1. Which travel documents do I need?
You can find this information on www.diplomatie.be


2. Which visa do I need?
You can find this information on www.diplomatie.be


3. Which vaccines do I need in Belgium
You can find this information on www.diplomatie.be


4. How do I pay in Belgium?
You can pay in cash (Euro’s), with credit cards (such as visa and mastercard.)
(Exchange rate June 2009, 1 Euro= 0,8 £ , 1 Euro = 1,3 $. )


5. How do I get to Bruges?
Bruges is easily accessible by plane (main airport Brussels Airport at approximately 100 km), train, ship (Calais, Zeebrugge), car and even bike. To book your flight or train ticket, see Registration Form. To book your transport from and to the airport, see Registration Form.


6. How is the weather in Belgium in August?
Belgium has a temperate maritime climate. The average temperature in August during the day is 22,5° Celsius. August can be very sunny, but very rainy too. So don’t forget to bring your sun cream and your rain coat.


7. What clothes do I wear and is there a dress code I have to observe?
It’s clever to bring some casual and some formal clothes to the LCI.
For the Official Opening Ceremony & Welcome Party you will be asked to wear your national costume.
At the AGM you dress formal with hat.
At the home parties you can dress casual.
At the gala we all wear a formal evening dress.
Councillors wear their official “regalia” at the Councillor’s meeting and dinner, Opening Ceremony, AGM, Contact Meeting and Gala.


8. What do I eat in Belgium?
Belgium plays an important role in the gastronomic life of Europe. Belgian chocolate, beer and fries are world famous. Famous Belgian dishes are “stoofvlees met frieten” (stew of beef and Belgian fries), “Koniginnehapje” (Queen’s snack with chicken, cream and mushrooms) , “Gentse waterzooi” (chicken casserole of Ghent) and last but not least mussels. But of course you can eat vegetarian, Italian, Greek, Chinese, Indian etc… in Belgium too.


9. I’m allergic, who do I inform?
Please inform This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


10. I need special care, who do I inform?
Please inform This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


11. What do I bring to the LCI conference?
Usually the hostess of the Home Party receives a little present from her guests (something typical from their country of about 10 Euro’s).
Do not forget to bring your national pins to exchange with the other Ladies.
Councillors: Don’t forget your official “regalia” to wear at all official meetings.


12. Which typical Belgian gifts can I buy in Bruges?
At the LCI conference you can buy the typical gifts from the LCI-shop and the special Lady Chocolate in Bruges-gifts. In Bruges you can, amongst others, buy the best Belgian chocolate and handmade lace.
See also www.ladychocolateshop.be


13. Can I annul my registration?
See Registration Form.


14. Why do I have to fill in a title, we are all ladies?
The title - Mrs. in general - is necessary for making up the invoice of your registration. It is fully informative, but will be used when mentioning your name and address on top of your bill.


15. Why is there a personal login code?
With your personal login code, you may add flight and travel details but not change or cancel reservations. You may add some activities, for example if you decide to go on a pre tour (or Saturday tour) after all.


16. National function 2009-2010 : year of function.
In most countries, the new national board of 2010-2011 is already in function. The jewels have been passed on, the new national president is operative. This LCI conference concerns the previous working year. The AGM on Friday brings together the councillors of 2009-2010, under the chairmanship of the International President of 2009-2010. While completing the registration form, please don’t be confused ! Only the councillors of 2009-2010 are required to tick off !


17. National function 2009-2010 : some explanation.
It is very interesting and pleasant to meet international ladies, accomplishing the same national function as you do. LCI2010 will try to assemble all national secretaries, treasurers, vice presidents, presidents … at the home parties and gala dinner. This gives you the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences ; and it is great fun as well !


18. National function 2009-2010 : national past president.
For the same reason, we will try to put all past presidents of the same working year together. They have known each other quite well for three years, they can bring up memories of good old times ! Please fill in your year of function.


19. Do I need to book an airport transfer ?
Belgium has two international airports : Zaventem (also called Brussels Airport) and Charleroi (also called Airport Brussels South). The latter is frequented by low cost companies, such as Ryan Air. If booking very early, you can fly to Belgium for little money!
Zaventem (Brussels Airport) is situated at 106 km of Bruges
Charleroi (Airport Brussels South) is situated at 151 km of Bruges



20. I want to share my room but I am coming alone. Which name do I fill in ?
Obviously, it is cheaper to share a double or twin room instead of booking a single room. Therefore we ask you to fill in the name of the lady friend you would like to share your room with. When attending the conference without yet knowing anybody – which won’t take long ! – you may fill in : “Lady Friend”. The organisation will take care of finding you a lady who will become a friend …


21. I am attending the LCI conference with my partner. Will he get bored ?
Certainly not ! Not only there is the beauty of the city itself, proposing more museums and churches one can actually visit, but we also offer an attractive partners’ programme where all men are gathered and can participate at “male” activities such as a golf initiation, a kayak tour and the visit of a typical brewery … even TWO typical breweries !


22. I am attending the LCI conference with my partner. May he participate ?
Yes, at certain activities. On Thursday evening, he can attend the official Opening Ceremony and the Welcome Parade through the old centre of Bruges (as well as the welcome party afterwards). On Saturday, he is welcome on the proposed day and half day tours. During the official part of the Gala on Saturday evening (handing over of the jewels) he will eat in a typical Belgian restaurant and join the ladies around 23h00 – 23h30 to party …


23. Why do I have to pay a registration fee ?
The registration fee covers all expenses except for catering and meals. Such as rental price of different locations, technical competences, musical entertainment (often live bands), organisational and administrative expenses, legal and insurance costs, etcetera.


