The Flemish Region (in Dutch “Vlaams Gewest”) is one of the three official regions of the Kingdom of Belgium. Usually it is referred to as “Flanders” or “Vlaanderen” in Dutch. The official language is Dutch, sometimes colloquially referred to as Flemish. Flanders is divided up into 5 provinces: Antwerp, East-Flanders, West-Flanders, Flemish Brabant and Limburg.

Antwerp city, capital of The Province of Antwerp, is Belgium most populous and second largest city. The metropolitan city is located near the river Schelde, which connects to the north-sea. The port of Antwerp is the second largest in Europe and among the top 20 of the world. For centuries Antwerp has been an economically and culturally important city. Today there live about 170 nationalities in Antwerp, making it world’s second most multi-cultural city. The city is also know as “The Diamond capital of the World” due to it’s large diamond district.

If we had to choose a Belgian city, besides Brussels, to live in, it would be Ghent. This Flemish gem has it all – beautiful medieval architecture, including an imposing castle, tranquil canals, a young, hip university life, a great cultural scene, and excellent food options – including some of the best vegetarian options in Belgium. What more could we ask for?
The city is packed with history, art and culture. Walking along the scenic canals feels like traveling trough the past. But don’t get the wrong impression, Ghent is also a thriving modern and innovative city.
Located right between Brussels (60km) and Bruges (50km), there’s hardly no excuse to include it into your trip.
Motorized vehicles are banned in a large part of the city. However, Ghent has an extensive network of public transport lines. Ghent also has the largest designated cyclist area in Europe, with nearly 400 kilometres (250 mi) of cycle paths and more than 700 one-way streets, where bikes are allowed to go against the traffic.
When people ask us if they should visit Bruges or Ghent, we say Ghent, without hesitation (although really, why not visit both?) We love relaxing along the banks of the Graslei River, enjoying a Belgian beer in Ghent’s Gruut Brewery, admiring the exhibitions in the various galleries, or simply strolling through the city streets. Ghent is a living Flemish city and we love it.

Bruges is the one Belgian city, beyond Brussels, most people have heard of, for good reason. This quaint, canal-lined medieval city has a museum-like quality making it seem preserved in time. UNESCO recognised Bruges’ importance and tourists flock to fill its streets during the peak summer months.
There is much more to West Flanders than Bruges however, particularly for history buffs. West Flanders was the site of devastating battles during WWI, with the epicentre at Ypres (or Ieper). This pretty, restored city pays homage to those who died in the muddy fields at the striking Menin Gate. There are a variety of fascinating WWI museums in the area, including the interactive In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres’ former Cloth Hall.
West Flanders also encompasses the Belgian coast. While, as Atlantic Canadians, we’ve never been impressed by Belgium’s overdeveloped beaches, we have to admit, some of the coastal cities are worth visiting even if you never see the sand. We particularly enjoy Oostende, with its excellent seafood restaurants, interesting museums, and peaceful gardens. It’s a great weekend escape from Belgium’s busier cities.

Flemish Brabant was our home in Belgium, for our first three years. We found ourselves thrown into the deep-end of Flemish culture and language. Flemish Brabant encircles primarily French-speaking Brussels. However, it’s also home to one of our favourite cities in Belgium, Leuven, and some of our favourite spas, castles, and gardens.
Leuven is a pretty university town, with a young vibe and beautiful architecture. There are a number of excellent museums, including the modern M museum, as well as a nice botanical garden, and UNESCO listed Beguinage.
Just outside of Brussels, in Meise, is the National Botanic Garden of Belgium, with its vast collection of plant species. Flemish Brabant is also home to Europe’s largest rose garden, the incredible Coloma International Rose Garden. It’s a must visit for flower lovers. As is the annual spring bulb show at Groot-Bijgaarden Castle.
Speaking of castles, Gaasbeek Castle is one of the most storybook-like in Belgium and the round Beersel Castle is one of the most unusual. After all of the sightseeing available in Flemish Brabant, what better way to relax than at one of our favourite Belgian spas, two of which happen to be located here, within easy reach of Brussels.

