Brussels is the capital of Belgium and home to the main institutions of the European Union, for this reason it is known as "The Capital of Europe", but also the political seat of NATO Located near the center of the country, Brussels has about one million inhabitants of that much from other countries (2 million in the metropolitan area that straddles the border provinces of Brabant). Officially has two languages, a majority of inhabitants are native French daily (90%, of which one third is made up of immigrants), and a minority is flamenco (10%). It is one of the most visited cities in Europe, with about six million visitors a year, but most do business, not pleasure. It is also one of the antiques world markets as most important and famous Grand Place, or Plaza Grande, one of the most beautiful in the world. They explain that in the Middle Ages the city was located in a swampy area with meandering streams and forming islands. In one of them created a shrine and around it a borough. In medieval Flemish broek (pronounced bruk) means swamp, and sel, chapel, and hence comes its name: Marsh Chapel.
Along with the capital cities of Bruges and Ghent legendary attract thousands of tourists each year, and no wonder. The major attraction of Bruges is the historic center, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. While is largely rebuilt, the old town is one of the largest European attractive because it keeps intact the medieval architectural structures. This city is also known as the Venice of the North because of the many canals running through it, and the beauty of them.
Ghent also has channels, but they are larger, and even boats can get from the sea so far, which is very important commercially and economically speaking. It is a university town with a census of approximately 45,000 students. Its inhabitants are moved mostly by bicycle since the extension of the city and make it possible path nicely. Its annual festival in late July forms one of the largest street celebrations in Europe.

Getting to and around
Plane
Brussels has two airports located in Zaventem first order, 13 km northeast of the city and in Charleroi, 46 kilometers southeast of the capital.
From Spain there are direct flights from Barcelona, ??Madrid, Bilbao, Seville, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Ibiza and A Coruña with SN Brussels Airlines 0902 51600 Tel www.brusselsairlines.com from Madrid and Bilbao with Iberia www.iberia.com Tel 902400433, from Madrid, Alicante, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Malaga, Valencia, Valladolid, Zaragoza, Reus, Sevilla, Santander, Palma, Ibiza and Girona with Ryanair www.ryanair.com Tel +353 1 812 1676, from Barcelona , Sevilla, Valencia and Vigo with the company Vueling www.vueling.com Tel 807 200 200. All previous companies fly to Brussels Airport, except Ryanair, which makes the airport of Charleroi. In the two operational airports find car rental companies Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt.
Brussels International Airport (BRU) www.brusselsairport.be Tel +32 2 753 77 53 is the main airport in Belgium. It is located eight miles northeast of the city, in the municipality of Zaventem, and so some people know him as the Zaventem airport. In their aircraft landing tracks about 260 comañías moving around sixteen million passengers per year. In 2005 he received the award for best airport in Europe, after surveying 100,000 passengers worldwide. It has an exclusive terminal for flights from the countries that signed the agreement called Schengen Pier A.
The bus stop is located on a lower floor of the Arrivals floor. The bus company De Lijn lead to the center of Brussels. Buses STIB / MIVB go to the headquarters of NATO and the European Union and the tour ends at the train station of Brussels-Luxembourg. There is a bus line www.airportexpress.be SN Brussels Airlines departing every hour to Antwerp. The way tickets cost 10 euros for adults and 5 euros for children between 2-11 years. The same company also offers a shuttle bus to Antwerp. At the airport there is a train station. From this come four trains per hour to the three stations of Brussels, which are, in order of proximity to the airport, Brussels North, Brussels Central and Brussels South (Midi), and the journey takes between 20 and 30 minutes. From these three stations can link with other trains that take you to other cities of Flanders. Apart from Brussels city, Ghent and Leuven also have direct connection to the airport. For the most convenient way as the final destination and arrival time, you can check the website www.b-rail.be. Tickets cost 5.10 euros to the center, which can be paid by credit card.
Taxis are available at the Arrival Hall and are distinguished by a sticker on the windshield of yellow and blue. A trip to the city center costs about 30 euros.
Charleroi Airport (CRL), or airport Brussels South-airport.com www.charleroi is in the city of Charleroi and 60 km south of Brussels. It is much smaller than the Brussels International Airport, is located far away from the city and use it especially low-cost carriers. The South Charleroi train station is 10 minutes from the airport, from the airport buses (line A or n ° 68) which connect to the railway station, the journey takes about 10 minutes and schedules are based on the hours departure and arrival of flights. From the train station you can take a train Charleroi towards Brussels and other Belgian cities. There is also a bus service between the airport and Charleroi Brussels South train station. The bus from the airport to Brussels South leaves 30 minutes after landing each flight. The bus from Brussels South to the airport leaves from the Rue de France / Rue de l'Instruction, opposite the southern entrance to the station, two hours before the departure time of each flight.
International Airport Ostend-Bruges (OST) www.ost.aero Tel +32 59 55 12 11. If your final destination is Bruges, and from our city come direct flights to this airport is faster to fly up here do not even Brussels. It is located in the town of Ostende about 6 miles southwest of the city and 25 kilometers from Bruges. In the case of Spain, the company Jetair flies directly from Ostend to Alicante, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Malaga, Mallorca and Tenerife. Thomas Cook flies to Alicante, Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife. Buses and taxis connect the airport with the urban area. The stops are near the entrance of the terminal building. Line 6 bus (via Raversijde Luchthaven) going from the airport to the central train station of Ostend and vice versa. The taxi costs about 12 € Ostende and takes about 10 minutes, the taxi directly to our hotel in Bruges we can go by between 50 and 60 euros. Recommended: Roger Taxi +32 (0) 59 80 60 87 Taxibond Van Oostende or +32 (0) 59 70 27 27. The company REIZEN JOYE has a bus that leaves the airport and connects it to Bruges (Katelynepoort) for about 5 €. It runs about 30 minutes and runs from 11:25 until 13:25. Sundays have different schedules ranging from 16:20 to 18:20.

