second largest city in the country, Antwerp is a bustling industrial port city, but is also home to plenty of art galleries and museums, such as Rubenshuis, the former home of the famous painter Peter Paul Rubens, which is fully open to the public, or alternatively the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS), which holds over 500,000 pieces of art varying from modern architecture, to the history of Antwerp and its importance internationally, to topics such as mankind’s approach to death and spirituality in different cultures.

Maybe art galleries and museums don’t excite the kids too much, so what about a visit to the Antwerp Zoo? Right in the centre of the city, the zoo is considered one of the best in Europe due to its variety of species and care of animals, as well as its interesting architecture, such as the giraffe and elephant house in the style of an Egyptian temple. Afterwards, you could treat yourself to a tour of the largest Belgian chocolate museum in the world, where you will be guided through all the steps of making chocolate, chocolate’s place within culture and tradition, with an option to sign up to a chocolate workshop with goodies.

For the religious or interested, there is the Cathedral of Our Lady, it is Belgium’s largest Gothic church, and has beautiful architecture and artwork displayed throughout. Finally, there is DIVA, Antwerp’s museum of diamonds, silver and jewellery, which guides visitors through all the different aspects of the diamond trade such as extraction, processing and industrial use, as well as a display of real cut and uncut diamonds along with copies of famous stones and a large showcase of Belgian silverwork.

Mons

The city of Mons has been quite bloodied over the years, and to commemorate this Mons has a memorial museum, half of which is dedicated to the first world war, this, along with a visit to the Chateau de Beloeil make for a good day out for a history buff. There is also the city hall to visit, which is surrounded by restaurants and shops, and the Collegiate Church of Sainte-Waudru, a church with an interesting Brabant Gothic style and valuables inside its treasury. One of the best things to do in Mons is climb the steps to the top of the bell tower, which stands 87 metres high and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Written by Bernard De Laguiche

Belgian Folklore

Belgian traditions and stories are commonly linked to Dutch folklore due to their shared identities as the low countries and germanic heritage, along with the country’s strong ties to its neighbours due to its decentralised and occupied history. The rich lore and history here were traditionally written and spoken in Dutch, but French and other languages are found to contain traditional sources.

Themes In Folklore

Although a lack of evidence is found, a strong Celtic influence can be shown in Belgian and Dutch folklore due to their veneration of trees. Many tales are derived from Gaulic and Germanic pre-Christian culture.

Another key theme that can be observed in the Benelux is the flooding of cities and ‘lost cities’ hidden under the water due to the region being historically prone to devastating floods. A key example of this is the Saeftinghe legend, a Dutch tale.

Belgian Traditions

Despite its close connections to its Neighbours, Belgium has many unique and entertaining traditions rooted firmly in folklore.

The Ducasse, also known as the Parade of Giants, is held in the town of Ath and is based on the story of David and the goliath and traces its origins to the middle ages. effigies of two giants are paraded around the town, whilst onlookers throw coins at them for good luck.

Andenne holds an annual festival near easter called the “Bear Festival”. This celebrates Charles Martel‘s defeat of a bear who was terrorizing the region when he was young. Charles’ descendants are credited with founding the town of Andenne.

The Procession of The Holy Blood in Bruges is held on Ascension Day and a relic is paraded around the city. The relic, believed to have been found by Derick of Alsace during the Second Crusade, is said to hold a vial of the blood of Christ. Due to its significance as a Christian relic, the parade attracts roughly 50,000 visitors and pilgrims each year.

Another important Belgian tradition is the annual Ducasse de Mons, celebrated on Trinity Sunday in the town of Mons. The event is split into two halves: the celebration at Saint Waltrude’s Shrine, and the Lumeçon. The Lumeçon is the reenacted combat between Saint George and a dragon.

