Visit Belgium - 5 Things You Will Love & Hate about Belgium
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- čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
- www.woltersworld.com
From service without a smile to architecture and spires that will turn your gaze to the sky, Belgium has much you will enjoy and a few things you may not. Here we look at what tourists may or may not like about visiting Belgium.
Filmed in Ghent, Belgium
Copyright Mark Wolters 2014
Photos: Ghent, Brussels, Leuven, Bruges
The reason they don't come to help too often is that you have to raise your hand to get them to come. They don't want to keep coming unannounced at your table in case it might bother you. If you raise your hand they'll be with you in no time.
The history of Belgium is very fascinating indeed.
"Horum omnium fortissimi sunt Belgae." (Julius Caesar)
Latest dubstep For you And we like it that way. I'd imagine getting hella annoyed in America, if people constantly come at my table every five minutes...
jealous much ;-)
Caesar wrote that sentence in an ironic way
Actually, he wrote it as a sort of propaganda towards the senate. so they would all think: those Belgians are so brave and strong and YET Caesar defeated them, that Caesar sure must be a good leader. (Because the adversary is only as strong as the winning party describes him)
'It's a bit slower here'
*kid running in the background*
Was thinking the same when i saw it
lol
I SAW THAT TOOO AHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA
Belgium is very laid back though.
We are probably among the hardest working people in Europe when we need to work, but we seem to have a culture where when we cross our 8 hours a day, we just stop haha. People just work hard, but when work is done, it means done.
very good mentality. That's what Asians need to adapt.
lol I live in Belgium and the public transportation is not a "love", we hate it with a passion ;)
Bbrothers5 I know. the locals HATED the public transport and all of us tourists were so happy with it :) it was pretty funny.
we mostly hate it because there is delay and the employees go on strike a LOT ;)
woltersworld It's funny because I've been to the States and thought the service was so much better there than in Belgium :) Belgian public transport equals waiting, waiting and a bit more waiting...
Bbrothers5
Sorry Bbrothers5, but I just saw your comment and I have to say something. I am French and I have been living in Belgium for almost two years now. The strikes DO NOT happen. The trains service is great. Believe me. In 2 years, I have known only one big train strike, and it was very well organised. As a passenger, you had all the information about when the strike would happen and for how long.
In France, you don't get such prior notice, you never know how long it will last, and it happens 4 times a year on an average... Public transportation in Belgium is just great, efficient, and relatively cheap. Really.
Also, I know why all the Belgians are comlpaining in this comments. There are regularly delays with trains. However you have to take into account that for most destinations, there is one train every hour or every half hour. So even if your train is delayed or cancelled (which is annoying when you go to work), you will always reach your destination in the next hour.
Again, in France that is not the case. A strike, or any other delay reason (but the strike is the most common), will delay your trip for at least half a day, if not several days.
That said, remember I'm only speaking about trains and not bus/trams.
Laura L. Bus are exceptional in belgium (in time, clean, polite, never had an accident, not too noisy,...) but they do strike ALL THE TIME (believe me i'm belgian and i take it everyday). But you're well informed when they do one.
You have to know where the good restaurants are. If you go to 1 restaurant with bad service doesn't mean Beglium has bad service.
Ikr
I found that the service in Brussels was ALWAYS very bad. In Antwerp I found the service much better, there were some places where there seems to be no urgency to acknowledge you but overall it was rare.
Bob Rowe yeah but Brussels sucks... haha
@Phallus Dominus dude. Im not mean, you are judging us!
@Phallus Dominus No mass tourism? Great! (Ask the Venetians…)
Fries are not French they're Belgian
+Chloé Eleonore yeah but French fries are thinner than Belgian fries. At any American fast food restaurant you will get the thin French fries they're fattier. The Belgian fries taste more like potatoes.
+Alex Wasser It's the other way around..
'french" as in french fries actually means that they're cut
+Alex Wasser french in the word french fries don't refer to The country France but it mean 'finely chopped'
Pieter Debacker No. They were originally called French fries because France is where the American GI's, stationed in the area, assumed the dish came from.
Food is not that expensive... Tourists just don't go where they should.
Phallus Dominus mag ik je er op wijzen dat Belgen toch wel iets mens vriendelijker zijn dan Nederlanders? Persoonlijk vind ik sommige Nederlanders wat arrogant overkomen. En ik ga helemaal akkoord met wat Herve zei. Er zijn zoveel pareltjes waar buitenlanders en sommige Belgen niet over weten. Maarja, liever op ons zelf gericht dan gierig zijn niet waar? ;)
Herve Louon what place you recommend?
@Phallus Dominus ?? Waarom zeg je da inneens? Wil je aandacht? Ben je jaloers?
@@jennalefever7586 idd Nederlanders zijn zo irritant!
wait, he thinks Hoegaarden is a strong beer, It's actually a pretty light beer I think
Hoegaarden is practically water. Try Duvel or any trappist beer. You're welcome :D
Matthijs D yup you’re right haha i live also in Belgium :)
Matthijs D Bruh Hoegaarden Blanche isnt water its a nice beer!! Doesnt need to always be strong. Yes i like Duvel, Trippel Karmeliet,... too but Blanche is nice aswell
@@yannhayon2796 Still doesn't qualify as a strong beer.
