Brussels
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Belgium is often derided as a boring country with
little to offer beyond strong beer and sickly chocolates.
Not surprisingly, the Belgians don't appreciate this
unfair tag, and point to the well-preserved medieval
towns, Flemish art, and the striking architectural
heritage of the past in their defence.
Long overshadowed by neighbouring powers such as the
French and Dutch, Belgium is reasserting itself as
a source of political power (at the heart of the
European Union) and as a tourist destination in
its own right. Just a short hop from the UK, Belgium's
museums and galleries, art and architecture, and -
yes - it's beer and chocolate, are attracting a diverse
range of visitors.
Brussels is 'capital' of the European Union, but has
long been an important city at the crossroads of
northern Europe. While Bruges
may be Belgium's well-preserved medieval 'time capsule',
Brussels has a cosmopolitan mix of old and new, traditional
and modern.
Brussels lies handily at the centre of the country
on the flat, fertile Brabant plain. Within a radius
of 100 kilometers lie Bruges,
Ghent, Antwerp, and the battlefields of World War
One and of Waterloo. Over the border, Amsterdam
is also within easy reach.
The city itself holds enough interest for a weekend
visit, with the impressive 17th century Grand Place
being an obvious starting point. This square of Baroque
guildhalls and the mighty Hotel de Ville dominates
the Lower Town, an interesting quarter of cobbled
streets, boutique shops, and architectural treats.
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A short walk from the Grand Place is a very small
statue that is a very large attraction. Manneken
Pis - depicting a small boy nonchalantly urinating
towards the onlookers - has delighted tourists since
1619. The inspiration for the statue has lent itself
to myth and fable, but has also inspired a traditional
of clothing the boy in the costume of visiting heads
of state that continues to this day.
The Upper Town is an elegant area of wide boulevardes,
parks, and museums. The excellent Musees Royaux
de Beaux-Arts is a key attraction here, featuring
masterpieces by Brueghel, Rubens, van Dyck, and Frans
Hals. The Palais Royal is nearby, with the bordering
Parc Bruxelles an excellent place to relax.
For those seeking something a bit different, the Centre
Belge de la Bande Dessinee celebrates the Belgian
love affair with comic strips - this is after all
the home of Tintin. Fans of theme parks will want
to visit Brupark on the outskirts of the city, where
the stunning Atomium looms alien-like over the
approach.
Getting There
British
Airways, British
Midland, and certain budget
airlines all fly direct to Brussels a number of
times each day, and there are usually good deals to
be had, so shop around.
Eurostar
can take you direct to Brussels, Intercity Expresses
connect to Bruges
and other destinations. Travel time is approximately
3 hours.
More Information
Check out Visit
Belgium and Brussels
18-30.
Photos courtesy of David Palmer.
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