Future EU Spokes-diva, Haydn visits the European Commission Press Room July, 2008 Monday, August 30, 2010

Last summer, 2008, my then 12 yr old Belgo-Canadian daughter would often come to work with me over the summer holidays (was working for the press office of the EC External Relations Commissioner). One day I decided to take my digital camera along with me...a diva "spokes-girl" is born.... :-/



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EDfk2c66b4&hl=en

Abroad Mobile Orange Phone Using - Communication Unbound

Established in April 1994 in the UK, Orange was the fourth entrant into a crowded UK mobile phone market, beleaguered with high-tech jargon and complicated pricing. Products were inflexible and confusing. But Orange had radically changed the people's attitude by making mobile communications an intuitive part of everyday life- for everyone. Gradually it has become a leading network provider by offering the lowest churn rate, better margins than its competitors and top listed for customer satisfaction. Not only in the UK, Orange has tried to make global presence by capturing Switzerland, Belgium, Hong Kong, Australia, Israel and India.

The services of Orange are estimated as the best as it maintains the world's largest flawless voice and data network and keeps over 88 million mobile customers in touch. Whatever privileges people are getting back in the UK; Orange has provided the similar treatment to the users who are residing abroad. The users of abroad can access all the major model of Orange Mobile Phone such as Orange SPV 560 Music, Orange SPV C600, Orange SPV M3100, Orange SPV M5000, Orange SPV M600 and so on. Moreover, the abroad users can access various deals of Orange Mobile Phone to make communication spontaneous and easily accessible part of life. The deals of Orange Mobile Phone help the abroad users to get rid of hefty phone bills by offering free roaming facility; free upgrade of mobile phone; free mobile phone insurance; free mobile phone accessories; free text and multimedia messages; subsidized in downloading charges; subsidized in peak hour call charges; free midnight call charges; and increase in daytime call minutes. Hurrah! It's a great offering for the users Of Orange Mobile Phone using abroad.

The users can access the Abroad Mobile Orange Phone Using from online mobile phone shops and retailing sites in the UK. The abroad users can access Orange mobile phones at fewer prices and enjoy the services of Orange comfortably.

Richard Meyers is associated with Orange Mobile Phone Shop. He holds a master's degree in electronics and communication from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. To know more about Orange, Orange mobile phone, T mobile deals, Orange mobiles phone deal, Nokia 6600 Slide contract, Latest orange mobile phone UK please visit http://www.mobilephonedealsfreegifts.co.uk

Popular Places For Medical Tourism Friday, August 27, 2010

Medical tourists from different countries travel for health care purposes to those countries having quality healthcare services at reasonable prices. So they spend extra money on travel, health care and accommodations on the places of treatment. Medical tourism is an old concept because thousands of years ago people traveled for medical purposes or for spiritual treatments to different countries. Many factors are considered while choosing a destination place for medical tourism such as high healthcare services and costs, waiting for certain procedures, availability and affordability of international travel, quality and latest technology used in the treatment.

Some of the most popular places include Europe, Japan, Middle East, UK, United States, Canada and Costa Rica. These places are popular due to the quality of their health care services, technology and competency of physicians. The hospitals of Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, Cuba and Turkey are popular for Cosmetic surgery treatments. Surgeons of South American countries like Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia and Argentine lead in plastic surgery due to their experience and knowledge. Plastic surgery is very common in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Colombia and US. Slovakia, Belgium and Poland are entering in the business of health care.

A large number of Americans are going abroad for health care although the facilities of health in US are also available. There are many intermediary companies which provide help in medical tourism. These companies offer global health care at reasonable costs. There are different commissions and societies which care for the quality and standards of the hospitals available for medical tourism. Countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, India and Costa Rica have many infectious diseases as compare to North America and Europe . So medical tourists need to stay for some time in the country which they choose for health care because travel soon after surgery can create many complexities. Tourists having breath and heart related problems avoid long flights and combine their vacation tours with medical tours.

