Apart from its famous mussels and frites chocolates and waffles Brussels Belgium offers a range of attractions that many visitors may fail to fully enjoy. One way to discover the “European Village” like it is officially nicknamed is through its trails.

For visitors and residents alike there are many alternatives to driving a car or taking a cab. Try a green tram. It’s cheap and fun. Want to be even more eco-friendly? Explore Brussels on foot. Many of Brussels’ landmarks are located fairly close to one another which makes walking a pleasurable way of seeing the town. Another option is to discover the city on a two-wheeler. Bike rentals are readily available or you may want to embark on one of severeral theme-based bicycle rides. Brussels ranks as one of the most biker-friendly cities in Europe and bike paths abound. Moreover car drivers show great regard for riders.
For more information on organized walks tours cycling trips and horse rides visit Pro Velo or Villo

If you enjoy parks gardens and forests you’ll love Brussels. Right in the town center you will find several parks. Some favorites include: Brussels Park the green lung within the heart of the city; Egmont Park which winds through the bourgeois neighborhoods; or the Mont of Arts with its hillside garden.
Furthermore walks round Brussels reveal the city’s trendy exotic side. There is La Foret des Soignes Europe’s largest forest of beech trees. Formerly a hunting ground for European royalty the forest is six times larger than Paris’ Bois de Boulogne! Easily accessible Le Bois de la Cambre with its gentle sloping hills will surely enchant you. Once the park was the favorite horse-riding destination for Queen Marie-Henriette wife of the Belgian king Leopold II. Today you will enjoy its meticulously maintained greenswards and charming woodland paths.

Brussels Park
Rue Royale.
Metro : Parc
Tram : 92 93 94

Egmont Park
Boulevard de Waterloo 1000
Access : Subway Louise

Mont des Arts Garden
Boulevard de l’Empereur
Rue Ravenstein.
Metro : Garde Centrale

La Foret des Soignes
Le Bois de la Cambre : Avenue Louise
Tram : 23 90 93 or 94

As the European Union capital Brussels houses several prestigious international organizations. Not surprisingly it ranks as one of the largest convention centers in the world. In fact the capital counts more ambassadors and foreign journalists than Washington DC.

If you’re a fan of the EU you’ll certainly enjoy touring the European District. Starting at the European Parliament at Place Luxembourg walk north towards Arts-Loi. From Arts-Loi to Schuman you will see a collection of European Council and Commission buildings including the giant cross-shaped Berlaymont. And why not complete your tour with refreshments at Place Jourdan a luncheon destination and watering hole for many Eurocrat officials.

With more than 700 comic strip authors Belgium boasts more comic strip artists per square kilometer than any other country in the world. It is here that the comic strip has grown from a popular mediam into an art form in its own right.   Throughout Brussels several bookshops are devoted exclusively to new second-hand and collectors’ comic books. You will also discover many museums and art centers that bring together everything related to the comic strip. Above all don’t miss the comic strip trail: thirty life. It’s a winner.

Belgian Comic Strip Center
20 rue des Sables

Comic Strip House
1000 Boulevard de l’Imperatrice 1000

Fondation Raymond Leblanc
Avenue Paul-Henri Spaak 7-1060

If you are a fan of Tin Tin you may also be interested in the new Musee Herge
in Louvain-la-Neuve Belgium

Brussels Airlines and American Airlines have everyday flights from Kennedy Airport New York to Brussels Airport. Continental Airlines flies directly from Newark.

The best way to get into central Brussels is on the 30-minute Brussels Airport Express to Central Station. It runs every 15 minutes and costs 3 Euros.

Hotel Sofitel Brussels ***** $$$
Set in the heart of the European quarter the Sofitel Brussels Europe is an  elegant Brussels Belgium motel – located a short walk from the European institutions. Enjoy gracious hospitality at the five-star Sofitel Brussels Europe.

NH Stephanie **** $$
A charming modern deal hotel located in the city centre it is 5 minutes from Thallys/Eurostar station and 10 minutes from the European Union headquarters.

Brussels’ trails

Bus tours

Related posts:Brussels: the EU’s Stylish Capital...

