Belgium

If this year's hit Colin Farrell/Ralph Fiennes movie In Bruges whet your appetite for the city, why not get a taste of it for yourself - quite literally.Den Dijver, in the heart of the historic city, takes Belgium's renown for beer very seriously and serves lager-cooked lunches and sozzled suppers.This is no pub grub though - since opening in 1992 the restaurant has evolved into a stylish eatery striving to incorporate the flavours of homegrown herbs with the finest regional brews.Last year this mission was realised as Den Dijver won gold in the first Beer and Gastronomy awards, handed out by the Brewers of the Netherlands and two trade magazines.Top of the recommendations is the pork fillet with truffle-and-Trappist-ale sauce while the sabayon of Lindemans' cherry beer and vanilla ice cream for dessert also gets the booze balance just right.For more fine dining in the city try the seafood at Pandreitje or help yourself to a Flemish feast at De Stove.

Hof van Cleve in Belgium is renowned as one of the best restaurants in the world.Offering a fantastic selection of luxurious cuisines in an idyllic farmhouse setting in Kruishoutem, the picturesque restaurant has been open as a gastronomic eatery since 1992.Named after the former owner of the 19th-century farmhouse Mr van Cleve, the menu, which changes frequently, comprises exceptional refined European food, created under the expert watch of chef Peter Goossens. Some of the dishes which are on the menu all year round include turbot with Belgian sevruga, leek stoemp and lager beer sauce.And the food is not all that's on offer here, with a wine cellar boasting around 1,250 bottles.The venue has deservedly been awarded with three Michelin stars and currently stands at number 14 in the Restaurant Review's list of the San Pellegrino's world's best restaurants.Kruishoutem is located in the Flemish province of East Flanders.

Perfect for those who are passionate about beer, Antwerp's Beer Passion festival is a three-day event that takes place in the heart of the Old Town.The Belgian town offers drinkers the chance to sample over 150 different types of beer from a variety of sources. Fans can try Flemish, Walloon, German and Czech brews.With free entrance, save the €2 (£1.60) cost of a Beer Passion glass at the door, there will be little to stop revellers from tasting a huge selection of the beers on offer, which are all priced at just €1.50, payable in the form of tokens that can be bought at the event.Taking place this year from June 20th - 22nd, the beer tent is not the only stop for visitors, who can also enjoy the brass bands and other live music on show at the festival.The event is held in the beautiful Groenplats Square, which is in the shadow of Antwerp's stunning 16th-century Our Lady Cathedral.

A brasserie in central Brussels claims to offer the visitor more than food and drink.Belga Queen's website claims those entering its premises are in for a "gastronomic trip" through Belgium as part of the Belga Queen "adventure".Located in an 18th century building on Rue Fosse aux Loups, Belga Queen is based on the vision of Antoine Pinto, who wanted to offer something different to typical brasseries.The emphasis is on using products from "Belgian artisans who still have respect for the soil".Its wine collection is sourced from local producers, while the Ponti coffee served is roasted locally from a selection of "pure Arabica" beans.The self-proclaimed "ambassador of made in Belgium" promises to stimulate each sense of those who visit it.Dave Myers, one of the famous Hairy Bikers, listed Belga Queen as one of his top ten eateries in the world.Writing for the Guardian, he described the steak tartare served there as "incredible".He said while the brasserie is "a really posh place", a meal of steak – served with caviar and a shot of ice-cold vodka – with a side of chips costs "just 20 euros a pop".

Visitors to Belgium looking to enjoy the finer things in life during their stay in Antwerp should consider staying at De Witte Lelie, a luxury hotel situated in a group of 17th-century town houses in the very heart of the city.Now the Lily White is a ten-room four-star lodging, with modern furnishings, marble fireplaces, old beams, antiques and a breakfast buffet that can be eaten while looking out onto the serene hotel courtyard. True to its name, De Witte Lelie features a clean, bright and airy decor in each of its ten unique rooms, while fragrant fresh flowers are also spread throughout the hotel. The salon is full of white linen sofas under a magnificent chandelier. While staying in Antwerp, visitors may wish to explore the Antwerp Zoo, which has more than 4,000 animals, or the Cathedral of Our Lady, a majestic church that was constructed during the 15th century and contains within it four works by the famous artist Rubens.Architecture enthusiasts may be keen to visit Central Station, the city's rail station which was built at the turn of the 20th century and features a large metal and glass dome. Also of note is the Boerentoren (Farmer's Tower), a 26-story building that was built in 1932 and is considered Europe's oldest skyscraper.