What’s Wrong with Belgium?
I was having tea and scones with a fellow traveller friend, and when I said that Belgium was one of my favourite countries, she laughed. After my incredulous look back, she clarified her response by telling me what I hear so often about the feeling folk get from the country: it’s grimy, it’s a bit unfriendly, it’s stark and cold. (Ok – I’m slightly paraphrasing – but I’ve heard all these comments at one point or another.)
I have spent much time in Belgium given how easy it was to access while I was living in Amsterdam and there are so many charming things about it.
I caused quite the debate over at Europe A La Carte back in December with my public apology on Brussel’s nomination as the most boring European city. But to me Brussels, if you scratch beneath the surface, is one Europe’s most stylish capitals.
Beyond Brussels, I can easily think of so many nice places to visit, just off the top of my head:
- Ghent. This is the sister city to Bruges, a tourist magnet, but I like Ghent’s slightly more rustic feel. As well, there is the world renouned SMAK modern art museum, a total surprise in such a small medieval town. Oh, and yes, there is tons of good beer here. Who doesn’t like a nice tipple now and then?
- Namur. The ancient citadel – complete with subterrean passages – and the surrounding old town is well off the typical tourist track. With a weekly market, several festivals throughout the year, and friendly locals, what’s not to like?
- Antwerp. Beyond all that diamond shopping , the city it is full of fantastic artwork and impressive architecture. Check out this post on a perfect day in Antwerp.
Beyond that, there’s all the festivals! There is the Heavy Metal Festival every June in Dessel, the Carnival de Binch (one of the few world festivals to actually be included in a UNESCO world heritage charter), The Dour Festival…are you getting the point that this is one happening place?
Right, so I get it that perhaps Belgium is not the din of iniquity that is Amsterdam, nor the fabulous chic of France. But it holds its own right and shouldn’t be overlooked.
What’s your view? Weight in with a comment below.
Andy Hayes is the managing editor of Sharing Travel Experiences. Featured in Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal, National Geographic Traveler, and other major publications, he travels for up to seven weeks at a time and spends the other seven right here with you. Follow him on Twitter, @andrewghayes.
Want to see Belgium for yourself and decide if it's a travel gem?
What are you waiting for? Travel more with our special travel deals, such as:
Or, get hands-on travel help from Donna, our travel concierge.
May 17th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Belgium tip: Drink lot of Belgian beer. Makes it a lot more fun!
Dave Martinez’s last blog post..No thank you, put your money away, it’s free!
May 17th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
I haven’t been to Belgium – but my favourite countries tend to be in Scandinavia, which most people find a bit unusual
Actually I’m hoping to get to Belgium and Holland as a couple of long weekends later in the year, they’re close enough that I really have no excuse for not having been!
Rachel Cotterill’s last blog post..Shropshire In The Rain
May 18th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Andy,
Have you not seen the movie “In Bruges”?
They crack all sorts of funny jokes about how terrible Belgium is!!
You would be very disappointed with how much maligned Belgium is in this movie… I haven’t been yet and I was a bit put off.
Your post is a good rebuff!
Lina Zaproudi’s last blog post..Think, don’t Google
May 18th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
@ Dave – What are your favourites? I love Karmelite and Leffe Blonde – on draught, of course!
@ Rachel – I love Scandinavia, so I don’t find it unusual at all. Get in touch before you go to Holland/Belgium, have loads of recommendations for you.
@ Linda – I haven’t seen it, and certainly not in a rush to go see it now! You have piqued my interest, though…
May 18th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
i’ve had so many obscure but lovely ones and then can never remember the names. but regular favs.. Hoegaarden and Leffe Blonde. interesting thing about leffe you might have noticed… when you fart it totally smells of belgian beer! maybe just me…
Dave Martinez’s last blog post..No thank you, put your money away, it’s free!
May 19th, 2009 at 7:27 am
@ Dave Hoegaarden is great when sitting in the sun. Uhm, and no I hadn’t noticed. Thank you for the colourful insight.
May 25th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I loved Belgium, including the 3 hours we got lost driving around the countryside. (Yes, 3 hours lost in one of the tiniest countries on earth).
Nonetheless…
We couchsurfed with a friend and his daughter in Brugges. I was amazed at how friendly people were, and what a beautiful city for walking. Their daily market is pretty spectacular too.
And need I say beer and chocolate? Maybe even bickyburgers too. Maybe.
May 25th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
@ Leigh 3 hours? My oh my – you *are* an explorer. Well done!
May 30th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
[...] many times have you heard the jokes about Belgium being boring? I can’t understand this, I really enjoyed my visit to Brussels. Sometimes once a destination [...]
June 4th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
[...] you’re half Belgian and we’ve already had plenty of debate about the merits of Belgium as a country, why don’t you give us your view? I have to admit that I haven’t spent much time in [...]
June 11th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Lol i’m Belgian and I think lot of Belgian ppl are unfriendly, depressed or frustrated
I like it when I meet English ppl here, coz they’re always nice xD
June 11th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
@Kels – LOL, I think you could say the same about many countries, unfortunately