The first two things that come to mind when talking about Belgium are surely chocolate and beer. Considering how delicious they are, perhaps you don’t need any more reasons to visit this country. However, if you do, you should know that Belgium is small, but very significant in the current political life of the European Union, and it also has a very rich history. It’s completely unjustified how this country is not as popular as France or Italy, for example. On the other hand, that can also be great, since it gives you an opportunity to experience the country without all the tourists running around with huge cameras and flashes.
BRUGES
This city is quite popular with tourists from all over the world. It is the attractive architecture that truly draws them. When visiting, make sure not to miss the fourteenth century town hall, the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour and the Belfry Tower.
Image Credit: meineresterampe
BRUSSELS
Regardless of which country you’re visiting, seeing the capital is always a must. Brussels is the administrative centre of the European Union. It has a beautiful central square, Grand Place, filled with cafes and chocolate shops. One of the great things about this city is that almost every single person speaks English, so it’s a great start for every tourist.
GHENT
The story of Ghent is completely different when compared to the last two cities. It is calm and relaxed, and there are almost no tourists at all. This is a university town and as such, offers a unique experience, especially in July when there’s a huge cultural festival named “Gentse Feesten”. Otherwise, its centre is closed for traffic, so you can walk around or sit and enjoy a cup of coffee in one of the numerous cafes in the area. The general atmosphere is very laid-back, so nobody will judge you if you sit in the café for hours and chat while drinking coffee.
Image Credit: Waldo Miguez
FLANDERS FIELDS
Visit this infamous World War I site where around half a million deaths occurred. There are many military cemeteries and memorials that commemorate the ones that fell in the battle. In order to complete your experience, make sure to visit the museum in Ypres, where you can get a real sense of what it was like to be a soldier in the trenches.
Image Credit: Wouter van der Maden
CANAL TOURS
If you’d like to experience things from a different angle, lovely barge cruises in Belgium are a great way to do so. This cruise will cover some of the best parts of Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent. I’ve you’re keen on the World War I trivia, there’s also a choice of a commemorative cruise from Belgium to Picardy.
Image Credit: Jules Grandgagnage
CASTLES
Belgium is a country with over 3000 castles to explore. Making a selection of which to actually visit during your trip is a tough mission. The most popular castle is Castle of Bouillon in the Ardennes, followed by Gravensteen and Beersel.
Gravensteen Castle
FOOD AND DRINKS
As said in the beginning, Belgium has an amazing selection of chocolate, waffles and beer. There are more than a thousand breweries. If you’re interested in these things, you might want to visit a brewery and witness the process of making beer. Also, there are chocolate tours in Brussels you simply have to experience if you’re a chocolate lover.
Just like any other country, Belgium has its own special appeal. When you dig a little deeper, you’ll see that there are plenty of things to do and sights to see in this country. There’s a richness of culture, architecture and history, and all that with chocolate and beer!
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About the author
Marie Nieves is a lifestyle blogger who loves unusual trips, gadgets and creative ideas. On her travels she likes to read poetry and prose and to surf the Internet. Her favourite writer is Tracy Chevalier and she always carries one of her books in her bag. Most of her free time at home she spends walking her Labrador Retriever named Max. She is an avid lover of photography who loves to talk about her experiences. You can find Marie on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.
