Brugge, or Bruges, oozes old-world charm, with its well-preserved medieval town, which reflects its colorful allure perfectly in its winding network of canals. In the Middle Ages, Bruges became northwestern Europe’s leading international center of trade after a violent storm opened an inlet, later termed the ’Golden Inlet’, to the North Sea. By the 15th century Bruges was in its Golden Age, a major center of finance and culture with merchants visiting from around the world to exchange goods. Amazingly, this city retains much of its former beauty, making it the perfect place to travel back in time and explore its stepped gabled architecture, historic squares, and canals. What To…

The hipster university town of Ghent, with its network of canals lined with gorgeous old-world architecture, is yet another Belgian gem. Once the largest European city north of Paris, Ghent, with its remarkably well-preserved buildings, is the capital and largest city of East Flanders province. Located between Brussels and Bruges, this is an ideal stop between Belgiums two most visited cities. Its laid back vibe is less touristy, providing a more authentic, welcoming feel, while still offering plenty of interesting things to see and do, making it well worth the stop. What To See and Do In Ghent The center of Ghent’s charming old town, where most of the sites…