I spent three very enjoyable days exploring Brussels with my good friend Jenna, neither of us had visited the European capital before so were looking forward to all new adventures and explorations. During our whirlwind expedition we managed to take in the sights of the city including trip to the Musee D’art Ancien, Musee D’art Modern, The Botanical Gardens, The Palais Royal, Coudenburg Museum, as well as taking in the delights on a walking tour, sampling the delights of the organic food market, enjoying the beautiful art nouveau architecture and shopping in some wonderful antique shops, clothing and jewellery boutiques and flea markets.

Travel with Eurostar was fast, reliable and relaxing and I can’t wait to venture further a field very soon.

While Brussels can’t compete with Istanbul in terms of it bridging two continents, it is nonetheless still a fusion of many parts: Brussels is the area of Belgium where French meets Flemish, where the historic feel of towns like Bruges intermingles with the hip vibe of a city buzzing with energy, and where the bizarre or avant-garde is often literally just round a random corner.

But it is because Brussels is such a melting-point that any visit to Brussels will probably involve a visit (often much longer than anticipated) to the Grand Place. Often places with hyperbolic names don’t live up to expectations – think of the Theatre of Dreams or the Arc de Triomphe. But the Grand Place fights back hard against this stereotype.

It was made a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1998 and quite rightly so: the Grand Place is a beautiful square surrounding by the tall city tower and a range of stunning buildings. The light show often put on in the evenings gives it an even greater ambiance.

It may sound like I’m waxing lyrical about the Grand Place but to not do so would be to overlook its sheer majesty. When people think of Belgium, they tend to think of fine chocolates and artisan beers. Some of the best shops to buy chocolate are in this area of Brussels and I can think of few other places as atmospheric to try a few beers. Indeed, with such a beautiful location I could drink all night long – and with the opportunities for people-watching the bars around the Grand Place give, that would be a fine way to spend an evening.

Photo: ‘Grote Markt by night, Brussels‘ by suvodeb

We’ve recently discovered a cool new way of exploring the Belgium’s capital city, Brussels. Running for 5 months from the 1st May until the 26th September 2010, you can book tours of the city on a Segway!

If you haven’t heard of a Segway before, it’s a traveling device that you stand upright on and maneuver by leaning and shifting your body weight in particular directions. With tours costing just €38, and departures 3 times per day from outside the tourist office on Grand Palace, it’s well worth fitting one of these unusual tours into your schedule – even if it’s just for a play on a Segway!

After a quick 15 minute training course you’ll be ready (and eager) to hit the road to discover parts of the city that you never thought existed. The 90 minute itinerary will take you to some of the most famous and most interesting places in Brussels, such as The Grand Palace, the Sablon art quarters and many fascinating museums.

A novel idea that we’re keen to try. Let us know if you’ve ever been on a Segway tour, we’d love to hear about it!

Photo: ‘Bruxelles_Luc_Viatour_11‘ by luc.viatour

As if Brussels’ Grand Place – one of the world’s most beautiful squares – was not spectacular enough, every two years the Belgians cover it with a carpet of flowers, with this year being the fourteenth time this magnificent carpet since it was first created in 1976.

The enterprise involves considerable time and effort, when you think that over 300 square metres have to be covered with a massive 800,000 fresh begonias. The blooms then have to be kept fresh for four days in the scorching August heat, helped by the addition of fountains within the pattern of the carpet.

The end result, however, is well worth it. The multicoloured carpet forms a stunning centrepiece to the square, often including scenes from Belgian folklore and myth amongst its intricate designs.

Fireworks and a sound-and-light show launch the display on the preceding night. The day is free for everyone and those who want a better view can pay a small fee of €3 (free for under 12s) to take a look from the first floor of the town hall.

The carpet is being created on the 12th August with musical performances and fireworks in the evening and is open for public viewing over the weekend of the 13th, 14th and 15th August 2010.

Photo Flower Carpet at the Grand Place by Yabby

Brussels’ Grand’Place packs out with spectators, including the Royal Family and their guests, for Ommegang, Brussels’ major folklore event that has been taking place since 1549. Local craftsmen put on their traditional costumes for the procession while medieval jousts take place around the city including catapults firing candles and knights combating on foot.

A whole medieval village will be created at Place du Grand Sablon which will be free to visitors during the three day event with an special procession taking place 9pm on the Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Tickets for the processions are limited to 3,000 people and must be booked in advance from the tourist office. If you don’t manage to secure a ticket for the procession don’t fret as there is still plenty to do and see throughout the city over the three days of the festival.

This year the Ommegang festival is taking place on the 29th June – 1st July 2010 in the Grand Place as well as in locations throughout Brussels. For tickets either call +32 (0) 2 548 04 58 or email a.sas@brusselsinternational.be

Photo Ommegang Brussels 2009 by David Spender