Bruges

Popularized to the American audience by Martin McDonagh’s critically acclaimed 2008 film In Bruges, this city is the top destination in Belgium for world travelers for good reason. Bruges stands apart due to its stunning and particular architecture. Originally a hub of commercialism and culture in medieval Europe, it maintains these roots in the form of beautifully preserved Gothic structures that pepper the city’s historic center. Another way to view some of this architecture is from the famed Canals of Bruges which are adorned with seemingly endless steeples and bridges. Exploring the canals by boat is a popular activity, and can lead voyagers to otherwise inaccessible nooks. Once back on land, pass the towering Belfry while perusing the Central Market Place, and you may just forget that you’re not living in a fairy tale.

There are three words that should be on the mind and lips of any individual visiting Bruges: chocola, chocolat, chocolate. It’s difficult to turn a corner without spotting a chocolatier with a window display that does everything in its power to lure you in. However, only five of these shops make their sweet treats in-house. The most famous of these are the quaint and adorable Dumon Chocolatier and The Chocolate Line, which has a mix of traditional favorites and new-aged experiments.

Don’t forget to check out the Groeninge Museum for iconic Flemish paintings, the Dijver Mansions for a stunning ensemble of 15th century buildings, or Minnewater Lake (meaning “lake of love”) for some natural beauty.

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Flanders Field Optional Tour

Flanders Fields are situated in the city of Ypres, the historic center of Belgium. Ypres was originally an important textile manufacturer in the middle ages, but the city was essentially leveled during World War I as it sat on the frontlines. To the shock of the world, Ypres didn’t let the violence and destruction diminish its defining characteristics as a town built in the middle ages. The city was rebuilt to represent the relics lost, and now exists as a moving, one-of-a-kind mixture of Gothic architecture and war commemoration.

Flanders Fields and the many exhibits associated are quintessential World War I sites due to their accessible approach to conveying the facts, but also their portrayal of the emotions associated with this dark period in history. Some of the exhibits engage the visitor in the wartime experience, such as the preserved German Bayernwald trench system or the immersive “In Flanders” multimedia exhibit. Others pay tribute to the 600,000 lost during the brutal battles from 1914 to 1918, such as the Belgian Military Cemetery or ComingWorldRememberMe, an exhibit featuring 600,000 clay sculptures in Palingbeek Park. These museums and monuments are crucial spots for travelers to visit who wish to fully realize the resilient force that is the Belgian people.

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Antwerp

Yes, it has cobbled streets and iconic medieval structures. Yes, it has amazing beer and every flavor of chocolate you could ever desire. Yes, its surface appearance is quaint, charming, and enchanting. So what is it that sets Belgium’s second largest city, Antwerp, apart from other European travel destinations? Perhaps the fact that it rests comfortably and confidently on the cutting-edge of cool.

Antwerp draws the weirdest and most wonderful personalities from all over Belgium, and consequently, the rest of the world. It was home to robust 17th century painter Peter Paul Rubens and continues to be the go-to spot for art appreciation. The M HKA is one of the world’s leading contemporary art museums. With exhibits primarily from the 1970s, it’s famed for its goading and controversial showings. Jewelry lives beneath the umbrella of the city’s appreciation for the finer things as well, evident to anyone who visits the Diamond Square Mile. This is regarded as the diamond hub of the world where the most passionate jewelers go to experiment with innovative designs.

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• Romance of the Rhine & Mosel
• Holland & Belgium in Springtime

Brussels Grand Place

Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is not easy to pin down. This may be a result of the mix of cultural influences that make up the history of the officially bilingual city. While French is primarily spoken, the switch from Dutch didn’t occur until the late 1800s. English, German, and several other languages are spoken in this center of international politics that is home to a major UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This site is Grand Place, a breathtaking architectural marvel. UNESCO sums up the essence of Belgium in their explanation for giving it heritage status, calling it “an outstanding example of the eclectic and highly successful blending of architectural and artistic styles that characterizes the culture and society of this region.” Tucked away down unassuming alleys, Grand Place square is cobbled and surrounded by some of the most magnificent and intricate 15th century structures in the country. At the center of it all is City Hall, with a high-reaching belfry that stands proudly at 43 feet tall.

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Ghent

Known as “the Jewel of Flanders,” Ghent is one of Belgium’s oldest cities and also its fourth-largest. Originally the site of two abbeys founded in the seventh century at the confluence of the Schelde and Leie rivers, the city grew slowly into a commercial center especially known for its textiles. It was here in the city's Pacification Hall that the Treaty of Ghent was signed in 1814, ending the War of 1812 between the U.S. and Britain.

The city is home to St. Bavo's Cathedral, where the painting “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb,” by the Van Eyck brothers, resides. The 800-year-old Castle of the Counts is found in the town center, and it was here that the Counts of Flanders ruled over the proud and sometimes rebellious Ghent people. Today, it is a university and port city, filled with old guild houses and buildings dating back to medieval times.

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• Holland & Belgium in Springtime