Limburg is the easternmost province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and is located west of the Meuse river. Limburg is Belgium’s primary fruit growing region and is spectacular in the springtime when the apple and pear trees burst into blossom. Walking and cycling through the orchards are great ways to explore and you may even stumble on some unique Belgian art installations, like Reading Between the Lines, better known as ‘the invisible church’.
Spring is also a great time to visit Limburg’s capital, Hasselt. Hasselt is home to a beautiful Japanese Garden, whose cherry trees are a remarkable sight in spring. Hasselt is also home to a small but interesting fashion museum and the city itself is a shopping Mecca. Great food is easy to find in Hasselt with a few Michelin Stars sprinkled around town.
Limburg is brimming with history, particularly in Tongeren, a city famed for its Roman ruins. The excellent Gallo-Roman museum is worth a visit, as is the Gothic basilica and UNESCO listed Beguinage. The province is also home to a number of castles, including the exceptional Alden-Biesen.
In the summer, the fields of Limburg fill with music-lovers at some of the world’s biggest festivals such as Pukkelpop and the Afro-Latino festival.

Gastronomy
In Flanders, people love to get together for dinner and enjoy good food. Whether it’s something simple or an exquisite five-course dinner, the Flemish cuisine stands for authenticity and quality.
It sets great store by the use of regional and seasonal ingredients, such as asparagus, endives and mussels. Other typical ingredients include potatoes, different kinds of meat, seafood, Brussels sprouts and spinach. And what’s for dessert? Belgian chocolate of course.

Some of the traditional dishes you can try are:

Flemish Hotch-potch is a dish of boiled and mashed potatoes, carrots and onions with a long history in traditional Dutch cuisine.

Stoemp is a typical and simple Brussels dish, which you have to try when spending time in the Flemish capital. It consists of pureed potatoes one or several mashed vegetables, sometimes also with bacon. These vegetable pairings traditionally include endive, kale, Brussels sprouts, spinach, turnip greens, carrot or onion. Stoemp is usually served with sausage or stewed meat.

Waterzooi is a classic stew of Flanders. Its name is Dutch, “zooien” meaning “to boil”. It is sometimes called Gentse Waterzooi (in Dutch) which refers to the city of Ghent.
The original form is made of fish, either freshwater or sea, though today chicken waterzooi is more common. The most accepted theory is that rivers of Ghent became too polluted and the fish there disappeared The stew is made of the fish or chicken, vegetables including carrots, leeks and potatoes, herbs, eggs, cream and butter and usually served as a soup with a baguette to sop up the liquid.

Belgian endive was accidentally discovered by a Belgian farmer in 1830. Since then the endive’s fame has spread worldwide as more cooks and chefs turn to the Belgian endive because it is the most flavorful in the world.
The distinctive tangy flavor of each leaf of this vegetable has its own special mystique. Belgian endive, hot or cold is truly the uncommon pleasure.

The typical Flemish asparagus is white, as it is grown covered in soil to prevent photosynthesis.
This prevents the asparagus turning green and results in a taste a little sweeter and much tenderer than the green asparagus.
It is generally harvested from late April to early June. In Flanders, due to the short growing season and demand for local produce, asparagus commands a premium and the asparagus season is a highlight of the foodie calendar as it is often nicknamed “white gold”.
Only young asparagus shoots are commonly eaten: once the buds start to open, the shoots quickly turn woody and become strongly flavored. The shoots are prepared and served in a number of ways around the world, typically as an appetizer or a vegetable side dish.
In the Flemish style, it is mostly boiled or steamed and served with hollandaise sauce and/of melted butter.

Beef stew cooked in beer has long been part of the culinary heritage of Flanders, and it is still one of the most popular stews.
Through the ages, the recipe has varied, and every mother passes on her “secret” to her children. Some like to add liver or kidneys to the beef, which certainly gives the stew a more distinctive flavour. Others like it more “sweet” and add a slice of pain d’epices, an old-fashioned honey spice, bread, or even a slice of country bread spread with a strong mustard. These spicy and sweet flavourings have been an integral part of the Flemish palate and cuisine since the Middle Ages.