North American Places

The quality of healthcare in Canada is not less than that of America but medical tourists can save 30 to 60 percent of their costs as compare to America. Medical tourists can save up to 80 on healthcare services in Costa Rica as compare to US. Costa Rica is popular for cosmetic procedure, dental, weight-loss and orthopedic surgeries. Knee replacement surgery is very cheap so patients travel to Costa Rica for medical tourism. Patients from all over the world travel to Cuba for the best quality of healthcare services and fine reputation of their doctors. Medical tourists of Europe and Latin America travel to this destination because of its situation and save up to 60 to 80 percent as compare to the charges in US. The hospitals of Cuba are best known for cancer treatment, cosmetic surgery, joint replacement, eye surgery and addictions rehabilitations. the government of Cuba has taken many steps to increase income from medical tourism and patients of US, Canada and UK visit Cuba for medical treatments. Dominican Republic is very popular destination for hip replacement, bariatric surgeries, plastic surgeries, knee replacement, eye surgeries and all other medical treatments. Medical tourists can save from 50 to 75 percent as compare to the costs in US. The plastic surgery and dentistry healthcare services of Mexico are appreciated by all the world. The costs of these treatments are one-fourth to one-fifth of American costs. The quality of health care services in Mexico is very high and medical tourists are satisfied.

Quality health services, location and dollar as the official currency are the reasons that Panama is famous for its medical services. The medical professionals of Panama are trained by US and use the latest technology to provide quality healthcare services. Medical tourists can save more than 50 percent of healthcare costs as compare to Europe and US. Dental implants, assisted reproduction, cosmetic dentistry, plastic surgery, cardiology, orthopedics and pulmonology are the popular procedures in medical treatments. Surgeons of Brazil have gained world wide fame in cosmetic surgery.

South American Places

Orthopedic surgeries , Cosmetic surgery, transplant surgery, eye surgery and cardiovascular are popular procedures in Colombia. Healthcare services in Colombia are cheap and foreigners can get human organs from Colombia. The doctors of Colombia are experienced and have worked in many countries of Europe and US.

Asian Places

China has gained popularity in stem cell treatments. The medical professionals of India are popular for hip resurfacing, heart surgery and areas of advanced medicine. The treatment costs in India are very low which is nearly one-tenth to the treatment costs of US. The healthcare service in Malaysia are also very popular and the doctors of Malaysia are trained in the hospitals of US and UK. New Zealand is a popular medical tourism destination for fertility treatments and non-acture surgical procedures. The doctors are trained in the hospitals of UK and US. The costs of healthcare services are very low as compared to US. Thailand is popular in organ transplant and cardiac surgery at lower prices.

Europe

Moreover British and Canadian medical tourists don't wait long and travel to Germany for medical treatments. Novel cancer and spine surgery are well treated in Germany at lower prices. Dentistry services in Ukraine are provided at lower costs. High class material and equipment is used in dental clinics and hospitals. There are many suitable places for medical tourism but a medical tourist chooses according to his own choice and affordability.

Radha Kishan is currently advertising for a Medical Tourism website and his own Medical Tourism By Radha Kishan

F1 Greatest Crashes in Spa, Belgium Wednesday, August 25, 2010

F1 greatest moments & crashes in the old Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, Belgium



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C26hDS4IyzM&hl=en

Hotel Approach Knokke Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Hotel Approach offers you 25 very comfortable rooms and suite's at only 50m from the beach of Knokke. Lots of entertaining possiblities in the area like the Casino, the swimming pool, miniature-golf, horseback riding, bowling and of course the beautiful nature park "'The Zwin", which is a bird sanctuary. The hotel is looking forward to welcome you to the heart of the Zoute and will try everything to make your stay as pleasant as possible.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmE_1fUFUSo&hl=en

Nantwich, Cheshire is a Lovely Small Town Offering Much History and Culture Monday, August 23, 2010

Nantwich, Cheshire is a market town on the banks of the Weaver river.

Although this town was nearly completely burned to the ground in the late fifteenth century, there are many beautiful and historic buildings to be seen.

"Dorfold hall" is a lovely "Jacobean" manor house which was built in sixteen, sixteen by Ralph Wilbraham. This beautiful old home has lovely furnishings, and many interesting decorations. Eighteen acres of gardens add to the beautiful color during the warmer seasons. This home has quite an interesting history, which you can hear about during one of the many guided tours.

"St Mary's church" was built in the fourteenth century. This is one of the few buildings which survived the twenty days of burning in the late fifteen hundreds. This church boasts a spectacular ornate alter, thirteenth century stained glass windows, mosaic floor tiles and much more. It is truly a sight to be seen, and is considered one of the finest Medieval churches in all of England. It was at one time actually used as a prison for the royals during the civil war.