Matthijs D i didnt say that either i drink it every week so. I meant that it doesnt need to be strong to have a good taste. I sure like the Strong Belgian Beers too
Remember that it is considered rude in belgium for a waiter to ask you if you want something else if you haven't called him to your table. I noticed that in the US the waiter comes by regularly to ask if you want something ; here that is considered pushy and rude ; you are left alone unless you signal the waiter that you want something. I have seen Americans stare for 15 minutes before they figured out they are supposed to call the waiter to their table
2% beers ?
That's what i had at school when i was 5....
LOL
2% ? We call that a "bier without alcohol" :D
hahaa jean
I didn't even know that you could actually get a hangover with that..
De la Piedboeuf
Not to forget there are the most concerts and festivals per 10.000 inhabitants of whole Europe !
it's really weird that an american likes the transport and we belgians hate it
KingsnakeSince1986 Well in Belgium there are a lot of strikes (it's especially a problem with the public transport).
Just as an example: Yesterday there was a strike and the unions have already announced that there will be a strike on the 7th of octobre 2015! (that's 4 months before the actual strike...). A lot of people in Belgium are fed up with these unions because the last couple of months there has been a significant increase in the amount of strikes by the public transport.
What I will say is that the public transport is very good (if they aren't on strike...) for the tourists. Since there are a lot of ways to get from point A to point B. :)
Silver Hound We zijn verwend en zagen graag :)
Cuz the US is terrible for public transport, in some places if you don't have a car you wouldn't be able to leave your neighborhood, I've been to towns/small cities in the US that don't even have a train station or regular bus service
J-KUN cuz ours is fucking terrible and it's close to non existent
whahahaha yeah maybe also because we use it everyday I have not used for a long time because I have my own means of transport hahahaha and yeah public trams and busses sucks
It's funny how you're amazed by our public transports when we Belgians keep complaining that busses or trains are always too late and expensive 😂
I get free bus tickets
If you have ever been to Japan/South Korea. Public transport will never be the same again.
He's speaking to fellow Americans travelers, so I assume public transportation is even worse there ^^
I'm from New York, your public transportation is not bad. The only issue I have is when I'm in Brussels and other French speaking areas. Their English is bad and sometimes they don't even speak English. In comparison to the Flemish areas, they go out of their way to speak English and make me feel welcomed. I've been to Rome and the difference is night and day.
InternationalE true and sad they have such an horrible accent (if they can even speak English) even though English is a pretty basic language compared to French but the French never knew how to speak English and never will we can't do nothing about it
From a Belgian.. Indeed, stay away from restaurants near tourists attractions.. We don't go to eat there either.. Besides from those, I don't think you'll ever think service was bad.. Just don't be too American though.. Find a local and you won't know what hit you.. Fantastic food with much better beers than are advertised in this clip (you can find Stella Artois and Hoegaerden worldwide), just ask for "streekbieren" (regional beers) and get to taste some of the three thousand other ones.. Enjoy..He's right though, they will hurt you the next morning .. Hey, no pain, no gain..
Don't be too America". This is a boring, dreary country. If you are American, you will run like hell to get away from this depressing place. The reason people don't smile is because they know they are in Belgium.
@Phallus DominusI'm Belgian and I know why I rather go to Amsterdam than Brussels !!! 🤣🤣🤣
@@Catch_me_if_you_can_666 Beside of the Grand Place and the surrounding tourists trap restaurants, and maybe a visit to the Atomium at the former 1958 world exhibition site, run away from Brussels. The neighborhoods are slowly becoming a third world zone. Every year 10 of thousands of natives escape to the south nicknamed "the free zone". But Brussels population keeps on growing. Some ethnies are more fertile than others...
I spent 2 years in Belgium in the mid 80s and i loved it so much im thinking and researching a way to go back and live there. A great thing about Belgium is you can go anywhere (other countries) in a very reasonable time with the exception of the UK. I found in my experience that by trying hard to speak their language and adapt to their way of living they truely appreciate that and will be more helpful
Nothing wrong with a quiet, slow relaxing vacation! The world should slow down! You'll be healthier!
The service in Belgium is just part of our more relaxed culture
We don’t wait at the door and take your jacket, put away your own jacket, choose a table to sit at, browse the menu at your own pace, call the waiter when you have decided
Calling Stella heaven... You ought to try at least a Leffe, Duvel, Chimay, Westmalle,... Those are heavenly beers!
El Manguel Omer, Chimay, Grimbergen, Brigand, Brugse Zot, Straffe Hendrik, Ename, Delirium Tremens, Kasteelbier, La Chouffe, St. Bernardus ...
+El Manguel Here you go: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Belgian_beers
+Sander Deryckere Here you go: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Belgian_beers
+El Manguel Watch out with tourists and Duvels, I've seen some hilarious things happen when people drink Tripels or Duvel like it's light junk.
Another thing: Don't be the tourist that thinks he'll show the belgians how to drink, I've seen a few of those pass by too at pubs mainly frequented by locals, and ehh, that tends to end with quite the hangover for the tourists. We're used to heavy beers, it's what we grew up on and here you can drink from 16 onwards ;)
lol, i'm an american and we get stella artois imported in the states.. and yeah its... fine. i don't think he's as much of a beer guy especially if he thinks a 6% beer is really strong
Wait, if Belgian beer of like 5-6% is strong, what's the beer in the US like? Can you even get drunk from drinking US beer? Or is it just because I'm used to the strong Belgian beer haha
Silke B the us light beers are like 2-3% and it take a loooooong time to get drunk... lots of peeing on the way ;)
A trappiste is more than 6%... maybe you're talking about light beers like Jupiler, Leffe, Philomène,etc.
