Belgium

Belgium is a compact country at the crossroads of Western Europe, known for medieval art cities, grand squares and a celebrated table. In Brussels, the UNESCO-listed Grand-Place sits beside the glass-roofed Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries; the Mont des Arts gathers major museums, the Horta houses showcase Art Nouveau, the Sablon is known for antiques and chocolatiers, and Avenue Louise for shopping.

Bruges’ canal-laced historic centre is UNESCO-listed too: the Markt and its Belfry, the béguinage, Minnewater and boat trips. Ghent has its Graslei and Korenlei quays and Gravensteen castle; Antwerp its cathedral, Grote Markt, grand station, fashion and diamond quarters, the Rubens House and the MAS. Beyond the cities lie Limburg’s Haspengouw orchards and Hoge Kempen National Park, castle estates, the dunes of Knokke-Heist and the Zwin on the North Sea coast, and in Wallonia the Ardennes forests and the Meuse valley.

The table is a draw: Michelin-starred dining, chocolate, Trappist and abbey beers, waffles and moules-frites. The climate is mild, maritime and changeable; late spring to early autumn is usually the most pleasant, and December brings Christmas markets. Belgium suits city breaks, couples, art and architecture lovers and gastronomy trips, and a Brussels or Bruges stay combines easily with a castle or the coast. Fast trains link it with Paris and Amsterdam, and Luxembourg is an easy rail trip away.