Page 174 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Brussels Bruges Ghent & Antwerp

172  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Personal Security and Health must carry an EHIC (European
health insurance card).
Brussels is one of Europe’s safest capitals, with street crime Europeans should make it clear
against visitors a relatively rare occurrence. The poorer areas that they have state insurance, or
west and north of the city centre, including Anderlecht, they may end up with a large bill.
Molenbeek and parts of Schaerbeek and St-Josse, have quite State healthcare subsidies do not
cover all problems and it is worth
a bad reputation, but these areas are perfectly safe during the taking out full travel insurance.
daytime for everyone except those who flaunt their wealth. This can also cover lost property.
After dark, it is sensible not to walk around on your own in
these areas. Public transport is usually safe at all hours.
Medical Matters
Whether or not you have
Police At night, avoid the city’s parks, insurance, doctors in Belgium
There are two levels of especially at Botanique and Parc will usually expect you to settle
integrated police in Brussels. Josaphat in Schaerbeek, both the bill on the spot – and in cash.
Major crimes and motorway favoured haunts of drug-dealers. Arrange to make a payment by
offences are handled by the bank transfer (most doctors will
national gendarmerie. accept this if you insist).
However, visitors are most In an Emergency Pharmacies are usually open
likely to come across the For emergencies requiring Monday to Friday from 8:30am
communal police, who police assistance, call 101; to 6:30pm and Saturday from
are responsible for for medical or fire 8:30am to noon, with each
law and order in services, phone 100. commune operating a rota for
each of the capital’s Brussels hospitals out-of-hours and holiday cover.
19 administrative with emergency
districts. All Brussels depart- ments include DIRECTORY
police officers must Clinique Edith Cavell and
speak French and Cliniques Universitaires Police
Flemish, and many Police officer Saint Luc. The Central Police Station
will be proficient in on patrol Community Help Rue du Marché au Charbon 30,
English too. Service’s (CHS) 24-hour 1000 Brussels. Map 1 C3.
The main police station for English-language help line is for Tel (02) 279 7711.
central Brussels is on Rue du expatriates, but it may be able
Marché au Charbon, close to to assist tourists. In an Emergency
the Grand Place. If stopped by
the police, visitors will be asked Lost Property Ambulance and Fire
for identification, so carry your Your chance of retrieving Services
Tel 100.
passport on you at all times. Be property lost in the street is
aware that talking on a mobile minimal, although it may be Clinique Edith Cavell
phone while driving and worth trying the police’s Lost- Rue Edith Cavell 32, 1180
possession of cannabis is illegal and-Found Office. For insurance Brussels.
here; not using road crossings purposes, contact the police Tel (02) 434 4111.
correctly is also illegal and may station for the commune in Cliniques Universitaires
be subject to on-the-spot fines. which the article disappeared. (If Saint Luc
you are not sure where that is, Ave Hippocrate 10, 1200
contact the central police station Brussels.
What to be Aware of on Rue du Marché au Charbon.) Tel (02) 764 1111.
Most of Brussels’ main tourist The public transport authority Community Help Service
attractions are located in safe STIB/MIVB has a lost-and-found Tel (02) 648 4014.
areas. When driving, make sure service for the metro, trams and
car doors are locked and any buses. Report items lost in a taxi Police
valuables are kept out of sight. to the police station nearest your Tel 101.
If you are sightseeing, limit the point of departure, with any Lost Property
amount of cash you carry. details about the taxi – the firm,
Handbags should be worn with the car colour – you can recall. Lost-and-Found Office
the strap across the shoulder Rue du Frontispice 55, 1000.
and the clasp facing towards Tel (02) 274 1690.
the body. Wallets should be Travel and Health STIB/MIVB
kept in a front, not back, pocket. Insurance Inside the Porte de Namur
Hotel rooms often come with a Travellers from Britain and Ireland metro station. Map E5.
safe; if not, there should be one are entitled to free healthcare Tel (070) 23 2000.
at reception to keep valuables under reciprocal agreements ∑ stib.be
locked up. within the EU. To obtain this, you

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm