What to do in Brussels?
Jul 1, 2011 | 11:36 pm
#61
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I have to 2nd this recommendation. I was in Brussels Apr 1-3, and spent some time (too little!) in this new museum. Make sure if you are planning to travel in the busier summer season that you go early, as the museum has some capacity limitations, and people are sent in in groups as space allows.
On the day I was there, there were guides taking groups of around ~15 through the entire musuem, stopping to give talks (in French...not sure if English is available) at strategic points to explain Magritte's career.
Atmospheric and highly recommended.
On the day I was there, there were guides taking groups of around ~15 through the entire musuem, stopping to give talks (in French...not sure if English is available) at strategic points to explain Magritte's career.
Atmospheric and highly recommended.
Jul 25, 2011 | 10:19 am
#63
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Aug 21, 2011 | 11:13 am
#64
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I only have a minute; didnt read the whole thread.
Watch out for mondays -- museusm are closed.
My favorite Chocolatier was Mary -- down the street form the Royal Palace. Google maps showed it to be in the wrong place; it was a bit farther. The Royals get their chocolate there, I hear.
Marcolini is reportedly great, but it was the only place we couldnt sample chocolates - - everywhere else we went you could buy by the piece for 1.6 to 7 euros per kilo. I thought they were pretentious and spent elsewhere.
Watch out for mondays -- museusm are closed.
My favorite Chocolatier was Mary -- down the street form the Royal Palace. Google maps showed it to be in the wrong place; it was a bit farther. The Royals get their chocolate there, I hear.
Marcolini is reportedly great, but it was the only place we couldnt sample chocolates - - everywhere else we went you could buy by the piece for 1.6 to 7 euros per kilo. I thought they were pretentious and spent elsewhere.
Aug 25, 2011 | 9:41 am
#65
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I'm ready to be converted to the Belgian Church of Chocolate!
Jul 16, 2014 | 12:42 pm
#67
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- yes, there are bars open after 11pm. There is no general closing time, each bar has it's own licence (which can be revoked if they or the customers do not comply). If it get's very late and everything seems closed, ask around.
- because there's so many beers brewed in Belgium, there aren't many "international" beers available and they are defenitely not popular. You'll find Carslberg and Corona generally available.
The most well-known beers outside Belgium are Stella-Artois (just a normal pilsner but marketed as a "luxury beer" outside of Belgium) and Leffe (abbey-style).
Jul 18, 2014 | 10:46 am
#68
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Thanks for the recent replies - I'm off to BRU in 6 weeks and these links and ideas are very helpful.
Any suggestions for language & transit nerds on things to see?
Any suggestions for language & transit nerds on things to see?
Jul 20, 2014 | 6:38 am
#70
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Jul 21, 2014 | 7:32 am
#71
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Sit in on a session of the European Parliament and watch 24-language live translation in action
For transport, check out the tram museum
http://www.trammuseumbrussels.be/en
Brussels also has a lot of 'pre-metro' tram tunnels which might be of interest. You can check out how the platforms are ready for conversion to full metro with a bit of filling in (i.e. why the escalators only reach the upper platform sections, then you go down just a few stairs to get to the tram platform, and also why the platforms are so much longer than the trams).
Then, as others have stated, enjoy the Belgian beer and soon little else will matter
Jul 21, 2014 | 1:32 pm
#72
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Jul 21, 2014 | 2:51 pm
#73
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Okay, this isn't exactly languages, isn't exactly trains, and isn't even exactly Brussels, but....
A possible short day trip would be to Antwerp. The fascinating Plantin-Moretus Museum, the site of a historic printworks, with the original presses and publications and a print collection, has a 16th-century polyglot Bible. The Central Station is an imposing, wildly eclectic late 19th century marvel, recently renovated and modified to add more levels to accommodate high-speed trains, including a multi-level escalator (on an incline, then straight, then on an incline). Antwerp has lots of other things to see and do, too.
A possible short day trip would be to Antwerp. The fascinating Plantin-Moretus Museum, the site of a historic printworks, with the original presses and publications and a print collection, has a 16th-century polyglot Bible. The Central Station is an imposing, wildly eclectic late 19th century marvel, recently renovated and modified to add more levels to accommodate high-speed trains, including a multi-level escalator (on an incline, then straight, then on an incline). Antwerp has lots of other things to see and do, too.
Jul 21, 2014 | 3:13 pm
#74
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