Beautiful Belgium is bordered by France, Germany, Luxembourg and Holland. It is a relatively small European country, and many comprehensive tours of Western Europe include at least one overnight in its cosmopolitan capital of Brussels, home to NATO and the European Union. Brussels' gothic Grand Palace is a must-see highlight, as is the statue of Manneken-Pis: a little boy peeing in a fountain, which is a testament to the Belgian sense of humor and irreverence.

Visitors on a Belgium vacation might also spend time in the northern part of the country, Flanders, which encompasses the cities of Antwerp, a port city on the Scheldt River which links to the North Sea; medieval Bruges with its network of canals; and quiet Ghent, also filled with lovely historic buildings and abbeys.

If you are a beer connoisseur, you'll love Belgium tours, since the country is home to more than 1,000 different beers! Fruit beers are popular (if not unusual), so try the cherry beer, for sure. Belgian chocolate is famous worldwide, as are Belgian waffles and chips ("fries"), often served with mayonnaise - yes, it's tough to watch your waistline when you're traveling in Belguim. For souvenirs to take home, consider shopping for pretty handmade lace, especially in Bruge - a lovely reminder of your Belgium tour.