Nantwich museum is a dedication to the town's history. It is right in the center of town and in walking distance of just about everything. Here you will find exhibits on the "Great fire", the Roman salt industry, and the history of the town's cheese making, as well as much more. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome. There are also guided tours available.

The international cheese show is a huge event here and is the largest cheese show in the world. You may observe, taste and purchase some of the world's finest cheeses here.

The town's center is small, with everything just about a short walk away. Here you will find many small shops and a market two days a week. With all of this and more Nantwich - Cheshire is definitely a place that you will be happy to have visited.

To find a hotel in Nantwich just click here.

Antwerpen Belgium 2010 vuela vuela

our holiday in Antwerpen 2010 con la cancion de Magneto Vuela vuela



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N5xGi-5_EA&hl=en

Airline Deals For 2010 Sunday, August 22, 2010

The decade is finally here, and even though the beginning of 2010 means the end of the 2009 holiday season, it doesn't mean that you can't start planning for your next vacation. To help kick start air travel in this New Year, several airlines are offering some great deals on domestic and even international flights for the first half of 2010. Here are a few of the airline bargains you can expect.

JetBlue

JetBlue is definitely leading the pack in terms of airline deals, offering one-way fares as low as $39 to cross-country and Caribbean destinations. You can find flights from New York to any major city in California for $99 or less. Trips from the U.S. to the Caribbean can be booked for less than a $100, depending on where you fly form. Deals are good for flights through March 24.

AirTran

Not be be left behind JetBlue, AirTran has also announced its own New Year deals. The prices pretty much match JetBlue's prices. Coast to coast flights are in the $90 - $100 range. A one-way flight from New York to Cancun can be as low as $92. However, unlike JetBlue, AirTran's specials apply to flights through May 26.

Virgin America

Virgin America is starting off their New Year with some great domestic travel deals! Sadly, only if you're flying from the West Coast can you take advantage of them. One-way flights to and from major cities in the West Coast start at $39, and you can fly to the East Coast for as low as $99.

European Airlines

If you're planning a European vacation in 2010, you'll probably still have to hunt for cheap airplane tickets across the Atlantic, and chances are the price won't be any lower than it usually is. However, once you're there, flying your way around Europe might be cheaper and more convenient than taking the popular Eurail pass. All you have to do is book the flights through Europe's budget airlines. Now there are a few European budget airlines that fly from the U.S. or Canada. These include Aer Lingus (Ireland) and Eurofly (Italy). Airlines that can help you get around Europe for cheap once you're there include Air Berlin (Germany), Blu-express (Italy), easyJet (England), Jetairfly (Belgium), and transavia.com (France, Netherlands).

For more information on where you can get LAX parking deals, please visit http://www.airportparkingconnection.com.

A Guide to the Nightlife of Brussels, Belgium Friday, August 20, 2010

Brussels is a very important city in Belgium and enjoys an exciting nightlife as a result. This city is not called "the city that never sleeps" for nothing. With over 80 bars and an equally impressive number of nightclubs, chances are that no matter where you find yourself in this European wonderland you are going to find somewhere to party and have a good time. The nightlife in Brussels allows visitors to take their pick of entertainment options, whether it is an exotic nightclub, a beer pub, a casino or live music in an underground club. Just remember, as a rule, most establishments operate from 8pm until 8am the following morning.

If dancing to the latest hot tunes is your passion, you'll be happy to know that Brussels offers nearly 100 dance clubs. Well-known international DJs are at the top of the list in any guide to the nightlife of Brussels, Belgium. Popular clubs include the Club Bazaar, Le Fuse, Les Jeux d'Hiver, Bois de la Cambre just to name a few.

Belgium offers visitors a savoury selection of beers, in particular the Gueuze and Kriek fruit-flavoured brands. A few of the most popular beer halls include La Bécasse which can be located at the Rue de Tabora 11, A La Mort Subite at the Rue Montagne aux Herbes Potagères, and La Rose Blanche near the Grande-Place.

Belgium is especially renowned for its many underground clubs which feature live music and jazz in particular. In fact, jazz clubs are an integral part of the nightlife of Brussels, Belgium. You'll find jazz being played on most weekends at L'Archiduc on the Rue Antoine Dansaert 6. The Sounds Jazz Club located at the Rue de la Tulipe 28 is a great out-of-the-way locale. And last but not least, jazz can be experienced at Beursschouwburg, on the Rue Orts. If you are looking for live music, you are bound to see some of the biggest names in the Indy rock scene at the Forest National and the Botanique.

