Belgium

Little confession: the founders of Luxa Terra are originally from Belgium. So when it comes to Europe's best-kept secrets, we know exactly where the truffles are.

There is a running joke that Belgium is simply the country travellers pass through on their way to somewhere else. Honestly? We'd rather you actually eat a Belgian waffle than listen to that kind of nonsense — because that is the biggest piece of waffle you will ever hear.

Packed into a landmass smaller than the Netherlands and a density of art, beer and chocolate that no nation this size has any business holding. We are talking about over 1,500 to 1,600 unique, original beers. A liquid tapestry so deeply woven into our soul that Belgian beer culture is officially recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Is Belgium worth planning a journey around? To borrow a legendary phrase from the streets of Brussels: "Non, peut-être!" which, in true, beautifully sarcastic Belgian fashion, translates literally to "No, maybe," but actually means: "Yes, obviously."

Our personal insider guide bypasses the predictable pitstops. Brussels serves as the obvious entryway, rewarding those who stick around to look past the EU headquarters for Victor Horta's sweeping Art Nouveau façades, the cinematic glow of the Grand-Place at dusk, and a hyper-creative dining scene that has evolved well beyond classic moules-frites.

But the rest of the country fragments into brilliantly distinct worlds.

To the north lie the historic Flemish powerhouses: Bruges, a fairy-tale labyrinth of medieval canals and cobblestones; Ghent, buzzing with sharp artistic energy; and Antwerp, where a legendary diamond quarter meets a high-fashion pedigree that consistently punches above its weight on the global stage.

But our absolute favourite retreat lies to the south, in the forested Walloon Ardennes and the valley of Gaume (fondly known as Belgium's little Provence). Here, the itinerary dissolves into winding riverbanks, deep misty valleys, and forgotten medieval castles.

Explore our articles to discover the Belgium that most travellers never find — and wonder how they ever passed through without stopping.