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Flanders[1] is the northern Dutch-speaking state of Belgium.
Regions
Flanders is divided into five provinces:
| West Flanders (capital: Bruges) |
| East Flanders (capital: Ghent) |
| Antwerp (capital: Antwerp) |
| Flemish Brabant (capital: Leuven) |
| Limburg (capital: Hasselt) |
Brussels, or rather it Brussels Capital Region is completely enclosed in the province Flemish Brabant, but is not part of Flanders (although the city Brussels is also the capital of Flanders!)
Towns
Other destinations
Info
Language
Traditionally, several dialects that differ greatly from each other were spoken in Flanders, which Flemish be referred to as an umbrella term. Today, however, they are increasingly falling into disuse. The younger generation, in particular, often speaks regional language and can easily switch to General Dutch if necessary.
Arrive
Travel around
The railways are operated on Belgian territory by the NMBS[2] (National Company of the Belgian Railways). Belgium traditionally has a dense rail network, although many (rural) lines have been decommissioned over the years. The comfort and service of the Belgian Railways has improved considerably, while price tags have remained relatively cheap. You can buy a ticket at the station counter, via the ticket machine in the station and even, with a credit card and a printer, via the Ticket on Line website of the NMBS. Many smaller stations no longer have ticket offices. You can in Belgium always get on the train without a ticket, but you have to first inform the train conductor and then buy a ticket from him/her. (ATTENTION: this will no longer be possible from 2015!) If you get on the train at a station-with-counter, you pay a surcharge on your ticket. If you do not bother to inform the supervisor, you run the risk of the surcharge plus a hefty fine.
It city and regional transport: regular buses, dial-a-buses and trams (in Antwerp, Ghent and the Coastal Tram [3]) are operated by the Flemish Transport Company The line[4], a autonomous public company of the Flemish government. De Lijn therefore only operates in Flanders, with a single connection to the Dutch, Brussels and Walloon border area. Tickets from the Brussels (STIB) and Walloon (TEC) companies are not valid in Flanders. The De Lijn website contains an extensive route planner.
There are also a lot foot and bicycle springs[5]. They are generally free, but of course it is never forbidden (nor obligatory!) to give the ferryman a small tip.
To look at
Routes
To do
Food
Flanders and fries, it's a huge cliché, but this is the country of fries. Do as the Flemish do and enter one of the many chip shops and order a "little one with stew sauce".
Apart from that, Flemish cuisine has a lot more to offer, of course, every city or region has its own local specialties and regional dishes. For example, think of "Gentse waterzooi".
Gourmets also get their money's worth, for example, you can go to one of the two three-star restaurants in Flanders:
- Court of Cleve: Riemegemstraat 1, 9770 Kruishoutem, tel: 09 383 58 48, www.hofvancleve.be. The most famous restaurant in Flanders is located in Kruishoutem. Three-star restaurant Hof van Cleve is run by BV Peter Goossens. The restaurant was opened in 1987 in an old farm on one of the hills of Kruishoutem. The name comes from the family that inhabited the estate until 1968, the Van Cleve family. In consultation with the previous owner (Hendrik Buelens) who ran an adjacent restaurant with a Michelin star, it was a restaurant with brasserie cuisine. From 1992 and the closure of the other restaurant, the choice was made for fine cuisine. This led to a first Michelin star in 1994. In 1998 the restaurant received a second star. Since 2004, the restaurant has also received a score of 19.5 out of 20 according to GaultMillau. In the Benelux, Hof van Cleve only has to pass the Dutch restaurant Oud Sluis in the Gault Millau of 2010, which achieved 20/20 points. More expensive price range.
Going out
Beer - Lannoo published the book written by Bruno Loockx: "100 X strong cafés in Flanders". There are gems and the offer ranges from village cafes to classy drinking establishments. Unique in its kind.
Safety
It is very safe in Flanders, the large cities of Antwerp and Ghent are also relatively safe. The same warning as for large cities in other European countries is this: the presence of many tourists also attracts some suspicious figures, do not be careless and do not leave anything lying around.