Springtime on Belgium's sandy beaches

A holiday in Belgium is most likely to conjure images of canals, grand squares, beer and chocolate in cities such as Bruges, Brussels and Antwerp.

However, another side of the country can be seen from the tram that runs along the country's coast between the French and Dutch borders.

The tram line runs more than 40 miles and has 70 stops from which it is possible to explore lots of different attractions, from big port towns such as Zeebrugge to fashionable resorts with upmarket shops and restaurants.

The tramway itself could also be considered an attraction, with art nouveau-styled buildings and impressive stations en route, such as the station at De Haan. The modern trams run at least once every 20 minutes throughout the year, with increased frequency over the summer.

Holidaymakers starting from the east end of the line can start their journey with the glamorous resort of Knokke-Heist, located close to the border with The Netherlands.

You can find lots of fashionable boutiques along Lippenslaan, Dumortierlaan and Kustlaan as well as three Michelin-starred restaurants, and clean beaches.

A more historical experience can be had at the port of Zeebrugge, only a short distance away from Knokke-Heist.

Particularly good for families is the Zeebrugge maritime theme park which stands in the ports former covered fish market. One of the highlights at the park is the huge 100-metre-long Soviet submarine – formerly able to carry 75 crew - which is waiting to be explored.

Further down the tramway is the resort of De Hann, which as well as having attractive sandy beaches offers a distinctly well-preserved glimpse of 1900s history.

The resort's building, which took place at in the early 20th century, was influenced by the English landscape designers of the time, as well as English architectural rules on the use of materials, the height of buildings and how far apart from one another each building was to be.

Some of the most impressive buildings include the atmospheric station, built in 1902 and the L'Espérance Restaurant, which was constructed a year later.

Another chance to see the legacy of Belgium's colonial golden age can be found in the port city of Ostend - the biggest in the country. The tram snakes through the city's docks and post-neoclassical warehouses, before going through the city centre, where some of Ostend's grandest art deco hotels can be seen.

Ostend's maritime history can be explored at the city's inner harbour, where the three-masted Mercator sailing ship and the 0.129 Amandine trawler ship can be visited.

At the western end of the tram journey is De Panne, which, like its eastern counterpart Knokke-Heist, is a popular resort, offering families a chance to try the rides at Plopsaland theme park and enjoy the sandy beaches.

Those wanting to retrace military history should note it was the beaches from De Panne to nearby Dunkirk from which the British army was evacuated in 1940.

For more information see the Flanders tourist board website.