3,631
edits
Changes
Belgium
,→Nomadwiki & Trashwiki
{{infobox Country
|country = Belgium
|map = <map lat='50.53' lng='4.44' zoom='7' view='0' width='360' height='310' country='Belgium' />
|language = Dutch, French, German
|capital = [[Brussels]]
|pop = 1011,584007,534020
|currency = Euro (€)
|hitch = {{good}} to {{very good}}<rating country='be' />|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. [[Brussels]], the country and european CapitalEuropean capital, has a bilingual status. In Flanders most people will be able to help you out easily in English. In French speaking Belgium English is quite a bit less commonly spoken, but on the whole people will be able to help you out (especially younger people).
Hitch-hiking in the country is usually in general fairly easy within , and, due to the high number of foreigners working in the country and to reach abroad, getting a ride out of the country is usually just as easy. The country has one of the most dense road and motorway networks in Europe which can makes make it slightly complex when trying to find a direct route to a destination. Still, hitching out of a city or moving from on-ramp to on-ramp is usually fairly simple.
The best places to start are the roundabouts near the entrance of the main highways (such spots can be found very easily in [[Oostende]], [[Liège]], [[Louvain-la-Neuve]] and [[Namur]]).<map lat='50.81461241998999' lng='4.41650390625' zoom='7' view='0' float='right' country='Belgium' />
Belgium has a very high density of gas petrol stations and service areas on the motorways. This makes it easier to find one, but also leads to less traffic on a single service area. Because of its bilingual status, it could be helpful to aboard a driver approach drivers in its their native language. Although there is no specific way to be sure of it beforehandtelling what language a driver speaks, the some solutions are:* To quickly say 'Hi' in both Dutch (dag) or French (bonjour),* To check up the sticker of the car retailler retailer to notice in what part of the country it has been bought,* To introduce yourself as a foreigner,
Useful tip: Free use of Internet PC's in many city libraries.
Useful tip: Most petrol stations in Belgium are open 24/7, the staff is friendly and you can have a nap during the night, if you end up on the road. However, be careful since the traffic is high all night long, many people stop and some can be drunk.
It is common practice to use the E-numbers for motorways, instead of A-numbers like in most countries. Even on road signs you will only find E-numbers.
== Main Cities ==[[ImageFile:NetherlandsHitchhiking-without-canoe-belgium-2013.jpg|thumb|right300px|200px|Leaving for Hitchhiking without a canoe, coming from the [[Netherlands]]Post Hitchgathering 2013 in Houyet]]* [[AntwerpenBrussels]] ''(Anvers, Antwerp)French: ''* [[Bruges]] Bruxelles''(Brugge, Brügge)''* [[Brussels]] Dutch: ''(Bruxelles, Brussel)''* [[Gent]] ''(Gand, Ghent)German: ''* [[Liège]] Brüssel''(Luik, Lüttich)''* [[Namur]]* [[Louvain-la-Neuve]]* [[Leuven]]
== Public Transport Food & Toilets ==Public transport The price of food on motorway services is extensive very high, so try to stock up before leaving and affordable 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 a certain point18:00 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'''Train:'''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!
== Food Personal Experiences == Pls add info == Nomadwiki & Toilets Trashwiki ==The food in the motorway services is margined relatively high, so it is always better to not have to buy any goods there. Also in many of these services, toilets are paid. The cheapest supermarket in the country are ''Lidl'', ''Aldi'' and ''Colruyt'', many travelling goods can be obtain at a reduced price at those supermarket such as waffles and chocolate bars. ''GB'' and ''Delhaize'' are some more expensive options but are extensively located downtown with longer opening hours which will offer better prices than the night stores, note that in Belgium shops are not open later than 6pm.
{{IsIn|Western Europe}}
{{Template:Regions Belgium}}
{{Highways BE}}
[[Category:Belgium| ]]
[[Category:Western Europe]]
[[de:Belgien]]
[[fi:Belgia]]
[[fr:Belgique]]