Belgium People & Culture

Brussels, Bruxelles, Brussel is the most amazing city. treat it with respect, one comes across the nicest people here, with some of the most beautiful sights around. Brussels is the best.

Don't go too pricey too many sweet shop and the people are not nice.

Jus amazing. Too many visitors sometimes, but being that beautiful I don't blame people for going there! I loved it

Met some great people in the youth hostel there. Sampled the whacky Belgian beer...flavours include banana, apple, cherry and blackberry. Stick to the lagers though...trust me, your stomach doesn't want to throw it back up as easily.

Great multinational city - not as ugly as some people think - for me rather interesting.

Oostduinkerke is the only town in the entire world where they still fish for shrimp with a horse. You can still visit the Horse-fishermen on the Oostduinkerke Beach.

If you go to Lanaken on 20th of april 2008 you have the chance to see Amstel Gold Race.

The site of http://www.inenuitmechelen.be/en/ is a good way to prepare your travels. 7 highlights are: Saint Rumbold’s Cathedral - De Wit Royal Manufactory - “Het Anker” Brewery - The Small and Large Beguinage - taking a 'church tour' (there are 7 (!) in the city) - Schepenhuis Museum - Lamot and Fish Market

never try to hitch-hike from there

Ostend is one of the cities you must really visit if you visit the belgian coast. The restaurants are very cosy and there are always special fish menu's. The fish is nice and fresh so enjoy it. If the weather is bad, and that can happen in Belgium, you can always visit seaparks and art galleries.

want to spend a great night in Ghent!!? The best spaghetti and lasagna: Kastart, Onderbergen 42, 9000 Ghent. Mexican food: Kleine Vismarkt 2, 9000 Ghent. Something more intimate with great Belgian dishes: 't Klokhuis, Corduwaniersstraat 65, 9000 Ghent. (Patershol) up for some lounging and cocktails: Limonada bar: Heilige Geeststraat 7, 9000 Ghent: http://www.limonada.be/ Feel a little jazzy: Hot club de Gand!! http://www.hotclubdegand.be/ up for cocktails and tapas: Hasta manana: Lammerstraat 19, 9000 Ghent.
Feel like dancing the night away in more expensive atmospheres: Culture Club: http://www.cultureclub.be/

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the administrative centre of the European Union . This has earned the city the title of the Capital of Europe. Brussels has been given its character by the coexistence of French and Flemish culture, and it is nowadays home to nationalities around the world, adding a cosmopolitan flavour to its atmosphere. The vibrant atmosphere of Brussels is further enhanced by picturesque medieval streets, lively squares, beautiful boulevards, impressive monuments, spacious parks, cosy cafés, interesting restaurants and an active cultural life.

If in Ghent (Gent) and looking for some architecture and culture one must pay a visit to the Korenmarkt. This just happens to be one of the best areas to experience the Ghent nightlife.

Diamond capital of the world. Great shopping and museums, even better wining and dining, and the best clubs and pubs in Europe! This city is good for both lazy wandering or cultural exploration!

Language

Most locals speak English as a second language, but it is always a good show of character to learn some basic phrases in the native vernacular. A courteous "thank you" goes a long way.

Etiquette

I have found many natives to be equally friendly if you show the same compassion and respect for their culture. The common misconception about "Americans" is that people are arrogant. Help to discourage this misconception by showing respect for other cultures.

Dangers

However, as in any unfamiliar locations, be aware of your personal belongings. Crowded streets are safe bets for pick pockets. Always check for your belongings every few minutes to make sure your IDs (passports) and money are always secure.

don't go with the creepy tourist information guy to the music festival in ghent. (we didn't go- too suspect- don't want to end up 6 feet beneath his backyard.) but if he invites you also it confirms my suspicions. there is a good campsite there, in an unlikely place. they can book it for you at tourist information.

You have to attend at least one weekend music fest in Belgium! It is to die for! Just take lots of water and don't expect anything to be hygenic... No showers available if your camping out and the lavotories are outside. The music is fabulous though and the vibe is incredible.

