Belgium

Belgium may be small, but for the last two millennia it has acted as a key battleground for many wars and is now the headquarters of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Belgium is also one of the newer European countries, and having recently celebrated its 175th anniversary of independence, Belgium is quickly becoming a number one destination for those after a taste of authentic and historical Europe.

Belgium’s history reaches back to the 1st century BC when the Romans defeated local Celtic tribes. As the Roman Empire began to weaken along came the Franks who kicked the Romans out, but slowly Belgium began to break into two; Flanders in the north fell to France and the south became Germany's. Although Belgium is now one country, there is an underlying tension which could see the country split again in the future. However, the country can currently be divided into three distinct regions: Flanders in the north where Dutch is spoken, Wallonia in the south where French is the main language, and the capital, Brussels, where French and Dutch are both official languages.

Belgium’s rich history has left impressive churches, town halls, castles and art dating back to the early Middle Ages. Bruges features much of this medieval architecture and we’ll take you on a walking tour including the main town square and a serene cruise along the canals so you can sit back and admire it all. Gent should always be included on a trip to Belgium too, if not just to see the three towers dominating the skyline. The most spectacular is Saint Bavo’s Cathedral where Charles V was baptized in 1500, the second tower belongs to Saint Nicholas’ Church and the third to the 95 meter high mediaeval Belfort. They come together to create the perfect photo opportunity for visitors to the city.

On a trip to the capital, Brussels, explore the grand Louis XVI style Royal Palace, the Japanese Pagodas, the striking and central Grand Palace or the small but certainly not insignificant Mannekin Pis – a statue of a small naked boy as a water feature! The 102 meter high Atomium is as much a symbol of Brussels as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris; behold the clusters of metal spheres which represent the atomic structure of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times.

Nobody visiting Belgium can resist its fine chocolate and array of beers which are highly regarded as the best in the whole world and make for great souvenirs. There’s more to be had from Belgium cuisine though, so explore the river front cafes in a city like Antwerp where you can enjoy views of the Rhine River as you walk between museums.