World

Why Belgium is the Perfect European Country for Your Next Vacation

Published

2 years ago

March 25, 2022

With spring days here and travel restrictions easing, it’s time to start looking forward to vacations. Many European countries are welcoming travelers again.Two major travel trends to have emerged in the last few years are solo travel and sustainable travel – both trends set to continue beyond 2022. Most solo travelers are women so while there’a a wonderful world out there to explore, traveling safely should always be prioritized. It’s worth checking out the best cities for women to solo travel.

Lockdown has given us time to be more environmentally aware. Although we’ve learned to appreciate what our local areas have to offer, many of us are now hoping to travel further afield in a way that’s as kind as possible to the environment.

What is the best way of traveling sustainably in 2022?

The top tip for sustainable travel is traveling slowly. Traveling by road, rail and public transport are best for getting to your destination. While time constraints mean this is sometimes impractical, there are ways of traveling sustainably once you arrive. If you must fly, limit your air travel. Rather than taking a few trips, take one air trip per year and stay longer in your destination. Slow down and explore one country or region well. Europe has so many small countries neighboring each other and such great public transport links that it’s an ideal place to explore on vacation. This article considers why Belgium is an unmissable country for a wonderful trip.

Location

Belgium is surrounded by France, Luxembourg, Germany, the Netherlands and the North sea. It’s small and easily explored using public transport or by bicycle. Belgium offers countless historic castles, cathedrals, museums and medieval villages as well as bustling cosmopolitan towns and cities. It also boasts a delightful green region. This section looks at its highlights.

Cities

Bruges.

A picture perfect medieval city built on a network of canals with pretty cobbled streets and historical buildings. It’s a fairytale town and can be easily explored on foot, by boat, bicycle or horse drawn carriage. There are charming cafés and chocolate shops everywhere.

Ghent

A larger university town full of cathedrals and historical buildings. Gravasteen Castle with its moat is unmissable. The profusion of galleries and museums make Ghent a haven for art lovers.

Antwerp

The vibrant fashion capital, hosts museums, galleries, architecture and darling cafés. It’s a great place for shopping and chilling. Het Steen Castle, a medieval castle which protected the city from viking raids, is impressive.

Brussels

Multicultural, multilingual and cosmopolitan, art galleries and historic sites abound. The Grand Place is probably one of the most famous squares in Belgium. Brussels is a bigger city and merits a couple of days to visit properly. Tin Tin comics tour in the Hergé museum is a fun activity.

Durbuy

By contrast, Durbuy, just 2 hours from Brussels, is known as the smallest city in the world! It’s idyllic with cobbled streets and flower boxes everywhere. The river Ourthe passes through Durbuy. Visit the Topiary Park and quench your thirst at the Marckloff brewery. Adventure valley park nearby, is a great spot for outdoor activities

Dinant

Hometown of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone, Dinant is a treat. Follow the saxophone trail and take a cable car trip up to the citadel. The views of the River Meuse are spectacular.

The Ardennes

If you want to get out of the cities and towns, travel south to the beautiful verdant Ardennes. With its forests, rivers and trails, it’s a haven for cyclists and hikers.

Cool off at the coast

Belgium is blessed with beautiful sandy beaches and coastal towns. Ostend, made famous by Marvin Gaye who lived there, has lots to do. Nearby De Haan is another seaside town worth a visit.

Historical sites not to miss:

Waterloo. Final battleground of the Napoleonic wars.

Menin Gate in Ypres. A memorial to soldiers lost in WW1

Langemark Cemetery. Burial site of thousands of German soldiers killed in the war.

Belgium has it all not to mention its delicious culinary delights. If you get bored, which is unlikely, you can simply nip across the border and choose another wonderful country to explore.

World

A Step-by-Step Guide to Hiring the Right Personal Injury Lawyer

Published

3 months ago

April 19, 2024

Michelle Langton

Are you dealing with injuries, loss of income, and hefty medical bills because of an accident that was not your fault? If yes, you need the services of an excellent personal injury lawyer. But how do you determine if a lawyer is a perfect match for your personal injury case when you have so many options? This step-by-step guide aims to teach you the critical steps to hiring the best personal injury lawyer in your state.

1. Know Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney

Typically, you must hire the right personal injury lawyer if you are pursuing a lawsuit for personal injury. As defined on Forbes, a personal injury lawsuit is a civil action that an injured person takes against a person or company responsible for an accident that resulted in injuries.

For instance, you get into a car crash or slip and fall incident in the workplace because of someone else’s fault. You can sue the party responsible for injuries, lost wages, medical bills, and mental anguish.

But there are instances you may not need a personal injury attorney despite being in an accident. For example, a minor fender bender where no one sustained injuries or had their property damaged is easy to resolve without involving lawyers. So, after an accident, evaluate the damages incurred. If they are severe, search for a personal injury attorney.

2. Do Extensive Research

Where do I begin my search? Referrals are valuable because you can ask specific questions regarding the lawyer’s communication style, availability, litigation experience, and fee structure. So, ask family and friends to recommend someone they have worked with. Search for attorneys in your area online if you need referrals. You can type a simple search query like ‘personal injury attorney near me’ on Google. Alternatively, look for a lawyer through online directories.

3. Schedule Free Consultations

You want to know what a personal injury lawyer will do for you. Therefore, schedule a free consultation meeting and ask questions like:

What will you prioritize in my case?

The right attorney will focus on getting justice and fair compensation to ensure your stress-free recovery. Communication should also be a top priority. The lawyer should communicate with you using simple terms to help you understand your legal rights. More importantly, they should update you about the case progress on time.

Do you have experience handling cases like mine?

As lawyers at Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo law firm mention, experienced personal injury attorneys will guide you through the legal process. Even more interesting, they will handle negotiations on your behalf to safeguard your rights. So, make sure your lawyer has experience in personal injury law.

It would be better if they had specialized experience handling cases like yours. For example, if you are pursuing a truck accident lawsuit, you will want a personal injury lawyer with expertise in dealing with trucking accident claims.

What is the value of my personal injury claim?

After evaluating your case, a skilled attorney should tell you the worth of your personal injury claim. What you should be cautious of are unrealistic estimates and guarantees. There are no assurances in personal injury claims. If a lawyer promises a higher settlement that sounds too good to be true, do not fall for it because they are lying.

How much are your legal fees?

Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee arrangement. Based on Cornell Law School, a contingent fee structure allows lawyers to receive a certain percentage of the total settlement value a client wins. As a result, you do not pay your legal representative any upfront fee.

4. Check Testimonials

Aside from experience, work with a trustworthy and reputable attorney. You can quickly determine a lawyer has an outstanding reputation by reading testimonials from past clients.

Find out if the clients feel happy about the outcomes of their case. How about the style of communication? Does the lawyer explain legal terms in simple language?

A reputable lawyer will receive positive feedback from clients and respect from peers. Also, check with your local bar association to ensure your preferred lawyer doesn’t have disciplinary actions against them.

5. Select Your Lawyer

At this point, comfort matters a lot. Do not choose a lawyer you feel uncomfortable discussing your legal issues with. Also, ensure they have the experience and resources to win your personal injury claim. Equally important, they should have an excellent reputation.

Conclusion

When you are a victim of an accident that someone else caused out of negligence, you need to seek justice and compensation for your injuries. There is only one way to achieve these goals. You must work with the best lawyer to pursue a personal injury claim. True, choosing the right one can be challenging. But you can make an informed decision if you follow this step-by-step guide to hiring the right personal injury lawyer.