Belgium is a multicultural crossroads of Western Europe. The cosmopolitan capital, Brussels, is home to both the European Union and NATO. Here, highlights include the ornate, 13th-century Grand Palace; the Atomium, the massive landmark sculpture on the outskirts of the city; and the triumphal Cinquantenaire Arch, celebrating Belgium's independence.
You can see medieval architecture in Ghent, shop for diamonds in Antwerp, visit a lace workshop, wander quaint cobblestone streets and sample famous Belgian chocolate and beer. In Belgium's canal-laced Flemish countryside, Bruges is home to Our Lady's Church with Michelangelo's statue of the Madonna.