A vol-au-vent is the French name for a baked puff pastry batter.
The name means “windblown” and describes the lightness of the pastry. A round opening is cut in the top and the pastry cut out for the opening is replaced as a lid after the case is filled. In Flanders the pastry is filled with a chicken, meatball and mushroom sauce.

Crispy, golden fries: they’re our national pride. Did you know Belgium had 4.643 fries stands in 2016? That means you can find one in every district and village. 60 % of our locals eat them at least once a week. For the Flemish, fries are anything but a side dish. That’s also the reason we’re so good at making them. As well as having the best potatoes, we also have the pride and the skills to make the best fries in the world. Taking the time to prepare them as they should be, from the correct chopping technique to the second cooking: there’s a real art to the creation of fries.

Chocolate mousse is one of Flanders’ best desserts.
Made with the best Belgian chocolate you can find it truly is our one and only national dessert.
A creamy, airy, delicious, melt-in-your-mouth chocolatey experience.

Climate

The best time to visit Flanders is during the months of April, May and June and between September and October. These are the times the weather conditions are perfect; festivals are abundant, nature is at its beautiful best and activities are aplenty. The peak season in Belgium is between July and August and the low season kicks in during November and extends until March.
From December until February the average temperature are between 2°C and 7°C.
March and November the average temperature is between 4°C and 11°C.
May and October the average temperature are between 9°C and 18°C.
From June until September the average temperature are between 14°C and 23°C.

Wallonia or the Walloon region is one of three regions in Belgium. It is a French-speaking region in the south of Belgium. It is bordered by France, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Germany. The capital of the region is Namur. Other important cities are: Liège, Charleroi, Mons, Tournai and Verviers.
Wallonia has 5 provinces, each with its own capital: Namur, Liège, Hainaut, Luxembourg and Walloon Brabant.

Namur, nestling at the confluent of the Sambre and the Meuse rivers, the Capital of Wallonia invites you to come and explore, stroll around, relax or enjoy an adventure! You are sure to be captivated by its generosity, its gastronomy, its rich heritage and folklore.
Picturesque, medieval Namur is overlooked by a sprawling hilltop citadel that has helped to protect its people during their turbulent past. Together they have transcended many ages! It is nowadays a hot spot for guided tours, events and walks through a green setting offering spectacular views of the city. The site will be shortly connected to the city-centre by a brand new cable-car (2020).
The squares and cobbled streets of the town centre are lined with shops and an impressive clutch of restaurants. Namur is also a perfect gateway to the lush forests and rolling plains of the Ardennes.

Liège lies within Belgium’s Ardennes region and is spread around the Meuse River, where it is the provincial capital. One of the most famous of all the sights in Liege is the Mountain of Bueren, which has become nothing short of an iconic symbol of the city. Known locally as the Montagne de Bueren, this is not actually a mountain at all, but a steep staircase with almost 400 steps, where at the top you can enjoy some spectacular views of the cityscape. The Saint Paul Cathedral is another leading tourist attraction in Liege, as is the Palace of the Prince Bishops, and the Town Hall (Stadhuis), which presides over the Place du Marché and is close to numerous picture-postcard houses and the Perron monument.Within Liege are a surprising number of museums, with favourites including the Archéoforum, the House of Science and the riverside Curtius Museum, where an array of archaeological exhibits await. Art lovers in Liege should not miss the Museum of Walloon Art, which showcases works by Belgian artist Henri Blès and is a particular highlight for many.

