BELGIUM

Pukkelpop

Hasselt

This festival of alternative music was founded in 1985, and is one of the most keenly anticipated music events on the Belgian calendar. It features a wide-ranging lineup of rock, pop, hip-hop, electronica and dance music, with the likes of Nirvana, Green Day, Metallica and Björk past headliners.

Tomorrowland

Boom

This annual festival of electronic music is one of the largest of its kind in the world. It takes place annually over a weekend in late July in the small town of Boom near Antwerp, with a list of acts that reads like a who's who of cutting edge electronica and dance music.

For more information on Tomorrowland, click here

Carnival De Binche

This historical festival of folklore is held annually over the three-day period leading up to Ash Wednesday, during which the town of Binche comes alive with colorful processions of marchers in traditional dress. Proceedings come to a climax with the marchers pelting spectators with oranges, considered a sign of good luck.

For more information on the Carnival de Binche, click here

Zythos Beer Festival

Leuven

Famed as the home of Stella Artois, the city of Leuven is a Belgian brewing powerhouse, so it's quite fitting that it should host this annual festival of beer. It's held over a weekend in late April and offers up the chance to try a wide range of Belgium's most prized tipples.

For more information on the Zythos Beer Festival, click here

Gentse Feesten

Ghent

This gigantic festival of music and theater takes place over a 10-day period in July, with a program of free performances taking place across the city. Established in 1843, it now attracts nearly 2 million visitors making it one of the biggest cultural festivals in Europe.

For more information on the Gentse Feesten, click here

Moules-frites

Belgium's national dish consists of a pan of fresh mussels, gently steamed in broth - white wine, shallots, butter and parsley is the classic - and then served with fries. Simple and delicious, it's a Belgium travel essential.

_{Best eaten at
Le Chou de Bruxelles, Florencestraat 26, Brussels}

Carbonade Flamande

This hearty stew of meat and onions is also known as stoverij. It's cooked in Belgian brown beer, which helps give its signature sweet and sour flavour. Served with French fries on the side, it's a staple of Brussels restaurants and a Belgium travel 2015 must-try

_{Best eaten at
Fin de SiecleRue des Chartreux 9, Brussels}

Waterzooi

This traditional Belgian stew originated in Ghent. It contains either fish or chicken, cooked in a rich and creamy sauce with a variety of vegetables and herbs, and can be found in many Ghent restaurants.

_{Best eaten at
Restaurant Du Progres, Korenmarkt 10, Ghent}

Waffles

It's difficult to believe that something made from batter could be this delicious, but try a waffle in Belgium and then tell us it's not so! They come in many varieties here, but the rich and chewy liège waffle is the place to start.

_{Best eaten at
Maison Dandoy, Rue au Beurre 31, Brussels}

Chocolate

Belgium is world famous for its chocolate, and rightly so. Nowhere else in the world will you find chocolate so rich, creamy and delicious, nor so exquisitely crafted. Sorry Switzerland.

_{Best eaten at
Chocolaterie de BurgBurg 15, Bruges}