NEUR

A diamond center, a magnet for fashionistas, a European cultural hub and mecca for brewmeisters – Antwerp is a multifaceted jewel. Meet the Rubens, van Dycks and van Eycks that fill its world-class museums. Admire the two oldest printing presses in the world at the sublime Museum Plantin-Moretus, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wander through one of the world’s most beautiful train stations and down the nave of the Antwerp Cathedral, where religious paintings by Rubens and other Flemish masters are on display.

Often referred to as the "Venice of the North," Bruges dates from the early Middle Ages when the town was world-renowned for its immensely prosperous wool and cloth trade. It was also Northern Europe’s most important trading port until the 15th century, after the gradual silting of the estuary that linked Bruges to the sea. Today this magnificently preserved city is one of Belgium’s greatest attractions.

Perhaps no single edifice has had more impact on a city than the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao. Designed by renowned architect Franck Gehry and opened in 1997, the massive, billowing, titanium-clad structure reflects the city’s revitalized relationship with the river that runs through it, and the modern collection within the museum is as impressive as the exterior. Other worthwhile museums include the Museo de Bellas Artes and the Euskal Museoa, devoted to Basque culture.

This seaside resort in French Basque Country lies only 15 miles from the Spanish border. Long popular with surfers, Biarritz now offers stylish boutiques and sophisticated restaurants to complement its beach bars. Perhaps French fashion designer Coco Chanel foresaw the future when she opened her first shop here in 1915. Visit the city’s most famous landmark, Hotel du Palais, built by Napoleon III as a summer home for his bride, Empress Eugenie. Just 20 minutes from Biarritz, the resort town of St. Jean de Luz features beautiful 17th-century architecture, including the Church of St.