Brussels
The capital of Belgium, Brussels doesn't belong to any of the ten provinces. It has the status of a separate administrative unit. Brussels is situated in Central Belgium, and more specifically is completely surrounded by the territory of Flemish Brabant. Although located in the Dutch-speaking Flanders region, Brussels has French as its official language. In fact, it's perhaps the most cosmopolitan city in Europe. Since it hosts many of the headquarters of EU institutions, a huge percentage of the population is of a nationality other than Belgian. Thousands of emigrants from Africa and the Islamic world have converted the Belgian capital into a "global village", which can best be seen in its local cuisine and celebrations. The historical centre of the city, with the spectacular Grand Place, has witnessed the development of Brussels from a Medieval fortress into the administrative heart of the whole continent. If you get tired of the big city, the Sonian Forest in the southern suburbs makes for the perfect retreat.