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Belgium
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{{infobox Country|country = Belgium|map = <liftershalte map lat='50.8146124199899953' lng='4.4165039062544' zoom='7' view='0' floatwidth='360' height='310' country='Belgium' />|language = Dutch, French, German|capital = [[Brussels]]|pop = 11,007,020|currency = Euro (€)|hitch = <rating country='rightbe' />|BW = BE}}'''Belgium''' is a small country between , clockwise from the North, the [[FranceNetherlands]], the [[NetherlandsGermany]], [[GermanyLuxembourg]] and [[LuxembourgFrance]]. It is a member state of the [[European Union]] as well as the [[Schengen Agreement]].The country is divided into a Dutch speaking part in the North ([[Flanders]]), and a French speaking part in the South (WalloniaWallonie)and a tiny German speaking part in the East. Not only the language is divided[[Brussels]], but also the culturecountry and European capital, which also reflects the has a bilingual status. In Flanders most people's attitude on hitchhikingwill be able to help you out easily in English. While hitchhiking In French speaking Belgium English is usually very easy in quite a bit less commonly spoken, but on the north - like in the [[Netherlands]], it whole people will be much more difficult able to help you out (but not impossibleespecially younger people) in the south - like in [[France]].
== Main Cities ==[[CategoryFile:BelgiumHitchhiking-without-canoe-belgium-2013.jpg|*thumb|300px|Hitchhiking without a canoe, coming from the Post Hitchgathering 2013 in Houyet]] * [[Category:EuropeBrussels]](French: ''Bruxelles'', Dutch: ''Brussel'', German: ''Brüssel'')
* [[lhAntwerpen]] (French: ''Anvers'', Dutch: ''Antwerpen'', German: ''Anwerpen'')* [[Bruges|Brugge]] (French: ''Bruges'', Dutch: ''Brugge'', German: ''Brügge'')* [[Gent]] (French:''Gand'', Dutch: ''Gent'', German: ''Gent'')* [[Hasselt]] (''idem'')* [[Leuven]] (French: ''Louvain'', Dutch: ''Leuven'', German: ''Löwen'')* [[Oostende]] (French: ''Ostende'', Dutch: ''Oostende'', German: ''Ostende'') * [[Liège]] (French: ''Liège'', Dutch: ''Luik'', German: ''Lüttich'')* [[Charleroi]] (''idem'')* [[Namur]] (French: ''Namur'', Dutch: ''Namen'', German: ''Namur'')* [[Mons]] (French: ''Mons'', Dutch: ''Bergen'', German: ''Mons'')* [[Arlon]] (French: ''Arlon'', Dutch: ''Aarlen'', German: ''Arlon'')* [[Louvain-la-Neuve]] (''idem'') == Food & Toilets ==The price of food on motorway services is very high, so try to stock up before leaving and note that very few motorway services have free toilets. The price (usually between EUR 0.30 and 0.70) sometimes includes a voucher that can be used in the restaurant. However, it is easy to jump over the barrier and use the toilet for free. The cheapest supermarkets in the country are ''Lidl'', ''Aldi'' and ''Colruyt'', and food bought in them will be significantly cheaper than on motorway services. ''Carrefour'' and ''Delhaize'' are more expensive options, but are extensively located downtown with longer opening hours (Often 20:00, but not all of them!) which will offer better prices than the convenience stores. Note that in Belgium most shops close at 18:00 and very few shops are open on Sundays. There are few free public toilets around, and you might even be charged in places like McD's. It is best to avoid the tourist areas when looking for a free toilet and aim at the less obvious places such as big chain hotels (Radisson...), public buildings (libraries and schools) and some cafés where you can use the toilet without being spotted by the staff who might request you to pay a fee up to 50 cents, although many will allow you to use the toilet if you ask them in English! Belgium is famous for its ''frietkoten''. These are small restaurants or stands that sell French fries (a Belgian dish mind you! Protip: Make sure you don't call them French fries, but just fries. Because some will lecture you about fries not being French.) and all sorts of snacks for relatively low prices. It's not very healthy, but for EUR 5 you can have quite a big meal which is bigger & cheaper then McD's. Every village has a frietkot, and every city has at least one in every neighborhood. Also make sure you try out the beer. Belgians have the most and best types of beer in the world, and often it'll be cheaper then water or soda. == Personal Experiences == Pls add info == Nomadwiki & Trashwiki == {{nomadwiki}} [https://www.facebook.com/groups/467054706678994/ Facebook group Hitchhiking in Belgium and the Netherlands] {{IsIn|Western Europe}}{{Template:Regions Belgium}}{{Highways BE}} [[Category:Belgium| ]][[Category:Western Europe]] [[de:Belgien]][[wikitraveles:BelgiumBélgica]][[fi:Belgia]][[fr:Belgique]][[cswikitr:BelgiumBelçika]]