I also went the US route and ended up with a UK CAA PPL, as the Dutch authorities definitely do not approve of training outside the home country. Although I had my medical in the UK (I was visiting anyway, via Manchester Airport, so I had it done by the AME there), I know people who got their class II's done at Soesterberg and sent them to the CAA, works OK so long as you send the original paperwork and not copies. For the rest I didn't have to go to the UK at all, everything worked by post. The Aero Club here raised some eyebrows at my licence etc as they are a different format then the NL ones, but in the end it was all accepted.
I don't know about Belgium but doing a Night Rating in the US would be a waste of time for NL as night VFR is not allowed here; something maybe to check before spending extra money on it.
I am a very satisified customer of Britannia in Winter Haven, went back last year to do some hour building. If you want more detail you can mail me.
Succes!
TAFO