Belgium is a beautiful country on the North Sea coast in the Benelux. With the majority of West European capitals within 1,000km or 622 miles of the Belgian capital of Brussels, and as a member of the long-standing international Benelux community, Belgium sits at the crossroads of Western Europe. Its immediate neighbours are France to the southwest, Luxembourg to the southeast, Germany to the east and the Netherlands to the north.
Overview
Although Belgium is a relatively wealthy country, it is also one of the most politically complex countries in the world. Differences in language and culture between Flanders (the Dutch speaking portion) and Wallonia (the French speaking portion) have led to several far-reaching reforms, and this continuing antagonism makes Belgian politics so complex that even ordinary Belgians aren’t able to make sense of what’s truly going on. Despite all this, the two halves form a country that contains some of Europe’s most attractive and historical cities, and is a true ‘must-see’ for any visitor to the continent.
Trip Highlights
- Grand Place
- Historic Centre of Brugge
- Pairi Daiza
- Atomium
- Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
- Antwerpen-Centraal
- Gravensteen
- Belfort
- De Halve Maan Brewery
- The Markt