If your timing's right, you can get a glimpse of the plush lifestyle of Belgium's royals at their residence in Laeken. Their castle was built in 1784 in a 395-acre park north of central Brussels. The extensive steel-and-glass royal greenhouses, built in 1902, are stunning architectural feats and are home to a lush and fascinating collection of exotic plants. Sadly, the castle, greenhouses, and park are only open to the public for two weeks in April and May. Dates are set each year in February. Contact the Brussels Tourist Office for more information.
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