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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