Visiting the country of Belgium hardly ever makes it on anyone's bucket list . This small country is nestled along the North Sea and is often overshadowed by its more romantic French neighbor to the south or the ever so thrilling city of Amsterdam above it. Belgium is getting the shaft -- and it's a real shame.

There are many reasons you could give to disregard this small and sometimes strange country altogether (and I say that with love and respect, as a Belgian citizen). Like the fact that this country's number one tourist attraction is a tiny statue of a little boy taking a piss. OR that the entire country and its residents are the butt of every French joke. OR that the residents are at such odds with one another they can't agree on a government (so they'd rather go without). But if you take a look at Belgium's regional cuisine, you'll see that the food is reason enough to make a trip to this extra rainy, yet beautifully forested country.