East Flanders
Belgium · Europe
About East Flanders
East Flanders is one of the five provinces of Flanders (Belgium). Its capital is Ghent. Four major rivers - Scheldt (Schelde), Leie, Dender and Durme - run through the province area and lend their name, fame and strength to the region.
East Flanders travel guide
Understand
Dutch is the language spoken in the province of East Flanders and it's the only official language in the province and the rest of Flanders. The local dialect is called "East Flemish". English is also spoken by most people.
Do
Cycling. This is the region where the famous Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders) takes place. Most often the more hilly areas in the southern part of the province are used. Ride the same hills and cobbled sections as the pros. Other pro races that happen in this region: Gent-Wevelgem, Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, Omloop Het Niewsblad, Dwars door Vlaanderen, E3 Harelbeke.
Events Aalst Carnaval is a three-day carnivalesque popular festival. Traditionally, on Sunday and Monday before Ash Wednesday the original carnival procession parades through the streets of Aalst. Ronde Van Vlaanderen is the most important cycling race in Flanders of the year. The tour has its finish in Oudenaarde. In April. Lokerse Feesten is a music festival in Lokeren in late July to early August.
Eat
Mattentaarten, a local speciality from the town of Geraardsbergen.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.