Brussels, Belgium

This peaceful Cistercian abbey on the southern outskirts of Brussels dates from the late 12th century. Used for government offices since the French Revolution, it includes an abbey church with a beautifully simple barrel-vaulted nave.

This was the home of the Beguines, Catholic lay sisters who were mostly widows of Crusaders. They lived in small houses grouped around a pleasant courtyard, two of which are preserved as a museum.

Officially named the Basilique Sacré-Coeur, this huge Art Deco basilica is the fifth-largest church in the world. It was begun in 1905 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Belgian independence.

This elegant Flemish Baroque church originally served as the center for the beguines (lay sisters) who lived in houses clustered around it. Its facade is considered one of the most beautiful in Belgium.

The soaring Gothic Cathédrale Saint-Michel has housed the relics of the local saint Gudula for 1,000 years.

The great humanist and reformer Erasmus of Rotterdam only lived here for less than a year, in 1521, but tourists have been visiting his house since the 17th century. It now houses a museum.

This museum houses a collection of Jewish religious objects dating from the 16th century, as well as documents, books and art that illustrate traditional Jewish life in Belgium.