Brussels > Brussels Experience

Advantages: Nice City, very good Beer and Chocolate, Easily accessible
Disadvantages: Boring, not a lot to see

We went to Brussels for a day trip from London as there was a special offer on Eurostar in October 2006. Overall I thought it was a nice enough city but there was just hardly anything to do. We'd seen all the main attractions by 3pm. The Beer and Chocolate Museums are a complete waste of time, I'd recommend consuming these products in the square instead. Mannekin Pis is pretty pathetic really, we ended up going to the Atomium for something to do ...
...impressed with, very efficient and clean. We had a wander about and it just did not seem like a capital city, very quiet and no buzz about the place at all. So while I can say I've been to Brussels I can safely say I won't be going back. ... Read review

Advantages: easy to get to
Disadvantages: therefore full of Brits

First I'm not going to give you a rundown of all the sights, nor a geography lesson. There's stacks of guides that can do that, and some other excellent Reviews on CIAO What I hope to do is leave you with a taste of the place, so you can decide if its for you Over many years of european travel, I have given Bruxelles a wide berth. Firstly beause when I have passed through it seems dirty, dull and too often raining. Its like France Lite, and there ...
...also remember a family camping holiday when we drove through Charlroi, which isn't far away, and I recall heavy industry and greyness everywhere (PS some airlines go to Bruxelles/Charlroi and you'll face a long hike in a bus) Once I dipped my toe in and whilst waiting for a connecting train, took the short hop to Bruxelles Central (which makes Birmingham New Street look like an architectural gem) and walked down to the Grand Place. Euro souvenier ... Read review

Advantages: fairly cheap options
Disadvantages: train connections can be unreliable

...sentence could await you for getting caught three times, that after having paid fines of around £40 and £80 first and second time round, I would not recommend faredodging, especially when a monthly ticket is only just over £20. For one you will require a passport folder for the first time you buy a monthly pass, but thereafter you get a monthly ticket to slide into the laminated pouch. Of course you do need to be slightly on your guard as announcements ... Read review

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Not many people know of Jeaneke Pis, she's the sister of Manneken. You may see Manneken Pis replicas for sales on every corner you turn in Brussels but you'll be lucky to even see the one small sign that directs you to Jeaneke. She's hidden down an alley just off Rue des Bouchers near the Grande Place. She was put there in 1985 due to a campaign by a group of feminists. She is a lot more fun than visiting the Manneken Pis who I found rather disappointing, ... Read review

Advantages: Architecture, friendly city, lots of beer!
Disadvantages: Not too lively for a capital

Well to be brutally honest Brussels was never a place I thought " Ooo I must visit there someday " . In fact my visit came about largely by chance: a few free days in September and extremely cheap flights provided by Ryanair. Why not? Well I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by the city I knew very little about. My prior knowledge consisted of 1/ There will be lots of beer there and 2/ European Parliament meets here Admitedly, this is ...
...to the north but Brussels to me typifies my view of what a European city is, somewhere with a bit of character and history to it. As Belgium is famed for it chocolates and beer it is not surprising that these are easily found in just about every part of Brussels. It really is the city of indulgence where you can spoil yourself on these treats. I did not come across a street that didnt have either a chocolate or beer shop so it would take a lot of ... Read review