Belgium

At a Glance

Belgium is a small but densely layered country in the heart of Western Europe, where medieval cities like Bruges and Ghent sit alongside the modern European institutions of Brussels, and where the national obsession with beer, chocolate, and cuisine is entirely justified. The cultural divide between Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia gives the country a fascinating duality. Those who love food, art, and architecture packed into short distances will find it endlessly rewarding.

• More Michelin-starred restaurants per capita than France.
• Produces 220,000 tonnes of chocolate annually — more than most countries consume.
• Federal government went 541 days without one in 2010–11, a world record.