EUROPE

Benelux


Photo Of An entry way with withe marble floors and spherical geods and crystals

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A room with a view of the zoo

If you are stationed in Belgium, lucky you! Pairi Daiza is one of the coolest zoos with the option to stay overnight with the animals.

Photo Of A wooden crate filled with 24 bottles of the famed Trappist Westvleteren 12 and blond beers

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Collecting the holy grail of beer: Trappist Westvleteren 12

Brewed by the monks, Trappist Westvleteren 12 is the holy grail of beers.

Photo Of Classic view of the historic city center with canal in Brugge, West Flanders province, Belgium. Cityscape of Brugge.

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Sober curious in Belgium

I was pleasantly surprised to find mocktails and alcohol-free beers at every restaurant we visited while in Belgium.

Photo Of A photo of two bikes parked at the start of a path leading through the middle of a pond

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Cycling through water in Limburg, Belgium

Take a magical bike ride and cycle through water in Limburg, Belgium.

Photo Of Brussels, Belgium - August 19, 2018: Flower Carpet is a biennial event in Brussels at the Grand Place. This carpet featured cultural elements from the state of Guanajuato, Mexico.

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See the famous flower carpet of Brussels

In 2026, you can view the flower carpet from Aug. 13-16.

Photo Of Colorful statue of a man jumping over a pole. One of 12 Pierrot sculptures across the city.

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Day trip to Spa, Belgium

Spa is about an hour’s drive by car from USAG Brunssum or Geilenkirchen, around an hour and a half from the Brussels region, and about two hours from SHAPE or Chièvres.

Photo Of Spring flowers like tulips, bluebells and daffodils bloom in a field

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Where to see spring flowers in the Netherlands and Belgium

The Benelux region has some of the most beautiful spring flowers in the world, find out where and when to see them.

Photo Of Panoramic view at the famous Dutch Sint Servaas bridge with lights in the city center of Maastricht

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Marvelous Maastricht

Marvelous Maastricht is full of history dating back to the Roman era and today has plenty for you to do.

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Utrecht: The Netherlands' well-kept secret

Utrecht continues to be a very well-kept secret because the people who live there love it. With a charming, car-free city center, canals to rival any Dutch locale and rich cultural offerings, there is lots to enjoy here. 

Photo Of Saint George on his horse at the Doudou

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Inside Mons’ wild Doudou Festival

It’s the Ducasse de Mons, a UNESCO-listed folk festival held every year on Trinity weekend in Mons. Everyone just calls it “the Doudou.”

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Pepper and Knox go to Center Parcs

We went to Center Parcs. Not really sure what that is, but we liked the way it smells.

Photo Of Amsterdam Netherlands; city skyline Dutch house at canal waterfront with spring tulip flowers

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Only in Amsterdam

Here are some tips for exploring my favorite Dutch destination, Amsterdam.

Photo Of Interior of chocolate vault with a sign at the end that reads “Chocolate Nation”

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Touring the Chocolate Nation

Chocolate Nation features a self-guided tour through multiple rooms and learn the history and process of making Belgian chocolate.

Photo Of View of St. Nicholas Church and Belfry at night with the buildings lit up.

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A brief history of Ghent’s Three Towers

Ghent’s three towers bore witness to the city of Ghent’s evolution, shaped by trade, art and conflict.

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