Brussels: Off the Beaten Track

chillibreeze writer — Koeyli Jaluka

Which other city can possibly evoke the image of a young boy happily taking a leak? Of myriad controversies, mouth-watering pralines and graceful architecture, the tiny city of Brussels has transformed itself into a much visited tourist destination.

Central Brussels is divided into two main areas, the Lower and Upper Towns. The Lower Town encompasses the medieval city centre, built around the Grand Place, a former market square. The area is easy to get around on foot, its cobbled streets leading to popular quarters such as Ilôt Sacré, Ste Catherine, St Géry and Marolles. The Upper Town, to the southeast, has an entirely different atmosphere. The traditional base of Brussels' French-speaking elite, it is here that you would find wide boulevards; major museums; fashionable shopping areas around Sablon and Ave Louise; and monumental buildings such as the Belgian parliament.

Most of Brussels proper is surrounded by a motorway aptly named the Petit Ring, but there are more interesting sites beyond the centre. Brussels' modern and efficient public transportation system includes the metro, trams, premetro (trams that go underground for part of their journey) and buses make going around and about fairly easy.

Must sees:

Cathédrale des Sts Michel & Gudule: This splendid twin-towered cathedral at Parvis Sainte Gudule is named after Brussels' male and female patron saints. It is situated on the hillside to the north of Gare Centrale.

Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique: This museum showcases Belgium's leading collections of ancient and modern art. Both the sections are large and you'll need an entire day here if you want to do them justice.

The Belgian Centre for Comic Strip Art: is a grand showcase of the illustrated stories that have been humoured and inspired local and foreign enthusiasts for many years. Fans of Hergé will find a much-photographed replica of Tintin's red and white rocket, plus plenty of examples of his work.
To eat or not to eat: Brussels is often known as the food capital of the world. From chocolates to mussels the Belgian people know how to enjoy their cuisine. Les Jardins de Bagatelle is a great restaurant hidden in the back streets of Brussels in Ixelles off chaunsee de Ixelles. This amazing restaurant offers a menu consisting of dishes like crocodile wrapped in banana leaves, ostrich with pepper sauce, samosas, and dim sums! For the less adventurous, there are other restaurants offering the usual traditional dishes like shrimp coquettes, alongside modern European cuisine.

The best of chocolate comes from Neahaus, but all over Brussels, the chocolate is delicious and utterly sinful. Indulging in pralines can come at the cost of an expanding waistline.

Brussels is beautiful any time of year. However, the ideal time to visit would be between May and September, when the weather is at its best. For a weekend visit, Brussels is a perfect choice as most expensive hotels drop their rates at this time. Do not shy away from bargaining the rates as they usually end up lower than quoted.

Brussels is truly beautiful; its beauty lies in its people who are a tolerant, freedom - loving lot. The Manneken Pis (the bronze sculpture of the little boy urinating), which is a beloved symbol of the city, embodies freedom for the people of Belgium.

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—About our writer:

"Born and brought up in Calcutta, Koeyli loves being mobile and is forever willing to be on the move. Wanderlust and food are the two sins she claims to indulge in. Koeyli loves to spend time with her baby son and husband. Reading is an obsession with her and writing, a passion."

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