It may be a little country, but it is a lovely one, so it is sad that Belgium is often overlooked when travellers plan a trip to Europe. Tucked between the desirable and obvious destinations of London, Paris and Amsterdam, Belgium is usually treated as a stepping stone to the English Channel, or, at most, a quick stop-over for a look-see in the capital, Brussels.

Beyond the city of Brussels with its historic Gothic buildings and tall European Union office blocks, is a treasure-trove of undiscovered lazy seaside towns, and the inland wooded gorges of the splendid Ardennes, sprinkled with medieval castles and steeped in folklore. The medieval city of Bruges has character and charm galore with a rich architectural heritage, graceful canals, winding waterways and cobbled streets, and is a favourite with visitors. Belgium is a country that has inspired many artists and writers with the charm of its Gothic cathedrals, town halls, gabled guildhouses and rich museums.

After a busy day exploring it all, evenings are best spent experiencing Belgium's fantastic cuisine and delighting in the country's variety of 300-odd brews of beer. Belgians have a reputation for their gracious hospitality, no doubt due in part to the country's location, which has created an international crossroads for commerce and culture. Despite this, Belgium and its distinct regions of Flemish Flanders (north) and French Wallonia (south) has proudly preserved its traditions and identity.

Grand Place (Central Square)

Address: Brussels

Mannekin-Pis

Address: Brussels

Hôtel de Ville

Address: Ilôt Sacré Brussels

Admission: Guided tour: EUR3 (adults), EUR2.50 (seniors and students), EUR1.50 (children)

Galeries Royales Saint Hubert

Address: Rue des Bouchers Brussels

Telephone: (02) 512 2116

Palais Royal

Address: Brussels

Admission: July to September

Royal Museums of Fine Arts

Address: Rue de la Régence 3 Brussels

Admission: EUR13 for both museums Open daily, from 10am to 5pm

Telephone: (0)2 508 3211

The Atomium

Address: Boulevard du Centenaire Brussels

Admission: EUR11 (adults), EUR8 (children). Other concessions are available Open daily, from 10am to 6pm

Telephone: (0)2 475 4777

Belgian Centre of Comic Strip Art

Address: Rue des Sables 20 Brussels

Admission: EUR8 (adults), EUR6 (children). Other concessions are available. Open from 10am to 6pm, Tuesday to Sunday

Telephone: (0)2 219 1980

Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate

Address: 13 Grand Place Brussels

Admission: EUR5.50 (adults), EUR3 (children). Other concessions are available Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 4.30pm

Telephone: (0)2 514 20 48

Royal Museum of Central Africa

Address: Leuvensesteenweg 1302 Brussels

Admission: EUR4 (adults), EUR1.50 (youths). Other concessions are available Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm; Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm

Telephone: (0)2 769 5211

Brussels Children's Museum

Address: Rue du Bourgmestre, 15 Brussels

Admission: EUR7.50 per person Open daily to school children by appointment. Open to public on weekdays, from 2.30pm to 5pm. Closed 24 and 31 December and weekends in July. Annual closure from 1 August to 12 September.

Telephone: 02 640 0107

Bruparck

Address: Eeuwfeestlaan 20Bd du Centenaire Brussels

Telephone: 02 474 8383

Mini Europe

Address: Bruparck, Eeuwfeestlaan 20Bd du Centenaire Brussels

Admission: EUR13.40 (adults); EUR10 (children) 19 March to 30 June: open from 9.30am to 6pm; 1 July to 31 August: open from 9.30am to 8pm; September: open from 9.30am to 6pm; 1 October to 8 January: open from 10am to 6pm

Telephone: 02 478 05 50

Walibi Belgium

Address: Rue J. Dechamps 9, Boulevard de l'Europe Brussels

Admission: EUR30 (adults); EUR24 (children) May: Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm; June and July: open daily from 10am to 6pm; August: 10am to 8pm; September and October: on Sunday from 10am to 6pm

Telephone: 010 42 1500

Museum of Natural Sciences of Belgium

Address: Rue Vautier 29 Brussels

Admission: EUR7 (adults); EUR4.50 (children). Free admission on first Wednesday of each month, from 1 pm Open Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. During schools holidays, the museum keeps weekend hours

Telephone: 02 627 42 27

Flanders Battlefield Tours

Address: Slachthuisstraat 58, Ypres Ghent

Admission: EUR30 (standard tour, includes museum admission) Advance reservations highly recommended – check website for details

Telephone: (057) 460 360

Choco-Story Museum

Address: Wijnzakstraat 2, Sint-Jansplein Bruges

Admission: EUR7 adults, EUR4 children 6-11. Other concessions available. Daily 10am-5pm. Closed 24, 25 and 31 December; and 1 and 9-20 January.

Telephone: 050 61 22 37

Bruges Diamond Museum

Address: Oude Gentweg Bruges

Admission: EUR7 adults, EUR5 children. Other concessions available. Daily 10:30am-5:30pm. Diamond-polishing demonstration daily 12:15pm.

Telephone: 050 34 20 56

Groeninge Museum

Address: Dijver 12 Bruges

Admission: EUR8; concessions available. Tuesday to Sunday 9:30am-5pm.

Telephone: 050 44 87 11

Bonsoir Clara

Address: 22 Rue Antoine Dansaert Brussels

Food Type: International

La Maison du Cygne

Address: 2 Rue Charles Buls Brussels

Food Type: Local

Les Trois Couleurs

Address: 453 Avenue de Tervuren, Woluwé-Saint-Pierre Brussels

Food Type: French

Aux Armes De Bruxelles

Address: 13 Rue des Bouchers Brussels

Food Type: Local

Comme Chez Soi

Address: 23 Place Rouppe Brussels

Food Type: French

La Truffe Noire

Address: 12 Boulevard de la Cambre Brussels

Food Type: French

La Quincaillerie

Address: 45 Rue du Page Brussels

Food Type: Gastropubs

Raconte-Moi des Salades

Address: 19 Place du Châtelain

Food Type: International

Les Brassins

Address: 36 Rue Keyenveld Brussels

Food Type: Local

Chez Leon

Address: 18 Rue des Bouchers Brussels

Food Type: Local

La Porteuse d'Eau

Address: Brussels

Food Type: Local