Travel Brussels Guide
When Europe unleashed its dogs of war in the last century, they got at Belgium like a three-legged rabbit, worrying it from side to side and biting off what they could chew. Sound minds and strong hearts bit back, and today Belgium is a peaceful, stable nation enjoying peace with its neighbors.
Despite the industrious character of the Belgian people, they pass on the charm of their laid-back lifestyle, eager to invite travelers to take a look at a culture that truly values quality of life. The beautiful city of Brussels is the first stop for any tourist interested in seeing what all the fuss is about Belgium.
Perhaps because of its being at the center of so much carnage, it somehow seems particularly appropriate that the EU is seated in this city. The EU’s presence and strong representation of stability and security on the European continent must surely be comforting to the people of a nation who have experienced firsthand the consequences of nationalism run amok. Both the EU and NATO have made Brussels their institutional home for large portions of their organizations.
But that is not to say that Brussels is all work and no play. This little western European nation and its capital, Brussels, have survived Balkans-sized suffering, and now it's time to party. The beer is far from free, and many travelers note that although a pint can be rather dear in Brussels, it certainly flows freely.
Brussels is known as well for its gorgeous architecture and the efforts of city officials to beautify the capital region. The city is safe, clean and lit up to show off the lovely stone, wood and paint that still make up much of the capital. Swaths of old-style houses punctuated by the odd palace make the city a pedestrian wonderland, and if you work up an appetite, there's no better place to tuck in to a hearty meal than in Brussels. Like many things in Belgium, the official and the traditional blend with regard to which part of Brussels is considered the capital, with few looking too closely at the letter of the law.
Another blurry line is that separating the French speakers from the Flemish. The odds are against a local suggesting that the line be drawn where it is on a map, but Brussels is bilingual peace in action. The city harmoniously hosts both languages, along with the diplomatic and artistic representatives of dozens of nations from within Europe.
Like many major European cities, particularly those formerly inhabited by the Romans, the roadways of Brussels appear as expanding rings, offering bicycling tourists an excellent opportunity to take in the skyline and sights from a variety of vantage points. Despite its carefully maintained old world charm, Brussels is thoroughly modern, home to both world class universities and enormous, second-to-none art galleries. At the hub of a great deal of pan-European activity, as well as ground zero for many aspects of domestic culture, Brussels is a can't-miss on any European itinerary.
Freÿr - discover at Freyr a Renaissance Castle, Formal Gardens and an Outstanding Protected Area at 50 km from Brussels South Airport and 225 from Ostend.
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