Beach life in Belgium

A solitary seabird sails over streaked sands and North Sea waves at this Belgian beachfront. Part of the province of West Flanders, Belgium's coast is set some distance from inland population centers like Bruges and Antwerp—so despite the many mid-rise resorts lining the beaches, the seaside retains an out-of-the-way feel–especially here in De Haan, a town known for its preserved Belle Époque villas that make for a low-slung skyline.