Hainaut is the westernmost province of Wallonia. Its capital is Mons. The name Hainaut (sometimes spelt Hainault in English) comes from the river Haine (formerly spelt Hayne or Haÿne), which runs between Anderlues (south of Charleroi) and Condé-sur-l’Escaut (north-east of Valenciennes).
Famous people born in the province of Hainaut include: Merovingian kings Meroweg, Childeric I and Clovis I, the immunologist Jules Bordet, the astronomer Georges Lemaître (Big Bang theory), and the surrealist painter René Magritte.
The province of Hainaut was the cradle of many ducal and princely families, such as the Dukes of Enghien, the Princes of Croÿ, the Princes of Chimay, the Princes of Ligne and the Princes of Barbençon – a number unequaled by any other Belgian province, and probably also by any European region of that size.
Among the princely castles still standing, let’s note those of Beloeil, Antoing, Le Roeulx, Chimay and Ecaussines-Lalaing, all of which are open to the public at least some time of the year.

Luxembourg is the southernmost province of Wallonia and of Belgium.
The province also covers two geographical regions of Wallonia : the Ardennes in the north part and the Gaume in the south part.
Famous people born in the province of Luxembourg include: the grammarian Maurice Grevisse, and the Nobel Prize biochemist Albert Claude.
The City of Luxembourg is not only a historic UNESCO site with its fortifications lining the steep valley but also an important European and financial centre with imposing modern buildings.
Within walking distance of each other, places of interest in the old town include the fortifications and the underground defences known as the casemates, the Grand Ducal Palace, the neogothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, Place Guillaume II with the City Hall, the Place d’Armes with its pavement restaurants and cafés, the Gëlle Fra or Golden Lady crowning the obelisk in memory of those who died for their country during the First World War and the nearby Adolphe Bridge towering over the valley.
There are also two particularly interesting museums in the old town. The Luxembourg City History Museum traces the history of the city from its foundations (in the lower floors) to the present (at the top) while the National Museum of History and Art showcases Celtic and Roman findings including the well-preserved Vichten Mosaic depicting the Roman muses.
The valley itself, known as the Grund, also has points of interest such as the Neumünster Abbey and the Natural History Museum. Once a poor quarter of the city, it has become increasingly popular for its night life in the narrow medieval streets and for its gastronomic restaurants.

Walloon Brabant. Its capital is Wavre. Walloon Brabant was created in 1995 by the split of the former province of Brabant into three parts: two new provinces, Walloon Brabant and Flemish Brabant; and the Brussels Capital Region, which no longer belongs to any province.
The province of Walloon Brabant is the richest in the country. The richest commune in Belgium is Lasne, between Waterloo and Rixensart.
The province of Walloon Brabant used to belong to the Duchy of Brabant, until its incorporation in the Burgundian Netherlands in 1430.
In 1815, it is in Walloon Brabant that Napoleon fought its last battles, around Waterloo, Placenoit, Quatre Bras, Ligny and Nivelles.

Gastronomy

During your stay in Wallonia region you can try the following traditional dishes:

Boûkète, is a buckwheat flour pancake that is traditionally fried in lard and decorated with raisins and brown sugar. The pancake can be served either hot or cold, and is often drizzled over with sirop de Liège.
The name boûkète is derived from the Dutch boekweit, denoting a type of buckwheat. This sweet treat is especially popular during the festive winter season, when it is recommended to pair the pancakes with a glass of mulled wine. Originally made in Liège since the 18th century.

Boudin Blanc de Liège is a Belgian white sausage made from pork shoulder and belly, crumbled white bread, onions, cream, and milk. All of the ingredients are combined, stuffed in casings, and cooked in hot water, then left to cool and dry for a short period of time.

Couque de Dinant are traditional Belgian cookies, famous for their extra-hard texture, so much that they are traditionally given to babies to suck on while they are teething. Their tooth-cracking texture is achieved by baking the cookies at extremely high temperatures.

Tarte al djote is a traditional Belgian dish originating from the city of Nivelles. This savory pie is prepared with a combination of cow’s milk cheese, chard, butter, onions, eggs, parsley, and pepper. The base, or the dough for the pie is made with flour, butter, eggs, milk, yeast, and salt.

