Modern Flanders could be what the phrase 'café society' was devised for. The region prides itself on its beer – Leuven is where Stella Artois has been brewed in one form or another since 1366 (it was known as The Horn Brewery back then, but that’s another story...)

A word of warning; they take their beer seriously in Flanders, and expect visitors to as well. It would be verging on rude to come to Flanders and leave without sampling at least some of the many local brews, and Leuven is a mecca for beer lovers.

At the Domus brewery, they even pump three traditional beers directly from the brewery to the Domus pub, all but cutting out the middleman – so you don't need to worry about whether the beer travels well (though, as it happens, it does...).

Bar culture, then, is practically a national sport in Flanders – and as such you’ll be able to enjoy drinking in laid-back and cosmopolitan venues from morning right through to the (not so) early hours – though preferably not in one sitting, as there is so much else to see and do.

Flanders is renowned for its art and architecture, and no trip would be complete without soaking up the rich atmosphere of Flanders' history and culture. Must-sees include Leuven's Groot Begijnhof, famous as the largest beguinage in the world (don't worry, we'll explain what that is later).

In Ghent, the centuries practically evaporate before your eyes – it has the most listed buildings of any Belgian city, and the only medieval fortress in Flanders is here (Gravensteen, 'the Castle of the Counts'). The Design Museum is pretty impressive, too, with pieces from the 17th and 18th centuries right through to the contemporary – you'll find works by Philippe Starck and Ron Arad.

And Mechelen is a medieval pearl – small but perfectly formed, with a population of just 75,000, it makes for the ideal bite-sized weekend break. Be sure to take in St Rumbold's Tower, which dominates the city and is famous for its two carillons, complex sets of bells (no fewer than 98) that play various tunes – concerts are performed on the carillons throughout the summer.

And getting to Flanders couldn't be easier – SeaFrance offer crossings from Dover to Calais from just £26 each way for a car and up to five passengers. With our three featured cities between one and a half hours and a little over two hours from Calais, you'll be there before you know it. None of the hassle of getting to the airport and checking in two hours in advance before flying to an airfield some distance from your destination. With SeaFrance, you’re at the wheel and in control of your destiny – the journey can be as rapid or as leisurely as you choose.

With state-of-the-art ferries crossing the Channel in just over 75 minutes, travelling with SeaFrance is truly relaxing. Choose onboard dining in the acclaimed waiter service La Brasserie restaurant, or sample the international dishes in Le Relais. If all you fancy is a coffee and croissant, head for Latitudes and put your feet up! And if you're travelling with the kids, relax – they've got it covered for you. SeaFrance offers family-friendly menus and a safe dedicated children's play area where they can run around or flop in front of a dvd. Older kids can test their skill and nerves on the latest arcade machines.

So what are you waiting for? All you need to do to enjoy all that Flanders has to offer is throw your bags in the back of the car, head for Dover and let us guide you to the unique charms of Flanders – a world away but only a short drive.

Oh, and did we mention the beer?

Leuven

Leuven is Belgium's oldest university town, having received its charter in 1425 (for the scholars among you, alumni include the 15th-century essayist and humanist Erasmus and the 16th-century Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator).

Mechelen

A mere 20 miles from Brussels and even less from Leuven (why not combine the two in one trip?) you'll find the pleasantly relaxed city of Mechelen. Indeed, to call it a city seems overstated – it's small enough for it to feel like home after just a day or two, and finding your way around couldn’t be easier.

Ghent

Some 40 miles northwest of Brussels, and around halfway between the Belgian capital and the coast, Ghent lies in the very heart of Flanders. The great medieval Flanders cloth trade made Ghent the prosperous town it is today – it was once said to be the largest city on mainland Europe after Paris.