Benelux is an alliance of three of the word "abbreviation" Benelux said their names : Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg.Movement from one country to another without notice even hint at the border.At first glance, they are very similar, but if you look, each individual differently.

HOLLAND.Even those who have never been to Holland, the name of the country is hardly indifferent.Someone will remember on bicycles and windmills, some of the cheese and tulips, one of the masterpieces of Rembrandt and Van-Deyka.In any case, each one of us already have a picture of Holland.But of course, for most of Holland is first and foremost a wonderful Amsterdam, a city whose water weather has been for the Dutch-seafaring nation - a way of life.600 channels and 1,200 bridges.Channels for amsterdamtsev and is the fastest way to the city, and even ...residence.Sometimes you can see these people travelling through an absolutely unbelievable "boats" made of old drums and tyres.At any time of day on the streets of the Dutch capital, you could not help feeling a remarkable freedom and continued the celebration - especially on the square Leydsepleyn or central pedestrian street Kalverstraat and Leydensstraat with amusing street musicians and circuses, flower markets and endless open all night celebrations beer bars, here called "brown cafes" (which is really for fans razdole "Haynekkena!) .This holiday is particularly apparent in the April 30 Birthday Queen.And of course, at any time on the streets of Amsterdam pedestrian found numerous artists, has long been comfortable this wonderful city.No coincidence here lived genius Rembrandt.But of course, Amsterdam is not all Holland.There are royal Hague-town squares, palaces and ocean dunes, romantic Utrecht-Dutch Venice ", an ancient Delft, sqm city of Rotterdam and many other large and small historic towns, raskinuvshihsya among the vast green hills and fabulously beautiful tyulpanovyh fields ...

BELGIUM.Belgium away, fall in love with it both easy and difficult.Easy because it focuses countless artistic treasures : Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, Brussels.Whom do not sold painstakingly issued Leaves Bregelya familiar to all on the cover of calendars and the thousands of postcards?Although Belgium has a long history of the country is not big breygelevskih peasants, picturesque Belgian towns with splendid hall and the old area, surrounded by houses with fanciful facades still adorable.You certainly, will make the trip many features lifestyle and vallonov Flanders; Byuschaya their key vitality, livelihood birthright, the sense of humour.Less clear to us the other side of Belgium, which have prominently in fruitless debate on the language and fierce fanaticism, reports of which appear from time to time on the pages of newspapers.A lifestyle Belgians strange complement surprising explosiveness and stubbornness, causing surprise and irritation.

LUXEMBOURG.Luxembourg is a new country.Although the term "Grand Duchy" suggests the Middle Ages, the current Luxembourg-simply germanogovoryaschaya of Ardenne, a splinter from the old Netherlands 1839 Visit Lksemburg is to look at the small and well cared for a country where tourism is a sector of the economy.The capital is the same name-Luxembourg.The city is the embodiment of national spirit.In addition, the international monetary-financial centre.The International Council of Europe is located.Pogulyayte centered Luxembourg, walk on the boulevard Royal, Kubeseles in a cozy cafe, which always welcome visitors.Center capital separated from the western suburbs zone parks.For three quarters, and the town is surrounded by steep valleys deep (canyons) Petruss rivers and Alzetta.

Territory

Benelux is an alliance of three of the word "abbreviation" Benelux said their names : Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg.Netherlands, or, informally, Holland-gosudartvo in Western Europe, on the coast of the North Sea.The name ( "Low Land") contains the main characteristic of its terrain.About half of the territory (mostly in the western part) is below sea level.Belgium is a small country, which recalls the form of a triangle, extending 300 kilometres from east to west and 100 km from north to south (area - 30.5 sq. km, a quarter of Moscow region).All countries can cross diagonally two or three hours on the highway.Luxembourg is between Belgium, Germany and France.Ardennskie mountain pine forests stretch through the northern provinces, and the Moselle River Zauer and form its eastern border.South Luxembourg is a land of green pasture land and cows.

Climate

In the Netherlands and Belgium moderate-Marine, a pleasant summer and mild winter.Guests of this country should be aware of the possibility of falling short of rainfall and not to forget to bring the umbrella and dsg.Sometimes Grace winter you can dry cold and the sun, but the weather is always alternate with hazy and rainy periods.Sunny summer is not guaranteed, but can be hot.Luxembourg has been moderate, the transition from sea to the mainland, it is very soft and smooth.Best time to visit the country from May to October.

Time

Behind from Moscow at 2:00.

Money

Euro (EURO), 1 EURO = 100 EURO cent (at Coors on July 17, 2002 : 1 EUR = 0.9940 USD).The circulation banknotes denominated in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, and coins denominated in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.The most profitable exchange in banks.In Amsterdam, most credit cards are accepted for payment in shops, hotels, restaurants and banks, but in small cafes and discotheques better pay in cash.