Belgian Myths And Legends

The Bokkenrijders

Buckriders are a part of Belgian and dutch folklore. they are demons or ghosts who rode on flying goats. during the 18th century, several groups of thieves used this myth to terrorise the inhabitants of Limburg by launching raids across the region using the name “Bokkenrijders”. Due to their ties to the occult, several men were falsely accused of being “Bokkenrijders” and were tortured or sent to death, much like the witch trials.

The Angels Of Mons

These angels are reported to have protected the outnumbered British army from invading german forces during the battle of Mons in world war 1. Many accounts of the battle range from phantom bowmen, angels, bright clouds or nothing at all.

Silvius Brabo

Silvius Brabo was a mythical soldier under the Roman empire who killed a giant and created the name, Brabant. The giant was called Druon Antigoon and forced people who wanted to cross a bridge on the river Scheldt. If the person didn’t pay, the giant would cut the hand off the person and throw it in the river. Silvius Brabo killed the giant and threw his hand in the river, and some speculate this also gave way to the name Antwerpen.

Written by Bernard de Laguiche

The Best Places to Visit Whilst In Belgium

Despite being overshadowed by its neighbours France and the Netherlands, Belgium is a hidden gem in Europe that should not be overlooked by travellers. The country’s rich history has contributed to its linguistic and cultural diversity, and its small size makes it easy for visitors to explore multiple destinations within a short amount of time. Belgium offers a wide range of attractions, including delicious fries and chocolate, beautiful natural areas, charming medieval towns, and vibrant art scenes, making it a place where everyone can find something to enjoy. Here are some top recommendations of places you should visit while in Belgium.

Namur Province

The Namur Province in the Wallonia region of Belgium is known for its natural beauty, including rivers, cliffs, and rolling hills. You can visit Dinant, a destination popular for its citadel and scenic riverside town. In Liernu, you can explore some of the best fine-dining restaurants, including called L’air du Temps which sources many of its dishes from its on-site garden. Namur, the capital of the province, is home to a large citadel and the Musée Félicien Rops, which exhibits the work of a 19th-century Belgian artist. The region is a good place for outdoor activities, including hiking and exploring the Belgian Ardennes forests.

The Belgian Coast

If you’re looking to relax on beautiful beaches and explore charming coastal towns, the Belgian coast is a great destination. Visit De Haan, known for its low beachfront skyline of Belle Epoque architecture and unspoiled grassy dunes. It’s also home to quaint vintage tea rooms and sweet treat shops. Also, check out Oostduinkerke, or East Dunkirk. In this protected dune area, visitors can witness the unique and near-extinct tradition of shrimping on horseback, which takes place during the warmer months from April to October.

This centuries-old tradition received Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity status in 2013. You can easily explore the Belgian coast via the de Kusttram, a public coastal tram that travels the entire 65km (40 mile) stretch from De Panne to Knokke-Heist, making it easy to explore multiple towns and attractions along the way.

Explore Brussels

Brussels, the capital of Belgium and home to the European Union and NAT, is known for its diverse culture and has many museums, including the Royal Museum of Fine Arts and the Magritte Museum. The city also offers famous architectural landmarks, such as the Grand Place and the Maison Cauchie. If you would like some shopping, there are flea markets and vintage shops in the Sablon district. And if you’re a food lover, sample Belgian beer at the Délirium Café, fries at a frietkot, and chocolate and waffles at Pierre Marcolini and Maison Dandoy, respectively.

Bruges

Bruges is a charming city popular for its fairytale-like atmosphere, with tree-lined canals, cobblestone streets, and well-preserved medieval architecture. The city has been designated a Unesco World Heritage Site and is best experienced by wandering around Old Town on foot, taking a canal boat tour, biking along the canals, and visiting landmarks like the Belfort. While in Bruges, you should also try Belgian beer and visit the Groeninge museum to view the fine-art museum’s Flemish Primitive collection.