3% ? Is that a juice? XD
American beer is like sex in a canoe!
Stephane Van Der Merwe Fucking close to water?
Did anyone else notice the fly land on his head? XD
Lol as soon i read the comment, saw the fly.
Yes, I did!!!
"Belgium". It isn't only about Flemish cities and Brussels, foreigners always forget about it. Wallonia hasn't got beautiful old cities as in Flanders, but the nature there is beautiful. Belgium isn't just about Flanders, Belgium is 3 communities with quite different ways of living that just stand together. 3 different cultures. French-speakers from the southern part of the country are warmer than the northern, for example. You can't experiment Belgium without taking a dip into at least 2 communities and then the capital. It´s not like the us, you see? We are a small country with lots of inhabitants. Thanks for this video anyways
The Wallonian historical cities are not as big as in Flanders, but there are very nice ones. I love Tournai, for instance, and Liège is nice, too. Namur was a bit dead, even to Belgian standards, but with nice streets, and there are a lot of small towns such as Thuin or Spa that are nice, too. But I agree, the south is mainly attractive for its nature, from the Ardennes forests, to the meadows in rural Hesbaye.
If you came to Namur during the summer or the weekend, it could have been dead, indeed, because it's a "student-city" (i don't know how to say it in English, sorry). It's like Louvain-La-Neuve, for instance.. most students live in a "kot" (a kind of dorm, a huge flat where you have your own room but you share the kitchen, livingroom and bathroom with up to 14 other students) and they return to their home on Friday evening, than come back Sunday night.. For instance, Louvain-La-Neuve has more students than families or "old" people, so it sure is a bit dead, especially in the summer... :)
And the South is also well-known for its beautiful villages (even in the Brabant Wallon) (:
ramonzzari Leuven isn't much better. But I agree, during semester, there are more people in the streets. I love Wallonia! Greetz, a Fleming from Brussels ;)
Nothing on Belgium in the Congo?
These people hide a horrible secret behind their friendly smile.
You are right ! The money from the Congo helped building lots of our monuments, but that was like.. 1 century ago. I made a research abt it during my last year of high school, it is true that Belgian used really bad and humiliating methods against the Congolese but we're not the same. I understand the shock (especially if you are from Congo), but it isn't a national secret. It's King Leopold II and his army's. We really are friendly !
"It's not a 2 or 3% Bud Light, this is a 6 (or 5%) Hoegaarden." I found that funny because Hoegaarden is one of the lightest beers there are :D
Funny also because a 2-3% Bud Light doesn't exist. Not in the States anyway.
It's actually very fun to hear foreigners and tourists their oppinion about the country. It makes me see things that were forgotten.
I love Belgium i'm so glad i was born in this country.
I live in belgium, and I agree with everything you say... I'm not actually from belgium, I just got put here when I was born, don't know why my mom decide to move here but anyway...
If you're going to belgium at Christmas you HAVE GOT to visit La Grande Place, it's basically the centre of belgium, there's lights everywhere, they sell beer and there's big fancy towers and stuff, it's like a city party... If you go at Halloween, you can find some great trick or treat places but don't just go out anywhere because nobody prepares for it in belgium so you have to find a proper organisation, I know one in a place called overijse (overijse also has lots of local festivals so make sure to look out for them)
As a belgian, in restaurants just generally. Don't go and eat near tourist attractions and your fine, secondly -> use trip advisor. You'll know what restaurants to visit then ;)
(goes for any country really)
Tomskii5 Very true. Thanks for watching and commenting!
woltersworld You might add that you can judge the 'quality' of the restaurant by the percentage of natives that eat there. It's a general rule of the thumb that works in every country.
koffieslikkersenior Jep exactly, although sometimes it might be harder to spot natives in some countries (I mean do belgians really have particular faces? :P)
woltersworld If coming to Liège, go to "mamé vî cû" ("cute old butt") you'll taste the true traditional food of Liège with a great service ;) Meat balls with legian sauce, fries, mayonnaise, beer and letuce is the thing to taste !
Michael Masillon You only had to say Boulettes Liegeoises and I was already with ya hahaha
What I love the most about Belgium is me
Always funny to hear as a Belgian that foreigners love our beers and then sum up some beers that many Belgians actually don't like :-)
Some suggestions for a next visit :D
- Zeezuiper (8%)
- Slaapmutske Tripel (8.1%)
- Chimay Bleue (9%)
- Westmalle Tripel (9.5%)
- Tripel Kannunik (8.2%)
- Egotripel (6.5%)
- Zinnebir (6%)
- Wolf 7 (7.4%)
- Duvel (8.5%)
- Piraat (10.5%)
- Seef Bier (6.5%)
- Poperings Hommelbier (7.5%)
- ...
Cheers :-)
Another thing you have to taste in Belgium is "speculoos" !
Michael Masillon : my cousin, living in Canada, became like a child when his wife managed to get him one ;)
Michael Masillon what is it?
