Brussels Friendliest Community

My first trip with Expat Club was in 2016 on a Sailing trip. I had arrived less than 6 months ago in Brussels and wanted to make ‘off the touristy track’ trips with fellow new comers to Brussels. Since that first trip, I made many more trips with them. Many places and people Expat Club introduced me to are still my go-to places e.g. from the coffee shop in Midi Station to the annual trips to Keukenhof that I still make.What I like about Expat Club are the lively groups that travel, unusual destinations, one day trips and most importantly the well organised trips without any of the brouhaha!

I am a seasoned traveller and some years ago, while looking for trip ideas, I came across Expat Club. I tried one trip and never stopped since. You'll hear from others about benefits like: all arranged and well planned by the Expat team, great and knowledgeable guides and crew, lovely people, fun destinations. Oh, did I mention access to some places where you wouldn't go with regular tours? I live in Belgium since 2004 and I don't necessarily look for new friends. On top of that I am quite an introvert. I know for sure that you can do a trip without talking much to anyone and just enjoy your introversion. Or you can talk to everybody in the group if you wish. Just book a trip, don't overthink it!

I discovered Expat Club online — before I even moved to Belgium. It’s been positively life changing, I’ve met incredible people from all over the world and forged strong friendships, and it all started with Expat Club trips. The awesome trips are thoughtfully planned. Every detail is taken care of, and it’s worry free since all the arrangements are made for you. I checked off a few things on my bucket list, including castles in France and Germany, a spectacular tour through Switzerland, a visit to Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny and a magical visit to Mont St. Michel when the high tide turned the hill into an island surrounded by up to 14 meters of sea water. I would give Expat Club an 11 out of 10 rating! But the best thing is that I have been guiding several tours myself now as well! With more than 25 years of experience in the travel industry, I know excellence and am proud to give Expat Club an 11 out of 10 rating. It was so much fun that I am even leading some of the trips myself. What an adventure.

I was alone in Brussels until I discovered Expat Club and my life changed. It was all thanks to Edgar, the Flying Dutchman, who was organizing these amazing trips all over Belgium, the surrounding countries and beyond. The richness of their subjects, be it art, history or nature, food or wine testing, riding a boat, a canoe or just skiing, beer festivals or Christmas markets, stories of how some incredible harbour or garden was created, or a tower or a war tunnel was built, or how the stars are falling in the darkest night, was the perfect combination for spending from one to several days in a marvellous and immemorable environment. Not only these trips gave a sense to my lonesome weekends, but they contained everything one needed to see in one place, meeting other internationals and having fun in a bar, on a ferry or just on the road, and on top travel in total security and excelent conditions either by bus, train or flight, watching movies or eating goodies. Everywhere and everytime Edgar and equally his other colleagues took good care of us all, adults or children, or those with special needs. Now I am retired and went back home - age just happens. All the fatigue of these full trips I forgotten immediately but I still keep in my heart all the wonderful memories of the places I've seen for 6 years in a row. I wish I could be back there in Brussels to start anew the traveling to so many places I still wanted to see and lost during these 2 terrible years, like Edgar is doing now with Expat Club rebuilding from ashes the Phoenix with the fresh planning of new and wonderful trips. So dear expats who are now there in Brussels, do not lose a second and book immediately your seats to the most wonderful places you do not have time to plan and if you had then you could not do it like Edgar!! There is nothing like Expat Club!

