Belgium
Four essential expat tips for a better life in Belgium
When I first arrived in Belgium over 15 years ago, I found myself in a fascinating country. I knew little about Belgium beforehand, and I was amazed by many things. Then it all came crashing down. That culture shock curve is a real thing. You’re riding on a high of new discoveries. Then it hits you: You’re in a foreign country where many things are different from whatever you called home before. First, you love everything, then you hate everything. And finally, the dust settles. For some of you, it’s off to a new adventure elsewhere. For many of us, this crazy little country becomes home. There are lots of valuable insights about life as an expat in Belgium that will make your experience in this country a better one. These are the ones we think will have the most signif...
Trip Review: Bastogne Battlefields
You never know what surprises are in store when you travel on an Expat Club trip. Our day trip to Bastogne was no exception. Expat Club founder Edgar Hütte arranged for the “greatest living expert” on the Battle of the Bulge (as proclaimed by General Graham Hollands) to be our guide for the day. Martin King is a military historian, lecturer, author and TV personality. For more than two decades, the Emmy award-winning television personality has accompanied veterans on tours of the battlefields of World War II, bringing history to life with his insightful explanations of what transpired in the dark days of the War. His level of expertise on Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge is impressive and unmatched. We realised just how lucky we were to have him present this area to us! His unique stor...
How to deal with rain?
To answer a question with another question, isn’t this article’s topic just an absurd question? In a way, it is, because there is nothing we can do about the rain. Well, not necessarily. Go forth and explore! Whenever I speak to newly arrived expats, I always say it is essential to have the right mindset when it comes to the weather in Brussels. We typically and make the best of our day. In other words, you should just do the things you want to do and go to the places you would like to visit. Obviously, you’re not going to go to a beach when it’s only 13 degrees and pouring. But if you had in mind to go shopping in Antwerp or making a little road trip through Wallonia, I suggest not to change your plans. Of course, nice weather is, well, better (duh), but the proble...
Cycling in Brussels: Great Routes
Discovering Brussels by bike can be done in several ways. For those already commuting on two wheels, or using it regularly for getting around town, it may be a good idea to simply take a little D-tour and to drive 15-30 additional minutes on unknown roads. Spice up your commute and padel a few additional streets! Of course you can also go to an unknown neighbourhood on a Saturday morning and discover yourself what it has to offer. At Expat Club we know why Brussels is such a fantastic city (it has something to do with surprisingly little corners…). But wouldn’t it be much easier to follow some predefined routes? Other people already did the work for you, so there is no reason to reinvent the wheel. Here are a few great ideas to spend a free day. Although I have mostly biked myself...