«Nobody goes to Brussels for vacation. We must have a reason ». Waffles. It is in Paris. Fried potatoes with mayonnaise. It is in Amsterdam. Chocolates. It is also in Switzerland. Aparigoriti. I wanted to go to Brussels and had no arguments to support his plan to me. Anoixa about 30 travel magazines to find photographs that will persuade the company. Nothing. Neither a row. Especially, photo. In the 31 found the European Parliament. Wonderful. Glass. Insufficient - reason for travel. Ultimately the reason - the reason-found. And it was a football match. How much worse could happen?
Dieschisa half Europe in a train that run on 220 kilometres per hour - average-for 11 hours. Afisa things at the station. I went running on the field. We had long and had to prospoiitho that interested. The only memories I have from my first evening in the capital of Europe is a plot and a chaotikos train station. Xypnisa after several hours in a city where residents love as much as tourists apaxionoun, trying to remember the reasons why I wanted so much to come. And where were the property shall be me.
On the way to the Gare du Midi, where he was eventually things, I saw the first images of a city - choneftiriou cultures, a thumbnail entire continent, which is struggling to keep alive the legacy of tradition without losing the pace of global developments and concludes ultimately holds glass skyscrapers next to art nouveau and double-decker gotthikous temples. But here these two elements, old and new, past and future, so harmoniously balanced, so perfect tie between those who seem prepared to coexist. That is why the other Europeans in Brussels jokingly referred to as a melting pot. That is why - okay, and little about the cosmopolitan glamour of the city-like to come.
The Midi station located in that part of the city not renowned for her beauty - outside the center, multicultural, but not charming, sees travellers only because here stop international train routes. Unlike other railway station, the Gare Centrale, which seems to be a point 0 city, in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods, just 10 minutes from the Grande Place, the «great» or central square. On that before antikriseis diatireis your doubts about the wisdom of the choice of this journey. After just does not ever forget.
In imposing Grande Place strikes for four centuries the heart of the city. Surrounded by some of the most magnificent buildings you have ever seen, the enormous, almost closed square, there has been a political and economic centre, place of executions, market, arena entertainment and fair, battlefield where French troops of Marshal de Villeroy captured the city and, ultimately, attracts tourists. In the Gothic, baroque and art nouveau buildings - which are difficult to believe that the overwhelming majority of them were simply seats of various guilds of the city, and not palaces-housed some of the most interesting museums in Brussels while most of them, and the first was built in 15 th century, is the City Hall.
Only to drop a first glance at each of the buildings of the Grande Place - without notice to the countless details and symbols of each-will need at least 10 minutes. If synypologisete the fact that in special circumstances - like the season before Christmas-made here fantasmagorika music & light shows, with the buildings to act as a canvas for projections, and that here are two of the most popular - and expensive - bar restaurants in the city, but the café Le Cygne, where the afternoon coffee epine his Karl Marx, you may well have to spend an entire afternoon Square, and may not see anything else from the city.
This will be a big mistake, because, despite the widespread perception of tourists visiting Brussels in a single day trip, the city does not stop here. Apeira museums able to meet any special interest and keep you on-time hours, if not days, beautiful neighborhoods ideal for endless roamings and, of course, countless opportunities for shopping drop. South of the Grande Place, and very close to it, is the popular Manneken-Pis, a bronze statuette that has become synonymous with the city, on the corner of Rue de l 'Etuve and Rue du Chene. The agoraki which ourei water from a table dating from the early 18 th century and, depending on the circumstance «ntynetai» by residents of the city with different costumes - which currently exceed 650 and housed in the Museum of the City, which housed the «House of King» in the Grande Place.
Just south, the Place du Grand Sablon, or simply Sablon, is the ultimate destination for lovers of antiques and chocolate - two of the best sokolatopoieies Brussels, Wittamer and Pierre Marcolini, housed here-and the explanation of the name paraxenis City-Bruocsella means «home in valto» and valtodis Sablon is the region that existed here before the river Senne cover of the islands unite to form a single city. In the adjacent Place du Petit Sablon a beautiful park adorned by 48 statues along the medieval city.
To the east of Sablon, in the Place Royale, occupying perhaps the most popular museums of the city, Musees Royaux des Beaux-Artes, or Royal Museums of Fine Arts: the Museum of Ancient Art, which hosts exhibits dating from the 15 th to the 18 th century and the Museum Modern Art, with works by 19 th and 20 th century. Highlights, the collection of works by Rubens, the rare works of Peter Bregkel the Elder, classic tables Surrealist Magritte and Ntelvo and extensive collection of works by Belgian Symvoliston. Nearby is the Museum of Musical Instruments, the world renowned MIM, in stegasmeno a beautiful art nouveau building and the wonderful Café Du Mim in Penthouse, and the famous church Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg with Roman-style facade of the 18 th century, beside the Royal Palace.
