Belgium may be small but it's packed full of sights UNESCO-acclaimed sites in the capital city of Brussels range from th-century guildhalls surrounding the elegant Grand Place to the early th-century Art Nouveau townhomes of Victor Horta Bruges is a major attraction for tourists with its perfectly-preserved medieval streets rimming tranquil canals that lure flocks of travelers each year But plenty of other towns in the country - particularly Ghent and Mechelen - retain excellent architectural examples from the Middle Ages as well This small nation has been right at the forefront of Europe's history with many of the continent'sontinent's most important events played out across its countryside. It was in Belgium that Napoleon met his match at the battle of Waterloo, and during both the First and Second World Wars, Belgium found itself thrust into the frontline. The World War I battlefields of Ypres are now important pilgrimage sites that are among the most popular places to visit in Belgium. Whether you're here for ancient or modern history, Belgium provides a huge chunk of European heritage within a bite-sized piece.