belgium

Every July 4, the United States celebrates its independence with barbecues, fireworks, games, and parades. Here’s a look at other independence days around the world.

Some borders lie along physical barriers, like mountain ranges or large bodies of water, while others are solely based on treaties, purchases, and wars. These types of borders don’t always take into account the people living at the new edge of a country. Regardless of how a border came to be, it often produces a unique situation for those living around it. Here are five cities that have dealt with being split by international borders in different ways

Most visitors to Belgium tour its capital, Brussels. But Bruges, just an hour away from Brussels, is Belgium’s hidden jewel. Bruges is a city of wonderfully preserved medieval houses and picturesque canals. While the official language of Bruges is Flemish, many of its occupants speak English well and are very friendly to tourists. During your visit to Bruges, a boat tour is the best way to see the city. Bruges is riddled with canals, and drifting through tranquil waters is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. The river guides are incredibly informative, and you will learn a lot about the history of Bruges. The waters are lovely, but Bruges does tend to be cold—don’t forget to bring a jacket.

Dusty rooms, faded pictures—for many people, the word lace implies old. Recently, though, lace has been making a comeback in a big way.