6 Logical Reasons To Visit Belgium As Primary Destination

Belgium is one of the most underrated holiday destinations in Europe. There are so many reasons to visit this amazing country; From beautiful cities to fantastic festivals and world-famous chocolates, this little country has it all. Though totally incomplete, here are the top 5 reasons why you should visit Belgium.

1. Festival and Christmas Markets

Belgium holds so many festivals throughout the year almost always something happens. If you're a fan of rock music, you should know that Belgium hosts Rock Werchter, one of Europe's top music festivals featuring four days of world-class performances. Ghent City holds an annual Gentse Feesten which is a very popular music and theater festival that attracts more than 2 million visitors annually.

In November and December the Winter Wonder of Brussels is open and includes the famous Christmas rides and markets where you can buy all kinds of Christmas gifts, new items and gifts.

2. Beer

Belgium has hundreds of unique breweries that produce some of the most famous and unusual beers in the world. Trappist monastery beer is one of the more popular and regulatory features that require the involvement of Trappist monks in the brewing process. There is also a lambic beer made with spontaneous fermentation, using wild bacteria and yeast!

With so many variations, very lucky you do not have to go to any city to try every beer and instead you can attend one of the many annual beer festivals. Brussels Beer Weekend is one of the most popular festivals and offers the opportunity to taste and enjoy a variety of original Belgian beers.

3. Chocolate, Moules and Frites

Belgian Chocolate If you do not imagine the delicious picture and taste then you also have ageusia (inability to taste) or never taste it! This is not a marketing tip, Belgian chocolates are completely different from other chocolates in some ways.

Belgian Chocolatiers still use traditional chocolate-making methods and shy away from modern techniques such as adding lots of milk and sugar. They do not let the chocolate cool before it finishes so it can retain as much flavor as possible. Chocolate aside, Belgium also has great "moules et frites" (mussels and chips) which is good to compliment the delicious beer on offer.

4. Cultural Attractions and Night Life

Belgium has a number of cultural attractions and oddities. 'Manneken pis' (literally "peeing the little mania") is one such oddity and quite simple as a statue of a little boy that goes into the fountain! When the festival or seasonal celebration takes place, the statue is dressed in costume during the event.

If you are looking for something a bit more civilized you need not worry, Brussels is home to the famous Belgian Fine Arts Museum. In this museum you will find an abundance of famous Flemish works including the wealth of paintings by Van Dyck and Ruben - to be seen by all art enthusiasts!

Other famous cultural attractions include the Museum of Musical Instruments that showcase thousands of interesting musical instruments from around the world, as well as the Belgian Comics Center featuring unique exhibits and extensive libraries.

5. Architecture and Historic City

Perhaps the most amazing aspect of Belgium is the architecture that has been carefully protected, restored and nurtured by Belgians for centuries. The effect of this is the unrivaled medieval atmosphere of Bruges where the glittering cobblestone streets are fitted with peaceful canals, and with impressive city forts, you can feel secure with the knowledge that Viking robbers are not will get to know you.

Gravensteen, also known as the "castle of the count", is a beautiful palace in Ghent that has stood for over 800 years and has been used in the past as a courthouse, a prison, and even a factory. The castle has been restored to its previous glory and well worth a visit.

If you value the book with the sword, I would recommend to see the Cathedral of Our Lady, a magnificent Gothic-style cathedral in Antwerp. This cathedral dominates the city skyline, making it useful for navigation if you get lost!

6. Waffles

If a picture can tell a thousand words ... this one will break the quota. If you've never tried a Belgian waffle at least once in your lifetime, where are you hiding !? Belgian waffles are very popular throughout Europe and the rest of the world, but not as good as in Belgium itself. One of the most underrated points to be made about Belgium is its food and it does not stop at the waffle!