If you haven’t been to Brussels, you have missed out on one of the loveliest cities in Europe-from the Grand Place that is surrounded by the most beautiful buildings built in the 17th century to the most modern globes of the Atomium built for the 1958Universal Exposition. Brussels has something for everyone.
The old city has buildings that are covered in lovely sculptures and some shine with gilded decorations. The main square is full of tourists – many youngsters gather to talk in groups or just lie on the cobblestones and take in the view.
Further along is the famous bronze statue of Manneken-pis. I was rather disappointed as it is only a metre high and he is covered in different clothes –they say he has 650 outfits.
We took a city hop-on hop-off bus tour and passed the modern European Union and office buildings. They even have their version of the twin towers.
The silver globes of the Atomium towers into the sky and one can go to the top to get a great view of Brussels.
Brussels has a King and Queen and the royal Palace is set in beautiful gardens with huge glass houses for plants.
The food is so good that they say you can’t get a bad meal in Belgium. The fish is fresh and delicious from the mussels, prawns and lobster to the sole that is as big as the kind you get in South Africa. For dessert, there are Belgian waffles with strawberries, cream and syrup and the crepes with sugar or chocolate.
Of course, the Belgian chocolates beckon you from every second shop window. Irresistable!
The streets of Brussels are full of restaurants and the night life around the square and attract thousands of visitors.
The shops have everything and you can shop at C & A and H & M or Versace and Gucci. The Galeries Royales de Saint-Hubert built in 1847 is the most elegant shopping promenade in Europe.
It’s a pity so many travelers pass Brussels by in their tour of Europe as they are missing an important tourist attraction.
An added bonus was meeting up with Geoff and Pam Dusheiko in Brussels and spending a weekend together. Geoff had given a lecture at a medical conference near the city on Thursday and he and Pam decided to make a weekend of it and spend some time with us. Thanks guys.
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