Belgium Holiday

Pretty but petite, Belgium is often overlooked by hasty holiday makers hungry for the history-steeped cities, olde worlde glamour and culinary delights that Europe is so famous for.

Nestling between its super-sophisticated cousins Paris, London and Amsterdam, Belgium - much quieter than its gregarious neighbours - is all too often used as a stopover for travellers heading to supposedly more desirable holiday destinations.

However, travellers should be aware that by striking Belgium off their itinerary they are unfairly denying themselves its enigmatic medieval cities, its quaint glamour, lazy seaside towns and of course, sticky golden waffles and the best chocolates in Europe.

Beyond the charming city of Brussels and the medieval grandeur of Bruges, Belgium is an inspirational, if rather small country, with all the beauty and mystical European folklore of any other place in this enigmatic continent.

Younger than its counterparts, Belgium has a vitality and excitement to match its relatively new independence.

Tiny Belgium gained its independence only 200 years ago as bloody wars raged across the continent and tyrannical leaders plundered and pillaged.

However, Belgium's history begins much earlier than 1830 with the Roman invasion led by Julius Caesar.

The warlord recorded that the Belgae - Belgium's ancient people from which its present name is derived - fought valiantly against his forces before he finally defeated them in 57 BCE.

The Beglae were a conglomeration of Gallo-Celtic tribes, lending Belgium a unique diversity which is still apparent today.

In the fifth century the Roman Empire's glory began to fade and the Franks, a Germanic tribe, threw the Romans out of Gaul.

Belgium's struggle for independence continued for centuries and under King William I of the Netherlands the Belgians resented the measures which discriminated them in favour of the Dutch, especially regarding language and religion.

A rebellion broke out in Brussels in 1830 and Belgium emerged as an independent land.

Belgium's diversity of languages is a testament to its fraught past.

The Flemings in the north speak Dutch while the Walloons in the south speak French - both are regarded as official languages.

The Dutch-speaking north is characterised by criss-crossing canals and cities like Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent, which inspired great artists, writers and even lovers.

Bruges is simply charming, rich in European chic, medieval cathedrals and cobbled streets lined with bijou boutiques and smart cafes.

A canal ride is the best way to see the city's fabulous architecture and weave silently between the beautiful waterside homes of its inhabitants.

Ghent - all too often pushed out of the limelight by its pretty sister Bruges - has much to offer the holiday makers in the way of castles and medieval architecture, as well as being less touristy than Bruges.

Travellers who are overwhelmed by the north's imposing culture and gothic architecture should head for the port city of Antwerp where they can enjoy its energetic nightlife and active cultural scene before heading to the French-speaking south.

The perfect place to experience a fusion of the Dutch and French languages as well as a typically cosmopolitan environment is the bilingual capital, Brussels.

A heady mix of street cafes, museums, gothic and baroque architecture, museums and galleries, Brussels is a beautiful city, capable of exciting even most jaded and weary backpacker.

However, holiday makers who have gorged on too many fine chocolates, smooth golden beers and wonderful waffles can laze around on the beach in Ostend - one of the best in the country.

Nature-loving travellers should not forget the lush forests of Ardennes, where there are plenty of opportunities to walk amongst its stunning rivers and gorges before heading on to the frenetic bustle of Europe's other continents.

Belgium is the ideal place from which to visit France and other nearby countries, but should not be forgotten for the other pleasures it can offer.

Quite simply Europe in a nutshell, Belgium is a tantalising taste of the continent, sure to inspire travellers to further explore this chic, cosmopolitan region.

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