24. I find the hotel prices rather expensive … how come ?
Bruges is called “the Venice of the North”. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe; tourists ask “at what time does it close ?”, talking about Bruges as a museum ! The hotels in Bruges are always fully booked, it is very difficult to negotiate a good price even when offering a group of hundreds of extra visitors ! We have registered blocks of 40 rooms and up in several hotels, two years in advance. Bruges only has smaller hotels, which makes it even more difficult. Therefore we apologize for the high accommodation costs, which is beyond our control.


25. Why can I only pay by credit card ?
Payment by credit card is the easiest and safest way of payment. No surprises, neither for the seller, nor for the buyer. A registration will be definite immediately, while payment is done online. There will be no begging for payment after the registration has been achieved. Registration will take effect instantly.


26. What do I do when I don’t have any credit card ?
Please ask family or friends to help out.


27. Where the hell is Belgium ?
The kingdom of Belgium is a country in the northwest of Europe. Belgium shares borders with France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. On the other side of the North Sea, there is Great Britain & Ireland.
We are expecting many ladies from our neighbour countries !


28. Why is Belgium an important country on the world map ?
Belgium is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters, as well as those of other major international organizations, including NATO. The European Union now counts 27 member states, the number of European officials and Europeans working in the satellite organizations in Belgium – mostly Brussels - is about 55.000 people.


29. What language do we speak in Belgium ?
Belgium is home for two main linguistic groups. Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north, with 59% of the population, and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia, inhabited by 31%. The Brussels-Capital Region, officially bilingual, has 10% of the population.
In the East Canton, there is also a small, official German-speaking community (0,73 %). English is considered as the 4th unofficial language.


30. Two regions, two pre tours : the Ardennes and Flanders.
The Ardennes in Wallonia, situated in the south-east of Belgium, is one of nature's unspoilt areas. There are many picturesque villages where traditions and folklore still live on. The past of the Ardennes is witnessed by castles, forts and citadels. Flanders, situated in the north of Belgium, has its cultural cities like Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Antwerp, Leuven or Mechelen. The past still lives on in their old buildings, town halls, cathedrals or churches with their paintings and panels by world famous artists.


31. Some politics in a nutshell ?
Belgium is a federal (federation is made up in communities and regions), parliamentary (with the head of the government being the prime minister), constitutional monarchy (with the head of the state being King Albert II). In Belgium, all important political parties are either "Dutch-speaking" or "French-speaking" and the decision making is of highly federal nature, which makes Belgium's political institutions very complex.


32. Ladies’ Circle Belgium: history.
LCB has been founded in 1967, 31 years after the foundation of the first circle in Bournemouth, Great Britain. The founding president, Mrs. Jojo Struyven, is still very concerned about the development and the well-being of our association. LCB celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2008, in presence of several international ladies. Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde honored us by her presence during an informal lunch, where all past national presidents of the last 40 years had been invited.


33. Ladies’ Circle Belgium: internationally
LCB delivered 4 international presidents – one every decade! – being Jojo Struyven ( 1974), Loeki Borloo (1985), Frieda van den Hende (1992) and Danielle Gardin (1998). LCB also sent out several international secretaries and treasurers.


34. Ladies’ Circle Belgium : nationally
The 5 members of the national board (president, vice president, IPP, secretary and treasurer) meet each other on a regular basis, every second Monday evening of the month. There are also 3 “cooperative” members being the web lady, news lady and shop lady. The web lady is responsible for the website www.ladiescircle.be, the news lady takes care of the electronic newsletter, the shop lady offers a great number of LC articles that you can even buy online !


35. Ladies’ Circle Belgium : locally
LCB counts about 600 members in 38 circles, spread out over 5 areas. There are 2 Dutch-speaking areas in the north, 2 French-speaking areas in the south and a bilingual area in the centre. LCB is very proud of this multilingual aspect – ladies exchange their children to learn the other language ! – And it certainly attributes to a mutual respect and friendship. There is only one inconvenience : all national documents have to be formulated in both languages.


36. Ladies’ Circle Belgium : Side by Side
Although working in a complete independent way, there is a very good relationship between Round Table Belgium and Ladies’ Circle Belgium. The national boards of both associations get together once a year for a common meeting where topics as growing membership, mutual help, and reciprocal respect are on the agenda. Good communication between both is of major importance.


37. Ladies’ Circle Belgium : Four Clubs, One Vision
There is life after Ladies’ Circle ! In Belgium, lady seniors can join either Tangent or Agora. The three circles of Tangent Belgium follow the British example, but form no national board. Agora Belgium is increasing continuously in number of members and circles, the national board has been founded in March 2007. Together with Round Table, Club 41 and Agora Belgium, Ladies’ Circle Belgium is working on the “Four Clubs, One Vision” concept, trying to bring the best out of and for these four associations …


38. Ladies’ Circle Belgium : our own shop
LCB has a long tradition of selling particular LC items : towels, purses, hats, umbrellas, pens, even suitcases with the LCB logo ! The shop lady tries to visit as much circles as she can, showing her articles and selling them to please all female customers ! All the benefits of the shop go to the national service project. For the LCI2010 conference in Bruges, Muriel not only takes care of the LCB shop, she also created a “lady chocolate shop” ! These articles show the “Lady Chocolate in Bruges” logo, there are T-shirts, towels, handkerchiefs, blankets … Just have a look at www.ladychocolateshop.be