A small - or large-break from training in the nearby cultural, green park Warrande and then head towards the central railway station, close to which is the Kathedrikos of St. Michael and Goudoylis, also known as the biggest and goiteftikoteri church in Brussels , Which began building in 1225 and was not completed despite three centuries later. A typical sample of the style known as Gothic of Brabant, adorned by yalografies 16 th century and an imposing baroque amvona.
Continuing towards the north, the lamp of the ninth art will find them in the paradiZe designed by Victor Horta Velgiko Center Comics, known as sempempente, from the initials of the sentence Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinee. The library of over 40,000 volumes relating to the history, authors and art of comics in general, while other areas are accommodated permanent and temporary exhibitions of modern and classic characters and creators - and, yes, a large part is devoted to the diasimotero Belgian of all time, the Ten-Ten.
For fans of the style that today we call art nouveau, it is imperative a visit to the home of inspiration, Victor Horta, which now houses the Montreal museum. You'll find the Rue Americaine 23-25, in his powerful art nouveau buildings region Saint-Gilles. Other attractions you should not miss is the giant Atomium, a representation of a molecule metal in foutoyristiko within which you can browse the Parc du Cinquantenaire, a creation of Leopoldou B ', dating from 1880, with an impressive arch of thriamvou and the large number of museums hosting, and the park Mini Europe, with the amazing miniatures of historic monuments in Europe - including a 12-metre Acropolis and an Eiffel Tower of 13 metres.
Over and above all the sights, but Brussels is essentially a city with quality of life, akrovatei between yesterday and today, a vibrant city that knows how to enjoy the arts, culture and development without taking itself very seriously. And if you say that you must have a reason to go to Brussels, answer that one city chaideftika called Comic City has no need to justify its choices. Nor visitors.
Accommodation
A common welcoming demanding travelers in business trips or city breaks, the city has a plethora of hotels for every taste and budget. Of the top picks, the famous Metropole, a breath away from the Grande Place, housed in an impressive belle époque building and offers all the amenities you would expect from a luxury hotel. In the same category, the Jolly Grand Sablon combines the benefits of a 5-star hotel with magnificent views of the Sablon. Calculate around 250 euros for a double room on each.
Oikonomikotati, but also an excellent choice in Des Eperonnieres (Rue Des Eperonnieres 1) very close to the Grande Place, housed in an old mansion and has carefully designed rooms and friendly service. A double room will cost you about 60 euros. In the Place Sainte-Catherine, the Citadines has studios with kitchen and bathroom at prices not exceeding 100 euros.
Food and Entertainment
In the homeland of chocolate, Belgian beer, vaflas, gourmet tastes and tiganiton potatoes with mayonnaise, peinasete be excluded. Start your gastronomic tours of the three stars awarded with Michelin Comme chez Soi and Bruneau for gourmet creations, continue to La Meilleure Jeunesse (Rue de l 'Aurore 58) for Belgian cuisine with international influences or go to Delirium Café (Impasse de la Fidelite ) More than 2000 kinds of beer.
Authentic Belgian kitchen will try to In't Spinnekopke (Place du Jardin aux Fleurs 1) and the excellent site Belga Queen (Rue Fossé aux Loups 32), for Italian katamesto always go to Le Stelle (Avenue Louis Bertrand 53) while nostalgisete juicy burgers and T-bone steaks, the best American "diners" of the city hears the name Milkbar Le Balmoral (Place Brugmann 21). The famous, Belgian frites - fried potatoes-will find the kalytera in the Maison Antoine (Place Jourdan 1), while… psarofagoi will particularly appreciate the L'Ecailler du Palais Royal (Rue Bodenbroek 18).
A great variety of beer labels will find also at Chez Moeder Lambic (Rue de Savoie 68) while wine lovers will feel that they found paradise in the Winery (Place Brugmann 18). For dessert, certainly in the sokolateri Sablon, and the Planete Chocolat (Rue du Lombard 24). An attitude for waffles in Dandoy of Rue Charles Buls it.
For… xenychtia your kakentrecheis despite rumours, the city has several options. From the biggest club, with regular metakliseis DJs from around the world, is The Fuse (Rue Blaes 208), live jazz will listen to Archiduc (Rue Dansaert 6), house tunes in decor in a tribute to Dalí in Dali's Bar (Petite Rue des Bouchers 35) and disco in Le Soho Club (Boulevard du Triomphe 47). Other good choices in the middle are the You Night Club (Rue Duquesnoy 18), Le Roi des Belges (Rue Jules Van Praet 35-37) and Walvis (Rue Dansaert 209).
