Brussels (Belgium)

...taken aback. After all, the Brussels Sprout was invented by Belgians as the regular cabbage was considered too big to carry around. They like things little fer gawd’s sake. How could one journey across bijou little Brussels take so long? Anyhoo…I found Expo, which is conveniently located in the shade of the wonderful Heisel Stadium, with the Atomium (that amazing depiction of the an atom that crops up in many shots of Brussels) looming large(ish), ...
...and both the natives of Brussels in residence that day. It is a credit to the waiter at the café in which we eventually took refuge that he had the second Leffe Blonde poured before I started to drink the first. Stout fellow! Refreshed, we took stock of our surroundings. The large and rather spectacular square, which is the tourist magnet to end all tourist magnets (not counting the Queen wearing a posh frock) is a must-see…and this from someone ...

stevethesleeve 07.04.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels (Belgium)

Some say that Brussels is not the most exciting city in the world, in fact many would say it was downright boring. I say....NON! NON! NON!. While it may not quite compare with say, Paris, New York or Rio, it has a lot going for it. To try and cover all of the sights and attractions of Brussels in one review is impossible. Therefore, I have concentrated on my favourite places in this diverse European capital. ----------------- A Short History ----------------- ...
...Brussels is from the year 977, when the German emperor Otto 2nd gave Low-Lorraine to Carl of France, who built a fortress there. In the middle of the 11th century the first city walls were built. The city thrived although it was controlled by Burgundy, then the Hapsburgian Empire. In 1695 Brussels was attacked by the French king Louis XIV. The result was disastrous: more than 4000 houses and the Grand Place were completely destroyed. The last foreign ...

proxam 28.08.2002 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels (Belgium)

...Belgium. We had been to Brussels before (a short pre-Christmas trip about five years ago) so heeding the advice of that CIAO sage Proxam we decided to see some more of the country than just the capital. We were also quite curious to experience for ourselves the suggested “Unity of Europe” there at the heart of the Community. Maybe we would be able to divine something of the truth behind all the current political and economical manoeuvrings. After ...
...of navigable rivers and canals. Brussels is also home to N.A.T.O. The countryside is largely flat. The main centres of population (and the areas of most interest to the first time visitor) are Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent. We arrived by air and stayed in a recently renovated hotel on the Avenue Louise. This is a resume of our activities. I make no apology for the length of this review. BRUSSELS. The capital of Belgium (and home to its monarchy) ...

Newfloridian 22.06.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels (Belgium)

Brussels has to be the most beautiful city I have ever visited. The aspect of Brussels that impressed me the most is that it has been so well looked after. There aren’t any horrible high-rise concrete buildings or tacky fast food restaurants. Everything is in keeping with the Baroque style of most of the buildings. I can’t help but think that if it were in England the atmosphere would be lost to excessive commercialisation as some areas ...
...are stunning. The town hall, Brussels museum, chocolate museum and various restaurants and bars are situated here. I enjoyed sitting outside the bars, listening to the Classical music that is played here every day and relaxing with a drink. The Grand Place is also beautiful at night, the buildings are lit up with different coloured lights. People are still milling around and the bars and restaurants are still open until about 1am. The Manneken Pis, ...

Analytikerin 31.05.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels (Belgium)

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 ...

mark-southside 25.04.2004 (26.04.2004) · Read full review
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Review of Brussels (Belgium)

...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. ...
...Due to the European Parliament Brussels has cheap hotels at the weekend instead of during mid week. We were staying midweek so even the most basic travel lodge was not an option. Instead we plumped for a youth hostel. The hostel Generation Europe was easy to get to from the city centre as it was only ten minutes if that on the metro line. We paid 20 euros for the hostel but had to pay 2.5 euros for a welcome stamp as we were not youth hostel members ...

duskmaiden 27.06.2003 (30.08.2009) · Read full review
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Review of Brussels (Belgium)

...night, 6 day stay in Brussels with my boyfriend. This was my second trip to the city and overalll we had a lovely time. The most gorgeous part of Brussels in my opinion, is Grande Place. A square with narrow alleyways leading off it. It is an architectural dream and the buildings are stunning. There are many cafes/Bars with seats out on the square covered by their trademark red and green umbrella's. (Does anyone know what this symbolises...it reminded ...
...at the uninspiring views of Brussels and a sewage plant. You then go back down and make your way back up via escalators looking at Belgian cartoons. You come all the way back down via stairs and we were both suffering from svere vertigo at this point and were very happy to get to the bottom. Mini Europe is a model village of famous European landmarks. It was a Sunday and the park was very busy with families. We found it to have fallen into disrepair ...

Fiona_Tims 08.08.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels (Belgium)

...my August 1999 stay in Brussels would be profoundly unimpressive, especially since I had seen the wonders of Paris, Avignon, Rome, Venice, and Florence only a few weeks previously. I was in for a rather pleasant surprise. Immediately after arriving at Bruxelles-Midi station, I was booked in to Sleep Well youth hostel by a representative. On the way there, I was impressed by the well-organized metro (subway) system. “Efficiency” was not ...
...issue of us coming to Brussels only to see the statue, and without even knowing the history behind it (?). Undeterred, I went on to see Jeanneke Pis, the less-famous female equivalent of the aforementioned statue. I was too short on cash to have a bucket of mussels, but was able to have a top-class cream and chocolate waffle, another Belgian specialty. I also tried a few Belgian beers. Leffe almost instantaneously shot to the top of my favorite beers ...

