Travel to Belgium

Unlike the title, Belgium is much more than just the chocolate-box of the world, but that is not something coming as too much of a surprise to tourists, particularly to those who have been there. The country is more than 175 years into its independent existence, and is hardly showing signs of ageing! True, there have been valiant attempts to alter its downtrodden image, but the change has taken shape in a most natural manner. There are quite heavy impressions of medieval architecture uncannily preserved here. Coming to the cities, Brussels and Antwerp lead the pack, followed by Bruges, which is pleasant despite, and also because of, the fact that there are scores of tourists perpetually present here at every single day of the year. Ghent, on the other hand, is a slightly scaled down version of the more dynamic cities of the country, so to speak. Once a city that rivalled Paris in its splendour, Ghent is today happier playing second fiddle to cities like Brussels.

Belgium is an undisputed leader when it comes to moral freedom. Gays and lesbians have been given equal rights compared to heterosexuals, while Euthanasia, a concept that is condemned and criticised in most parts of the world, was legalised in 2002. The topics of discussion over a couple of Duvels, the country's signature pale ale produced in the town of Breendonk, are aplenty, which is also one of the reasons why the country is having one of the most social environments in the world.

Brussels certainly has a split personality in every sense of the word. The competition rages on in many forms – Flemish v/s French, unique v/s boring and happening v/s historic. Eurocrats and red tape set aside, the point of conflict, so to speak, are not just limited to the predictable ones. However, it is this healthy disparity in the times of globalisation that sets the mood for a tourist's unforgettable sojourn in Brussels. The city is also known for its café culture, Art Nouveau architecture and fine dining options. Surreal art also comes to life here, in the northern suburb of Jette, to be specific. The variation in architecture ranges from the age-old Grand Place to the new-age Art Nouveau façades. In the midst of all this, the quality of life is superb – great shopping, numerous choices for eating, 'out of the world' chocolates, and an enviable pub culture.

Known as the unsung city of the Flanders, Ghent is situated between Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp. A canal city that is as visually spectacular as it gets, it has more often than not been ignored by tourists, and that is why those who choose to tread the road not taken are rewarded handsomely. Sitting on the junction of the Scheldt and Leie rivers, the crowning glory of Ghent is the Het Gravensteen castle. Having an illustrious history, thanks to King Charles V, the city today is the capital of the Oost-Vlaanderen province, and also Flander's biggest university town.

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Surrounded by France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, Belgium thrills the guest with its varied views: the rivers and passes of the Ardennes create a strong contrast with the vast plains that occupy a great area of the country, the majestic forests from the German and Luxembourg borders with the never-ending sand beaches of the northern coast. In Belgium, you will come across a land that is extraordinary through its old towns, with countless castles and sanctuaries that will leave remarkable memories.

BRUSSELS

Brussels it's the place where you will be stunned to hear lots of unfamiliar languages. It has not long ago acquired the „international city” status, aside from being the „capital” of the European Union and United Nations. In Brussels lives a great diversity of people, from public servants and eurocrats to immigrants from Congo, Northern Africa or Turkey, who supported the cultural and culinary variety of the place. Contemplating above towers and modern city's remarkable boulevards, you will ascertain that Belgium's old soul is still whole, persisting in the vintage districts of modest workers or in the conservative neighborhoods.

There are two languages that are being used in Belgium: Flemish, the language of the German origin citizens from the north, and French. While on the streets of this beautiful city you should pay great concern to detail: traditional shops with extraordinary building details, sumptuous walls built in Art Deco style, doors and gates enhanced with really special sculptures, altars slipped in the facades of buildings at the corner of the street, bearing the image of the Virgin Mary.

"The soul" of Brussels is the Grand-Place market, built in Baroque and Gothic styles, where you can witness the parade of  families descendants at the beginning of July or you can entertain yourself with theater plays or open air concerts. In the south you will discover the area known as The Template, where the pre-nineteenth century Belgian spirit has been retained just about . In the north you will discover the old labor neighborhood of Marolles, where street names today denote skill types that were undertook by their former inhabitants.

A tripper that has a weakness for beautiful should not skip a visit to the Museum of Art, home of some of the most important works of Pieter Breughel - including the acclaimed Fall of Icarus - and of Peter Paul Rubens, and to the Museum of Modern Art, which prouds itself with the work of Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Salvador Dali or Francis Bacon.

GHENT

Ghent is the Flemish capital of the country, built in Gothic and Renaissance style, with a population of only 230,000 inhabitants. Majestic is the buildings construction from Graslei, the city's old port. There are two rivers, Leie and Lieve, that overpass this area. From the St. Michielsbrug bridge, the view is superb: in the north you will recognize the Gravensteen castle, home of Flemish counts between ages 9-12, where you can still contemplate an ample range of torture instruments. The other castle, Geraard of Duivelsteen, dated from the13th century, has the same inauspicious notoriety.

BRUGES

This stylish Flemish city saw an important progress since the Middle Ages. Through this port, the town became a critical commercial transit of goods from Italy, the Far East, England or Russia. Bruges was famous all over the world for its wool products and the particular skill of its upholstery masters. The renowned Markt market dates from the 13th century; climbing its 366 stairs, you will examine the remarkable view of this old city. Heilige Bloed Basiliek Basilica will speak to you about the times of the second crusade, when the Patriarch of Jerusalem – says the legend – brought some drops of blood of Jesus to the Count of Flanders.