Day 1 - 11.12.2024 - Antwerp

1. Belgium is famous for being the birthplace of the European Union, with Brussels serving as the de facto capital of the EU and home to several of its key institutions.  
2. The country is renowned for its beer culture, with over 1,000 different types of beer produced, and it is known for unique varieties such as Trappist beer, made by monks in abbeys.  
3. Belgium is the birthplace of fries, or "frites," which are often claimed to be invented here. They are typically served with a variety of dipping sauces, particularly the popular "mayo."  
4. The country is famous for its chocolate, producing some of the best chocolate in the world. Belgian chocolate has a reputation for quality and craftsmanship, with companies like Godiva and Neuhaus leading the industry.  
5. Belgium is home to the world’s largest collection of comic strips, including the iconic "The Adventures of Tintin," created by Belgian artist Hergé.  
6. The country is known for its medieval towns, castles, and beautiful architecture, with places like Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp offering stunning historical sites and picturesque canals.  
7. Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German, with Dutch being spoken by the majority in the Flanders region, French in Wallonia, and German in a small eastern region.  
8. The country is the world's leading exporter of diamonds, with the city of Antwerp serving as the diamond capital of the world, handling 80% of the world’s rough diamond trade.  
9. Belgium is home to the world’s largest festival dedicated to the mythical figure of the giant, "The Ommegang Festival," held in Brussels, where enormous papier-mâché giants parade through the streets.  
10. The Belgian army still maintains the oldest continuous military unit in the world, the "Chasseurs Ardennais," which was formed in 1833 and continues to serve today.  
11. Belgium boasts a wide range of world-class museums, including the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, home to works by artists such as Rubens and Van Dyck.  
12. The famous Belgian waffle, known for its fluffy texture, comes in two main varieties: the Brussels waffle and the Liège waffle, each with its own distinct taste and method of preparation.  
13. Belgium's coastline along the North Sea, though relatively small, is known for its sandy beaches and seaside resorts, with cities like Ostend and Knokke-Heist being popular summer destinations.  
14. The country has a proud cycling culture, with some of the most prestigious races in the world, including the Tour of Flanders, which attracts cyclists from all over the globe.  
15. Belgium has a strong tradition of surrealism in the arts, and renowned surrealist artist René Magritte, known for his thought-provoking works, was born in the country.