I found out about the Expat Club before I moved to Brussels in 2019. I couldn't believe it. It sounded WONDERFUL and it is...so many interesting trips. Some trips are just one day or week-end trips which are REALLY EASY to fit in your schedule. I come from the USA (New York City) and haven't spent a lifetime learning about Europe. These trips help make-up for that and are DELIGHTFUL. The organizers jam pack your days with one interesting, fun thing after another. They have done a great job of researching each location. The people you go on the trip with are nice and interesting too. I didn't have a chance to go on all the trips I wanted before the lockdown hit. I am dying, dying, dying for the Expat Club trips to start again. They make it so easy ...all you have to do is get there on time. They do everything else. All I can say is "Don't Miss Out !!Now I am retired and went back home - age just happens. All the fatigue of these full trips I forgotten immediately but I still keep in my heart all the wonderful memories of the places I've seen for 6 years in a row. I wish I could be back there in Brussels to start anew the traveling to so many places I still wanted to see and lost during these 2 terrible years, like Edgar is doing now with Expat Club rebuilding from ashes the Phoenix with the fresh planning of new and wonderful trips. So dear expats who are now there in Brussels, do not lose a second and book immediately your seats to the most wonderful places you do not have time to plan and if you had then you could not do it like Edgar!! There is nothing like Expat Club!

I found Expat Club many years ago by coincidence. At that time it was at its very beginnings. My first trip took me to Luxembourg. It was excellent, interesting, very well organised. I learned a lot about Luxembourg and I met some nice people. So I found what I had been looking for in Brussels for a long time. I do not remember all the trips I have made with Expat Club. I’ve made many!!! I would like to mention at least those which I have considered the most interesting: Normandy and it disembarkment beachies, Tromsø, Switzerland, Dover and Canterbury, the castles of the Loire. There were of course many more. What I have always appreciated is the international community of participants, the informal character, friendly relations, sometimes new friendships... And, without any doubt, the perfect organisation. If you go with Expat Clut, you do not need to worry about anything. You just get on the bus (or plane, or train...) and you go. Everything is planned for you, you can just relax and enjoy yourself. So, have a nice trip! 🙂

«Cela rend modeste de voyager; on voit quelle petite place on occupe dans le monde», Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880). Flaubert was absolutely right, but joining Edgar makes us feel less insignificant. From Champagne tasting to a warm drink on a Tromsø’s rooftop for New Year, from the Luxemburg casernes to Icelandic glaciers, from Normandy’s D–Day beaches to the White Cliffs of Dover, passing by stunning Switzerland, carnivalesque Venice and spiritual Mont St Michel, I had personally the chance to meet great people and to have breathless, astonishing, moving, relaxed and very grateful experiences. Thanks to God, to Nature… and to one of the most latin Dutch I have ever met! «Fear is only temporary. Regrets last forever» (author unknown). Call Edgar still today. You won’t regret!

People living in Brussels know very well how perfectly it is located in the heart of Europe - just a hand-distance away from so many beautiful landmarks combining history, culture, nature, cuisine and many other tourist attractions. When I arrived in Brussels more than 6 years ago, I was looking forward to getting to know this part of Europe. However, very soon I realised I didn't have any free time for the research and the logistics that are crucial for any trip.Searching for alternatives on the internet, I found Expat Club completely by chance. I gave it a try and I immediately became one of its most dedicated travelers.What Edgar and his team offers is really unique. First of all, the destinations and places to visit for a day, weekend or a week in Belgium, neighboring countries and beyond, are carefully selected to offer a little bit of everything - culture, nature, history,science, dining, even - sports! I will never forget the stunning views while hiking in the Alps, the amazing skiing weekends in the Vosges mountain, or the extreme husky-sledding in Tromsø, Norway.Secondly, you very quickly realise that the people you are travelling with, including Edgar and his team are just like you – great international mixture of passionate travelers from all over the world, positive and similar in mind, tolerant and respectful of the private space of each other. I should admit, despite the fact that I am a solo traveler and a natural introvert, I have made some very good friendships over the time with other members of the club.As regards the logistics, I cannot imagine it being better – precise itinerary, comfortable and safe buses, very good hotels with option to choose from, entertainment during longer transfers, water, snacks, great stories told by Edgar! JI could probably speak about my unforgettable experience and memories with the Expat Club for hours. It is your turn now to create your own travel experiences and memories. Join us, sit back and relax. We will definitely meet on some of the next trips!