AmyHuang
Destination Belgium: Brussels
I am lusting over Europe again so I thought I'd share some more destinations pieces.
Belgium, known for its chocolates, waffles and the little Pis, the tiny boy that pisses into a fountain and get overly photographed for it. Well, it's all here in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, and I wouldn't be surprised if you end up visiting and find yourself over eating sweets like me.
I thought Brussels as a city is a little over rated. People here are rather proud of the fact that the administration centre of the European Union is here in their city and hence they are the 'Capital of Europe'. The main square Grand'Place (Grote Markt) where the Gothic town hall, the Kings House, the Guild Houses are, is apparently considered as the most beautiful square in Europe, but I thought that was it. It was just this square that was worth photographing and other parts of Brussels were either too plain, too dirty or simply lack the charm of many other European cities.
Manneken Pis, for example. Definitely over rated. He gets dressed in many different clothing to suit the different occasions. How many times have we seen a photo of him all over Belgium tourism ads and I was so looking forward to meeting this little bloke. Well, little is the word. He was indeed tiny (in all sorts of ways!).
The entire statue is no larger than my cat, and is placed in such an insignificant place that without advertising, no one would ever find it.
There are of course, plenty of 'attractions' and 'places of interest' for visitors. Small parts of Roman ruins are scattered around the city, although not widely mentioned by guidebooks and information, I found a small part by accident. There are museums galore, palaces and churches too.
Brussels is great for those who love to eat, especially when it comes to sweets and seafood. The waffles I mentioned are great in Belgium, and in Brussels there are plenty of outlets selling them for 1.60 Euros. I have to admit these waffles are the best here, and no place else that claims to make Belgian waffles ever taste the same. Cafe and restaurants are aplenty, and there is no shortage of seafood, especially the Belgian specialty of the mussels in a pot. Although Australian mussels are still way better than anywhere in the world, but they do excel in flavours and taste. Oh, I am drooling just thinking about it.
Brussels mainly is a mix pot of old and modern, there would be a nice modern building right next to extremely old structures. A very curious place it is.
Brussels Information:
Welcome to Brussels.org
Lonely Planet's Guide to Brussels
Belgium, known for its chocolates, waffles and the little Pis, the tiny boy that pisses into a fountain and get overly photographed for it. Well, it's all here in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, and I wouldn't be surprised if you end up visiting and find yourself over eating sweets like me.
The Gothic townhall at the main square
I thought Brussels as a city is a little over rated. People here are rather proud of the fact that the administration centre of the European Union is here in their city and hence they are the 'Capital of Europe'. The main square Grand'Place (Grote Markt) where the Gothic town hall, the Kings House, the Guild Houses are, is apparently considered as the most beautiful square in Europe, but I thought that was it. It was just this square that was worth photographing and other parts of Brussels were either too plain, too dirty or simply lack the charm of many other European cities.
Manneken Pis, for example. Definitely over rated. He gets dressed in many different clothing to suit the different occasions. How many times have we seen a photo of him all over Belgium tourism ads and I was so looking forward to meeting this little bloke. Well, little is the word. He was indeed tiny (in all sorts of ways!).
Little Manneken Pis in his tux outfit
The entire statue is no larger than my cat, and is placed in such an insignificant place that without advertising, no one would ever find it.
There are of course, plenty of 'attractions' and 'places of interest' for visitors. Small parts of Roman ruins are scattered around the city, although not widely mentioned by guidebooks and information, I found a small part by accident. There are museums galore, palaces and churches too.
Some Roman ruins on the edge of the city
Brussels is great for those who love to eat, especially when it comes to sweets and seafood. The waffles I mentioned are great in Belgium, and in Brussels there are plenty of outlets selling them for 1.60 Euros. I have to admit these waffles are the best here, and no place else that claims to make Belgian waffles ever taste the same. Cafe and restaurants are aplenty, and there is no shortage of seafood, especially the Belgian specialty of the mussels in a pot. Although Australian mussels are still way better than anywhere in the world, but they do excel in flavours and taste. Oh, I am drooling just thinking about it.
Mouth watering waffles from a stand
Brussels mainly is a mix pot of old and modern, there would be a nice modern building right next to extremely old structures. A very curious place it is.
A bit of old... a bit of new...
Brussels Information:
Welcome to Brussels.org
Lonely Planet's Guide to Brussels