@woltersworld: A sweetness that is typical of Belgium, Holland, north of France and Aachen (Germany). We mainly eat it during the St-Nicolas/St-Niklaas. It's made up of flour, brown sugar and many spices (like 20). You may know it under the name of "speculation". Some like them crusty but I prefer the soft ones. The crusty is delicious with a cup of coffee. There is many recipes varying from region to region
It's easy to make. Here's a recipe I use (sry couldn't find it in english) : cuisine.journaldesfemmes.com/recette/319397-speculoos-tendres. Hardest part may be finding the mix of spices since it's only used for speculoos.
Michael Masillon they know it bit under gingerbread although ours isn't with ginger but with cinnamon
Wolters World brown biscuits, i heard they give them in delta airlines
I live near Antwerp in Belgium and your review is completely accurate.
But one thing to mention: you obviously filmed this in the summer.
The rest of the year, it's cold cloudy rainy windy weather.
I'm from belgium and the public transport kinde sucks here (de lijn)
Tombalf all of my Belgian friends said that the locals would say that :) but we tourists like it... so at least someone is happy with it ;)
Like much things in Belgium public transport sucks, until you go to another country and then you realize they could suck much much more. If you go to the US for instance you'd think you're in the 80's eastern Europe in some places.
the amount of public transport is nice but indeed since i always take the bus ( de lijn en ja ik ben van belgie :) ) i know that the transport itself is kinda shitty , rude drivers and all
The Guy is from US...
They don't have public transportation there
The buses and trams don't suck...
The trains between cities do. Although I don't experience inconveniences with the trains that often. I think people like to complain :p
Over 90% of the trains I take don't have a delay, the trains are comfy, although they can be cramped in rush hours. I think we are a bit spoiled when it comes to public transport. But they should seriously stop cutting the trains' budget. Would make for less strikes too.
Belgium sounds like the perfect first country in Europe. Nice relaxing pace to get you adjusted
Antwerp is a great city to visit ... I'm living there .. I'm used to the city now but the reason for me to go living overhere is because the atmosphere .. it's a historical town with so many great buildings images.app.goo.gl/bH8DEh98BHaHd65MA
im not saying this because i live in belgium myself but ive seen a video where it stated that belgium is a good place to start a (new) life as an immigrant
@@lindeneefs9412 It is but sometimes they do get too much for free.
Just a little comment on why the stores close up fairly early. I recently asked my mom and she told me that it's a reminent from the eighties. Back in the eighties and nineties there was the infamous Gang of Nijvel, which robbed supermarket in an extremely violent fashion. They always did that under the cover of evening darkness. Now at six o' clock during winter time, Belgium is fully in the darkness of night. I'm sure with time it will come back( certain dutch chains of supermarkets hold longer hours).
there are lots of festivals in belgium in summer , there are quite a lot of things to do
true
Rock Werchter
pukkelpop, kactus festival lokesrse feesten
etc
boring? not if you know what there is around you.. Every day I have something to do.. I live here my whole life and I know cities as Brussels, Antwerp and ghent very good and it's absolutely not boring.. Better that then living in the middle of nowhere in central america where you need 6 houres to find a supermarket
Keith Prins True
Keith Prins he obviously didn't stay in Brussels plus he has kids so he can't go to festivals like Tomorrowland or parties at night
what I like about Belgium is that they have the best traffic signs in the world
why? because 1) on almost all intersections where you don't have to yield to the traffic that comes from the right there is sign that you have priority
2) there is a speed limit sign after every intersection (except if it's the same as the general limit or you're in a speed zone) so you always know what the speed limit is
3) you almost always know whether you're in a built-up area or not
Gent, the city many belgians (flemish) call the most cosy town of Flanders. Whereas Bruges is considered by many belgians as just a tourist museum, Gent still feels young, alive, social, part of the lives of any inhabitant or visitor. Here we live the city. Oh, I'm belgian, living in Oudenaarde, another tiny but great and historical city (25km south of Gent), the capital of the region called 'flemish ardennes', great historical natural scenery all around.
One thing that you're going to hate about Belgium is how they beat us in the World Cup
dang straight ;) but if it wasn't for tim howard that would have been a huge beat down
RED DEVILS WOOOOH yes im from belgium ;)
I've never felt the boringness in Belgium. It's a stereotype, befriend a local and get to know what's going on ;-)
xfgher Belgium was about 70% cheaper than New York and Washington. You can buy and eat veryyyy cheaply in Belgium ;-) Healthy food is a lot cheaper here! Service is indeed terrible in bars and restaurants. And stores are generally closed at 6 pm, 8 pm for supermarkets, that's true also!
I know this comment is 8 months old but I still felt like responding. The big difference between Belgian/European service and service in the United States is that we have a history of being Burgundians, and thus we really enjoy long dining. Even if we finished our food, we will still sit and enjoy each other's company. So we like to eat at ease, without waiters coming every 10 minutes to ask if everything's okay! Personally, I've never been to the US. But a good friend of mine has spent some vacations there and didn't like the service either because it's so different from ours
Belgium can be fun, but you got to know the fun places, like:
War museums: "Flanders Fields" (Ieper), "De Dossin kazerne" (Mechelen), Fort van Breendonk.
