Eight days is an awful lot to spend in Brussels....You could always take the train down to Luxembourg (3 hrs), across the channel to London, or either to Paris or Amsterdam --all about 2-3 hrs away. Obviously you will do the "Grand Place" & wander around Rue de Bouche (tons & tons of restaurants with outdoor seating, all trying to get you to try out their food). I stayed at the Sheraton near the Gare Nord and as a Starwood Gold was upgraded to a big suite on the executive floor without asking. Travel on their 'metro' was fairly easy, but not as extensive or simple as Paris'. If I were you I would go up to Brugge again. Please let us know how it goes.