In effect, the Benelux is the union of three countries each of which gave part of its name to the communal entity: Belgium donated the “Be”, the Netherlands the “ne”, and Luxembourg the final touch with “lux”.
Allied initially for economic reasons, the range of action rapidly expanded to the political arena. These three countries, each one unique, have nevertheless many aspects in common: similarities in culture, the same approach to lifestyle, and a shared love of gastronomy.

All about water

Amsterdam, the Dutch capital, ringed with canals, shares with Bruges (Belgium) the title “Venice of the North”. The canals lacing the cities give a very special style: the soft sounds of water lapping the banks, created by the wakes of passing boats; swans and ducks gliding along the surface, small bridges crossing the canals and allowing pedestrians to move easily around the historic city centers. It all has the atmosphere of another age: Flemish architecture, belfries, old churches and cathedrals, beguinages…
In the southwest of Holland, Zeeland is an island province of flooded land and dikes. It represents one of the greatest defeats of nature by man: to reclaim land from the sea. The dam on the River Scheldt is one of the most remarkable aspects of this feat. The Delta Works, a system of hydraulic engineering works protects the country against storm surges and improves the water balance. In Holland, the daily struggle against the tides has given rise to a network of windmills, from Kinderdijk to Elshout. Dozens of windmills, the oldest of which were constructed at the beginning of the 18th century, use the force of the wind to drain the water from the land seized from the sea. This prodigious network today is listed on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.
The North Sea coast is very attractive. In Belgium you can journey along its 67 km / 42 miles of coast line by bicycle or by tram. For those who enjoy the beach, don’t miss it!
In Holland, the entire coast is interesting, but whatever you do, visit the Wadden islands, a magnificently preserved area. “Real pearls of peace and nature” are how the Dutch describe them.

Love of culture

The cultural influence in Amsterdam is unique: Rembrandt and for a short period Van Gogh lived here. Walking in Amsterdam will be a journey into Holland’s Golden Age: its houses, churches, and palaces along the banks of the canals make this destination unforgettable.
The Hague, royal city and seat of the government of the Netherlands, boasts that it is a city of art and culture equal to Amsterdam, and here’s the proof: the Mauritshuis, the Prince William V Gallery and the Bredius Museum exhibit some of the most beautiful works of Dutch and Flemish masters.
Brussels (Belgium) is bursting with museums of art both ancient and modern, and the Comic Strip Museum has no equal.
Luxembourg is the European Capital of Culture for the second time in 2007. A charming city beautifully uniting preserved natural setting with ancient fortifications, Luxembourg, as creative as can be, has countless projects in mind – enough to keep visitors occupied full-time during their visit. The Musical Spring Festival, for example, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2007. The festival highlights jazz and world music.

Architecture in the Benelux

Brussels, capital of Belgium, has made its reputation on the harmonious marriage of the old and the new. In the Grand’Place, built in the flamboyant Flemish style, you can walk as you wish under the arcades, or take time to enjoy a meal of “moules frites”, (mussels and fries), or an excellent Belgian beer at a café. You can step into the past, for example in the sumptuous cathedral of St. Michel et Gudule. Closer to us in time, the science-fiction like Atomium, at Heyzel, is from the other end of the temporal spectrum and just as much a landmark of the Brussels’ cityscape.

The city of Antwerp (Belgium) is real mine of fascinating sites, both cultural and architectural: the Cathedral of Our Lady (the largest in Belgium), the house of the painter Rubens, and many museums such as the provincial Diamond Museum and the Plantin-Moretus house.

The French speaking Ardennes

Here’s an excellent way to complete your exploration of the Benelux. The biggest expanse of the Ardennes is in Belgium. This area, crossed by the River Meuse, is known for its dense forests, lakes, waterfalls, and caves (such as the spectacular caves at Dinant). Don’t miss the town of Namur, and its picture-postcard setting, with a citadel rising above the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers. This region is also home to the fabulous Natural Park of Hautes-Fagnes.
The Ardennes also cover the northern part of the Duchy of Luxembourg, which is called Oesling. Here again, one landscape vies with another to be the most beautiful: deep woods, windswept plateaus, fields that stretch to forever, deep valleys and steep hillsides surmounted by romantic medieval castles. The Natural Parks of Lac de la Haute Sure and Lac de l’Our combine natural and cultural attractions.
Culture, nature, sea and mountains…the Benelux offers you panoply of interesting excursions. Whatever your tastes, you’ll always find something satisfying!