For kids: Walibi, Bobbejaanland, Train museum (Schaarbeek), Museum van natuurwetenschappen (Brussel)
And don't forget the animal zoo's; Pairi Daiza (Brugelette) and Zoo van Planckendael.
Belgium is a special Land, its Eropeans. Go there! It has nice streets, And got good times, And explore it!
Wished I had the money 😅
I really like your videos and that you highlight both the good and the bad. Just got back from a 3 month trip to Ecuador, so I can certainly appreciate an honest review of a country.
thanks josh!
spent 2-1/2 YEARS in Riobamba and I agree.
I've got goosebumps of pride all over :) Sometimes we forget the awesome buildings we have. We walk past them every day and don't notice them anymore. I also like how you nuanced the safety. There are indeed some places you should avoid like many neighbourhoods in Brussels, some in Anwerp, Bergen and Charleroi.
I agree with everything you said except for messing up the orders. That was just an unfortunate experience someone had. I can't honestly recall anyone ever messing up my order.
the service thing depends on where in Belgium you are and is different from restaurant to restaurant :P when you go to a restaurant in the very east of Belgium everything is fine :D
As a Belgian, just a quick word on the slow service: this has nothing to do with them being lazy, it's because you need to call them. In Belgium we don't like it when we walk into a shop and immediately there is someone asking us if they can help us, we don't like it when the waiter comes to our table every ten minutes to ask if we need anything, we don't want to be bothered. So over here they won't come to your table every ten minutes, you need to call them.
And exactly like you say, you need to relax. That's also part of our culture. We take time to sit back and relax, that's also why the stores close so early (which I personaly hate) but that's just grown historicaly.
And thanks for not mentioning Antwerpen, that'll teach 'em a lesson! :)
Also don't tell any Belgians that you love the public transport here, they will think you're mad. We hate it from the deepest of our hearts, The NMBS (national railway company) annualy needs to adjust the delay a train is allowed to have to still be considered 'arrived on time' so they can reach their punctuality targets. Last year trains were allowed to have a 6min delay.
we hate our public transportation here. It's ok when they are not on strike or after midnight
He means that you can go everywhere by solely using public transportation. As for the late trains and busses... They're late in every country. It happens. Belgians just need something to complain about. If it's not the weather, it must be public transportation, right?
Seriously the public transportation SUCKS in Belgium! There's a reason we hate it!
They are not that bad. Ok they are often late or on strike but they are quite cheap and they cover every little city.
I'm sorry to hear that you got a little bit bored in Belgium, but I don't agree with you that Belgium is boring, there is always something going on, there are a lot of festivals (a few of them are free) arts, music, paredes, food, beer, chocolate, christmas markets are one of the most beautiful of Europe.
If you ever come to Belgium make sure to take a look at tourist information website of the city that you are staying at, so you won't miss anything ☺️. Now I must admit that night life in general is pretty quiet, so if you are a party animal you may want to go to Amsterdam or Prague instead.
Regarding the service, I agree to that it usually kinda of sucks lol, just don't take it personal.
Very informative and witty video, as always. BIG THANKS to you, Mark. :-))))
Belgium is definitely not boring! You just gotta do a little research where to go. It has so much more than just stores and restaurants. Belgium has a very rich history and a lot of special places to visit you just gotta know where to find them :).
Hi Mr Wolters,
I agree with the most of your likes and don't likes. But Belgium is not boaring. We have a lot of theaters dancing clubs and pubs where we come together, For a tourist the best unboaring time will be between june and September. In the summer you will find like almost everyday a festival or an open air happening. Come and vist Antwerp. Near by Antwerp 5min drive by train you will find little Brugge called Lier. Have a good time in Belgium!!
Tom Lucas Tomorrowland is een grootschalig Belgisch outdoor dance-evenement
in De Schorre in Boom georganiseerd door ID&T België, een joint
venture van de organiserende broers Manu en Michiel Beers en het
Nederlandse bedrijf ID&T.
Tomorrowland is a large-scale Belgian outdoor dance event at De Schorre in Boom organized by ID & T Belgium, a joint venture of the organizing brothers Manu and Michiel Beers and the Dutch company ID & T.
You think Belgium is expenisve NEVER go to Scandinavia !
...or New York. All of the things you love and hate twenty fold.
switzerland is also very expensive
I am travelling to Brussels two days later, I will be staying for 4 nights in the city before going to Amsterdam and Helsinki, its really helpful thanks alot.
the best about our country I think is that we have everything in a very small package: hills, forests, sea, historical cities, history overall,..., all within max 3 hours drive.
Belgium boring? That's quite a statement... Depends what you're looking for dear sir. Belgium is a great country if you like culture and architecture, or if you like the medieval times. Damn, there's loads to see. And don't forget there is so much to see, that isn't known to tourists.
If you're looking for sensation or action, don't come to Belgium though. Agreed.
I disagree with you : Belgium isn't boring ! There are a lots of things to do (museum, monuments, gastronomy tour, parties...).
You can stay in Brussels a whole week and not to stop visiting. Of course, you must do some research before.
If you go in Brugge and other, you need more than a week...
The service in Belgium is not that bad ! (Your friend wasn't lucky if the waiter did two mistakes.)
But it's true , it's much slower !
In fact, in Belgium, we go to the restaurant for specials occasions so we take our time, we stay on table 2 or 3 hours.