Liège is a french speaking city, one of the most important ones from Belgium. There is a small chance you'll find someone that will speak english or dutch, but don't count on that. My advise would be to bring your french dictionary when visiting. Some people think Liège is horrible, some people think it's OK. I would say it's OK, depends on what you are looking for. Compared to other european villages, it might look not "as clean", but still is not a big deal. If you get to wrong streets you might get to see some drug addicts, but that's the worse you can see here. On the other hand you have nice stuff to see, you can walk next to the river, you can have an amazing view of the city from "La Citadelle", just by taking some long stairs (or a bus if you want). Downtown, also known as "Le carré" (which means the square) has all major stores if you are the shopping kind of person, and in the night becomes the point of gathering for party! About the food, well, there are two kinds of waffles (Gauffres in french) in the world, Brussel's ones and Liege's ones. The one's from Liège are thicker, the ones from Brussels have more air insde, it's a matter of taste. So, if you come to Liège, you can't leave without eating the famous "Gauffres de Liège". There are also lots of cafés, so you can sit and relax in anyone of them you can find for instance in "Place du marché" in downtown. You can also find some cafés near the Cathedral, also in downtown. Both sites with a cool ambience. If you are looking for restaurants, you can try downtown, "la cuisine" is variated or you can cross the pont that divides the city, get to the other side called "outremeuse" and there you can also find some nice places to eat. Talking about "outremeuse", the other side of the river, the main event there would be "le 15 août". The 15th august they celebrate the Virgin Mary. It's a big event, lot's of people come to this, there is of course a mess and a procession, but later there is music, parades, dancing, food and drinking, A LOT of drinking. It's really fun, the only downside (if it can be considered as such) is that this event is really famous, there is lot of people coming and the space can be small sometimes. Sure thing is that if you are around sometime near this date, this is something you can't miss. Another event that's important in Liège, is "le marché de La Batte". It's a big, HUGE, street market, that's made every sunday of the year the long of the river, near downtown. It's amazing, you can find almost anything you might need (even don't need) there. People selling there everything, and people from all countries, personally I've seen Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Turkish, Mexican, (and of course Belgian), people among others, selling specialities from their own country. Also something not to miss if you come to visit. About public transportation, it's OK, there are buses that can get you almost everywhere, one ride is 1.30€, and a ticket for 8 rides costs 6.30€. Buses 1 and 4 do a urban loop, so with these buses if you get lost at least you're sure you won't end up somewhere else. About trains, there are three main stations, Liège Guillemins (the main station), then one train stop called "Liège Jonfosse" and then the last station "Liège Palais". The station Liège Guillemins is the one that has TGV (high speed) trains and is the biggest one of the city, is located 30 mins walking from downtown. The station Liège Jonfosse is located 10 mins walking from downtown (Le Carré). And Liège Palais is located 5 mins walking from the main place in the city (also the main bus station), the "Place St. Lambert". And my last input about this village, if you wonder how people is?... well, people in Liège complaint all the time about everything, but when you talk to them they are reaaaaally nice people, and if you need help, or directions or whatever, don't be afraid to ask as they will make an effort to understand you and help you, for sure.

Really interesting place with a relatively small centre, a big square with beautiful buildings and a lot of places to drink and to eat. One month in summer there is a music festival with a lot of famous artists.

Viva Velinx is jaarlijks wel de moeite waard!

Brussels, Bruxelles, Brussel is the most amazing city. treat it with respect, one comes across the nicest people here, with some of the most beautiful sights around. Brussels is the best.

my hometown. If you want the best chips of the world, go to *friterie ferre*... there are delicious...  a bit of advertising for my former job....

ghent festival between 18th and 28th of july 2009

best place for a picnic in belgium

A really nice small and cheap restaurant with good food, located in the old town of Namur:
L'Alternative
(Rue Haute Marcelle 18,
5000 Namur)
http://www.lalternative.be/

And the staff is really sympathetic with a really good knowledge of wines (ask for Christian)!