Belgium Vacations

Belgian character can't be pinned down with a single description. Everything depends on your relation to its two distinct ethnic groups. In the north of the country lies Flanders, home to the Flemish, a predominantly Dutch-speaking population. The south part of the country is called Wallonia, where inhabitants speak French. German speakers can be found in the eastern regions of the country, but there are fewer habitants here.

Polyglots will be happy to practice more than one language in Belgium, but the culture will differ depending on where you are. For example, people in Brussels will often go for a handshake when greeting each other. In French-speaking Wallonia, a kiss on the cheek is more common. 

Overall, Belgium's climate is moderate and sees few extremes, meaning there's no bad time to visit. If you'd like to experience peak European café culture, outdoor terraces open from spring until fall. Sunny and warm temperatures hit their peak in July-August, as do accommodation prices and tourist crowds. If you'd like to avoid this, April-May and September-October also have pleasant weather in addition to lower prices.

Winters can be cold and wet, which may not be a problem if you intend to visit indoor attractions like museums. In some years, temperatures are low enough for canals to freeze in Bruges and Ghent, making ice skating a picturesque possibility! 

Belgium holds strong liberal attitudes and remains an excellent travel destination with more than sixty UNESCO World Heritage Sites to visit.

When travelling the country, be aware that Belgian society divides itself by language. There are three official languages: Dutch is spoken in Flanders to the north, French is spoken in Wallonia to the south, and German is spoken in the eastern communities.

Despite the linguistic diversity, you should attempt to speak the local language of the area you are in. Signage will indicate which language to use, as road signs are monolingual. If needed, you will find that more than half of the population also speaks some degree of English. 

Fries, waffles, and chocolate might capture the imagination when you think of Belgium. These are exceptional, but there's many other culinary delights that await. Local meats like pheasant, rabbit, venison, beef, and lamb are found across dining tables. Vlaamse stovery, or La Carbonade Flamande, combines Belgian culinary and drink traditions in a beef stew cooked in dark beer. Moules frites, or mussels and fries, is a surprisingly delicious combination, especially when the fries are dipped in mayo.

Belgian chocolates are truly divine, offering bits of creamy cocoa, rich truffles, and more. Don't miss out on pralines, a chocolate filled with cream, nuts, and dark chocolate enrobed in either milk or white chocolate. Those with a sweet tooth will want to try both kinds of Belgian waffles. The Brussels waffle is fluffy and topped with sugar, whipped cream, strawberries, and chocolate. In comparison, Liège waffles have a burnt sugar coating and are usually served by street vendors. Both are delicious, so try both to find your favourite!

Belgians made a name for themselves with their most famous export — beer! Brewing history can be traced back to the Middle Ages, meaning they've had centuries to perfect their recipes. Stella Artois and Hoegaarden are the most recognizable names, but you'll want to try out the local varieties. With more than 450 different types of beer, you're bound to discover your new favourite pint in the country's many breweries.