For us, wait for the waiter 5 minutes and wait for the dishes 20 minutes is perfectly normal.
If you're in a hurry, say it to the waiter and ask before sitting when you'll be able to eat. If it's to late, say sorry and leave.
The stores in Belgium close indeed early (at the latest 21h, mostly between 18h30 and 19h30) but we have "nightshop" to save youy : it's very small shop with some food, cigarets and drink. (It's more expensive than ordinary store)
I don't like city trips so yea
+Pepinus we have also The coast en you can make bicycle tours around the rivers
Service may seem aloof, if you are used to the American “ Hi I’m Steve and I’m gonna be your best friend for the rest of the evening” type of service. Waiters in Belgium don’t like to bother customers while they are with friends or family. They are not there to be the show. Because there is no tipping culture in Belgium, they can just get by with a smile and a hello. Might be weird for US citizens, but we like it that way.
Great tips! Thank you Wolters!
I just LOVE Ieper !! It's my favourite town in Belgium. You could say that would be my hub when or if I go there again. The 1 minute silence ceremony they have in Menin Gate is breathtaking and also go give Tyne Cott Cemetery a visit. You will be speechless, it is the biggest war cemetery of the First World War. There are other memorials too like Thiepval and Vimy Ridge.
It's weird to hear this all when this is daily life XD I'm proud of my home, but it's weird that it is so special and beautiful for other people
mark I love how you describe it as relaxing not boring. I couldn't agree more. bruge is alot of fun and you can really get to talk to the locals. I thought that some of the locals where of the nicest to us on our trip. thanks
Sooo useful video! Thank you for that!
If you don't know how to appreciate Brussels, then you're not ready for Belgium.
Next time you go, don't forget about Antwerp. The second biggest city in the country with a beautiful city center, the most beautiful central railway station in Europe, great cathedral, beautiful buildings, shopping possibilities everywhere, a lot of history to absorb (like everywhere in Belgium), really something you shouldn't skip over. It's also very big port, so there's a lot of history related to that. Greets!
He is only going to the parking
Capital of diamands
Antwerp is boring for foreigners.
I really love the way you talk n explain.. Really loved it and thanks for these information... Tq
I live in Belgium , Antwerps. Wolters, i love how you Enjoy this country.
PhenomenalGames we had a good time. I miss my fresh stella though ;)
woltersworld Stella is something what some peolpe call here 'kattepis' (pee from a cat). You should try the real ones: Duvel, Orval, La chouffe, Westmalle,...
Moving from Belgium to US I had the opposite experience regarding the service. It annoyed the hell out of me that waiters come to bother you every 10 minutes. I just want to be left alone and enjoy my meal. You get used to it over time, but man, in the beginning, waiters feel like a human sized wasp swarming around you're table
I'm in Canada and I know the feeling. The waiters here check on you every 5 minutes which is super annoying. "How are the first couple of bites" and you're expected to answer that with a mouth full of food. I get it, they are being paid minimum wage here and it's the tips that are the most important to them which makes them almost unnaturally friendly and concerned about your dining experience.
@@wakinyanthunderheart473 I didn’t realize they did that in Canada too, I thought the annoying constant checks was just an American thing haha
Isn't 4 to 5% normal for a beer (pils) i personally live in belgium and i dont know where i could find beer that is less.
Wout Mostmans Sweden US they have some lower % beers as well
I rarely see a beer lower, and when my friends do they call it juice
Wout Mostmans
It's actually amusing that we're used to the strong beers. When visiting England I ordered a certain beer and the waiter warned me it was quite strong. I simply smiled and told him I was Belgian. He said: no worries then, you'll be fine.
It's just about knowing how to drink a stronger beer and take your time with it. If you're pouring down Duvel like it's lemonade, you're going to get in trouble.
Jupiler blue 😉
the fact that u can find 5% is already a miracly, the usual lager is 5.9% (if you are belgian)
As a Belgian I have to agree with most the things you listed you'd hate. God I hate the stores closing so earl (although there are some which stay open till 8). I guess the service part is because you don't speak the language, we don't really like tourists overall. I also hate the drinking part, tourists see a list with 150 quality beers (most of which 7-8%) and try to taste them all. In the summer it's horrible to go out and have a beer in the afternoon just because the bars are flooded with drunk people at 6pm.
About your loves: you're about the only person I know that likes public transport I know lol (normally you have to notify for handicap accesibility).
It's great to see how tourists experience belgium as a belgian person. The safeness probably comes from the super strictness of the laws, which also makes us stressed out (honestly I didn't realize people found it relaxing here) and makes us to grumphy for good service.
+anime99reader99freak Are the laws strict? I am considering the possibility of moving to Belgium (as an American), and I'm trying to learn more about your country.
If you want good food for not too much money in Belgium, you must look for a "brasserie" in one of our smaller towns. That's where the locals go
"When you're asian or african the service gets even slower"
So we are all racists? Please don't generalise
Mike Chavepeyer in Asia or in Africa not with Asians or Africans! 😂
+Soufiane Mokhles My bad...
Wel My brother (Dutch, blond, blue eyes etc) was with his girlfriends family (Maluku, Indonesian) he was wearing sneakers and the entire family got denied except for my broher (the only blond one in the grouo).because they where wearing sneakers and my brother was let in :S (in an Antwerp biercafé).
