Brussels, capital of Belgium and of Europe, a city with a dual parsonality

French versus Flemish, historic versus hip, bizarre versus boring. Full of contrasts, contradictions and mistery, this is a multicultural equation. Brussels is also a city of fine food, café culture, Art Nouveau architecture and the surreal. Constant among all this is the quality of everyday life – the shopping’s great, the restaurants excellent, the chocolate shops exquisite and the pub scene extraordinary. For a long time Brussels didn’t go out of its way to impress, but its stint as Cultural Capital of Europe in 2000 saw the city dusted and polished in a flurry that brought renewed life to historic buildings and decaying streets. Nearly a decade on, Brussels is looking better than ever.

Why go?
Brussels has plenty to offer, whatever you are looking for! A multicultural city with a thousand faces, Brussels has surprises in store at every street corner. A majestic historic centre, a unique ambiance, a huge array of activities for both younger and older people, and moderate prices... If you like diversity, Brussels won’t disappoint you, for this city is a veritable chameleon where you can slip directly from one universe to another!

When to go?
Brussels is the ideal destination for a short city trip all year round, of course Spring and Summer time are great to enjoy a beer at one of the terrasse of the famous Grand Place. Christmas time is also a nice time to discover the Christmas Market of the Grand Place. Brussels is definetely a city close to your home where you can go all year round.

How to get there?
Eurostar offers several daily connections to Brussels Gare du Midi from London St Pancras International. You can be in Brussels in just 2 hours. You can also fly to Brussels from London and all UK airports, it’s a short direct trip of only one hour.

Must see
The history of Brussels can also be read through its architectural heritage, of which the masterpiece is the sumptuously mediaeval Grand Place, not forgetting the Manneken-Pis and the Atomium. But that’s not all: Brussels also has many historic houses that have been proudly preserved, and it is also the home of Art Nouveau, Victor Horta and Art Deco! Today, the city’s Art Nouveau buildings are its visiting-card and their international fame has led to the renovation of Victor Horta’s house as the Horta Museum and the former Waucquez department store (also by Horta) as the Belgian Strip Cartoon Centre. You cannot avoid tasting one of the many Belgian Beers in downtown Brussels, you can go to the Roi des Belges Café near the Halles St-Gery. If you are a French Fries addict you have to stop by the Maison Antoine on the Place Jourdan, one of the best French Fries maker in Brussels.