Lapin à la Turnaisienne consists of a whole rabbit that is cut into pieces before being slowly simmered, usually alongside onions, prunes, raisins, and herbs such as thyme and laurel. Nowadays, the dish is often cooked with dark beer, though the original version did not include it as it was once a luxurious addition that was only reserved for the wealthy.

Vitoulet is a Belgian meatball that is typically made with a combination of ground pork, ground veal, bread, milk, eggs, shallots, and parsley. The meat mixture is usually seasoned with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, and it is then shaped into balls which are fried on melted butter until nicely colored and crispy on all sides.

Mitraillette is a Belgian sandwich that’s believed to originate from either Brussels or Wallonia, the French-speaking part of the country near the French border. The sandwich consists of a long baguette that’s fully loaded with french fries, fried meat, and some kind of sauce.

Cougnou. This sweet brioche-like bread is prepared with a yeasted dough that is often enriched with raisins, chocolate chips, and occasionally comes topped with pearl sugar. The usual shape of the bread is reminiscent of a swaddled baby, hence its alternative name – the bread of Jesus.

Boulets sauce lapin à la Liègeoise. This popular Belgian dish known as boulets liégeoise consists of beef and pork meatballs that are simmered in a gravy made with onions, flour, beef broth, and sirop de Liége. Sultanas are often added to the meatballs, and there are other versions of these meatballs as well – with cherries in Flanders, or with tomato sauce, mushrooms, and Madeira wine.

Liège waffles are one of the two most popular waffle varieties in Belgium. These unevenly shaped, chewy treats are made with a thick, brioche-like dough which is sweetened with pearl sugar and baked in a specially-designed waffle pan. During the baking process, the pearl sugar melts and gives the waffles a unique caramel flavor.

Climate

The best time to visit the region Wallonia in Belgium is from june until august, when you will have a pleasant temperature and limited rainfall. The highest average temperature in Wallonia is 22°C in july and the lowest is 4°C in january.

From December until February the average temperature are between 0°C and 5°C.
March and November the average temperature are between 2°C and 10°C.
April and October the average temperature are between 4°C and 14°C.
May and September the average temperatures are between 7°C and 18°C.
From June until August the average temperature are between 10°C and 22°C.

Belgium’s proud capital city lies at the very heart of the crossroads to the whole of West Europe and as such, Brussels is easy to reach from many different European destinations. Due to its unusual location, Brussels is a truly cosmopolitan city and home to a wealth of different nationalities and cultures.

For many, Brussels appears as a very confident city, although manages to stay quite modest at the same time and does not flaunt its undeniable tourist appeal and endless sights. Many important Flemish institutions have based themselves within Brussels, such as the Flemish Parliament itself. However, for tourists, it is the laid back Belgians, relaxed pace of life, friendly atmosphere, beautiful architecture, rich chocolate and frothy Belgian beer that combine to make this city so very inviting.

A good way to get an understanding of the city’s layout is to take a guided, double-decker bus tour around central Brussels, passing the attractions of Royal Square and the rather splendid Triumph Arch. Make time to visit the Brouwerij Belle Vue brewery and sample this esteemed Belgian beer, or visit Bruprack, where you will find the Oceadium water park, the simply huge Kinepolis cinema, the breathtaking Atomium structure, and Mini-Europe – a collection of scale models of famous buildings from all over Europe.

Many of the most historical landmarks reside within central Brussels and around its Grote Markt square. One of the most photographed sights stands in this part of the city, the iconic bronze of a young boy urinating that is named the Manneken Pis. Also this statue is quite small, queues of people flock to see its unusual costumes in which it is often dressed. For something a little grander, Brussels has plenty to wow you with, such as the Egmont Palace, the Bourse de Bruxelles (Stock Exchange) and the regal Royal Palace, which was built in the latter part of the 18th century and was once the residence of the Belgian monarchy.

The huge number of museums in Brussels cover an equally large number of topics and impart a range of information. Belgian chocolate is celebrated at the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate (Cacao en Chocolade), while an extensive collection of dinosaur fossils are exhibited at the Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. If you are in the mood for art appreciation during your stay in Brussels, then several galleries stand out from the crowd, such as the Palace of Fine Arts (Palais des Beaux Arts) and also the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium – the city’s biggest museum complex.

