As the capital of Belgium, Brussels is the principal seat of the Belgian Royal Family, and capital of the European Union. It is a remarkably small and easy-going city, which gives this destination its charm. Brussels is Belgium’s main economic and educational hub, which gives the city a more workaday feel when compared to other towns. Here, you get a proper feel for Belgian life, especially its fantastic restaurant and café culture.
The old city of Ghent a picturesque muddle of alleyways rimmed by quaint steeple-roofed buildings running along pretty canals. Along with Bruges, Ghent is Belgium’s star architectural attraction. A walk through town on a summer’s evening, when most of the important buildings are illuminated, is an unforgettable experience, as is a canal boat ride down the many branches of the Scheldt and Leie Canals that intersect the city.
The beautiful Bruges is Belgium’s most perfectly preserved medieval town, and its jaw-dropping, beautiful architecture attracts more than two million visitors every year. With its wealth of interesting old buildings and its canals, Bruges still retains a distinct medieval air. Anyone taking a walk through the narrow streets or a boat trip on the canals falls immediately under its spell, charmed by its atmosphere.