Finally, if you happen to be looking for a younger, trendy, rather urban professional crowd, you just have to make your way downtown towards the Place St. Géry. However, do make sure that you know what the dress code is in advance. Typically, sneakers are not permitted and neither are blue jeans in some establishments. But do not let that stop you from having a good time!

Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Brussels holiday rentals and Belgium vacation rentals.

Where to Buy English Books in Brussels, Belgium

It's not hard to find English reading material in Brussels. In fact, most of the French and Dutch bookstores carry a range of English best-sellers. But where do you go if you are looking for something besides the latest Dan Brown thriller?

If you enjoy reading as much as I do, purchasing English books in Brussels can get expensive. Here are a few places to find good deals on books as well as more variety than the English corner of the major book stores.

Waterstone's

The obvious choice for English books in Brussels is Waterstone's. This UK chain has a fairly large store in Brussels and, along with the usual best-sellers, they have a decent selection of magazines, cookbooks, reference and children's books. Waterstone's isn't cheap but they often have 'buy 2 get one free' deals and discounts on best-sellers.

Waterstone's

Boulevard Adolphe Maxlaan 71-75

B-1000 Brussels

Belgium

Sterling Books

Not far from Waterstone's, you can find Sterling Books. Sterling is a bit more expensive and doesn't have as large a selection as Waterstone's, but they do have some more unique choices. Their travel literature section is particularly good. As the largest English independent bookseller in Brussels, you can sleep easier knowing you aren't lining the pockets of yet another chain store.

Sterling Books

38, Rue Fossé aux Loups

1000 Brussels

Belgium

Stonemanor

If you have a car, or a lot of patience to ride the De Lijn bus, you can head out to Everberg and visit Stonemanor. Besides having all of the British food delicacies you may be craving, Stonemanor has a small selection of English books. While there aren't as many books to choose from as at the actual bookstores, there are often decent discounts on older books, as they change their stock frequently. Even better is their selection of English magazines. The cooking section alone is worth the trip.

Twice a year (spring and fall), Stonemanor hosts one of the best book events in Belgium - the charity book sale. During this sale, second-hand books are donated and sold for a euro an inch! That's right - you stack your books beside a ruler and pay by the inch. There is always a huge selection of paperbacks from the best-seller list as well as children's books and DVDs.

Stonemanor

Steenhofstraat 28

3078 Everberg

Belgium

Cook and Book

Cook and Book, as the name suggests, is both a book shop and a restaurant. The English section in Cook and Book is small and quite expensive but it is a comfortable place to browse. You can also find great English art and travel books if you are prepared to dive into the predominately French areas of the store. Even if you only browse, or stop for a bite to eat, Cook and Book is definitely worth a visit.

Cook and Book

Ave Paul Hymans 251

1200 Brussels

Belgium

Filigranes

Filigranes is a predominantly French book store but there are a few reasons why it appeals to English readers. First, it has a coffee and snack bar - something that is seriously lacking in the Belgian book store scene. There is a decent selection of English paperbacks in the basement and a few English magazines can be found if you poke through the magazine section. The art and travel sections are definitely worth browsing. True, most of the books are in French but you can spot a few English gems as well.

Filigranes

Avenue des Arts 39

1000 Brussels

Book Festival

Once a year in Brussels, (more frequently if you are willing to travel to other cities), you can greatly increase your English library by visiting the book festival. This is run by a Dutch company and visits major cities in Belgium and the Netherlands. There are many English books available for extremely low prices. If you are looking for last season's best-sellers, at up to 90% off, this is the place to go.

Other English Book Options

There are tons of second-hand bookstores in Brussels and most of the larger ones carry at least a limited selection of English books. If you are looking for bargains (and sometimes freebies), check out the expat forums in spring and fall when the annual expat migration is in full swing. Also, don't forget that Amazon UK delivers to Belgium, usually very quickly.

It may take a bit more searching to find that elusive English book at a reasonable price, but there are a lot worse places on the continent for an English book-lover to be located. Happy Reading!

