Belgium

The land we now know as Belgium has had many owners in the past – indeed, the Low Countries have been referred to as the “battleground of Europe” as conflict after conflict has washed across the landscape. In its short history (Belgium won its independence from the Netherlands in 1836), Belgium has had many internal struggles along linguistic lines, with influence lying first with the French-speakers and then the Flemish. Belgium’s undeserved reputation for being “boring” has never stretched to its food; robust, hearty stews, deliciously fresh seafood and of course, the hundreds and hundreds of varieties of beer, are just waiting to be savoured. For those with a sweet tooth, Belgian chocolates are internationally recognised as among the world’s finest.