Ardennes

Ardennes is a popular destination for adventure seekers. The region is known for its hilly terrain, thick forests, cliffs, caves, and diverse wildlife, including lynx, deer, and wild boar. In Ardennes, you can enjoy activities like trekking, camping, and biking. Some of the top tourist attractions in the area include the Castle of Bouillon, Han-Sur-Lesse, and the Labyrinth of Barvaux. If you’re planning a trip to Belgium and want to experience the beauty and adventure of Ardennes, you can stay at hotels like Azur en, Hotel Eden, or Hotel des.

Tournai

Tournai is a city located on the Belgium-France border. The city is a hub for art and sculpture and attracts art lovers and history buffs throughout the year. In addition to its great museums and art galleries, Tournai also boasts the oldest Belfry in Belgium. If you’re seeking exciting things to do in Belgium, Tournai is worth a visit. Tourist attractions in the city include the Belfry of Tournai, the Folklore Museum, the Musee d’Histoire Naturelle et Vivarium, and Notre Dame Cathedral. There are several good places to stay in Tournai, including Hotel Cathedral, D’Alcantara, and Floreal le Panoramique.

Written by Bernard de Laguiche

Exciting sporting events happening in Belgium this year

In Belgium, you will find most sporting events taking place in the Walloon part of the country. You will also find many of these events in the Flemish region, the largest part of Belgium. Some exciting sporting events are coming up this summer, which you can watch live on TV or online. Your friends may already be planning their holidays, but you can also plan your trip to Belgium and take part in these events. If you want to experience the excitement, grab a copy of our handy guide, which contains all of the upcoming sporting events in Belgium this year. Here are some of the exciting sporting events happening in Belgium this year

Wimbledon Tennis – 28th June-12th July

The Wimbledon Tennis Championships is one of the most exciting sporting events that take place in the UK. This year, it will occur at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in London. The Lawn Tennis Association organizes the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, and they have been taking place on this site since 1877. As you can imagine, this event attracts a large number of visitors from all over the world. This year, you will not just be able to watch the Wimbledon Tennis Championships on TV, but you can also live stream it online. In fact, this event has been broadcast live online many times before. You can enjoy the Wimbledon Tennis Championships with services such as NBC Sports, Sky Sports, and ESPN News. The NBC Sports channel is a part of NBC Sports, which is a sports network that NBCUniversal owns. It broadcasts live sporting events throughout the world.

European Championship Football – 10th June-10th July

This is another exciting sporting event which will take place in France. The Euro 2016 is the official football competition that features countries from Europe. This exciting event takes place every four years, and this time it will take place in France. There are 24 teams playing in the European Championship Football, and each of them will want to win. Various matches occur throughout the week, and you can watch them live on your TV or online. For example, ESPN will broadcast live coverage of the European Championship football. You can watch this event on your mobile phone through the ESPN app.

Fed Cup Tennis – July 2016

This is a tennis tournament that the International Tennis Federation organizes. It takes place in the second week of July every year. You will find this exciting sporting event in Belgium at Kinepolis in Leuven. This tournament features women’s teams from European countries, including Belgium. The Fed Cup Tennis finals are played between two countries such as Russia and the Czech Republic. Sometimes, there are also doubles finals that take place simultaneously with the singles final.

Belgian Grand Prix – 25th-27th August

The Belgian Grand Prix is an exciting motor race that takes place in the Flemish region of Belgium every year. It takes place at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. This race was first held in 1950 and has since become a prevalent motor race for spectators and drivers. The Belgian Grand Prix is part of the Formula One season and attracts various spectators from all over the world. More than 40,000 people are expected to attend this event.

Belgium Tennis Open -15th-21st September

The Belgium Tennis Open is an exciting professional tennis tournament that takes place in the Flemish region of Belgium every year. This event was established in 1926 and has since become one of the most popular tennis tournaments in the country. In fact, it is considered to be one of the most important tennis events on the international calendar. The Belgian Tennis Open takes place at the Flanders Expo, which is located in Ghent.