Marechal_Grouchy 16.01.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels (Belgium)

...the irreverent and the formal, Brussels is an excellent city to visit on a long weekend break, although if you take a longer stay of a week or so, you can use it as a base to see the whole of Belgium via the country's excellent rail network. A ticket vaild for 10 single journeys anywhere in the country is about £20, a bargain not to be passed up. Getting to the city is easy enough. Virgin Express (see www.virgin.com) run cheap, reliable flights ...
...you. The great thing about Brussels is that you can just wander around and discover everything without the need for a guidebook. If something looks interesting, you just go and investigate. Highlights include the magnificent market square, a riot of gold guilding and fantastic masonry which should be the first thing you see. Around this are, you will also find narrow, twisting streets jam packed with fine restaurants; the atmosphere created is superb. ...

inspiralcarpet 13.07.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels (Belgium)

...Place in the centre of Brussels is to be covered by a flower carpet - This only happens every other year in August. Visiting this city in July/August is cool as the Belgians like the French leave their cities for the country and coast. Brussels takes its name from Broekzele, or "village of the marsh", which grew up in the sixth century on the trade route between Cologne and the towns of Bruges and Ghent. Under the Habsburgs, the town flourished, ...
...is roughly the North of Brussels is Flemish - a dialect of Dutch to the South, French, with a few common-sense changes - is spoken. In the far south of the country, on the Luxembourg border, German is spoken. Wallonais improvements to French, obviously due to the steadying effect of their Flemish/German countrymen are summarized as follows; 70 is Septante and NOT 60+10 Soixante-dix 80 is Huitante and NOT 4x2 0 Quatre-vingt 90 is Nonante and NOT 4x20+10 ...

bigdoug 27.07.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels (Belgium)

...time ago I went to Brussels and for a weekend break. I stayed with friends who live there. The cultural/tourist hub of Brussels is the Grand Plaz which boasts some very impressive Gothic buildings, the famous statue of a boy weeing and many street musicians. This part reminds me of Prague in terms of the narrow streets although it has a kind of grandeur that Prague didn't impress on me. The Belgian franc is about 60F to the pound. One of the thing ...
...arrive. I wouldn't rate Brussels top on my list of weekend breaks - I found Prague and Barcelona more exciting - but if you get the opportunity to go it's a good place to practice your French, enjoy the continental cuisine and soak up the relaxed atmosphere as well as buying some delicious chocolates for your friends and family. ...

sallysimmer 30.11.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels (Belgium)

...say that to get to Brussels is really easy if you take the Eurostar from Waterloo Station in London. The train journey is not too long and the price is very reasonable if you book in advance. Once arrived we took a Taxi, which appeared to be driven by a raving lunatic and who parked in front of a tram to drop us off at our accommodation. The accommodation was fine and good value, but this is not always the case. We met a lady who had booked a Bed ...
...in two cities. Bruge and Brussels would probably be a good choice. The main things that I really liked about Brussels were: the excellent and reasonably priced tram system, the local shopping centre near where we stayed (which had some excellent cafes) and the Bois de Cambre. The Bois de Cambre is definitely worth a visit and has two restaurants and a small kiosk that serves coffees and ice creams. ...

vlal21 02.08.2002 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels (Belgium)

Brussels is my favourite European city. In my previous job I spent quite a lot of time there, about one month each year. If you like to eat the highest quality food from around the world at prices much cheaper than, for example, in Paris, Brussels is the place for you. If you like beer (and I do!), Brussels is the place to indulge yourself. Beer is treated like the French treat wine,or like we Scots treat Whisky. Sure some parts of the city are a ...
...have found Brussels to be a very friendly city with lots of opportunities to enjoy a cosmopolitan lifestyle. It is after all the Capital of the continent, and this makes for an exiting mix of cultures and noghtlife. Go to Brussels, you'll enjoy it. (And I didn't mention chocolate once.) ...

vincentus 11.07.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels (Belgium)

Brussels is a lovely area - the scenery is brilliant and the waffles are a must! Everything is really easy to get to and travelling is so much cheaper than London. It was only €3.70 for a day travelcard (available to use on underground, buses and trams). The trains on the underground go at a super speed getting you anywhere on time and they were really frequent - I didn't have to wait more than 5 minutes at any time! The Atomium was the first ...
...museum but beware. Its really not worth the money to go inside but worth a sight from the outside as it is a weird building! The inside has hardly anything in it apart from a few pictures of earlier designs of the building and a video on how it was made. The comic strip museum however is a must. The comic strips are only available in French but if you ask for a guide at front desk it'll help you get round the displays. If you are a Tintin fan then ...

japjapmochipoo 10.08.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels (Belgium)

We visited Brussels in March 2002 for 3 nights for our first anniversary (aah! I hear you say) and found it a friendly and compact city. Brussels however does not have the same appeal as Paris as a city of Romance. It is not as picturesque and I must admit that the copious rain did not help, it was just like Glasgow on a rainy Monday! We travelled from Glasgow with Ryanair on a very reasonable package with return flights for 2 for less than 100GBP. ...
...midnight. Everything in Brussels is on a small scale for a city and all the main attractions are within easy walking distance or a couple of stops on the easily manageable underground system. Travel is easy as you can buy a daily pass that covers the underground, trams and the buses for a few euros, get a travel map early and make the most of it! The restaurants and bars are all reasonably priced for a major city and there are lots of cafes and ...

hogg_lynn 23.04.2002 (31.08.2002) · Read full review
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Review of Brussels (Belgium)