Brussels in general

Although Brussels is the capital of Europe, it's often overlooked as a city break location due to it being sandwiched between its more famous neighbours, Paris and Amsterdam. Having lived and worked in Brussels for a year as a student, I have a rather fond regard for the place. I'll freely admit that it has not got as many well known attractions nor the je ne sais quoi of Paris. Indeed, neither has it got the same canal like prettiness or red light ...
...they speak French). Although Brussels is technically in Flanders, it is dominated by French speakers. There is also a tiny German speaking section to the north-east of Belgium. We call it Brussels, the French call is Bruxelles and it's Brussel in Flemish, so you'd think this city would be suffering from an identity crisis. Not at all, Brussels is a truly multi-lingual city. All the street signs and most other signage are in French and Flemish (with ...

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

Brussels wouldn’t necessarily be most people’s first choice for a European city weekend break, with Amsterdam and Paris somewhat higher on the list, I suspect. However, it does have one major advantage if you live in or around London – it’s one of the two direct destinations served by the Eurostar train, the other being Paris, and of the two end destinations, it’s the nearer (in fact it’s only about as far as Liverpool is from London). So having ...
...boarding the 6.15 departure for Brussels from Waterloo. Two seconds after the doors locked, the group in the next seats realised they wanted Paris! Oops! Still, never mind, they got off at Lille, waited for the train behind, and everyone was happy. (* There are other offers, including the saving of coupons from the “Daily Torygraph” – oh well, I suppose I could always keep the crosswords and put the rest on the nail in the outside toilet! – in the ...

BNibbles 25.03.2002 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels in general

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 ...

funkazzy11 16.10.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels in general

Brussels is a delightful city which is often forgotten about as a tourist destination. Situated between its more popular cousins Paris, Amsterdam and London you can see why, but if you take the effort to really find out what's what you'll find a city with plenty of culture, delicious food, amazing architecture and, of course, great beer. Brussels is the head of the European Union and despite the city's relatively brief history, has become one of ...
...Brussels with Paris and London has definitely had a positive effect and with so many cheap flights into Brussels it makes getting there so easy. We flew with Ryan Air from Liverpool to Charleroi, about 30 kms from Brussels centre. Even with the taxi ride into brussels (at breakneck speed I may add) the total cost was less you'd pay for a cab ride across London on a Friday evening. Our accommodation was at the Novotel Brussels Off Grand'Place. Situated ...

buddhatoe 25.07.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels in general

My Dad was working in Brussels last summer so when he offered me his flat for a week for a little break I agreed straightaway. Come on, I was skint and the offer of a very cheap holiday doesn't come along too often. So myself and my boyfriend headed off to Brussels thanks to National Express for the sum of £55 all the way from Birmingham. Pretty good deal, I think. Brussels, in case you didn't know, is the capital of Belgium. There are parts of the ...
...centre of town. Brussels has all the usual chain stores such as H+M (Hennes), which is massive over there, and lots of very expensive designer shops. They also have an abundance of markets selling all kinds of things from gifts to antiques to food. We visited the markets and they sold some great gifts such as jewellery and candles. If you are visiting Brussels, find out which markets are on which day as you shouldn't go there and miss out on them. ...

MissDirect 25.11.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels in general

I visited Brussels just before Easter this year. It was my first time in Belgium and whilst the trip was organised through an organisation with the main aim of visiting the European Parliment and speaking to MEPs we still found things to keep ourselves occupied. On arrival in the city at 6am it was a shock to step off the bus and see someone with a gun. Police all carry guns and look very hostile, not the sort of people you would want to approach ...
...and crowded underground stations then brussels is the place for you. The underground is not confined to small tubes which us English may be used to, but are massive, like having a normal station but underground, no chance of overcrowding. Trams are also available for traveling the city above ground. The main part of the city contains tourist orientated shops and museums. There's a statue of a small boy having a piss... not that interesting really. ...

K 10.06.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels in general

Brussels is the food capital of Europe. The Belgians love their food and wine - they drink more Claret per head than the British, who drink more of the best Claret than the French do themselves! And just off the Grand Place is the area of Rue des Buchers, a famous and fascinating set of alleyways with busy and not-so-busy restaurants cheek by jowl competing with each other for your custom. This is where the tourists eat, and some of the foreign residents. ...
...and at a lower cost - walk away from the centre and sample some of the excellent food in other parts of the capital, most of which is within walking distance or a short hop on the metro or the tram. For example, half way from the Grand Place to the Palais de Justice is the area "Sablon", around Place du Grand Sablon, where you will find fewer restaurants but more locals eating in them. Out in the Place du Luxembourg (on the Town Centre side of the ...

jonathan-wild 01.09.2000 · Read full review
Review of Brussels in general

...place worth visiting as Paris, Brussels has a charm all of its own, with many hidden corners worth exploring. One big advantage is that the city is not swamped with tourists, and hotel prices are not outrageous. For travel from London, Eurostar is the obvious contender (faster than the plane city centre-to-centre). I can think of nowhere better than Brussels if you are looking for a good restaurant in the evening- you are totally spoilt for choice. ...

