{"id":99179,"date":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-06-08T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelstartblg.wpenginepowered.com\/italy-versus-belgium\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T13:53:28","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:53:28","slug":"italy-versus-belgium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/italy-versus-belgium\/","title":{"rendered":"Italy Versus Belgium, May The Best Team Win"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In anticipation of Monday&#8217;s UEFA group stage match when Italy goes head to head with Belgium, Travelstart looks at what makes these two countries dream travel destinations. Both have introduced the world to great cuisine- Italian pizza, Belgian beer, Belgian chocolate, Italian gelato! Both are incredibly picturesque and attract millions of visitors each year. Both have a unique culture beloved internationally but which country wins out in the tourism stakes?<\/p>\n<p>According to the World Bank Italy attracted 48,576,000 visitors in 2014, while Belgium attracted 7,887,000. Considering that South Africa is 40 times bigger than Belgium while only being 4 times bigger than Italy, tourism is booming in both countries.<\/p>\n<h2>Getting there<\/h2>\n<p>KLM offers excellent service on\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/lp\/airlines\/klm-airlines\">flights to Brussels<\/a>\u00a0and there are a range of affordable options to fly to Rome including Alitalia and Emirates, from as little as R7200 return.\u00a0Both countries require South Africans to have a Schengen Visa. Always apply for a Schengen Visa for the European country you will be spending the most time in on your trip. Our article on France during UEFA Euro 2016 has useful, updated information about applying for your Schengen:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/travelstartstg.wpenginepowered.com\/discover-amazing-france\/\">21 Amazing Places to Visit in France during Euro 2016<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>An added bonus when flying to Belgium is that you can fly KLM Dutch Airlines, find out more about one of our favourite airlines here:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/travelstartstg.wpenginepowered.com\/10-reasons-why-travelstart-loves-klm-royal-dutch-airlines\/\">Sky High On The Flying Dutchman: 10 Reasons Why Travelstart Loves KLM Royal Dutch Airlines<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A great idea is to hire a car and drive from the UEFA in France to Belgium and on to Italy, experiencing the best of both. Compared to South Africa the distances are small and the roads well maintained.<\/p>\n<h2>Would you rather?<\/h2>\n<h3>Drink famous Belgian beer and ride in boats in Ghent, Belgium<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53366\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.15.46-PM.png\" alt=\"ghent, boat\" width=\"769\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of aris.setya via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BGB3M9kns8O\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53393\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.25.12-PM.png\" alt=\"belgian beer\" width=\"629\" height=\"780\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of _bianc via Instagram<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Or<\/h2>\n<h3>Drink wine with a view and eat four different types of pasta on the Amalfi Coast, Italy?<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53383\" title=\"Trattoria la Tagliata on the Amalfi Coast near Positano is a family restaurant with great atmosphere, exceptional views and an authentic Italian dining experience.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.58.19-PM.png\" alt=\"trattoria amalfi coast\" width=\"780\" height=\"590\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of scottorozco via Instagram<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53374\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.55.57-PM.png\" alt=\"4 different types of pasta\" width=\"613\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of becbrowncommunications via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BGXZP76w_9K\/?tagged=amalficoast&amp;hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Walk the charming streets of Bruges, Belgium<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53362\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.07.42-PM.png\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2016-06-07 at 10.07.42 PM\" width=\"772\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of aris.setya via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BGWhfg2Hsyw\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Or<\/h2>\n<h3>Live under a Tuscan Sun in the Medieval city of San Gimignano near Florence?<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53377\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-08-at-1.09.14-AM.png\" alt=\"San Gimignano street\" width=\"773\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of patspada via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BGXuZP_DJXZ\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Authentic gelato in Florence<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53376\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-08-at-1.07.02-AM.png\" alt=\"ice gream gelato\" width=\"772\" height=\"780\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of noghlemey via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BGUi9jKHO3z\/?tagged=italiangelato&amp;hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Or<\/h2>\n<h3>Decadent Belgian chocolates in Brussels?<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53394\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.28.00-PM.png\" alt=\"belgium chocolates\" width=\"780\" height=\"584\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of thisismicheler via Instagram<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Marvel at the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fior, Italy<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53371\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.49.18-PM.png\" alt=\"florence\" width=\"653\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of rominar_88 via <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Or<\/h2>\n<h3>Admire these unique Flemmish facades, Belgium?