Belgium, a vibrant holiday destination

In which country can you practice four different languages, try 800 different beers, eat world-class chocolates and see all its great main cities in a one-day sightseeing tour? Belgium is the answer, not that you’d want to restrict yourself to such a short stay.

Belgium’s four great northern cities share a rich cultural heritage dating back to medieval times, when this was one of the most vibrant trading regions in the world. Yet each one of these cities is very different, not only in cultural sights, but in food and entertainment as well.

Brussels with its appointment as headquarters for the EU and NATO is often referred to as the “Capital of Europe”. But Brussels is not only for bureaucrats! Apart from its magnificent and different architectural styles, Brussels also has over 80 museums, tourist attractions, heaps of shops, a vibrant nightlife, and more restaurants than you could count or feed at. Its town square, the Grand’Place was built as a merchant’s market in the 13th century and now serves as the center of the city with concerts, festivals and their Christmas market all taking place here.

Bruges is one of Europe’s best preserved medieval cities and with its network of canals, this beautiful city is also known as the “Venice of the North”. With the Eurostar bringing thousands of tourists here, Bruges is a tourist hotspot.

Brussels' Grand'Place

Ghent is a city made rich and famous by the cloth business in the 13th and 14th centuries. This historic university city has more than 150 concerts, theatre, street activities and shows for children. The Gentse Feesten is one of Belgium’s oldest festivals dating back to 1832. Today, more than one million people head to Ghent to enjoy these annual summer festivities from end July to early August.

Antwerp is the industrial centre and is one of the biggest and most important diamond centres of the world. It has played an important role in the diamond trade since the 15th century. More than 85% of the world’s rough diamonds, 50% of cut diamonds and 40% of industrial diamonds are traded here.

Good food, magnificent sights, diamonds, beer, chocolates, etc., Belgium has it all.

More on Belgium:

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Brussels City Cuide