Apart from its famous mussels and frites chocolates and waffles Brussels Belgium offers a range of attractions that many visitors may fail to fully enjoy. One way to discover the “European Village” as it is officially nicknamed is through its trails.

For visitors and residents alike there are many alternatives to driving a car or taking a cab. Try a green tram. It’s cheap and fun. Want to be even more eco-friendly? Explore Brussels on foot. Many of Brussels’ landmarks are located fairly close to one another which makes walking a pleasurable way of seeing the town. Another option is to discover the city on a two-wheeler. Bike rentals are readily available or you may want to embark on one of severeral theme-based bicycle rides. Brussels ranks as one of the most biker-friendly cities in Europe and bike paths abound. Moreover car drivers show great respect for riders.
For more information on organized walks tours cycling trips and horse rides visit Pro Velo or Villo

If you enjoy parks gardens and forests you’ll love Brussels. Right in the city center you will find several parks. Some favorites include: Brussels Park the green lung within the heart of the city; Egmont Park which winds through the bourgeois neighborhoods; or the Mont of Arts with its hillside garden.
Furthermore walks around Brussels reveal the city’s trendy exotic side. There is La Foret des Soignes Europe’s largest forest of beech trees. Formerly a hunting ground for European royalty the forest is six times larger than Paris’ Bois de Boulogne! Easily accessible Le Bois de la Cambre with its gentle sloping hills will surely enchant you. Once the park was the favorite horse-riding destination for Queen Marie-Henriette wife of the Belgian king Leopold II. Today you will enjoy its meticulously maintained greenswards and charming woodland paths.

Brussels Park
Rue Royale.
Metro : Parc
Tram : 92 93 94

Egmont Park
Boulevard de Waterloo 1000
Access : Subway Louise

Mont des Arts Garden
Boulevard de l’Empereur
Rue Ravenstein.
Metro : Garde Centrale

La Foret des Soignes
Le Bois de la Cambre : Avenue Louise
Tram : 23 90 93 or 94

As the European Union capital Brussels houses several prestigious international organizations. Not surprisingly it ranks as one of the largest convention centers in the world. In fact the capital counts more ambassadors and foreign journalists than Washington DC.

If you’re a fan of the EU you’ll certainly enjoy touring the European District. Starting at the European Parliament at Place Luxembourg walk north towards Arts-Loi. From Arts-Loi to Schuman you will see a collection of European Council and Commission buildings including the giant cross-shaped Berlaymont. And why not finish your tour with refreshments at Place Jourdan a lunch destination and watering hole for many Eurocrat officials.

With more than 700 comic strip authors Belgium boasts more comic strip artists per square kilometer than any other country in the world. It is here that the comic strip has grown from a popular medium into an art form in its own right.   Throughout Brussels several bookshops are devoted exclusively to new second-hand and collectors’ comic books. You will also discover many museums and art centers that bring together everything related to the comic strip. Above all don’t miss the comic strip trail: thirty life. It’s a winner.

Belgian Comic Strip Center
20 rue des Sables

Comic Strip House
1000 Boulevard de l’Imperatrice 1000

Fondation Raymond Leblanc
Avenue Paul-Henri Spaak 7-1060

If you are a fan of Tin Tin you may also be interested in the new Musee Herge
in Louvain-la-Neuve Belgium

Brussels Airlines and American Airlines have daily flights from Kennedy Airport New York to Brussels Airport. Continental Airlines flies direct from Newark.

The best way to get into central Brussels is on the 30-minute Brussels Airport Express to Central Station. It runs every 15 minutes and costs 3 Euros.

Hotel Sofitel Brussels ***** $$$
Set in the heart of the European quarter the Sofitel Brussels Europe is an  elegant Brussels Belgium hotel – located a short walk from the European institutions. Enjoy gracious hospitality at the five-star Sofitel Brussels Europe.

NH Stephanie **** $$
A charming modern business hotel located in the city centre it is 5 minutes from Thallys/Eurostar station and 10 minutes from the European Union headquarters.

Brussels’ trails

Bus tours

Related posts:Brussels: the EU’s Stylish Capital...