Luke 30.08.2000 · Read full review
Review of Brussels in general

I vistited Brussels in early June, just before Euro 2000. I was only there for a couple of days and didn't have many expectations but i have to say, I was very pleasantly suprised. As soon as I left the Central Station, I headed towards the Grand Place, the main square which is surrounded by fantastic town houses. It was full of large groups of tourists but as it is so large, it is easy to look at everything. As well as visiting the Grand Place ...
...lovely fish one night. Brussels is also famous for its chocolate and you must try a gaufre which is a sweet waffle filled with warm chocolate sauce, delicious! One other thing I found good was the transportation. I used the metro to travel the fairly short distance to the Cinquantinnaire. It was cheap and quick and definately an experience (though not a bad one!) Once at the Cinquantinnaire a large memorial archway in the south east of the city, ...

thisisme 05.08.2000 · Read full review
Review of Brussels in general

...into Hollan, France and Germany. Brussels has lots of great eating places in Rue du Bouches. And Antwerp has some of the best shopping in Europe, not to mention being the diamond capital. Belgium is only a small country with a good motorway network so it doesn't take long to get around. But by far the best part is the beer. There are about 700 different types of beer brewed in Belgium. Try the Noel Christmas beer at 12 per cent, the same strength ...

iansingleton 04.08.2000 · Read full review
Review of Brussels in general

...the very LONG transfer between Brussels & Spa-Francorchamps (abotu 2.5 hrs - leaving Brussels @ 5.30am on race day.... not good for the system). The next week I went back with "he who thinks he should be obeyed" for a romantic weekend - and it was. We stayed in a very old hotel called the Metropole, close to everything (built in 1800 or so - incredible old lift). The Grand Place is beautiful. Get a seat at one of the cafe bars at about 9.30pm & keep ...
...a beautiful lightshow projected onto the town hall with accompanying classical music - very elegant. Food is great - however, watch the cost if you fancy a seafood platter (can be up to £50 per person !!!). Beer is plentiful and varied - if you can't manage dessert, try a Framboise or Kriek (raspberry or cherry) beer - very filling and sweet. Waffles are yummy as is the chocolate (buy as much as you can eat & carry!) If you have 3 days, take a ...

Aoife 26.07.2000 · Read full review
Review of Brussels in general

...or Dublin's pubs (be Jaysus!) Brussels has plenty of bars and cafes that sort of straddle the pair. The Belgians, too, are possible the most English-like people in Europe. We are united with those in the north by a mutual hatred of the French, with those in the south by a like for beer and a stoical attitude to the North Sea climate. With mussels and chips being the national dish, it could be London - but blisfully without too many Londonners! ...

enevel 23.07.2000 · Read full review
Review of Brussels in general

...around the side streets of Brussels looking at menus (many identical) trying to compare prices(mostly identical) and trying to assess the ambience of each one (usually by the number of people sitting outside). The problem is that it almost impossible to take your time and decide where to plonk yourself because of the waiters standing outside each restaurant. Unfortunately, these people do not only hassle you - but they try and "bribe" you to eat ...
...("champagne") or something similar and it is obviously tempting to accept their offer. Remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch - and if a restaurant is having to try that hard to get you in, they are probably worth a miss. The bottom ine is that the restaurants in rows on the sides streets surrounding the main square are much of a muchness. The quality of the food is the same, and the attitude of the waiters is the same. You are just a ...

SuperSal 04.09.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels in general

I lived in Brussels for just shy of a year and in that time I managed to visit all manner of restaurants and tourist attractions. For this reason I thought my experiences would make for useful reading on Ciao. The most important thing to remember about Brussels is that if you're just going for tourist type activities, there are two possibilities. Either you're the sort of person that enjoys museums and art, in which case you could keep your self ...
...managed to understand how wonderful Brussels is. I can recall many summer evenings passing through the Grand Place. The most interesting point being not that the buildings around the square are old and pretty but that you'll find groups of teens and twenty somethings sat in the middle of the square just chatting. I can't ever remember seeing people so relaxed in London that they could do this. In London you have to be doing something or going somewhere. ...

giraffen 13.10.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels in general

...is La Grande Place of Brussels where a beautiful mausoleum dominates your view, which is fantastic, and of course Le Mannequin-Pis. On a good day, you'll see street performers (or I certainly did!) doing all manner of things - I was lucky enough to see acrobatics just off the Grande Place, down one of the streets laden with Chocolateries. With most of the city French-speaking, some of the influx of the far East means that some do not speak French ...
...to do and see in Brussels needs at the very least a week to explore, and with the added bonus of freebies in SOME chocolateries, you may well need room in your baggage for a heck of alot of souvenirs. But, be warned, if travelling by Eurostar - corkskrews will be confiscated. (I am of course referring to the Corkscrews of the urinating boy...I'll leave the rest to you!). Anyway, if you're going to Brussels - I recommend highly the Sleepwell Hostel ...

duderob1989 25.06.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Brussels in general