Education enjoys high priority, and the largest share of the regional governments’ annual budget in Belgium. Complete systems of public and private schools are available to all children between the ages of 4 and 18, at little or no cost. A 'Creche Kinderdagverblijf plaats” is available for younger children.
Theft and pick pocketing is a problem in crowded areas. Be extra vigilant in Brussels and Antwerp at major railway stations, on the underground, buses and trams, particularly late at night.
Belgium is subjected to a temperate climate from the coastal regions inland to about Brussels.
Towards the ardennes the climate becomes more continental, with colder winters and warm summers. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year. Snowfalls are also frequent. The average daily temperatures range between 4 degrees in winter and 22 degrees in the summer.