hobbitthefoodlover

Lavandula: You mentioned that Brussels has "Brussels also has a number of neighbourhoods (think interesting cafes) which most visitors don't have time to discover."

May I know which neighborhoods you are referring to?

Thank you!

tahl

FrankS mentioned going to Waterloo.

Friends of mine tried to take a day trip to the Waterloo battlefield from Brussels via bus, but never quite got there. As I recall the problem, the *town* of Waterloo is a little distant from the *battlefield* of Waterloo, and they either took the wrong bus or got off at the wrong stop. Just fyi, so you can be attentive and not make the same mistake!

Christina

I like Brussels pretty well. I like it a lot better than some other tourist towns that people rave about, actually, which I think are ho-hum (eg, Beaune in France). I don't actually know why people seem so cool to it when it has moe interesting things, and is more attractive, than a lot of places. Anyway, I would go to Grand Place as you can spend the entire time right there, so it's very convenient, and on the tram line right from the station. I guess it's a tram, it's underground, and you can get a day pass.

Now that might be assuming you like museums, as there are a couple right around it. If you don't, well, I think you'd have to decide for yourself what you want to do that interests you. I went walking in the neighborhood with a lot of Art Nouveau buildings, as I like that architecture, but it's a bit aways from Grand Place and you have to do research to figure out where it is and transportation (this is around where Victor Horta's work is). I also went to the music museum which is one of the best in Europe, and that is on the way to Grand Place.

I don't keep track of restaurants or care about that so much, I just eat wherever looks good.

Cowboy1968

<i>hobbitthefoodlover on Jul 22, 09 at 07:39 AM
Lavandula: You mentioned that Brussels has "Brussels also has a number of neighbourhoods (think interesting cafes) which most visitors don't have time to discover."

May I know which neighborhoods you are referring to? </i>

I'm sure that Lavandula knows more about it, but the neighborhoods left and right of Ave. Louise do qualify, IMO.

lavandula

Yes, I would count those neighbourhoods, Cowboy, (Rue Jourdan for restaurants, Av Louise, Av Toison d'Or and Chaussee de Ixelles for shopping, Chaussee de Wavre for bars, restaurants and exploring (immigrant neighbourhood)) and would add a few others:

*the Marolles - used to be a working class neighbourhood, then became an immigrant neighbourhood, and is now undergoing gentrification. Moroccan / Turkish restaurants, galleries and interesting shops. Rue Blaes and Rue Haute are the main streets of the area, and Rue du Jeu de Balle with the flea market is nearby. Metro: Hotel des Monnaies or Porte de Hal.

*Place Flagey has been undergoing extensive renovation but there is a small market on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, a newly renovated cultural centre (orchestras,etc) in an Art Deco building, with a few interesting cafes in the area. Nearby are some pretty ponds and an old abbey. Bus: 71 from De Brouckere. About 20 mins by bus. Check the times of the markets as they are often gone by lunchtime.

*Place Ste.-Catherine used to be the wharves area of Brussels in the 19th century; nowadays the river (Senne) is underground, under the metro. This is a really old neighbourhood, with many seafood restaurants. The church is quite old although I don't know the date. There is apparently an old beguinage nearby although I have never been there. Metro: Ste Catherine.

Lavandula

trsny

I'm one who likes Brussels. I took the train from Paris and spent a long weekend there. Sure it wasn't Paris, but it holds court in it's own way. Grand Place is a can't miss spot. The area around the square is fun to explore. Ambiorix & Gutenberg Squares have beautiful art nouveau houses. There is lots to see and do and wonderful restaurants and shopping.

Brussels is one of those places you don't concentrate on for your entire trip, but instead makes a great addition to your itinerary.

LindaFasteson

For a few ideas, here's what we did in the two days we were there: http://www.notabletravels.com/destin.../Brussels.html

Andrew

I stopped off the train from Paris to Amsterdam a few years ago, stowed my luggage in a locker at the central train station, and spent the afternoon wandering around Brussels. And I was...pleasantly surprised. I found it a delightful city in which to wander around, and on top of that, the locals seemed much more friendly than in most other big cities in Europe; in just one afternoon, two separate people I bumped into - just being friendly - asked me where I was visiting from. You'd never get that in Paris or Amsterdam!

I hope to go back and spend more time in Brussels some day for sure - it was worth more than an afternoon.

Mainhattengirl

I too like Brussels. The architecture is lovely if you get away from the train station - which by the way is my least favorite train station I have ever been to. Just really dark and cold looking. Anyway, the neighborhoods are nice, filled with lots of interesting little stores and cafes. Antique stores seem to abound. We went to a fun, very ethnic street festival the last time we were there. The Botanical Garden was lovely. Wish I would have had more time to go to some museums.

irishface

I am glad to hear that there are so many who appreciate Brussels. I thought I was in the minority and that it was just because I was lucky enough to have a friend who worked for the State Department and had three tours of duty at the embassy, and I got to go and stay with her on each of her duty times there.

november_moon

I never thought much about Brussels until I saw a travel show about the city and it looked interesting. Any city that has an entire museum devoted to comics sounds like my kind of place. I am also a fan of art nouveau architecture, which I understand Brussels has a fair amount of. So when we were planning our vacation for this year and could use frequent flyer miles from SFO to Brussels, we went for it. Our trip is coming up and I expect to very soon count myself among the ranks of those who enjoy the city.

LSky

I'm just planning a first trip to Brussels and from my reading so far, it looks like 2 days wouldn't be to much.

The Magritte, Modern Art and Horta museums look like they can take up most of one day and then it's off to explore the architecture.

I've copied and pasted a bit of this for my notes. Thanks (although I'm not the OP)

Vttraveler

I would definitely take the first day to explore Brussels.
I love the Flemish paintings in the Musée d'Art Ancien -- works by Memling, Petrus Christus, Rogier van der Weyden, and Hieronymus Bosch and especially by Pieter Bruegel the Elder

LSky

Thanks vttraveler. There are a few art museums to choose from, half the fun will be deciding which ones.