Backpack Europe and Budget Travel: Travelling in Belgium
Travelling in BelgiumTravel: Accommodation: Transportation: |
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 |
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
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