Brussels City Breaks, Holidays and Weekend Breaks:

Brussels is not only a cosmopolitan city Belgium’s capital, but also the political headquarters of both the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation [NATO] and the European Union [EU].

Brussels flourished from the 15th century as Princely Capital of the Low Countries, an integral and important part of the mighty Holy Roman Empire. After various alarms, including the destruction of much of the city by the French in 1695, the revolution that bought Belgian independence took place in Brussels in 1830. There is a strong sense of historical tradition, though the city was largely redeveloped at the end of the 19th century with few original buildings surviving. The shining exception at the city’s heart is a magnificent cobbled market square, the Grand Place, which features some wonderful old guild houses and the extraordinary Gothic city hall, all spectacularly lit at night.

Other worthwhile historic buildings include two Royal Palaces [of Laeken and Brussels], the Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the classically-fronted Stock Exchange. And of course no traveller can leave Brussels without seeing the World’s most famous bronze statue – that slightly naughty and permanently tinkling Mannekin Pis. Another well-known icon is the recently renovated Atomium, representing an iron crystal, dating from the World Expo of 1958.

With over a hundred museums, the strength of Brussels is cultural rather than architectural, though visitors interested in neither will not be disappointed. Shoppers can visit the elegant Galeries Saint Hubert, a superb early Victorian shopping arcade, dedicated drinkers can sample hundreds of different beers and anyone who likes chocolate will soon be dieting. Brussels is officially bi-lingual, reflecting Belgium’s complicated indigenous ethnic make-up, but French is the preferred language with Dutch a poor second.

Location of Brussels:
In the centre of Belgium, 70 miles east of the coast. 23 miles south of Antwerp. National airport 7 miles northeast of city centre.

Serving Airports:
Brussels Airport [BRU]
Flight time from the UK: approximately 1 hour

Shopping in Brussels:
Grand Place and nearby for souvenirs, including Belgian chocolates and lace. Blvd Adolphe Max and Nieuwstraat for department stores; Avenue Louise and Gulden Vlieslaan for top-quality goods. A weekend antique market on pretty Grand Sablon; a flea market on Vossenplein, in the neighbourhood of Marollen.

Eating out in Brussels:
Belgian cuisine matches that of France and comprises a wide variety of dishes with perhaps a bias towards fish and seafood. Appealing pedestrianised rue des Bouchers is wall-to-wall with excellent, if touristy, places offering good-value set menus. The best hotels have good – if expensive – restaurants and the area around the Grand Place is full of eateries of practically every category. For something different, Matonge – a predominantly African district near Porte de Namur – is full of places serving high-quality, interesting African food. The wine is good, but the beer is not to be missed (400 varieties from 125 different breweries). A restaurant guide can be bought from the tourist office.

Brussels Temperature Chart :

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temp °C	3	3	6	9	13	16	18	18	15	11	8	4

Average daily temperature °C

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Disclaimer:
By its very nature much of the information in our destination guides is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they are relying with the relevant authorities. Corona Holidays [UK] Limited cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.

Brussels

Brussels City Breaks, Holidays and Weekend Breaks:

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