Brussels, Belgium

Brussels

Brussels- a city of beautiful architecture, neighborly hospitality, great food, and wonderful attractions, its hard not to be impressed by the citys landscape and atmosphere, and the rhythm of its people. Two sides, the Lower and Upper Towns, are roughly segregated: modernism in the Upper Town, and the historic in Lower Town.

When to go

Most tourists visit Brussels during the summer months. Weather is idea, and most activities happen during this season. However, if you wish to avoid the crowds and would like as little hindrance to your time and/or schedule as possible, the time between November and March is perfect. It may be cold, really cold, and slushyand gloomybut everything is open and youre just about guaranteed to be freed from the lines and waits that plague the tourist filled summers. Plus, whats better than stepping into a warm cozy caf after spending time in the cold, and sitting down to enjoy some world-class cocoa.

Getting there and around

Brussels International Airport, Zaventen, is where most international flights arrive. It is located not far from the city, and an easy ride on the Airport City Express shuttle is great for quick travel into Brussels. The shuttle travels to three main train stations in the city, and from there you have numerous options to choose from: taxis, buses, car rentals, or travel by foot, all depending on your destinations location.

Brussels public transportation system is very user friendly. Choices include the metro, trams, premetro (a system running both above and below ground), and buses. Theyre all run by Brussels STIB, so the universal tickets are very convenient, and you can choose from single passes to unlimited trip passes lasting 24 hours.

Attractions

Brussels is full of interesting places and sights to visit. Monuments, buildings, historic landmarks; the city is truly a wonder.

Visit the Cathedrale de Sts Michel & Gudule, a beautiful enchanting twin-towered cathedral situated on a gorgeous hillside. Construction of the Cathedrale started all the way back in 1226, and took a supposed 300+ years to complete. As a result of this great span of time, different architectural styles are evident, from Romanesque to Gothic to Renaissance. The exterior is wondrous, although the interior is not as spectacular, due to ransacking which occurred numerous times throughout its history.

We believe youd also want to stop by the Grand Palace, arguably Belgiums greatest site of baroque architecture, mostly due to the Hotel de Ville itself. Most of the buildings are replacements to the original structures that were destroyed by French bombings. The only major structure to survive was the Hotel de Ville. The building has beautiful carvings in the exterior, wonderful relief work, and a spectacular sight is the tower situated on top of the Hotel, which has a statue of St Michel at its topmost point. Year-round, the Hotel is a wonderful place to spend the day. In the summer, the square is full of flowers, and in the winter, people skate on the frozen ice covering the square. The Hotel de Ville is also open to tours.

Brussels holds a fascinating museum or museums, known as the Musees Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique (Royal Museums of Fine Arts). These museums house fantastic collections of various Belgium pieces and paintings, both famous and lesser known.

A unique state which has earned a mention in our review is the Menneken Pis. It was sculpted by Jerome Duquesnoy in 1619. No one seems to know the exact origin or meaning of the statue, so the people of Brussels took it upon themselves to hold the statue as a symbol of the spirit of the people of Brussels. Interestingly, the people put different costumes on the statue throughout the year.