In general i don't experience Belgians to be racist, but that was a weird thing to hear.
Then again i am also a blond guy with blue eyes.
definitely said 'if you're from asian or african descent, the service gets even slower'
I've been living in Belgium for a bit more than a year now and have experienced things like this. I'm latin american and have seen how waiters will take Belgian's orders first.. even if they have arrived after me.
I won't generalize, cause I know some pretty cool and nice Belgians. But I have to say, you can notice it once in a while.
As belgian, I confirm that it can be very harsh in some, generally rare, places. It's not often in the big touristic places, it's more around.
Hi
For those who went to Amsterdam
From Brussels by train
How long the trip takes ?
And is there a daily trips?
Thanks
I've been studying in Ghent for years now and can attest to the fact that the town dies out quickly at night, which can be a bit boring if you feel like going out. However, it's just the streets that get quiet - but there are actually plenty of things to do all year round, also in terms of nightlife. Leuven is a student town and will be almost empty during weekends when students are back home (which in turn can make it exciting if you like eerie, abandoned cities...).
Public transport: it's true Flanders has a great public transport network (Wallonia less so but still OK), but don't expect public transport to be extremely punctual, because... it is not.
Service is in my opinion fine, it does the job. Personally I like it when service is not over the top in terms of helpfulness etc, makes it actually easier to relax. But if you come from a country where the customer is king (US, Japan,...), you might feel like service here is somewhat lacking.
Was very interesting to hear how you experienced my country, I think you explained it quite well! Couldn't help but laugh with your praise on our public transport, since we're always complaining about it.
we should talk about american tourists in Belgium....
Agreed americans are so full of themselves.
@@DarthCookieKS Eh, it's a dumb stereotype. Everyone thinks Americans are arrogant...and Americans thinks everyone else is just hatin' for no reason, thus, rude. lol
Do you speak Belgian? Can we see the king? I always wanted to meet a king.
@@olivierlaurent6921 hahah.... Were ready to give u what you expect. ☺ We have excellent customer service.
did you know that Belgium( by that I mean Flanders) has more four star restaurants per capita than France. About your comment that Belgium is boring, not true, there is a great deal to do there. by the no waiter has ever gotten my order wrong ever, it is quite possible they didn't understand you very well, most Americans don't understand that meals need to be enjoyed not guzzled down. Most Tourists miss the more interesting places, which are in fact not always the bigger towns, for example Bouillon, Spa, Aalst, Dendermonde, or Sint-niklaas. I also noticed that you forgot to mention Antwerp, I will give that Brussels is not really that interesting, although there are some things worth seeing there if you know where to look. Though Belgium is small there will many thing that surprised any visitor brave enough to venture away .
I used to live in Antwerp in the 70's and it was NEVER boring! Great culture and nightlife and drugs . LOVED it!
From what I've heard, you can get by pretty well in Benelux with English, since most people take it as a second or third language. Was that your experience? For that matter, how much of the local language do you typically learn before visiting?
Did you visit Antwerp too? I was just wondering what your thoughts about Antwerp are.
Same. I would love to go there someday
Great informative video! I'll be staying in Ghent this long weekend and plan to check out Bruges, Antwerp, and Brussels as well! Good to know that their public transportation is good. Thanks for your tips!
I really enjoy watching your videos.
Thanks for making them !!
I would love if you could do more videos on how to plan a backpack trip to Europe , what to expect, where to go, how to safe money... I could really use those tips.
:D
RosyPosi we have some safety and money videos for travelers. I have a planning for backpacking video, but the audio got messed up somehow so I will be refilming it on our next trip to Europe in a few monthsthanks for watching!
Are you coming to the Netherlands too? If you do, please tell people to visit more cities than just Amsterdam. Amsterdam is great but towns like Utrecht, Groningen and Maastricht are at least as nice and way less packed with tourist traps. We've also got some great and quirky nature reserves. I am happy to give you more travel tips if you like.
Wow, I know this is an old video, but I still have to comment on it. You really are jumping to conclusions without enough knowledge about some of your negative points. The waiters aren't coming to your table until a very long time, because they want you to be able to choose or eat in peace. Only when you haven't made a move in a veeeery long time, they will come to your table to to see if they can help you because you might be shy or have any trouble with the menu. You need to put your fucking hand up or something and call the damn waiter. I like this a lot more because when I ate in countries where the waiter immediately comes up to you made me feel like I was under pressure.
Also, have you even explored Belgium? The French and the German part have a completely different atmosphere. I also wonder who you were trying to talk too. Sure, Belgians are less open than Dutch people, but they certainly are very friendly and welcome. I am Asian, and I have never experienced racism before by Belgians, only by the rude immigrants which is the reason why some people are wary of them. But don't try to act all high above it when this happens even more in other countries. Like people say, you should do your research before you go to a restaurant. You wouldn't go to a place with shitty service in your own country too, right?
Lots of people in Belgium actually come up to me to have a conversation or to compliment me out of nowhere. And I'm not only talking about the drunk folks at night, it happens when I walk around in broad daylight. And this happened with any gender or age. I had random young girls, adult women and adult men having friendly and nice conversations with me without an ulterior motive. And I have lived in Belgium for 20 years. I'm currently living in Poland for a while, and people are a lot more conservative and distant over here (unless they're drunk) compared to Belgians. I miss their friendliness...
