Bruges

Bruges is like stepping inside a fairy tale. This small Belgian city has kept its medieval heart almost perfectly intact, with winding canals, ancient stone bridges, and rows of gorgeous old buildings that have barely changed in centuries. At the centre of it all is the Markt, a grand square where horse-drawn carriages clip-clop past colourful guild houses, and the magnificent Belfry tower soars above everything, its 47 bells sending music drifting across the rooftops. Glide along the canals by boat and you will spot swans, hidden courtyards, and buildings so picturesque they barely look real.

Bruges is also a city full of surprises. World-famous paintings by the great Flemish master Jan van Eyck hang in its art museum, and a tiny chapel near the city centre draws visitors from across the globe to see one of its most extraordinary relics. Oh, and somewhere beneath your feet, fresh beer is quietly travelling through a secret underground pipe towards the edge of the city. Bruges never runs out of wonders.