brussels

[pinkflamingo]

i was thinking for booking a weekend break for me and my husband in brussels but i heard that it was very expensive for meals and drinks etc

can anyone who has been there lately let me know if this is correct.

thanks

[SteveD]

It depends how far upmarket you go. As in the UK, your bill will be pumped up particularly if you have an ap�ritif, wine, bottled water, coffee and a "pousse-caf�".

The typical tourist places are around the Grand' Place (Rue des Bouchers, Petite Rue des Bouchers etc). However, it's worth wandering round there just to have a look - you can always say no to the waiters touting for business!

Check out the fixed menus (particularly the lunch menus). See if you can identify a few restaurants before you go and look here where you will find some indication of the prices:

http://www.resto.be/ware/index.jsp?lg=EN

The quality of restaurant food in Belgium is excellent (I know - I live there). Note that restaurant prices include taxes and service, it is not necessary to give a tip. All restaurants should display their menu outside.

[vehelpfulguy]

I visited Europe on business for about 10 years and went to many major European cities (Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Lisbon, Geneva, Vienna, Hamburg etc etc etc)

Now I dont wish to upset SteveD who has already replied to you, but I found Brussels rather disappointing and dull.

Because I was on my own on these visits, and often had free days at the weekend, I tended to walk round the cities a lot.

But I never found many areas or buildings in Brussels that really inspired or interested me, and I found many of the older buildings rather dirty, as though they had not cleaned the stones for years (they may have cleaned them since).

Given the choice I would far rather go to Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Amsterdam (or most of the other cities I visited) than go back to Brussels.

Even if you have been to Paris before, go there again as there is more to see in Paris on a second visit than Brussels on a first visit.

Sorry SteveD, I realise I may have annoyed you, and feel free to defend Brussels if you wish. I have no axe to grind, just saying it as I found it.

[vehelpfulguy]

I should say in its defence that the Grand Place is amazing, see picture:

http://blogs.hds.com/hu/wp-content/uploads/200 7/02/grand-place.jpg

And there are some interesting narrow lanes off it with some amazing restaurants that display their wares (mainly fish) on the pavement, like this:

http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/images/bru ssels_seafood_rest_rue_des_bouchers.jpg

But here is someone else who has the same opinion as me about Brussels

http://realtravel.com/brussels-journals-j27409 52.html

And yes, the EU building IS ugly.

[Buenchico]

There are loads of cheap places to eat and drink in Brussels. (I particularly recommend the rabbit casserole at the Bar Mannekin Pis which, unsurprisingly, is opposite the Mannekin Pis). As long as you avoid the tourist traps around the the Grand Place, it will cost you no more (and probably less) to eat in Brussels than it would anywhere in the UK.

Like VHG, I find Brussels rather dull, which is unfortunate because I think that Belgium is a wonderful country. You might enjoy Bruges more. It's a beautiful city and a great base for touring. (Ostend is less than 15 minutes away on the train). If you're travelling by Eurostar, your tickets include free onward travel to any rail station in Belgium, so it wouldn't cost you any more. Even if you're flying, it's simple and cheap to get to Bruges. (From Charleroi, which is served by Ryanair, you can buy 'bulk tickets' for �10.50 each way, which will take you to any station in the country).

Chris

[jno]

It can be as cheap or as expensive as you want; eurocrats on expense accounts make the dear restaurants dearer but there's plenty of good, cheaper stuff to eat. Great museums, especially the ancient art collection with some wonderful Bruegels. The Victor Horta house is an excellent art nouveau building. All sort of other museums too including one of comic art (didn't like it that much myself but good for Tintin). It's not the world's most interesting city but it's got plenty for a weekend.

[SteveD]

I agree that Brussels is not Paris or London, but it doesn't claim to be. Also, the various sights tend to be a bit spread out so a tour such as those suggested here would be ideal.

http://www.arau.org/ct_saisn.php

If you're interested in architecture, particularly Art Nouveau, a visit to Victor Horta's house is essential. When walking around Brussels, you need to look up - there are so many gems hidden amongst the grey dross.

http://www.cupola.com/html/bldgstru/artnouv/ar tnouv1.htm

The Atomium has recently been refurbished and the old, dull aluminium panels replaced with shiny stainless steel ones. At night, thousands of lights twinkle all over it. Admittedly, there is not much else to see in that area except the Roi Baudoin Stadium (renamed from Heysel), Mini Europe, Oceade (indoor water park) and a huge 25-screen multiplex cinema.

http://www.atomium.be/

If you want to know what the weather's like in Belgium, we tend to get what you had the day before!