Travelling to Belgium

The mentality itself is so contrary to the stereotypes of the north-western Europeans. People are open and friendly, willing to help or give advice and above all fun. They love good food and drinks and are nursing a high quality lifestyle.

The country itself is colorful and varied, from the Arden hills to the Atlantic coast.

Due to the turbulent history Belgium also has many fortifications and fortified towns, where we can walk through the centuries of history right in the town center.

Apart from history Belgium also offers beautiful nature and many events, that are very interesting for visitors.

Belgium is a country, divided among two big units: Flemish and Walloon and the cit of Brussels with a special status.  The south is mostly Walloon, with French as the official language, while the north is Flemish with the Flemish language (which is almost identical to Dutch). This division is noted in architecture, lifestyle and work, although both have those positive characteristics mentioned before.

We wish to present both sides of Belgium as well as the capital Brussels, although the capital will receive less attention, for most of our readers are familiar with it.

Belgium is one of those rare countries that has two national hostelling organizations LAJ (Walloon) and VJH (Flemish), which both promote the country together.

The hostels themselves are placed so, that we can use them as our bases for exploring the country, its natural beauty, its towns and squares, so it’s best to present Belgium through the prism of its hostels and sights near them. This will also give you a rough itinerary of travel through Belgium, but you’ll still chose how long you’ll stay where, depending on your personal interests.

But here’s also a humble tip – Belgium is also small enough and has a good road infrastructure, so you can get to know the whole country from a single hostel as well (if you don’t like changing your sleeping quarters).

The LAJ Youth Hostels association has 10 Hostels including 2 in Brussels and 8 in Wallonia:

1. The Beffroi Youth Hostel in MONS is tucked away in the heart of the historic centre of the capital of Belgium’s Hainault province, right next to the bell tower and a stone's throw away from the Grande-Place. Its central situation offers the visitor immediate access to all events in the city.
2. The TOURNAI Youth Hostel is located in a former 19th century Music Academy that has been totally restored. Tournai is packed with cultural, historical and architectural treasures and has a well merited reputation as a city of the arts.
3. The Félicien Rops Youth Hostel in Namur is situated on the banks of the river Meuse, in a manor house which used to be the studio of the famous painter Félicien Rops. Namur is a crossroads town, set between the regions of entre–Sambre et Meuse with its abbeys, the region of Condroz on the borders of the Ardennes, the Haute Meuse and the Lesse rivers.
4. The Georges Simenon Youth Hostel in LIEGE offers comfortable new facilities in a charmingly restored building. The historic courtyard of the former convent provides a pleasant area for leisure activities. The youth hostel, situated in the heart of the so-called Cité Ardente (hot blooded city), is an ideal base for exploring the history and culture of the town.
5. The Ferme du Chateau Youth Hostel in TILFF nestles in the Ourthe valley, within the walls of an 18th century farm-chateau, near Liege. Its setting makes it an ideal destination for walkers, cyclists, cavers and climbers. The hostel only hosts autonomous groups and can be hired in its entirety.
6. The Hautes Fagnes Youth Hostel in MALMEDY welcomes you to an exceptional location on the edge of the Fagnes region.
7. The Barrière de CHAMPLON Youth Hostel offers ideal facilities for weekends in the snow. The highly forested region is an ideal place for relaxing and exploring nature.
8. The Sur la Hauteur Youth Hostel in BOUILLON overlooks the town and offers an unimpeded view of the castle and the River Semois. Bouillon combines a rich historical heritage and medieval treasures with a beautiful natural setting.
9. The Jacques Brel Youth Hostel in BRUSSELS welcomes you right in the heart of the capital, a stone's throw away from the Grand Place. From the hostel, you have access to all of Brussels, with its culture, distinctive sights, history and gastronomy.
10. The Generation Europe Youth Hostel in BRUSSELS is modern, comfortable and superbly equipped. It is the gateway to a city that is proud of its past whilst looking to the future.

For more information on Youth Hostels in Wallonia and in Brussels: www.laj.be. For more tourist information on Wallonia and Brussels: www.opt.be.