This lovely city is a girl's best friend. Antwerp is the epicentre of the world diamond trade, and the pricey rocks shine as garishly as Tom Cruise's pearly whites from dozens of shop fronts.

Antwerp is also a mecca for fashionistas. Influential designers such as Dries Van Noten and Walter Van Beirendonck emerged from the city's Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the 1980s and put Antwerp squarely on the fashion map.

Bruges at night

Its historic core with atmospheric canals and winding streets was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2000.

Brussels' Grand Place carpeted with flowers

The headquarters of the European Union and the capital of Belgium, Brussels is a cosmopolitan city with striking Art Nouveau architecture.