In this country of 30,000 square kilometers, the trains have no less than 3,400 km of journey, a dream for any self-respecting backpacker. Brussels captive by her resemblance to Madrid. Addressing a tour bus to go on to Bruges, one of the tourist jewels of Europe. And finally, Ghent, an old Spanish town, less known than others, but one of the big surprises.

Brussels, European City
Brussels is a city of 1,200,000 inhabitants, which can be divided into four distinct segments. So on the one side is the so-called lower city, ranging from the impressive Plaza Mayor to the tiny Manneken Pis, and place whose buildings date from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century’s. Moreover, as the area of the Atomium monument dominating, besides the stadium Bruparck Heizel and that gives this segment. Third Quarter Real would meet with national parliaments and flamenco, the Royal Palace and the museums of Fine Arts and Modern as most significant. Finally, the European district that houses the administration buildings of the European Union. Without doubt, the best choice is the Grand Place Plaza Mayor where the City Council and the confluence of architectural styles of Gothic, baroque and renaissance. They say it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world. I will not be the one who denies.

Bruges, the Venice of the North
The major attraction of Bruges is its historic center, declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 2000. Although largely rebuilt, the center is one of the greatest tourist attractions of Central, as it keeps intact the medieval architectural structures. Burg Square with its magnificent buildings evokes Medieval Bruges and the city that stands in the square was built between 1376 and 1420, is the oldest and one of the most beautiful in Belgium.

It’s amazing what can be magic with its Gothic and neo-Gothic buildings that symbolize the power of the merchants of Bruges on the aristocracy, the channels through which non-stop running small boats with tourists taking a different view of the city and facades «triangular» houses.

Ghent, birthplace of emperors
Gent as they call the Flemish, or French speakers Gand, is a world apart from the historic cities of Flanders. Trains run every 15 minutes leading from Brussels to St. Peeters station in Ghent. They are about 50 minutes. Back in Ghent, take the tram that will leave you in the historical center. Walking the road is long and not very showy. Either walking or tram reached the main street of the city, the Limburg, where they concentrate most of the monuments. There, the first thing you will find the Church of St. Nicholas.

You’ll find with almost as many monuments and romantic canals like Bruges, but less known, there are fewer tourists. You only have to look out San Miguel Bridge, which crosses the river Leie on the horizon for three outstanding medieval towers and into the cathedral to realize this. It is difficult to find a spot so beautiful in Belgium as Graslei Pier with its elegant palaces and great animation guild, with bars and restaurants. The same applies to the neighborhood surrounding the Castle of the Counts of Flanders, full of beautiful Gothic buildings but also of traditional breweries.

Ghent is one of the most beautiful medieval cities of Europe with two curious records: the most historic buildings in Belgium … and breweries. Although the number of breweries has declined over the past fifty years, nearly three hundred remain in the center and remains a vital hub in the city.

Good Travel!