1 January: New Year's Day
March/April: Easter
1 May: Labour Day
May/June: Whit Sunday
11 July: Flemish community's holiday
21 July: National holiday
15 August: Assumption of the Holy Virgin
27 September: French community's holiday
1 November: All Saints' Day
11 November: Armistice Day
25 December: Christmas
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Belgian etiquette varies from Dutch etiquette in a number of ways, so don't treat Belgians as if they were Dutch. Belgian etiquette is more like that of France and Italy. Both the Flemish and the Walloons prefer to be addressed in the polite form and using tu or toi when addressing others is generally considered impolite. It's not allowed to smoke in public buildings and although service is included in the bill at cafes and restaurants, it's customary to leave a small tip. [Read more]

Belgium has the same universal emergency telephone number for ambulance, fire and police assistance as other EU countries: 112. If you dial this number, you'll be connected to the emergency service you need, whether that be the police, fire or ambulance. The operator who takes your call speaks Dutch, French and English. Various police stations are located throughout Bruges. If you want to report a complaint, it's best to go to the big police station at the Hauwertstraat. [Read more]