Belgium falls through the cracks. It may be a little country, but it's one of Europe's big treats. While its capital, Brussels, is an international hub, the port city to the north – Antwerp – has more of a local identity.
It’s an honest, what-you-see-is-what-you-get place, perhaps because it's in the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium called Flanders. This city of about 500,000 offers visitors an eclectic array of sightseeing – and it's easy to navigate since most locals speak English. If you have just one day (or less), you’ll need to be selective, choosing among art, churches, history, and fashion.
Just arriving can be a thrill. I can’t think of a city with a more visit-worthy train station than Antwerp. The building stands like a temple to the Industrial Age.
Built at the turn of the 20th century, it’s giddy with steel and glass – such as its arrival hall with a triumphal arch crowned by a grand clock. Imagine the age: Just a generation earlier, people thought you might die if you traveled at more than 30 miles per hour. For those living in the brave new world of steam engines, journeys that previously took days could be done in hours.
Of course, today's trains can be five times faster; that's why the Belgians tunneled under the old station so that bullet trains can zip in and out with only a quick stop. Stepping out of the station, you'll find some modern buildings due to Hitler's rocket attacks during World War II – more V-2s fell on Antwerp than on London..