Blogs from Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium, Europe - page 5

So, the time had come to head off on our two week “holiday” while Peter and Bev from Perth, Australia, did their home exchange with Sheila and Kevin. Dianne’s plan had us visiting Brussels, Lille (Vimy Ridge) and Paris. As usual, it was a great plan. The trip We flew Ryan Air to Brussels and getting to the airport was easy: walk to the bus stop, take a city bus to the airport and check in. How could it be easier? Well, we had tried to walk to the bus stop a couple of times and with the crazy curved streets that criss-cross an old city we managed to make mistakes the first two times and walked a lot further than we should have. This time, we made it. But just as the bus got to ... read more

For obvious security reasons, as has been our policy in recent times not to visit iconic sites at certain times being so fraught with potentially unexpected danger, we chose not to visit the Grand Place on New Year's Day itself, but instead found ourselves being drawn to this focal centre of the city on the day after the big event. Although the festivities of the season were being slowly run down and the decorative lights gradually removed from the city, throngs of people lingered across the city, capital of Belgium and the European Union. Everywhere we walked, families strolled around taking in the last of the festive atmosphere. Patrons filled the cafes, restaurants and shops as the usual early winter darkness swept the country and brilliantly coloured hues of every description took control of the night. ... read more

We started very early this morning, alarm at 5 am, so we would not miss our 8:04 Eurostar train to Brussels. We had planned to spend a good 7 hours in the city, enough to get a good overview. Well plans don’t always work out as intended. We arrived to St Pancras international rail station just at the cut off time to board the train. We got through passport control and security quickly enough and still had plenty of time to comfortably board the train without rushing. Trains in Europe pretty much leave on time. We had a 4-seat table seat, booked with the thought we may have it all to ourselves, which we did not. That however turned out to be a bonus because we sat next to a wonderful couple (Jack & Sara) and ... read more

I completely loved Brussels. I came there five years back during my first management high school internship. That was my very first long stay abroad even though it was only six weeks and in a border country. I went there from Paris I took the train called Thalys and couple of hours later I was reaching Brussels. I had such a great time. The city is wonderful, the architecture, the culture are great and people are very nice and willing to help. La grand place especially is amazingly beautiful. I spent half of my time visiting as there were so many things to see. Of course as a tourist I tried to beer, chocolate and the famous belgium fries. Brussels is definitely according to me a city to visit. I had the chance during my stay ... read more

Aangekomen op vliegveld Brussel. Heel veel bewaking, zelfs sluipschutters op de daken! Snel ingecheckt en nu paar uurtjes wachten.... read more