Belgium

Rating: ★★★★★ (4.6 / 5)

Belgium is a small but extraordinarily rich country that sits at the crossroads of Western Europe, blending French and Flemish influences into a culture that is uniquely its own. It is famous worldwide for its chocolate, waffles, and extraordinary variety of craft beers, but its cultural treasures are equally impressive, from the medieval market squares of Bruges and Ghent to the stunning Art Nouveau architecture of Brussels. The country is also home to some of the finest museums in Europe, including the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, and its role in both world wars gives it a particularly poignant place in modern history.