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Brussels
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Brussels
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Brussels
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Brussels
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Brussels
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Brussels, the city that invented nearly every child’s least favorite vegetable almost 700 years ago. Yet the city makes up for it by also being home to not just the Belgian Waffle, but the Brussels Waffle too, with its right-angled corners, bigger size, crunchy exterior and airy interior. There is not only much to eat in this delectable city, but also much to explore.
Belgium is a diverse country. Like most European countries, you’ll hear many dialects spoken as you saunter down the streets, with English speakers being easy to find. However, the three official languages of the country are French, Flemish Dutch, and German.
Much of the best things to see in Brussels are within walking distance of each other. To maximize your time and sightseeing, it’s recommended to book a hotel room in the city’s center. This will allow you to easily get from one tourist destination to the next. You will likely not need to purchase any public transportation passes unless you get tired of walking. Brussels has produced many of the world’s most famous comics including Tin Tin, Lucky Luke, and Gaston. While on your stroll, keep an eye out for the tribute the city pays to these characters. You will notice many murals and comic book references if you pay attention.
Brussels’ three main train stations are Brussels Midi, Brussels Centraal, and Brussels Nord. Make sure you’re headed to the correct station before you end up missing your train. Many tourists have written about how silly they feel after missing a train by arriving at the wrong station.
Opened in 1847, the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is Europe’s oldest shopping arcade. Overflowing with bars, cafes, and shops, this is still one of the most visited sites in all of Brussels, even 175 years later.
Brussels is home to the world’s second deepest indoor swimming pool. Nemo 33 is 35 meters deep and held the world-record for the deepest indoor pool until 2014 when Italy’s Y-40 pool opened in Padua. With simulated underwater caves, Nemo 33 is the perfect place to practice your scuba diving.
Most people are familiar with Mannekin Pis, the 61-centimeter bronze statue of a little boy peeing, aptly named, “Little Pissing Man.” However, less people are familiar with Jeanneke Pis, its female counterpart. This 50-centimeter statue is hidden in central Brussels. See if you can find them both!
Many expats who live in Brussels have mentioned the necessary time it took to for them to get accustomed to the Belgian sense of humor. Apparently, from an American perspective, it is similar to British humor. Dry, sarcastic, and witty. Jokes are made in a very under-the-cuff style that is unusual to many American tourists. Advice given from expats in Brussels are: chill out, don’t take them seriously, and don’t take yourself so seriously either.
It is an unspoken traveling rule not to eat at the tourist traps. While the signs may look colorful and the smells may be enticing, trust esteemed travelers. Make friends with locals. Let them point you in the directions of the best eateries. Tourist traps are created to make money off of travelers who don’t know any better. Know better.
While Brussels is a particularly walkable city, you can always opt to drive. However, if you choose so, be wary of the rush hour times. Between 6:00 – 9:00 AM and 4:00 – 7:00 PM, traffic jams can be brutal. Stick with walking.
There are 2 international airports that service Brussels. Business class flights are offered at each.
Brussels is a city that experiences all of the seasons, with rainfall possible year-round. That being said, the best months to be in Brussels are between March and May as well as September and October. These are the “shoulder seasons” with milder weather and cheaper lodging accommodations.
The average flight from DC to Brussels, capital to capital, is roughly 8 hours on most commercial airliners traveling at 500 mph. Flights typically include one layover, though there are almost always nonstop flights available. Voyagu can help find whichever business class flight suits your schedule best.
Voyagu does not rank its valued airline partners, but we provide a list of airlines that offer both discounted business class airfare and last-minute business class deals to Brussels.
Some of these may not have direct flights while instead arranging comforting connections:
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