Belgium
Situated neatly between France, the Netherlands and Germany, the small country of Belgium combines cultural influences from each of these three major tourist destinations, along with a history all its own.
There are populations of French, Dutch and German speakers throughout Belgium, and American visitors will find English spoken widely as well. This central location and cultural blend make Belgium and its capital, Brussels, the ideal home of the European Union and NATO. It also gives groups plenty to explore, including historic churches, palaces, art galleries and World War II historic sites.
Signature Attractions:Many of Belgium’s most popular attractions are found in Brussels. The city’s Grand Palace, built in the 13th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is famous for its ornate Baroque and Gothic guild houses. Another site, the Royal Palace, is home to the king of Belgium and is a highlight of Neoclassical architecture that overlooks Brussels Park.
The city has a deep art heritage, and visitors will find artworks both classical and comical. The Museum of Ancient Art has vast collections of painting, sculpture and drawing from the 15th through 18th centuries. And the famous “Manneken Pis” statue and fountain has been amusing visitors since 1619.
Hidden Treasure: Known as the smallest town on earth, Durbuy was established in the 1600s and features cobblestone pedestrian streets, quaint cafes and a topiary park.
Luxury Experience: Get a taste of legendary Belgian chocolate on special chocolate tours throughout the country that offer insider access to some centuries-old chocolatiers.
Malaysia
Situated just beyond the southern reaches of Thailand and just north of Singapore, Malaysia enjoys the beautiful natural scenery, warm climate and cultural appeal that have made the rest of Southeast Asia popular destinations for adventurous travelers in recent years.
Malaysia is something of an Asian melting pot, where ethnic and religious groups of Malay, Indian and Chinese descent live together in harmony. This diversity has led to the country’s being recognized as a Pan-Asian culinary hot spot.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s biggest city, offers cosmopolitan appeal and a wide variety of cultural activities. Groups would also do well to venture out of the city to explore the dramatic mountains, rain forests and coastal areas, too.
Signature Attractions: In Kuala Lumpur, the Petronas Twin Towers are the world’s tallest twin structures and the fifth-tallest skyscrapers in the world, towering more than 1,480 feet. They are connected by the world’s highest two-story bridge, which doubles as a viewing platform on the 41st floor. Another viewing deck on the 86th floor offers breathtaking views of the city below.
Outside the city, Kinabula Park in the Sabah province is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to one of Southeast Asia’s highest peaks, Mount Kinbalu. In addition to offering hiking and climbing activities, the park is home to thousands of plant and animal species.
Hidden Treasure: Kabili-Sepilok Nature Reserve in Sabah is home to both a lowland mangrove swamp and a orangutan rehabilitation center.
Luxury Experience: The rich marine environment of the Indo-Pacific Basin has made Malaysia a popular diving destination, and dive trip operators offer trips to swim with sharks, barracudas and numerous other creatures.
Belize
If you didn’t already know, you might be surprised to learn that there’s a country in Central America where English is the official national language. That country is Belize, an up-and-coming cultural and ecological tourism destination that occupies a small slice of the Caribbean coast between Guatemala and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Mexico has long been a favorite beach resort destination for Americans, and Costa Rica has surged in recent years as an ecological hot spot. Belize offers many of the same benefits as these countries, with smaller crowds, more affordable prices and no language barrier for American visitors.
Groups that travel to Belize can take advantage of beautiful beaches, world-class ecological areas and a rich Mayan cultural heritage.
Signature Attractions: If you travel to Belize, you’re going to be spending serious time outdoors to take in its variety of natural wonders. Mayflower Bocawina National Park is famous for its waterfalls. Animal lovers will want to spend time at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Refuge. Established in 1984, this 100,000-acre tropical forest reserve is one of the only places on earth dedicated to preserving the habitat of wild jaguars.
There are also numerous Mayan ruins throughout the country that lie at the heartland of Mayan civilization. They can be explored on tours offered by locals descended from that group.
Hidden Treasure:The Mayan Homestay program offers travelers the chance to overnight in indigenous villages such as Kekchi or Mopan, where they have personal interactions with Mayan people.
Luxury Experience: Numerous cays around the Belize coastline are dotted with five-star and all-inclusive resorts, where travelers can experience the highest levels of hospitality and pampering.
