Belgium, Brussels

Brussels the capital city of Belgium enjoy a city break with a difference here. You can explore on foot, book a city coach tour to see all the main sights they are also easily reached by bus or tram, whichever way you choose you will not be disappointed. There are plenty of attractions for all age groups to enjoy.

Brussels is a lively invigorating capital city there are great restaurants, wonderful cafes and some good museums and marvelous architecture for you to experience.

The area known as Brussels has been inhabited by Neolithic civilizations since 2250BC archaeologists have found Roman Villas in this area dating from the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.

Central Brussels is divided into two main areas, the Lower and Upper Towns, the Lower Town is based around the imposing Grand Place a magnificent central square, and it has cobbled streets and is easy to get around on foot.

Around the square are pavement cafes and cellar restaurants perfect for relaxing for awhile. The square dates from the 12th century and has some of the country’s finest guild halls.

In 1695 much of central Brussels was destroyed in an attack by Louis XlV of France, the attack was apparently meant to distract the allied forces of England and the Spanish Netherlands with who Louis X1V was at war.

The Upper Town is very different to the Lower; there are wide boulevards, parliament buildings, museums and very good shopping areas. Nearly all the buildings on the Grand Place today are 17th century replacements.

If you need a change after all that sight seeing it may be of interest to you to know there are several golf courses in and around Brussels.

Alternatively and well worth a visit is the Gueuze museum, it is a tour through a family run brewery where traditional methods are still used, you make your own way through the brewery stopping at the end to sample the brew.

Brussels has an abundance of bars, pubs, bistros, cafes and restaurants to keep you occupied both day and night, and you can choose one to suit your taste, mood or budget. There is a good variety of music on offer from jazz, Irish music, rock parties and reggae nights, a diverse mix of entertainment on offer here.

There is a wide range of chic designer boutiques and department stores in Brussels you will be spoilt for choice here.

One of the most famous areas is the Galeries Saint-Hubert near the Grand Place; it was built in 1846 and claims to be the oldest shopping arcade in Europe. There is also a flea market held daily and an antiques market at weekends.

You may find you need more than a short break to see and appreciate all Brussels has to offer. The choice of hotel accommodation is vast; you will be spoilt for choice, depending on your budget of course.