With Belgium’s foremost cathedral, a superb central square and a scattering of intriguing museums, Mechelen (Malines in French) is one of Flanders’ most underrated historic cities. And, as the seat of Belgium’s Catholic primate (the equivalent of an archbishop), it is overloaded with fine churches. While the canals aren’t as pretty as Bruges’, the city is appealingly calm and on summer weekends, when Bruges gets packed with tourists, Mechelen offers a very attractive alternative, along with slashed room rates.