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Advantages: easy to get to, the Grand Place Disadvantages: Mannakin Pis is dissapointing, takcy tourist shops
Question
What does one do when you want to celebrate finishing the taught part of a Masters degree and want to go away but are so broke even the cheapest trip to Spain is not an option?
Answer.
Book a very cheap flight for a mini break to Brussels the capital of Belgium. I did this in June 2003 and I had a great time.
I flew with Ryanair from John Lennon airport in Liverpool to Charleroi airport in Brussels. Or so I thought it was in Brussels. It was near enough an hour from the airport to Midi railway station. The connecting bus is a rip off at 10 euros. Since there were four of us on the way there we took a taxi that cost us 35 euros. The airfare was really cheap. It only cost £20 for a return fare including all taxes.
Due to the European Parliament Brussels has cheap hotels at the weekend instead of during mid week. We were ...
duskmaiden 27.06.2003 (30.08.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Brussels (Belgium)
Advantages: Some of the oldest miradouros in the city offering spectacular views Disadvantages: Steep Climbs
Alfama - a district of Lisbon, named by the Moors as Alhama which means springs or hot bath. An atmospheric area filled with mystery; shady streets built and woven into a web of white washed houses with red tiled roofs. A kaleidoscope of flowers, red, purple white, and the wailing sound of Fado. An interesting but yet dangerous place to visit is what I was told many, many years ago on my first trip to Lisbon. I was instructed not to go to the streets of the Alfama on my own and never to reveal any signs of wealth because this area was a den of iniquity. Being inquisitive and rebellious, I wanted to know why the Alfama had this reputation so I took no notice of any warning and made this Arab quarter the first port of call. To be honest to this day I have no idea why it had this reputation - my guess, it was because it was the Arab ...
Praski 22.03.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional Review of Alfama
Advantages: Location, size, quality service and comfort Disadvantages: Some will not like the limited facilities
I was fortunate enough to stay at Le Meridien, in Brussels a few weeks back after winning a competition. It was a novel situation all round as I would not normally be able to afford to stay at this quite exclusive establishment on my travel and subsistence budget and, even if I were I would be too busy to appreciate my surroundings. I do visit Brussels a lot for work and have stayed in many hotels (I reviewed the Welcome Hotel a while back and this remains one of my personal favourites for my business trips) but this was a nice change and most people enjoy a little bit of luxury once in a while.
Ownership
The Le Meridien chain is managed by the US based Starwood Group. This also includes the Sheraton, Westin and St Regis chains amongst others. They operate 888 hotels worldwide, 499 are managed and the balance are franchised ...
