European Union Flat, Brussels

A Tourist at the European Union

Advantages: Extensive information centres; lax security standards get you everywhere.
Disadvantages: Dull speakers & boring debates

and Parliament all have information centres which are open to the public. These have facts and figures of the European Union on display, and include showrooms for information films and introductory talks. You get loaded with freebies, ranging from "I love Europe" stickers (also for British guests), to fancy EU stationary, to tons of information brochures and booklets. Further access and insight into the heart of the EU requires a prior registration. If you have come as a visitor without pre-registration, then that's all there is to see, and you may directly jump to my next subheading, surrounding sights. In this case, a visit to the EU makes for a two hours' side-track on a getaway to Brussels. But, as you would have come to expect from me, I will explain how to get a look inside, an I have paved your way to the centre of European politics. As ...

From_The_Continent 20.03.2001 (24.03.2001) · Read full review
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Review of Quartier européen, Brussels

Brussels on a budget

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) · Read full review
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Review of Brussels (Belgium)

A brief bite into Brussels

Advantages: Stunning architecture and lots of lovely different beers and chocolates
Disadvantages: Not a huge amount of well known attractions

minutes). Another great thing about being in Brussels is how very close you are to other European countries. When I lived there, I used the train to hop over to Germany for visits to both Dusseldorf and Cologne (takes 2 hours), as well as into Amsterdam (?42.50 takes under 3 hours). I didn't make to Paris, but that's only 3 hours away as well (costs approximately ?50.00). ***CURRENCY & SHOPPING*** The currency here is of course the Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted in all the shops and restaurants so you don't need to have pockets full of cash. Avenue Louise is home to all the designer boutiques and more expensive shops. It has various undercover arcades which are great for window shopping but rather expensive to browse in. This was the area in which I had my studio flat when I lived in Brussels; whilst it was nice and quiet ...

Bollinger28 21.08.2005 (26.08.2005) · Read full review
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Review of Brussels in general