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Private Transport Guide
Driving in Brussels can sometimes be a harrowing experience – wet, cobble-stoned roads, dodging cars, trams, buses and pedestrians while trying to negotiate the streets as dictated by the GPS can make for an interesting experience. Some intersections in the city are exceptionally difficult and a deep knowledge of who has the right of way is essential. Generally speaking, traffic coming from the right has the priority, even on some seemingly bigger streets, it may be necessary to stop and give way to traffic coming from a smaller side street. Often times, this creates some confusion for expats who are used to the major streets always having the right of way. Add to that some roundabouts giving right of way to traffic already on the roundabout, while others give preference to traffic entering the roundabout, it can be simply baffling. Learn and follow the signs.
Public transportation may be a better and quicker alternative when travelling in the city centre as you will avoid traffic and parking issues, which can be expensive. In addition, petrol and diesel are quite expensive, making the metro a viable alternative. Sometimes it is necessary to drive, of course, and for most people it is not necessary to have a driver. However, if a driver or car service is required there are options available.
- Business and Driver Services – Contact +32 (2) 424 1944 http://www.business-drivers.com/en.html
- Brussels Chauffeur Services – Can be booked by phone +44 20 8144 4670, Skype (eurochauffeurs) or online http://www.eurochauffeurs.com/chauffeurservice/brussels.htm
- Onelimo, Brussels – can be booked online at http://www.onelimo.com/Brussels_Limousines_Limos_Car_service.htm
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| 01 | Learn French or Dutch, especially if you are coming long-term. If you have children this is even more important and will assist them to integrate. |
| 02 | Learn the Belgian rules of the road as they are a little different to other places and can be complicated. |
| 03 | Join expat groups by all means but remember that Belgians do exist too, and many expats make the mistake of never getting to know them properly. |
| 04 | Make the most of summer. Winters are wet, cold and gloomy and involve largely indoor activities. |
| 05 | Bring as many personal documents as possible (birth, driving, examination certificates), they will help in many different bureaucratic situations. |
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner el_class=”sidebar-section-two”][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Useful links” font_container=”tag:h4|font_size:24|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”useful-links”][vc_separator color=”#ffffff” type=”full_width” thickness=”1″ up=”” down=””][vc_column_text el_class=”useful-links”]
- http://www.ackroyd.be
English-language magazines aimed at the expatriate community including The Bulletin, The Newcomer and The Expatriate Directory. - http://www.brusselslife.be
Information website in both English and French. - http://www.resto.be
A useful search engine to find a table among 16203 restaurants listed.
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| On an average day, the air pollution levels in Beijing are nearly five times above World Health Organization standards for safety. |
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