In the Netherlands, Groningen and Utrecht are not as popular but shouldn't be missed. Groningen in particular has a thriving night life. As I'm not familiar with Belgium, I can't really say, but you could try the university cities.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.