Belgium: Exercise the sweet tooth for tourism!

The country that has a penchant for creating the world’s finest chocolates is much more than just a country with a sweet tooth.

Bruges: The city is pretty crowded, has a lot of touristy flavour for its own good, and seems to border on the edges of being fake. Any other destination would, in such circumstances, have been out-rightly dismissed as the next likely spot for tourists. However, there’s something about Bruges that keeps people coming in, despite the fact that there are so many of them. In fact, tourists seem to actually enjoy the company, as they are transported back in time at one of western Europe’s most prominent medieval cities. Splendid canals, bustling market squares and chalky white almshouses all lend an element of the old world charm to Bruges. However, this imagery is not as authentic as it seems, as the city has been renovated time and again, and while one might seem to look at something that is many centuries old, it’s actually dating back to the 19^th and 20^th centuries. One needs to really be punctual on the timing to really enjoy the city in all its fervour – staying overnight on a midsummer evening when the locals cast fishing rods into the canals and the carillon chimes begin their symphony is the perfect experience, which is why it’s best to go there during spring. Winters too, are not all that bad, as one can actually skate on canals and enjoy the solitude, since not a soul is around!

Brussels: Belgium’s very own city with the split personality, Brussels has timeless conflicts going on during any time of the day, albeit only verbal! There are contrasts and contradictions, but all that just adds up to the multicultural equation that transcends the usual red-tapeism and ‘Eurocracy‘. The city is most remarkably known for its food and the cafe culture, although the Art Nouvaeu architecture also plays its part in conjuring up an interesting concoction. One can have varying experiences at Brussels, gazing at the relaxed locals who value basking in the glory of the city’s atmosphere above anything else; experience the movement of money to and fro Ave Louise; and buy dried caterpillars at Matonge! The city is a haven for Surrealist art forms, and the northern suburb of Jette has played host to some of the most spectacular artists of this genre. Talking of the architecture once again, there are many iconic monuments like the Grand Palace that make one wonder in awe. Other factors are not particularly something one would not get at any other metropolis – great shopping, fantastic dining options, rocking pub scene – but combining the aforementioned factors certainly brings a lot more to the equation than what is initially visible. The city was the cultural capital of Europe for a brief span of time, but still stands out!

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Belgium: The home of chocolates

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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Belgium – Much more than just chocolates

Popular for chocolates the world over, Belgium is also quite a phenomenal tourist destination, and has an enviable list of attractions to lure tourists to visit again and again.

Brussels: Brussels is indeed the city with a split personality – there is a friendly air of conflict, with French versus Flemish, modern versus historic and unique versus monotonous. There are striking contrasts in this multicultural environment, and the capital of Belgium serves up a heady concoction that is unforgettable for all kinds of tourists. There is fine dining as well as café culture, Art Nouveau architecture as well as the surreal element in art. One can just relax on a chair and relax with the locals, buy dried caterpillars in Matonge, and indulge in similar frivolous as well as entertaining activities. The quality of everyday life too, is fantastic, with great shopping, sumptuous food, the world famous chocolates and a rocking pub culture. Interestingly, Brussels was not seen as a hot spot for tourists in the early days, but around a decade back in 2000, when it got the title of the cultural capital of Europe, was when its journey to fame began, and still continues till date.

Antwerp: A city that has been referred to by The New York Times as one of Europe's most happening places has to be really good. Welcome to Antwerp, a destination loved by art aficionados as well as club hoppers. Belgium's second largest city has an old city centre that has been built around the most impressive cathedral in the country, and still retains its old world charm. The cobblestone lanes and backstreets house thousands of antique shops, restaurants, bars, art galleries, chocolate shops, diamond stores and designer boutiques. In its essence, the whole city is actually an architectural museum, where a creation of every period is, right from the medieval riverside fortress to modern waterfront creations and the ever-popular Cogels-Osylei. One can also notice signs of Gothic and Flemish baroque architecture, since the city was the home of Pieter Paul Rubens, northern Europe’s greatest baroque artist. One can also visit his residence, and know details of his personal life, and also get information on which churches and museums have his works. The city is a haven for shoppers, and has numerous designer brands setting up shop.

Bruges: Many might have the initial impression of this city as very overcrowded and much alike any other quintessential European destination, but the fact of the matter is, Bruges, despite its pseudo-fakeness, is Belgium's most popular city. Being one of Western Europe's most visited medieval cities, Bruges has stunning market squares, whitewashed almshouses and canals that make one feel as if he/she is in a time warp. However, all this has been made possible due to constant renovation time and time again. A majority of the architecture is only a couple of centuries old, and one can enjoy the city best during the evening and late night hours, when it comes to life on all fronts.

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