Difference between revisions of "Belgium"

From Hitchwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 1: Line 1:
 
<liftershalte lat='50.81461241998999' lng='4.41650390625' zoom='7' view='0' float='right' />
 
<liftershalte lat='50.81461241998999' lng='4.41650390625' zoom='7' view='0' float='right' />
 
'''Belgium''' is a small country between [[France]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Germany]] and [[Luxembourg]].
 
'''Belgium''' is a small country between [[France]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Germany]] and [[Luxembourg]].
The country is divided into a Dutch speaking part in the North (Flanders), and a French speaking part in the South (Wallonia). Not only the language is divided, but also the culture, which also reflects the people's attitude on hitchhiking. While hitchhiking is usually very easy in the north - like in the [[Netherlands]], it will be much more difficult (but not impossible) in the south - like in [[France]].
+
The country is divided into a Dutch speaking part in the North (Flanders), and a French speaking part in the South (Wallonia). [[Brussels]], the country and european Capital, has a bilingual status.  
 +
 
 +
Hitch-hiking is usually easy within the country and to reach abroad. The country has one of the most dense road and motorway networks in Europe which can makes 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 [[Liège]], [[Louvain-la-Neuve]] and [[Namur]]).
 
The best places to start are the roundabouts near the entrance of the main highways (such spots can be found very easily in [[Liège]], [[Louvain-la-Neuve]] and [[Namur]]).
  
Belgium has a very high density of gas 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.
+
Belgium has a very high density of gas 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 in its native language. Although there is no specific way to be sure of it beforehand, the solutions are:
 +
* To quickly say 'Hi' in both Dutch or French,
 +
* To check up the sticker of the car retailler 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 every city library.
 
Useful tip: Free use of Internet PC's in every city library.

Revision as of 02:13, 5 July 2007

<liftershalte lat='50.81461241998999' lng='4.41650390625' zoom='7' view='0' float='right' /> Belgium is a small country between France, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg. The country is divided into a Dutch speaking part in the North (Flanders), and a French speaking part in the South (Wallonia). Brussels, the country and european Capital, has a bilingual status.

Hitch-hiking is usually easy within the country and to reach abroad. The country has one of the most dense road and motorway networks in Europe which can makes 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 Liège, Louvain-la-Neuve and Namur).

Belgium has a very high density of gas 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 in its native language. Although there is no specific way to be sure of it beforehand, the solutions are:

  • To quickly say 'Hi' in both Dutch or French,
  • To check up the sticker of the car retailler 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 every city library.

Cities

Useful links

  • The Dutch Wikipedia contains much more useful information than the English Wikipedia (even you don't read Dutch), with specific information about locations of gas stations, e.g. about the A13.

lh:BE wikitravel:Belgium cswiki:Belgium