But I also lived in Japan and nothing beats Japan. I'll be moving to England in a few days and I am excited for it since English people are more like Belgians.
I'm from Belgium and I HATE the public transport it's a missary but I truly love just the relaxing vibe in the big city's just walking around with soms friends enjoying a drink and watch the streetartist... And ofcours I love the fries and stoofvlees.
I’ve made a Belgian friend, we are doing some businesses together and he came to visit me in Sweden this weekend! Really nice guy and now I’m going to him in november! So cool!
You should visit Ghent at the 'Gentse Feesten' (i don't know how it's called in English), it basicly the 10 most awesome days in Belgium at the end of July. Maybe you should watch a soccer game aswell, since that's our most popalur sport , and you should also try the visit the southern part of the country, i've you thought Flanders was slow pace and boring, then you didn't visit the Ardennes yet. The villages are so small , but everything besides the language there is basicly the same i guess,
bufallooooo pronostiekje vr zondag tegen standard 4-1!!!!!
Gentse Feesten is still boring... Thing is you are just too drunk to care but it is rather boring... Trust me I live in Gent
Luis Lozano I dont know anything about the Festival but, as a tourist, I really really loved Gent. I was there a month ago, had great street food, great beer along the canals and enjoyed some amazing sights.
The Ghent Festival, that's what they told me when I did my erasmus there.
You should've gone to the Overpoort, shit's anything but boring
true that haha
he heb ik jou nie gezien bij een vid van Kastiol
Wiene? ikke?? of den andere
Jérôme Matthys
Canadian Devil Beelzaboot yes mate ✌
thanks for making this nice video about our country!
I was an Erasmus student at Ghent Univ. It's really to see your pros&cons about Belgium. I am in US now, kind of missing there, especially the public transportation. I watched your videos about Beijing and Shanghai, which were also funny. Looks like you've been travelling all the year round. Have a nice tour around world!
who the hell bothers to drink a beer with less than 5% alcohol???? if less than 5% I consider it as a soft drink xD
Belgium is a nice country , with nice mostly good haerted peoples.
I don't see chill as a boring aspect, but ok. Nice one woltersworld
Thank you very much for your video, I found it helpful. I was actually wondering if you can recommend me a transportation from Brussels to Brugge.
NMBS ... Never Mind Because Strikes
I live in Belgium already my whole life, and I never had problems with getting the wrong food in restaurants? I think that the service is pretty great to be honest
Never had any troubles either. Born and raised here ...
I want to move to Belgium but am curious on work there. I work here in Los Angeles at an animal shelter and was wondering if there is anything in Belgium for that?
@@danm9326 ofc there are animal shelters here, idk if u need a degree for that but if u do then there might be a chance that u will need to study again and get a belgian degree.
Why does he never mention Antwerpen?
Haha een fiere Antwerpenaar as usual :p En Wallonië is compleet vergeten
Er is ook niks te zien in Wallonië
Juul Schepers Luik, Bastogne, ...
Antwerpen stad de rest is parking XD
Hurry Up We Are Dreaming van 8u s'morgens tot 6u s'avonds is antwerpen toch wel de parking zenne..
I live in Belgium and my main dislike is how difficult it is to get a cab. Unless you are at the airport or close to a big city train station, calling a cab and it’s arrival its a hustle, making spontaneous plans a bust.
Great video and info!
The stores usually close at 8 pm...
Thibo De Volder I think he was talking about littles stores in cites' centrum, which are usually closed at 6 p.m, only supermarkets are open to 8 p.m
Thibo De Volder And after the 8pm, all the pub's, bars and clubs get ready to start :-)
depends where, in Brugges it closed at 6:30..
I love belgium
I'm from Belgium and I had been in the US last summer and it was like: wow, the service here is soo nice and everything is so cheap :D
I'm born in Antwerp and my aunt lives in Ghent
And now I live in Luxembourg in Belgium
Belgium is beautiful
And the war was tuff
Fuck yes!!!I as an american praise!,praise BELGIAN BEER!!!For a small country that it is...there are 400 different beers!!!I mean it's incrediable!!!Beligum can easily rival germany!!!Belgium is awesome and maybe Belgians arn't nationalistic but they have plenty to be proud about in my opinion!!!...
Hanan Kuehnle only 400? I think you need to head back and try more :) I think one county might have 400 :) just kidding. Loved the beer so much there too. all the best on your travels and more importantly beer drinking :)
Well,I guess the flemmish would be the more nationalistic of the Belgians wouldn't they?I mean look at the party "Vlamms Blok"party(I beleive it's already defunct as a political party?)...and the walloons?Again,I speak fluent french(I also know very well that flemmish/dutch as well as german are official languages too!)as an american so...I love Belgium as a country!!!I always thought that I was extremely hip as a teenager when I would go to my large local shopping center and buy me some "Cote-d'or"chocolate!!!Love Duvel as a beer too!!!...
I'm happy you love Belgium ^^ Also, Vlaams Blok doesn't exist anymore, now it's Vlaams Belang.
woltersworld
The Poperinge beer wall displays 1400 different belgian beers so i guess that settles it :P
megabrout Nothing about Belgium history in Africa? Holly shit, this country went into Africa in the early 20th century and ran rivers red with children, women - all for rubber.