Alison Cornford-Matheson is a writer and travel photographer based in Brussels, Belgium. When she's not looking for affordable English reading material, she is writing about expat life in Brussels Belgium and photographing Europe's best gardens.

Leonardo Hotel Brugge I Bruges Hotels I Hotel Brügge [Official Hotel Video & Website]

www.leonardo-hotels.com - Culture vultures, activity holidaymakers, conference guests, families with children - Leonardo Hotel Brugge offers modern comforts, a welcoming atmosphere and a premium location. Situated only a few minutes drive from the historic centre of Bruges and the North Sea, the hotel features beautiful gardens and a heated outdoor swimming pool with terrace. If you are looking to enjoy the delights of the World Heritage Site Bruges, conduct business meetings in peace, relax in the countryside or enjoy the fresh sea air, you have come to the right place.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AiUDgzN2h8&hl=en

International Freight in Belgium - Supporting the World Leader in Export

Belgium has what is known as an 'open economy' and has a long history of international trade and international freight going right back to the Middle Ages. Bruges and Antwerp were places where traders from right around the world came together. Bruges was the place where the 'stock market' originated and in the 16th Century, Antwerp became the centre of loans to countries worldwide. This long and illustrious history of international trade has spawned the establishment of a thriving freight services industry, made up of a dynamic network of shipping companies and freight forwarding businesses.

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, Belgian industrialists were key facilitators of opening up large and small countries worldwide. Because of the large proportion of international trade in GDP, and the large amount of foreign investment in Belgium, Belgium has been called the perfect example of an open economy. This has been consolidated by the large presence of international organisations in Belgium and the fact that their employees inject a large amount of money into the Belgian economy. Freight companies have been able to gear up and develop their businesses confident that the Belgian economy is robust and that the port infrastructure in Belgium is being developed and will continue to underpin the international freight market.

The average value of export and import of goods as a percentage of GDP is a staggering 83% which is the highest percentage out of all the countries in the European Union. Little wonder then that the freight transport sector in Belgium is so buoyant. What's more, Belgium also lays claim to the highest percentage of worldwide GDP accounted for by foreign direct investment.

Accounting for less than 0.2% of the world's population, Belgium nevertheless has a market share of 3.4% of exports and 3% of imports and is ranked tenth for international trade in goods. Belgium is in fact the world leader in terms of export per capita, so can truly lay claim to being a world leader in freight transport. Many a freight company and shipping company across the world has looked towards the freight services industry in order to learn from best practice.

Approximately 20% of Belgian exports involved in freight forwarding is made up of consumer goods. Intermediate goods make up 60%. These are mainly machines and equipment, which account for over 28% of exports and chemical and allied products account for almost 22% of international freight.

Belgium export international freight also include substantial numbers of cars as car assembly is an important sector in Belgium. Believe it or not, approximately 95% of the 900,000 cars assembled by Volvo, Opel, Volkswagen and Ford in Belgium are exported. Cars make up almost 15% of Belgian exports. Plastics make up around 3% whilst pharmaceutical products and organic chemical products make up around 5% each. Metals such as iron and steel and non ferrous metals make up over 4% and food stuffs make up almost 9%.

Other highlights within the freight transport market include the fact that Belgium is the world's largest exporter of diamonds and carpets and is the second largest exporter of plant fibres, chocolate and margarine. It is also the third largest world exporter of glass and the fourth largest in the export of eggs, non alcoholic drinks and cars.

Export to the other EU countries accounts for three quarters of all of Belgium's exports, so the freight transport channels and systems between these countries have been streamlined and maximised. European counties outside the EU account for a further 7%. Asia accounts for over 9% and the US about 5%. The high importance of trade with other European countries is brought into sharp focus by the fact that half of all the goods that are processed in the port of Antwerp come from or are going to other European countries.

At every level of the freight forwarding system, the freight services businesses, shipping companies and freight companies in Belgium are geared up to handle the high amount of freight transport created by Belgium's pre-eminent position in worldwide exports and imports.

Stephen Willis is Managing Director of RW Freight Services a UK based freight transport company, established in 1971 and operating specialist freight services to and from Belgium

Holidays in belgium

After a wild night of drinking a friend of mine makes his own afterparty @ the camping sites sanitaire block. We caught the shit on video after we were unable to find him, but we found 1 thing, his mess :P



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL9FonZ-uA0&hl=en