Zeebrugge (Brussels), Belgium

This coastal port is our portal to the fairytale charms of Bruges, and almost unbearably romantic medieval town laced with canals. The central square confronts the visitor with four solid walls of fretted towers, elaborate edifices and soaring spires. One of the best ways to enjoy the town is to ride the swan-dotted canals on a boat tour. Or sroll around and pop into any of the open buildings to absorb the confectionary decoration. Speaking of confections, the town is justly famous for its fine Belgian chocolate. They even have a museum dedicated the Flemish invention of thinly cut, crisply fried potatoes that earned the inaccurate misnomer “French Fries!”