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Belgium |
It happens
time after time. People understand Europe
the way they've been introduced to it -
the usual tourist meccas, the attractions
on a thousand postcards. Then they encounter
Belgium, the country that began as a small
side trip on their schedule. It seems beautiful,
it's practically next door to Paris, London
and Amsterdam, and they only have 24 hours
to explore it before heading home. Two hours
later it happens. They're in love with Belgium.
Baroque architecture and a street named
Meat & Bread; an exhibit of comic strips;
jazz until dawn — you could only be in Brussels.
Don't miss the Grand'Place and its Gothic
Town Hall; it is one of the most beautiful
squares in the world. All our museums are
uniquely rewarding, but with 70 of them
you might want to limit your enjoyment to
a special few. We just hope that your schedule
will allow time to sip one or several of
our more than 400 beers and to sample our
chocolates. Don't forget that hand-drawn
Belgian chocolates are a must. They will
make you very popular with family and friends
if you bring them home!Warning: If you come
to Belgium, you may become addicted!
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Holland |
Whether
you are drawn to fascinating old cities,
beautiful countryside, rich traditions or
architectural marvels, or enjoy art, shopping
and gourmet dining, Holland offers all of
this and more. Centrally located in the
heart of Europe, Holland is an affordable,
compact and progressive country where everyone
speaks English.
The capital, Amsterdam, has Europe's largest
and best-preserved historic center. It is
truly one of the world's most alluring cities
with hundreds of 17th-century houses, canals
and museums where masters such as van Gogh
and Rembrandt are on permanent display.
Experience Amsterdam's unrivaled nightlife
and shopping, and get around on bicycles
or waterbikes.
The tiny
towns and villages just outside Amsterdam
offer a rich tradition with locals wearing
traditional garb and wooden shoes. Marvel
over typical Dutch landscape with millions
of blooming tulips, windmills and dikes.
More than half of Holland lies below sea
level and is kept from flooding by an ingenious
system of canals, mills, lochs and dams.
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Luxembourg |
The founder
of the first Luxembourg dynasty, Count Siegfried,
built his castle in 963. Over the centuries,
Luxembourg City became one of the strongest
fortresses ever built. Today you can adventure
through the 12-mile network of underground
passageways known as the Casemates. Much
of the city's older architecture — such
as the "Spanish Turrets" — can
be attributed to specific periods of occupation.
Other significant artifacts are the Art
Nouveau buildings from the Bourbon era,
and an ancient convent in the Grund district,
which now hosts a cultural center for exhibitions
and concerts.
Under construction is the new Musée
d'Art Moderne, designed by I.M. Pei and
dedicated to Grand Duke Jean; it will benefit
from a super setting, which includes recently
uncovered archaeological ruins. Luxembourg
also offers fine museums, art galleries,
theater, concert halls, chic boutiques,
and of course, great restaurants. The Grand-Duchy
has more Michelin-starred restaurants per
capita than any other country in the world.
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