Mail and phone

Answering a hotel is more expensive than in urban phones.Call of phones produced by special magnetic cards costs EUR 5, 10, 20, which may be purchased at any newsagent at railway stations, and using coins and credit cards.

Belgium : Police : 101
Belgium : ambulance : 100
Holland : single service Rescue : 112
Luxembourg : single service Rescue : 012

Shopping, gifts, souvenirs

Holland-merchants country since time immemorial.In Amsterdam stores can be found products from around the world for every taste and purse.The distinctive colour and atmosphere of Amsterdam you can feel at numerous "bloshinyh" market town, and if you are lucky, you become a rare thing, the ancient musical instrument, a poster or a music box.The most popular purchase in Belgium : Belgian fruit beer, chocolate, lace, tapestries.In the Benelux countries shops are open Monday to Friday from 9 to 18 hours, and on Saturdays until 17.Foodstuffs work the same hours, but every day, and small shops open late.

Kitchen

Traditional Dutch food is full of fish dishes, including fresh herring, cored and purified by that way.National drink Juniper-Dutch vodka, which was water standing in small establishments in the village school.Belgian food is similar to the French, based on gifts Sea.Each region in Belgium has its own special dish.Butter, cream, beer and wine generously used in the kitchen.The restaurant menu always included alcohol unless they are sold separately at the bar.Local beers are good.Two of the most popular-Lambic, a wheat and barley, and Trappist.Under the new law, most cafes are now able to sell alcohol.Beer and wine sold without restriction.Luxembourg : Krovyanye and meat sausage, cabbage and potato puree.Smoked pork with beans.Iwo ham (consumed in the cold, and the fried form).Milk pig in jellies."Double-served" through lyuksemburgski.Appear from calfskin liver with a sour sauce cabbage and potatoes.Cheese, produced only in Luxembourg.Luxembourg biscuits, cakes, sweets and chocolate.From April to September, the trout and crab po-lyuksemburgski.Pike from the river Moselle, Sur and other fine fried river fish.During hunting season-Palissandre hottest po-lyuksemburgski.In September, the Luxembourg Museum pies small plums, and during the carnival sometimes special biscuits called "Les pensees brouillees (" vague thought ").Luxembourg has made several varieties of premium beer, and relish Falesco wines (including bubbly pre Technology champagne, the top-vormeldang, Crehen, kemih, processing, ennem, maetum), several varieties of liquor (Ketsch, Kirsch, plum, apple, strawberry, black), black wine from Beaufort Castle, fruit juices and mineral water.

Transportation

Single rail transportation system Tourrail "pass" is valid for all countries of the Benelux.Fare is about 1 euro for a short trip, about 4 euros for a one-day passport, valid for travel by bus and rail.The machine can be used to rent, but the service is very expensive.The ideal vehicle for Benelux is a bicycle.Bicycles are in each city.Popular traveling roads.

Tipping

Tipping in most establishments accounted for 10%, in a taxi in a large amount rounded side.

Visa

Necessary documents for the visa, passport, 1 photo, personal data, help with verification of income (for letterhead, indicating the position and salary), a reference to the removal of the currency at the rate of not less than 70 dollars per person.

Customs regulations

Holland : banned the import and export of drugs.In the Benelux countries in the free-trade zone could not buy more than one unit of cigarettes, two liters of wine, one litre of spirits, ghosts and Nestle 25 g toilet water.Tobacco and alcohol may be brought by persons less than 18 years of age Luxembourg : allow duty-free import of amateur cameras with a reasonable number of films, sports accessories (1 pair of skis, two tennis rackets, one set of fishing equipment), as well as radios, binoculars, portable tape recorders with a reasonable number of magnetic tapes (cassettes) portable televisions, one of each type.In addition, a European country is not a member of the EU can enter duty-free cigarettes, and 200 pc.(or cigarillo-100 pc. or 50 cigars - pc. , or 250 grams of tobacco.) , coffee beans, 0.5 kg. , spirits to 1 million. , dinner wine or liquor to 2 litres. , a senior wine-to 2 litres. , perfumes to 50 grams. , toilet water is 0.25 litres.and other goods valued up to 2000 francs LUXEMBOURG, as well as products and manufactured goods, if they are not intended for commercial purposes.Forbidden drug importation.Barred removal without special permission of antiquities, weapons and items are a national treasure.Belgium : prohibits the importation of drugs and canned meat.It is not possible to export food products to more than two thousand Belgian francs.Free to bring : 200 cigarettes 2 litres of liquor, 250 grams of perfume, 500 grams of coffee, 100 grams of tea, canned food, consumer photo, radio and video equipment.Inflows of foreign and domestic currency is not limited.

The embassy of Russia

Belgium : Russia embassy in Brussels : (2) 3743400
Belgium : Russia consulate in Brussels : (2) 3743569
Belgium : Consulate in Russia Anverpene : (3) 8291611
Holland : Russia embassy in The Hague : (70) 3451300
Holland : Russia consulate in The Hague : (70) 3467940

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