Brussels Travel Photos

Brussels is one of those cities in Europe that rarely ever get mentioned as top travel destinations, overshadowed by the grand European trifecta of London, Paris and Rome, and the architectural, cultural or historical gems of Venice, Prague, Vienna, and Barcelona, for example. People say that Brussels is a city that you would only want to go to once, but I tend to disagree. I found Brussels quite charming as a weekend getaway, and I wouldn't mind going back for more to enjoy the museums, architecture, the surrounding towns, some chocolate and a croque-monsieur for breakfast, and - wait for it - even some cherry beer! Yes, you heard that right...I drank beer, even if it was of the tastes-more-like-fruit-than-beer variety :) I am sooo not a beer person, but this one was OK. I also tried some of their famous rabbit in cherry beer stew with potatoes and their beef in cherry beer, which were both delicious hearty meals for autumn and winter. Of course you can't go to Belgium and not try the waffles or the speculoos biscuits from Maison J. Dandoy (even though you could also get a regular brand at a supermarket for about a third of the price - but hey, where's the touristy fun in that!).

Back to the city of Brussels...I found the architecture really beautiful, an engaging mix of Gothic buildings, Baroque, Neoclassical, and Art Nouveau. Furthermore, I simply love exploring cities that hide gorgeous buildings and little gems in every nook and cranny and at the end of every crooked street. I think I was also lucky enough to visit Brussels when the weather was quite nice; I am sure that I would not enjoy the normally gloomier city had I been rained on all day or something.

Another thing I would like to go back to Brussels for is the jazz scene, which I didn't have time to experience on this trip, but I imagine that one would be able to get their fill of jazz bands if they stay in the city for some time. I don't know if Brussels can be called a fun city in the sense of having a raging nightlife or whether it is a city that is great to live in, but it was great for an end of summer city break.