Belgium: Brussels
Areas in the city:
In a nutshell...
Known as the capital of comic strips, Brussels is also unique for its mix of modern buildings and Art Nouveau style homes.
An animated and festive city, it is not rare to witness a fanfare or a parade in the Grand Place nor is it uncommon to see the Mannekenpis being adomed in a new costume; Brussels is a city for walking.
The city is spread out, with 19 districts depicting many different faces of the capital. Ixelles is famous for its nightlife, where Saint-Gilles, particularly the Maison Horta, is popular with those who are interested in Art Nouveau.
Truly European in character, Brussels offers all the Belgian specialities, from beer to waffles, but Italian and French dishes are also popular. This is a city where everyone can find something of interest.
Brussels : Shopping
GALERIES ROYALES SAINT-HUBERT
In the middle of the 19th Century, the Brussels city council chose to adopt the plan of young architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaer in rehabilitaing a run-down neighborhood. His idea? To construct a large gallery covered in ,ore than 200 meters of glass work. Beginning its course at Bouchers street, the construction includes the King's galleries (to the East), the Queen's galleries (to the West), several years later the Prince's galleries were added (connecting the King's galleries to Dominicains street). It was King Léopold the 1st who inaugurated the buildings in1847 just two years after having placed the first stone with a silver shovel. At the time, they were the longest, highest and sunniest gallereis in the world. An immediate success, the have since housed the finest quality boutiques. The galleries are still the most elegant place to shop in Brussels.
BRUSSELS CITY 1000
