Benelux

Belgium

Gained its independence in 1830 from the Netherlands. 3 communities: the Flemish Community (Dutch), the French Community (the Wallon people of French origin), and the German-speaking Community. 3 regions: Flanders, Brussels Capital, and Wallonia.

3 official languages: Dutch (Flemish), German, French.

The Flemish Benedictine monks invented beer.

Brussels: the seat of the EU, NATO.

• Grand Place
• Manneken Pis
• Mini-Europe

Antwerp: world's diamond center.

• Plantin-Moretus Museum
• The Rubens House

Other cities:

• Bruges
• Ghent: Flemish water town.
• Namur

The Netherlands

Amsterdam

Day Excursions:

• Alkmaar: cheese market, cheese museum, beer museum.
• Enkhuizen: Zuiderzeemuseum (zuider=south, zee=see), Bottle Ship Museum (Flessenscheepjes Museum)
• Haarlem: old town undamaged from the wars. Great Market (Grote Markt).
• Hoorn

Luxembourg

Transportation: Luxembourg Central Station.