This One Fact About Belgium Will Change Your Life

Whether yours is the scratch-off, the antique or the laminated kind, world maps have made their way into homes as décor statement pieces as much as they remain indicators of geographical location. Although some non-Europeans would be hard-pressed to point out Belgium on theirs, it just so happens that the current map was given to the world by none other than the Belgians.

Granted, Belgium wasn’t exactly a country when Gerardus Mercator put forward the 1569 world map that shook his fellow cartographers to the core. The stamp-sized piece of land, nestled between major global players France and Germany, only became a nation in its own right after the 1830 revolution. Flanders (the current Northern part of Belgium) was very much a recognised region, however, and it is here that we find native son Mercator, a cartographer, calligrapher, engraver and all-around respected Renaissance man who operated mostly from university hub Leuven.

Gerard Mercator, Belgian inventor of a world map system that still serves mankind today

Having lived between the extremities of the 16th century, Mercator’s first grand mark on cartography was of the stylistic kind. In his mid-20s, he was already masterful with ink and pen and had co-created a number of globes (including a terrestrial one) distinguished by their elegant italic lettering. Peers took note, and maps of the time took a turn for the graceful and decorative. Although he continued to work on his path as the foremost geographer of his time, Mercator’s most significant invention—the one that would splash his name across history books and that is still used in most scientific map-making today—came to be more than three decades later.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.