Belgium is split into three regions with the cosmopolitan capital city, Brussels, sitting smack in the middle. Surrounding the Brussels-Capital Region are the two much larger areas, the Flemish Region (Flanders) and the Walloon Region (Wallonia) – each with its own cultural quirks and traditions.
Car hire in Belgium allows you to drift between the towns, cities and natural areas of all three regions, giving you a real flavour of Belgium as a whole. That flavour often being chocolate…
The Fabulous Flemish
The Flemish Region, or ‘Flanders’ as it’s commonly known, consumes the northern half of the country. The region shares a border with the Netherlands and the people here largely speak Dutch. Flanders is home to most of Belgium’s most recognisable towns, cities and attractions and accounts for a good deal of the nation’s tourism.
The coastal cities of Ostend and Bruges are to the west of the region, with the area’s other main towns and cities - Antwerp, Ghent, Leuven and Mechelen - found more centrally in an area known as ‘The Flemish Diamond’.
Antwerp is Belgium’s second city but it takes first place on the coolness scale. It’s a big draw for young people, with excellent nightlife and thriving music, culture and fashion scenes. The hip city of Ghent is also well worth visiting for both its architecture and its delicious array of vegetarian restaurants. Then there’s the medieval fairy-tale town of Bruges, deemed by many to be one of the most photogenic cities on Earth.
Belgium is famed for its confectionery production, specifically chocolate. You’ll see artisanal chocolate being produced across the country, often with samples to enjoy while you’re watching the show. But for the ultimate sweet-toothed experience, visit The Barry Callebaut Company in the small Flemish town of Wieze. Located just outside Ghent, it’s the world’s largest chocolate factory, producing over 1,000 tonnes of the good stuff every single day.
Go wild for Wallonia
The French-speaking Walloon Region, the largest region in Belgium, is found in the south of the country. Wedged between Flanders and France, Walloon also shares borders with Luxembourg and Germany.
Bask in the untainted beauty of the hills, rivers, castles, mountains and forests of the Ardennes - arguably the most picturesque area of Belgium. Or immerse yourself in the region’s eclectic cities such as the lively cultural melting pot of Liège or unpretentious Charleroi.
Visitors to the south of the country are often drawn to Spa – an elegant town where the idea of ‘wellness’ was born. Giving its name to spas across the world, this relaxing haven has superlative hot springs and is a real sanctuary if you’re looking to de-stress and unwind.
Beautiful Brussels
A beautifully-scaled city, Brussels is the perfect combination of cut ‘n’ thrust modernity and relaxed olde worlde charm.
First-rate art museums and collections, medieval structures, beautiful parks and gardens, master chocolatiers and hands-down the finest beer ever brewed, Brussels is a vibrant and delicious place to visit.
Belgium is one of Europe’s finest countries. Modest and unassuming, this chocolatier nation is packed full of idyllic countryside, fascinating history and some of Western Europe’s most photogenic towns and cities. A truly enchanting escape awaits you.
