Bruges at night

Chocolate, beer and bicycles. What more could you want from a European vacation? Having finally shaken off its 'dull' image, Belgium has plenty of culture, architecture, outdoor activities and hot waffles to offer the discerning traveller.

Belgium has three official languages - Flemish, German and French - and many people also speak excellent English.

The north is flat with a small coastal region on the North Sea and the south and east is characterised by the rolling hills of the Ardennes.

Belgium shares its border with France, Luxembourg and The Netherlands.

Survival guide

Belgium experiences distinct seasons, with warm springs and summers and cold snowy winters. Belgium's countryside is lush and green for a reason - the nation is on the receiving end of a hefty load of rain. Be sure to pack a waterproof outer layer, along with warm and windproof clothing.

Belgium has international airports in Brussels, Antwerp, and Liege. The national airline is SN Belgium Airlines.

Train is another popular way to get to Belgium. The Eurostar now runs to Brussels from Britain and France. Visitors can travel to Belgium by rail from most major European cities and within Belgium there is no shortage of rail lines.