There's just something about Belgium. Maybe it's the friendly and welcoming people who, with three official languages, still find it easy to converse in English, the country's fourth - unofficial - language. Maybe it's the stunning architecture decorating the quaint cobblestone squares. Or perhaps it's the incredible cuisine found in the vast array of restaurants where each meal seems better than the last. Energetic and carefree, the overall mood in Belgium is infectious, calling all of us to live as Belgians and enjoy life to the full.
Well situated between France and Holland, the Kingdom of Belgium encompasses all the best that Europe has to offer in a small area. Within the span of one day you can take a romantic cruise down a canal in Bruges, hunt for diamonds in Antwerp, enjoy waffles on the beach in Ostend, frolic at a festival in Binche, get lost in a castle in Namur, discover antiques at an outdoor market in Liege, and explore a fine-art museum in Brussels. A dense train network connects all of Belgium and makes navigation simple and comfortable for travellers.
Often called the Essence of Europe, Belgium is both multicultural and multilingual. Flanders in the north, a flat region criss-crossed by canals, is proud of its medieval art cities of Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent. To the south in Wallonia, you will find the rolling hills of the Ardennes, countless castles, and the cities of Liège, Namur, and Tournai. The city of Brussels is one of the world's
great cosmopolitan capitals, home to both the European Union and NATO, as well as a wealth of international trade and finance companies.
Belgium's history has always been linked to both commercial and cultural exchange and much of its character is due to its role as the great meeting place of Western Europe. It would be difficult to name a European country which has not wanted to stake its claim in Belgium at one time or another. Traces of the Austrians, Spanish, French and Dutch can still be seen in its architecture and
in the lifestyle of its people. You will see superb examples of art and architecture past and present - Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau.
www.visitbelgium.com
