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Removals to Liege with Hamiltons Removals
There are plenty of reasons to move to Liege – the cost of living is considerably cheaper than a lot of Belgian cities, it’s easy to get to, and there’s plenty of locally-made beer and chocolate to enjoy! Here Hamiltons Removals, who offer high-quality removals services to Liege, take a closer look at the city.
The History and Heritage
Situated to the east of Belgium, quite close to the border with the Netherlands. The name, Liege, is of Germanic origin, with the original word meaning “people” also being linked to the idea of a gathering place, reflecting its historical role as a significant settlement.
There was a Roman settlement here. Over the centuries, its strategic position on the River Meuse meant it was a centre for local and international trade, and its capture became very important down the years (not just the World Wars, but also various internal rebellions before then.
Nowadays, the area is important for heavy industry (particularly steelmaking and armaments, aircraft engines) and high-tech businesses (e.g. space technology and IT), it’s also a home for chocolate and beer production, as well as mineral water.
Getting There and Getting Around
There is an airport which services the city, but although it does have flights to various European destinations, this does not currently include the UK. It’s mainly a cargo airport, and it is the seventh largest in Europe in terms of freight handled. Your best bet if you want to fly in is probably to get a connecting flight from Brussels.
The city’s main railway station – Liège-Guillemins – is located in the south-western part of the city. The station is served by high-speed trains to and from Brussels, Paris, Cologne and Frankfurt, it’s also on the Eurostar line from the UK.
Liege is served by a network of six motorways or ‘E-routes’ if you are driving there. Once you are there, there isn’t an underground system, but there is a new tramway network which opened this year, alongside its comprehensive TEC bus network. You can also get around by bike, but some of the routes are a little hilly, and others are on old roads, so be wary. Most of the main attractions are within walking distance, though.
The Main Attractions
Montagne de Bueren (pictured) is a staircase in the city centre with 374 steps. It leads to the Coteaux de la Citadelle (an area of meadows, parks, woods and vineyards). The climb is well worth the effort as there are some spectacular views once you get to the top (and they are beautifully illuminated every October in the city’s Festival of Light).
The La Boverie Museum, set in the park of the same name, has an impressive collection of modern art. Try the Musee Curtius (on the banks of the River Meuse) if you want some older art. And there’s also the cathedral – an outstanding example of Gothic architecture, with high vaulted ceilings, detailed sculptures and kaleidoscopic stained-glass windows.
If you want something more family-friendly, try the Aquarium-museum de Liège, where you can get up close to clownfish, seahorses, octopus, piranhas and even some dwarf nurse sharks.
Shopping Around and Eating Out
The best central areas are Rue Vinâve d’Île and Le Carre, which have many of the leading international brands and local boutiques (and in the case of the latter, plenty of restaurants and cafes). For something more artisan or independent, try the La Batte Sunday Market (mostly for food) or En Neuvice, which has been dubbed “the street of Liege’s craftsmen”.
Local foods to try include Liege waffles (usually topped with sugar, cream, chocolate or fruit) or boulets liégeoise (beef and pork meatballs simmered in a gravy made with onions, flour, beef broth, and a syrup-based sauce).
As far as local alcohol goes, look for a beer made either by Brasserie Curtius (the most famous brewery) or Brasseries de Liege (a local collective). And for chocolate, anything made by Chocolaterie Franz (the pralines are particularly well known) or Leonidas can be recommended. Both have city centre stores.
Removals to Liege with Hamiltons Removals
At Hamiltons Removals, we can help with overseas moves to all parts of Belgium, including Brussels, Brugge, Antwerp and Ghent, as well as Liege.
We offer three types of removals to Belgium; a dedicated service giving you the sole use of a vehicle, a special service allowing you to specify the dates for collection and delivery, and a part-load or groupage service which transports several consignments in one vehicle (here the delivery times will vary depending on how long it takes to make up one full load).
If you would like to know more about our services, follow this link or call us on 01379 855203.
When in Rome – What Customs Should You Observe?
The old saying is ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’. But if you are considering moving house to the Italian capital, what are the current traditions? Hamiltons Removals, who can help with commercial and domestic removals to Rome, have been finding out.
Public Holidays
Many of these will be familiar to most European countries – Christmas, New Year’s Day, Epiphany and Easter. It’s worth remembering that three out of every four Italians identify as Catholic, and around one in five of the population still go to Mass every week.
There are, however, several public holidays in Rome and across Italy which are more country-specific – Liberation Day on April 25 (to mark the end of the Nazi occupation) and Republic Day on June 2 (to celebrate the country becoming a republic in 1946).
There are also some public holidays which are specific just to the Italian capital. For example, every April 21, the city celebrates its founding with parades and historical reenactments (Il Natale di Roma). This goes back to the story of Romulus and Remus – the twins who built the city. The former killed his brother, and the city took his name.
And every Italian town and city in the country has its own patron saint and Rome is no exception. St Peter and St Paul are honoured every June 29 in the capital with special Masses and services.
Personal Etiquette
Generally speaking, a handshake is an acceptable greeting for someone you are meeting for the first time, while kissing on the cheek is reserved for friends and acquaintances. As in France, there are two forms of address – the formal “Lei” and the informal “tu”.
When it comes to dining, you should make every effort to eat all the food on your plate as a sign of appreciation for the meal (and the chef). If you are eating out, service charges are usually included in the meal, but feel free to leave an additional tip for exceptional service.
Traditional food in Rome includes plenty of pasta dishes (pasta alla carbonara in particular), but tripe and oxtail stew are also popular local fayre. One thing you should expect, whether eating at home or eating out, is for the meal to last a long time – often stretching over several hours – as they are seen as convivial occasions which are not to be rushed.
Festivals
There are plenty of festivals which aren’t public holidays as well. These include the Estate Romana (Roman Summer), a season-long festival featuring concerts, theatre performances, and outdoor cinema screenings. Most arts disciplines have their own event too, such as the Rome Film Festival, the Rome Jazz Festival, and the International Literature Festival – all of which are famous beyond Italy and often attract enthusiasts from across the world.
Sport
This is deeply ingrained in the culture as well. Rome has two principal football teams, AS Roma and Lazio, both of which have fanatical supporters who flock to the stadium every weekend (matchdays usually take place on a Sunday). However, in spite of their fierce rivalry, the teams share the same stadium – the Stadio Olimpico.
Rugby, particularly the Union variety, has a growing following, helped in part by the Italian team becoming part of the Six Nations in the year 2000. Other popular sports include tennis, golf, cycling and running.
Removals to Rome with Hamiltons Removals
At Hamiltons Removals, we can help with international removals to all parts of Italy, including Milan, Turin, Genoa and Palermo – as well as Rome. For more information, follow this link.
We can offer optional extra services, including packing and unpacking, insurance, and cleaning your old and new home. You can start the whole process off by getting an online moving quote here.