"My First Ever European City : Brussels !" Brussels by coceng

Brussels Travel Guide: 6,498 reviews and 10,871 photos

KUALA LUMPUR<<<<<BRUSSELS>>>>>BRUGGE

BELGIUMMonday 11th June 2001
Hey! Hey! My first European trip started here in Brussels, Belgium. Greeted by a friend, Patrick. Feeling good, feeling great ! Patrick took me back to Antwerp 'cos that's where he's living. I rested for a while before we had to come back to Brussels to fetch another friend arriving from UK, Paul; Also known as Reg (I know why he used to call himself as Reginald, let's just keep that to myself, okay).
Patrick left me in Brussels with Reg (maybe Patrick was angry because I also asked another friend to come with me like I didn't trust him ?)...
We checked in to our hotel (which Patrick had paid for) & started to explore the city ! Everything was new to me, feeling good about being a traveller, feeling good about being somewhere else, so far away from my own habitat.
From Brussels, we had excursions to Brugge, Ghent & Antwerp; before going to Amsterdam, spend our weekend there & came back down to Namur; visiting Villers-La-Ville...
Then to Luxembourg & back to Brussels & flew home.
Many memories for me, many sights were seen, many sins were committed ? Brussels started them all...

INFORMATION...

Brussels is the capital of Belgium.
It is also regarded as 'the crossroad' of Europe.
This city has been inhabited since 2250 BC. It has been ruled by these major rulers along the history, namely :
The Burgundy
The Hapsburg
The Spanish
The Austrian
The French
The Kingdom of The Netherlands
Hence, Brussels can be proud of its diverse populations which stemmed from these ancentries...
Still, Belgium is not a favourite destination like Paris or London !
Why ? Maybe Brussels is too modest ?
Go figure !
Jean-Claude Van Damme was called 'The Muscles Of Brussels' !
The creator of Tin Tin comes from Brussels !
First started as a jounalist's reflection of that era, now Tin Tin's (mis)adventures have been read by the youngs & the adults the world over !
Brussels is a grand city albeit in a small scale.
The arts are just so amazing that everywhere we turn, the arts will be ready to be discovered !
be it on the shape of a building; Or even a crawling plant on those buildings !
That's certainly my reflection on this city which I would love to come again, and again !

~*~*~*~*~*~

There are 2 main areas of Central Brussels :
The Upper Town
The Lower Town

The Lower Town has the medieval city centre where you can find The Grand Palace, which was a former market place.
A beautiful place/square where we can wander around the cobbled streets that lead to such quarters as Ilôt Sacré, Ste Catherine, St Géry and Marolles.

The Upper Town which is more towards the south-west is more of a lively square as well with wide boulevards, major museums, chic shopping areas around Sablon and ave Louise, and monumental buildings including The Belgian Parliament.
All will make a good sight for photography !
Brussels is surrounded by a motorway called The Petit Ring.
Beyond the centre, some places like the glass & steel of EU building, bordered by the so-called Ixelles District; Art Nouveau buildings are aplenty here.
To the north, The Domaine Royale is the residence of Belgium's royal family...
Brussels is certainly not to be missed if you are in Europe !

Pros and Cons

Pros:A Beautiful & Lively City !
Cons:Too Many Tourists At Certain Months...
In a nutshell:London, Amsterdam, Paris...Are All Within Easy Reach from Brussels !

Last visit to Brussels: Jun 2001
Intro Updated Jul 7, 2005
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Reviews (5)

The Location Local Customs (1)

A map of Belgium so you know where Brussels is situated. more travel advice

My First Nightlife Nightlife (1)

I love the nightlife in Brussels. The city nightlife that I could only imagine in my head before I started... more travel advice

A Monument Things to Do (3)

A monument in Brussels but what's the name ? more travel advice

The Old Town Things to Do (3)

The Old Town looked so amazing. I wanted every place that I went to to looked like this ! That's Reg by the way... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Sep 2, 2003

2 photos

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Comments (3)

Pawtuxet Sep 16, 2009 at 4:12 PM Report Abuse

You don't need a ton of photos to have wonderful memories... and it seems that you do.
GillianMcLaughlin Apr 11, 2004 at 7:36 AM Report Abuse

Oh, we'll need to take you in hand for a future visit to Brussels I think... nightlife over at 11??? Hmmm.... some nights I wish it were!
olja1234 Feb 6, 2004 at 11:44 AM Report Abuse

Very interesting reading and great photos about your first visit to Europe. Thanks!