Overview to Belgium: Travel Guide and Tourist Information
- Belgium Information
- Events in Belgium
- Things to do in Belgium
- Where to stay in Belgium
- Belgium street map
Backpacking in Belgium is rarely anything other than an interesting experience. Like Austria and nearby Holland, Belgium is not a big country, but it makes up in variety what it lacks in size. Its three regions, Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia are, whilst equally fascinating, all totally distinct from one another.
And this difference is reflected in the linguistic and cultural differences to be found across the country. Belgium has three official languages: Dutch (or Flemish) is the most widely spoken, whilst French and German are also frequently heard in many parts.
Belgium is blessed with a number of extremely attractive cities. Brussels’ Grand-Place may be held to be one of the most beautiful squares in the world, but elsewhere in the country, slightly less prestigious places have arguably even more to offer.
Antwerp is known as a European hub of fashion and design, while Liege is a lively student town. But it’s Bruges and Ghent that really stand out. Both cities have remarkably preserved historic centers, with the canal ways and narrow streets of Bruges in particular not to be missed.
All Belgium’s cities have a great deal to offer the culturally-inclined traveler in the shape of art galleries. This is hardly surprising given Belgium's artistic legacy, left by such masters as van Eyck, Bruegel, Rubens and Magritte.
Any self-respecting traveler knows, though, that the way to a country’s heart is through their own stomach! Gastronomic delights such as ‘moules-frites’ (mussels and chips), sticky waffles, fantastic (and fantastically strong!) beer and, of course, the exquisite Belgian chocolate are as important to life in the country as just about anything else...