<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.10.30-PM.png\" alt=\"belgium\" width=\"780\" height=\"521\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of aholidayaway via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BGUXT6XDIwV\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Belgian singer Stromae sings of &#8220;Moules Frites&#8221; the famous Belgian dish of mussels and fries, would you rather indulge in this celebrated dish<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53380\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-08-at-1.18.48-AM.png\" alt=\"moules frites, Belgium\" width=\"776\" height=\"780\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of azaleeaa via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BBcYdBxNyGN\/?tagged=moulesfrites&amp;hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Or<\/h2>\n<h3>Eat authentic Neapolitan pizza made with Marzano tomatoes (which grow on the volcanic plains south of Mount Vesuvius) and mozzarella di bufala Campana (made with the milk from water buffalo raised in the marshlands of Campania and Lazio)?<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53395\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-08-at-6.48.15-AM.png\" alt=\"naples pizza\" width=\"780\" height=\"657\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of pizza_jew via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BGRm94VNkEk\/?tagged=pizzanapoletana&amp;hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Discover the magic of Positano and Naples<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.54.20-PM.png\" alt=\"positano at night\" width=\"780\" height=\"773\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of whatluluate via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BGXbWP4SJJM\/?tagged=amalficoast&amp;hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.53.13-PM.png\" alt=\"naples street\" width=\"612\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of vesuviocoast via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BGXGm95J6jj\/?tagged=amalficoast&amp;hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Or<\/h2>\n<h3>The Citadel of Dinant, Belgium?<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53364\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.12.36-PM.png\" alt=\"Citadel of Dinant\" width=\"764\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of aris.setya via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BGR2caUns_v\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53367\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.16.26-PM.png\" alt=\"Citadel of Dinant\" width=\"768\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of aris.setya via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BGR2kzUnswF\/?taken-by=aris.setya&amp;hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Royal greenhouses of Laeken, Belgium<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53369\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.32.33-PM.png\" alt=\"royal greenhouses of Laeken\" width=\"772\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of shensei via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/2G0l6en-4-\/?taken-at=258674857\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Or<\/h2>\n<h3>Rome&#8217;s mighty Colosseum?<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53387\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.51.05-PM.png\" alt=\"colosseum\" width=\"780\" height=\"582\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of eat_clean_fit2a via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BGXNlvyMVos\/?taken-at=31499759&amp;hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Sexy Italian wheels<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53378\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-08-at-1.11.24-AM.png\" alt=\"Italy, sports cars\" width=\"772\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of stephcullenxx via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BGWLxe1nMlF\/?tagged=sangimignano&amp;hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Or<\/h2>\n<h3>Laidback Belgian wheels?<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53361\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.06.45-PM-780x600.png\" alt=\"Brussels\" width=\"780\" height=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of _bianc via Instagram<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Milan cool<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.59.26-PM.png\" alt=\"milan\" width=\"760\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of milano_go via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/9V4uzkAl7q\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53396\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-08-at-7.03.37-AM.png\" alt=\"bar luce, milan\" width=\"627\" height=\"780\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of malay_mui via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BD9AtbQE-Bn\/?tagged=barlucemilano&amp;hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Or<\/h2>\n<h3>Belgian chic?<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53370\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.34.10-PM.png\" alt=\"beurre noisette, brussels\" width=\"765\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of peche.hauton via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BGRBF2jEwSb\/?taken-by=peche.hauton\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Find cheap flight to Belgium <a href=\"http:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/lp\/brussels\/flights\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Or if you&#8217;re team Italia, find the best flights <a href=\"http:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/lp\/rome\/flights\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you can&#8217;t choose then why not visit both? Italy is an inexpensive flight from Belgium and a Schengen Visa covers both countries.<\/p>\n<p>May the best team win!<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-53363\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screen-Shot-2016-06-07-at-10.11.20-PM.png\" alt=\"brussels, Euro\" width=\"767\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"> Courtesy of nyx.clips via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BGT1hR0xEMo\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In anticipation of Monday&#8217;s UEFA group stage match when Italy goes head to head with Belgium, Travelstart looks at what makes these two countries dream travel destinations. Both have introduced the world to great cuisine- Italian pizza, Belgian beer, Belgian chocolate, Italian gelato! Both are incredibly picturesque and attract millions of visitors each year. Both have a unique culture beloved internationally but which country wins &#8230; <a title=\"Italy Versus Belgium, May The Best Team Win\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/italy-versus-belgium\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Italy Versus Belgium, May The Best Team Win\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":99181,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,445],"tags":[408,432,496],"class_list":["post-99179","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","category-destinations-travel","tag-emirates","tag-klm","tag-rome","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Italy Versus Belgium, May The Best Team Win 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