Gastronomy
Although Belgium is famed for its chocolate, waffles and fries, there is much more than just these treats to enjoy, and the capital’s fantastic restaurants serve up all kinds of fare from around the world.

‘Moules frites’ (mussels and chips) and ‘anguilles au vert’ (eel in green herb sauce) are two Belgian dishes of international renown. Lesser known but no less delicious are ‘boudin noir de Bruxelles’ (Brussels black pudding), ‘Américain frites’ (rough mincemeat with eggs and spices) and ‘stoemp’ (mashed potato mixed with vegetables) with a good slice of bacon and ‘saucisse de campagne’ (country sausage).

Brussels sprouts are almost never on the menu. Strange but that’s the way it is. Belgian endives, on the other hand, sometimes also known as chicory is used in lots of dishes, including salads, entrées and gratins.

Chicons au gratin is dish made of poached roulades of endive (chicory) wrapped in ham and then covered in a creamy bechamel sauce and topped with cheese. This is a classic Belgian recipe that is most popular in winter months. The slightly bitter endive paired with the salty savory ham and topped with a rich creamy sauce is an example of comfort food at its finest.

Belgian meatballs. Belgians love comfort food, and what would a menu of such foods be without the humble meatball? Known as either boulettes (French) or ballekes (Flemish), meatballs bring up fond memories of home for many locals.
The most traditional recipe combines ground beef or pork combined with egg, bread crumbs and seasoning rolled into balls and then cooked in a simple tomato sauce. There are many variations, including creamy sauces or sauces using beer as a base. They are typically served, of course with fries or stoemp (Belgain mashed potatoes).

Vol au vent is another classic Belgian comfort food. Chicken and mushrooms are joined in a creamy sauce and piled into a puffed pastry bowl and garnished with parsley. The dish is frequently served with a side of fried or mashed potatoes.

Carbonade Frlamande is Belgian’s version of beef stew. The meat is slowly simmered with onions in a sauce made with beer and mustard and seasoned with thyme and a bay leaf. The sweet and sour meaty dish goes perfectly with, you guessed it, Belgian frites.

Stoemp is another classic Belgian comfort food, similar to England’s “Bubble and Squeak” and Ireland’s “Champ.” It consists of mashed potatoes paired with cream and often other vegetables (such as leeks, carrots or cabbage) or other delicious mix-in such as bacon. It is often served with a meat dish on such as grilled sausage.

Belgian Beer. There are over 200 breweries in Belgium. Beer is so central to the Belgian culture that UNESCO included it on their list of “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” in 2016. The frothy brew has been produced in the country since with 12th century. Trappist beers, which are still made in monasteries, are particular favourites here.
If you are a beer lover, what more do you need to know? With all of the craft beer in Belgium, the only problem is really selecting which to try. Many brewhouses offer beer “flights” to simplify the decision making – they’ll provide you with a number of small taster glasses of beer so you can decide on your favourite.

Mer du Nord. Belgian’s certainly didn’t invent seafood scampi, fried mussels or seafood soup, but they certainly enjoy it serve up quite a bit of it at the Mer du Nord (or Noordzee). The food is served up from a stand on the street in front of their fresh seafood stand. When your selection is ready they yell out your name and you collect your savory prize and eat it standing at a table across the street. Many patrons share a bottle of wine or beer to go along with their selection. This place is packed on sunny weekend days.

Climate
The best time to visit the region Brussels-Capital Region in Belgium is from june until september, when you will have a pleasant temperature and limited rainfall. The highest average temperature in Brussels-Capital Region is 23°C in july and the lowest is 5°C in january.

From December until February the average temperature are between 1°C and 6°C.
March and November the average temperature are between 3°C and 11°C.
April and October the average temperature are between 8°C and 15°C.
May and September the average temperatures are between 8°C and 20°C.
From June until August the average temperature are between 13C and 23°C.