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Lonely Planet describes Brussels thusly: "...an unpretentious mix of grand edifaces and modern skyscrapers. Its character largely follows that of the nation it governs: modest, confident, but rarely striving to overtly impress." That pretty sums it up, but if you've read the "Best & Worst of Europe" section of my website, you know that I consider Brussels to be one of the most underrated cities in Europe. It has a distinctly international flavor that you'd expect from the headquarters of the EU. It is a vibrant, bustling city that I found to be a perfect blend of Medieval and modern. While there, I got hooked on french fries and mayonnaise - I thought it was disgusting until a local forced them on me; I was instantly hooked. Any mention of Brussels starts with the Grand Place, which can only be described as breathtaking. It's one of the most magnificent public squares in Europe (many people consider it the best), but you have to see it in person to fully appreciate it. For that reason, I've only included a couple pictures of it. Another good thing about Brussels worth mentioning is the Beer. For my money, Belgium has the best beer in Europe. There are more different types and styles of beer in Belgium than any other country, and you can try them all in Brussels. My personal favorites are Hoegaarden and the lambic beers. If you like beer, and you go to Brussels (or anywhere else in Belgium), be sure to sample as many different kinds as you can. Popular choices include Leffe, Duval, Hoegaarden, and fruity Krieks. Click on picture to enlarge... A couple good shots of the Grand Place
Making friends with one of the locals...
The Mannekin Pis
Passers-by rub this statue's arm for good luck
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