Belgium's main attractions are its historic cities and its museums of Flemish art. Bruges, the capital of west Flanders, is often called the "Venice of the North." With unspoiled Renaissance architecture and a complex canal system, it has become a favorite destination for British weekend visitors and Japanese honeymooners. In Brussels the famous "Grand Place," a cluster of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings in a cobbled square, survived bombing during World War II. Much of the rest of the old city center, however, was destroyed. Belgium has 15 resorts on its 38-mile coastline, with a single tramline running its entire length. Forests in the Ardennes to the south attract hikers.
