Let's Go Europe 2019. Harvard Student Agencies

ESSENTIALS

       MONEY

      Tipping: Tipping in Austria is common in interactions with most service workers. Generally, tip by simply rounding up to the next convenient number. Tipping about 5% is standard and a tip should not surpass 10%. It is common for a service charge to be included in the bill, so look on menus and bills to find out if the tip has already been included.

      Taxes: Many goods in Austria are subject to a value added tax (VAT) of 20%, included in the purchase price of goods. The VAT is a standard rate, though it fluctuates based on the goods purchased, so you should ask the retailer for exact rates. Non-EU visitors taking these goods home unused can apply for a VAT refund for goods exceeding €75 at one retailer. To apply for this refund, ask the store for a VAT refund form and carry your passport with you as retailers may ask to see it. Present the refund form and be prepared to show the unused goods you are exporting at the customs office at your point of departure from the EU. Refunds usually must be claimed within 90 days of the original purchase.

       SAFETY AND HEALTH

      Local Laws and Police: Police in Austria are reliable if you need assistance, but always have your passport with you when interacting with police officers, as they may ask to see it. Under Austrian law, you must either have your passport with you, or be able to produce it within one hour.

      Drugs, and Alcohol: The drinking age in Austria is 16 for beer and wine and 18 for distilled alcohols. Penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol tend to be stricter than in the United States. The legal blood alcohol limit for driving in Austria is 0.05%. Use or possession of illegal drugs in Austria can come with long prison sentences and harsh fines. Tobacco stores are the place for purchasing tobacco products in Austria and are marked with a sign depicting a cigarette. It is also common to purchase tobacco products in grocery stores and even occasionally restaurants. It is illegal to sell tobacco to persons under the age of 18.

      Prescription Drugs: Austrian medical centers will not accept American medical insurance, so you will have to pay out of pocket for services and then seek a reimbursement from your insurer independently. Carry any prescription medications in their original packaging.

      BELGIUM

      Belgium tends to fall victim to misunderstanding: “Don’t they all speak Dutch?” “Brussels is boring?” And, the dreaded “I thought (fill in the blank) was French.” But this multifaceted nation is worth understanding. With its northern Flemish and southern Walloon influences, there is some cultural and political tension, but its people are primarily, and proudly, Belgian. The charmingly small cities and natural beauty of the Ardennes provide stunning scenery, while Brussels serves as home to the most important institutions of Europe. As the seat of the European Union and NATO, the nation’s capital hosts tons of international professionals (who you can find looking to blow off steam after work). That said, its relaxed culture is so pronounced that the country was able to go 589 days in 2010 and 2011 without an elected government.

      As far as Belgian specialties, it’s not all chocolate, waffles, Belgian (not French) fries, and admittedly excellent beer. Moules-frites, jenever, carbonade flamande, and waterzooi provide more fodder for the imagination and the stomach. As far as art, the Dutch masters have nothing on the Flemish Primitives like Jan van Eyck and Bruegel, or surrealists like Magritte. Of course, we can’t forget Tintin, the intrepid detective, and his dog Snowy, as well as Asterix and Obelix. And as far as cities, Belgium is home to some undiscovered gems—which are hipper, cheaper, and less touristy alternatives to the typical Eurotrip itinerary.

BRUSSELS

      Coverage by Emily Corrigan

      When you first arrive in Brussels, you may be confused to find that the streets have have names: one in Dutch and the other in French. Even the city itself has two different names—the Dutch Brussel and the French Bruxelles. This linguistic and cultural mélange speaks to the city’s character as a true melting pot. Brusseleirs tend to be laid-back and welcoming, especially as Brussels is less of a tourist madhouse than many other European cities. Outside the city center, Brussels has an authentic feel, finding its roots in cafés and parks, where little old ladies sip from giant goblets of beer, couples make out, and joggers work off delicious, so-worth-the-calories fries. Even the parts that feel like tourist traps turn out to be satisfying: you’re sure to see visitors and locals alike popping into chocolate shops or buying waffles from a cart. There is a vibrant energy here, with public murals and lively comic book stores constant reminders of the city’s artistic passions. Brussels is full of wonderful restaurants, old breweries, and dynamic squares. You’ll find yourself wondering how everyone seems to have so much time for just hanging out and drinking beer. Relax, you’re in Brussels.

       ORIENTATION

      The Brussels city center is where you’ll find the photo ops. The Grand Place dominates the tourist attractions while small streets and tall, narrow buildings give it a characteristic Belgian feel. The two Sablon churches (Grand and Petit) are the centerpieces of the historic Salon neighborhood just southeast of the center. Further southeast is Ixelles, bordered by the upscale Avenue Louise, which leads down to the forest of Bois de la Cambre. Attractive townhouses, European institutions, and the lovely Parc du Cinquantenaire define Etterbeek to the east. Schaerbeek to the north features wide avenues, lovely architecture, and a vibrant mix of international residents. The buses, trams, and metro lines make traversing the city efficient, but it’s also easy to explore Brussels’ various neighborhoods on foot.

       ESSENTIALS

      GETTING THERE

      Brussels Airport lies northeast of the city center. The easiest way to get into the city is by bus, using the bus station a level below the arrivals. Bus tickets cost €4 at the station, but €6 if you buy them on the bus. Brussels also has a number of train stations throughout the city, making it easy to arrive fairly close to where you need to go.

      GETTING AROUND

      Bus, tram, and metro lines run across the city and are fairly easy to use. It’s possible to use the same type of ticket for all three. Tickets cost €2.10 and are valid for one hour. The Villo! public bike service is free for the first half hour and has stations throughout the city. The basic rate for a day is €1.60.

      PRACTICAL INFORMATION

      Tourist Offices: Flanders and Brussels Information Office (Rue du Marché aux Herbes 61; 02 504 03 00; open M-F 8am-6pm, Sa-Su 10am-5pm)

      Banks/ATMs/Currency Exchange: Bank of Baroda (Rue de la Loi 28; 02 285 00 40)

      Post Offices: 5, Bd. Anspach 1; 02 201 23 45; open M-F 8:30am-6pm, Sa 10am-4pm

      Internet: The city of Brussels offers free public Wi-Fi in many points around the city. It will prompt you to register with your name and email.

      BGLTQ+ Resources: Rainbowhouse (Rue du Marché au Charbon 42; 02 503 59 90)

      EMERGENCY INFORMATION

      Emergency Number: 112

      Police: Brussels Police Station (Rue du Marché au Charbon 30; 02 279 79 79)

      US Embassy: There is a US Embassy in Brussels (Bd. du Régent 27; 02 811 40 00; open M-F 7:30am-5:30pm).

      Rape Crisis Center: US State Department Rape and Incest National Network; 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

      Hospitals: Institut Jules Bordet