Conclusion

Belgium has excellent facilities for sports and a wide variety of exciting sporting events. You will find many of these events taking place in the Flemish region of Belgium. Our handy guide includes information about all the major sporting events happening in Belgium this year, including Wimbledon Tennis Championships and the Belgium Tennis Open. If you want to experience these exciting events, grab a copy of our guide, which contains everything you need to know.

Written by Bernard de Laguiche

The Most Scenic Places to Visit in Switzerland

Switzerland, located in central Europe, has some of nature’s most beautiful scenery, reliefs, and a pleasant climate. It tops it off with a mix of cultures, luxury watches, big banks and sweet chocolate delicacies. However, there is more to the country, which will get you planning your next vacation here.

Here is a list of the most scenic places in Switzerland that you should consider visiting.

Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva is a beautiful, crescent-shaped body of water that is overlooked by the apps and connects Switzerland to France. Switzerland is famed for its mountains and lakes. There are over 1500 lakes in the tiny land mass and each is beautiful in its own way.

However, Lake Geneva stands out for its location. It gives you a fascinating view of the Alps and provides a natural mirror, which reflects the peaks of the mountains. Its fresh water is unusually clear. A tour of the waters will give you a chance to view nice vineyards, mediaeval castles and tall spruces, all scattered across the slopes of the Alps. You can also sunbathe here.

Zurich

Zurich appears several times in the list of the world’s most liveable cities. It is located at the northern edge of the eponymous lake. The lake provides a mirror-like reflection of the large city, while the snow-covered Alps provide the backdrop. This city is very scenic and cool.

The city has tens of tourist attractions, interesting things to do, more than 50 museums, boutiques, art galleries and a vibrant nightlife that will keep you on your toes during your visit. In addition, if you love architecture, there are centuries-old buildings strewn across the city, featuring flowerpots and fresco paintings. Some of the most famous of them are St. Peter’s Cathedral with its large clocks and much of the Old Town.

Swiss National Park

Swiss National Park is well-known for its breathtaking Alpine scenery. It is even part of the worldwide UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This is the only national park in the country, located in eastern Switzerland at the foot of the Western Rhaetia Alps. The green reserve boasts over 80 kilometres of winding trails, amazing scenery and wildlife that will mesmerise you.

Wegen

Visit the scenic Swiss Alpine village that is famous for its belle époque hotels and timber chalets. It is located in the Bernese Oberland region, which is known for the stunning greenery and fairytale-like perfection with which traditional timber chalets cling to the valleys.

This village has moved into a car-free area where you get to enjoy a traditional feel with an upscale collection of the famous belle époque hotels. During winter, this town attracts skiers thanks to its amazing skiing inclines and several fun activities.

Chateau de Chillon

Get romantic at Switzerland’s most beautiful castle, right on the shores of Lake Geneva. Lake Geneva is beautiful in its own right, but if you want to crank up your imagination, visit the castle right on the banks of the water body. It is located on a rock island and provides breathtaking views all around.

The castle has been around for over a thousand years and it is remarkably well-preserved. In fact, it has inspired such writers as Lord Byrod and Jeans-Jacques Rosseau.

Bern

If you love the mediaeval feel, view and architecture, visit Bern, a historical city that has already earned UNESCO recognition. While most Swiss cities are lovely, Bern stands out because it has preserved its mediaeval architecture. It is the capital of Switzerland, but the smallest one in Europe.

Walk through the streets like a knight heading back from a war or a lady heading to the marketplace. It is relaxed, compact and less fast-paced than the rest of the cities. Some of the scenes you can expect in the city include covered arcades, cobbled streets, whimsical fountains, fantastic urban swimming, world-class galleries, and traditional architecture that is augmented by rolling hills and the outstanding glacial Aare River.

These are just some of the most outstanding, scenic places that you can visit in Switzerland. The country has dozens more that will leave you stunned. As many locals say, get enough time to explore as many areas as possible or plan various visits to different parts of the country for a fantastic experience.

Written by Bernard de Laguiche