The Berkeley Guides:
Berkeley Guide to Europe:
Belgium:
Brussels
Given that Brussels (Bruxelles in French, Brussel in Flemish) is not just the Belgian capital but also the headquarters of the European Union, a bustling center for bureaucrats, lobbyists, and Euro-politicians, you'd think it would have plenty of sights and a lively cultural scene. But somehow it flops as a sightseeing destination, and it's not a particularly hip place to hang out. Maybe it's because Brussels is a city in limbo. What was once just the capital of Belgium is now becoming the capital of Europe, and the city is struggling with the transformation. It's already an autonomous region in the Belgian federation, equal in status to Flanders and Wallonie, and recognizing both French and Flemish as official languages.
In all fairness, Brussels is worth seeing; it's just that you could see it all in a day or two. The Grand' Place is amazing, ringed with 15thand 17th-century gilded buildings that you could gaze at for hours. There are also plenty of museums to fill a couple days, though many are a testament to Belgium's not-so-pleasant colonial past.
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