Backpack Europe and Budget Travel: Travelling in Belgium

Travelling in Belgium

Travel:
Travel facts for Belgium
My travel experiences in Belgium

Accommodation:
Hotels in Belgium

Transportation:
Train / Eurail Passes
Cheap flights to Belgium

News from Belgium


Travelling in Belgium

Belgium is packed with history and has been a battleground for hundreds of years. Belgium is a great place for history and world famous for it's beer.

Backpacking Belgium - Quick Facts

Local Language: Belgium is divided into two sections - The Flemish section, which speaks Dutch, and the Waloon section which speaks French. Many people speak English however, and some German.

Visa Requirements: Canadians are allowed in Belgium for 90 days without a visa.

Health Risks:None

Costs: Belgium is just as expensive as other Western European countries. You'll want to budget at least $50 Canadian or more, depending on your level of comfort.

My Travels in Belgium

Belgium is a small but interesting country. Much of the First World War was fought here, and if you take the time to explore the smaller towns you'll quickly find war cemeteries and memorials all over the place.

Belgium is also very well known for their beer. Brands to look out for are Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, and Leffe. Many times when you go to a pub they'll have hundreds of different beers ranging in alcohol content, price, and presentation. It all makes for a great night life.

I spent some time in Antwerp, Brussels, and Brugges. While Antwerp and Brussels are the larger cities, Brugges is a perfectly preserved medieval town. It's really beautiful and if you don't mind dealing with all the other tourists it's well worth a visit.

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and also the capital of the European Union. As a result you'll notice a lot of foreigners there which all contribute to make Brussels a very cosmopolitan city.

I spent most of my time in Brugges with just a few quick stops in Brussels and Antwerp. If you're in Belgium during the summer be sure to see about the various music festivals which go on. If you've got a little extra cash it's great to be able to camp out for three days and see all of your favourite bands play.

For Belgium and European travel guidebooks, check here:
Belgium and European Guidebooks

Hotels and Hostels in Belgium

Belgium has a lot of accommodation and you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a hostel or hotel. Even so though, summer is always busy and you may want to make reservations in advance. I'd do it.

For hotels in Belgium, check out the links below:

Hostels in Belgium
Annevoie
Antwerp

Bruges
Brussels
Leuven
Malmedy
Mechelen
Namur

Wavre

Ypres

Hotels in Belgium

Book hotel in Brussels
Book hotel in Bruges
Book hotel in Antwerp
Book hotel in Ghent

More Hotels and Hostels in Belgium

Trains to Belgium

Belgium is also well connected by train, as are most European countries. Eurail passes are valid and you shouldn't have any trouble finding your way around.
Cheap Train and Eurail Passes

For more information about the Belgium rail system itself, click here:
http://www.b-rail.be/

Flights to Belgium

Brussels is such a politically important city that there are many flights in and out of the Brussels airport. It's located a little ways outside of the city but is well connected by train to many other Belgian cities.
Cheap flights to Brussels, Belgium

Language

Dutch and French (more French) are the most important languages to have in Belgium. German is helpful, but again many people speak English so you shouldn't have a huge problem.
Canuck Abroad's French Dictionary
Canuck Abroad's Dutch Dictionary
Canuck Abroad's German Travel Dictionary

Backpack Europe and Budget Travel

Please choose from the following sections:

Travel Gear
Travel gear you shouldn't leave home without!
Planning an Itinerary
Plans are only made to be broken.
What to Pack
What you need, and what you don't.
Costs and Money Issues
Budget, budget, budget.
Saving Money and Discounts
Great ways to cut costs.
Travel Guide Books
The best investment you'll make, guaranteed.

Backpack Europe - Destination Links

Travel GermanyTravel HollandTravel Belgium
Travel FranceTravel SpainTravel Portugal
Travel ItalyTravel SwitzerlandTravel Hungary
Travel Czech RepublicTravel AustriaTravel Luxembourg
Travel CroatiaTravel Bosnia / HercegovinaTravel Slovenia
Travel SwedenTravel NorwayTravel Finland
Travel AlbaniaTravel MacedoniaTravel Britain (UK)

Email this page to a friend


Sign up for the CanuckAbroad Newsletter
 

Compare AirFare

Privacy Policy :: © Copyright 2003 - 2008 CanuckAbroad.com, All Rights Reserved. :: Site Map
Canadian Expatriates and TravelersFor the Canadian overseas or on the way
Add to Favourites  Email to Friend      Sign up for the CanuckAbroad Newsletter