Train
Belgium has a large rail network and the quality of its trains is superb. From Spain www.renfe.es can only be accessed by train through Paris either by the Madrid-Valladolid-Burgos-Victoria-Paris, or the Barcelona-Girona-Figueres-Paris. Www.thalys.be Thalys trains connect Paris to Brussels in little more time than a plane: one hour and twenty minutes. So do from the Belgian capital to Cologne in one hour and forty-seven minutes to Amsterdam one hour and fifty-three. Brussels has three major railway stations: Bruxelles-Central, located in the heart of the city, Bruxelles-Nord, north of the bypass and Bruxelles-Midi in the south. Information Phone: 02 555 2555. All three stations have a bar, soda machines and disabled access and tickets can be purchased from the website of the Belgian railway company www.b-rail.be via Visa or American Express. Almost all national trains stop at all three stations. Eurostar Trains Tel: 02 528 2828 www.eurostar.com from London and Thalys high-speed train from Tel 070667788 Aachen, Amsterdam, Cologne and Paris stop at Bruxelles-Midi, the TGV terminal. All three stations have a metro station.
To go to Bruges or Ghent, from any station above, climb to a train to Ostend, Ghent is located just half an hour from Brussels and Bruges to little more than double. The price of a ticket is 8.10 euros Ghent and Bruges 12.90 euros, although there are discounts reaching 50% on weekends buying round trip, large families, pensioners and children up to 11 years.
For less than 26 years, for 50 euros there Pass Go Bonus 10 which allows 10 separate trips to any part of Belgium for a year. Pregnant women can travel first class ticket purchasing a second, provided they have a medical certificate indicating their stage of pregnancy. All children under 6 years free. The cost per kilometer by train is 1.2 euros to which he has to increase by 50% if you travel first class.

Tram, Metro and Metro Light surface.
Brussels has urban transit rail systems, the Metro and the light rail, walking a stretch underground and the tram, although theoretically operate separately, in practice turn out to be quite integrated. The metro was inaugurated in 1970 and has three lines, which are added calls perimeter lines in circulating surface trams and metros. They typically have five-car convoys and the influx of way varies from two to six minutes, depending on the line, the time of day and day of the week. In 2009 the lines were remodeled with new cars and changed some routes and nomenclatures. For example, the traditional lines of the old meters, 1A, 1B and 2, now lead to a network of lines that combine efficiency with tram lines three and four. Thus, it would be much faster to get around town with new direct connections. Today, you can travel directly from Gare du Midi to the Palace Haysel line with six and five takes passengers from Anderlecht to Watermael Boitsfort without the need to change lines. Thus, traveling from one city to another can be made in less than half an hour. The company that manages both the metro and Travia is the STIB / MIVB, and from their website you can download www.stib.be plans, know exactly times in each stage of the day, and calculate the best route in less time between colon. The STIB / MIVB serves an area of ??241.5 km2 and ensures the movement of over 1,100,000 inhabitants and thousands of workers who commute daily to work in Brussels. Tickets cost 1.60 euros with the ability to switch between STIB network lines (except the NATO-Airport section of lines 12 and 21). Jump rate (which costs 1.70 euros out of the vehicle and 2 euros on the inside), added to the previous possibility to enjoy the nets De Lijn, TEC and SNCB in Brussels. The card costs 7.30 euros five trips and 10 trips for only 11.20 euros and 12.30 euros STIB Jump. Also avoids the possibility of purchasing a one-day pass for 4.20 / 4.50 euros STIB / Jump and three days 9.20 / 9.50 euros STIB / Jump. The roundtrip tickets, to be used on the same day, costing 3.30 euros. Tickets are available in the lobbies of the stations and on top of some platforms and then have to remember to validate them on machines suitable for this purpose. Children under six (maximum four per adult) and free travel between 6 and 11 years not paid, except the NATO-airport stretch and night lines. In vending machines can choose English or French as the language and you have to pay cash. It accepts Visa, MasterCard or American Express. It also offers visitors the chance to buy three types of cards in which public transport is combined with the entry into 32 museums, plus discounts in shops, bars restaurants and theaters ranging between 25% and 50%. There are three different types of Brussels Card, the 24 hours that cost 24 euros, the price of which 48 hours are 34 euros and 3 days worth 40 euros. All of them are available in Bootik from internet on the same page www.stib.be managed the company STIB / MIVB, in some hotels, tourist information offices and museums. At present almost all cars that run on the subway are new, although the major unresolved are the disabled access and baby carts because some stations do not have elevators yet. Some information displayed on board trams stops on little or no direct, making it convenient to tell the driver or any passenger who advise us on our stop. Information indicators on trams, buses and metros, the information shown intermittently in Flemish and French.

Taxi.
Taxis in the city are white or black and and are indicated at the top the word taxi in red letters on white background, also has a device that lights up when it is free. Majority are familiar Mercedes, and usually have a basic level of English to interact with visitors, although they speak fluent French. No vehicles can be addressed within 100 meters of a stop, as there are eight hundred scattered in strategic locations of the city. They are almost everywhere and always easy to find one available, are among the most expensive in Europe, but it is the fastest way to get around town. Have meters and the initial rate is 2.40 euros during the day and at night 4.20 euros, to which was added 1.35 euros for every extra mile in the capital, and 2.70 euros in the suburbs . The meter switches to standby mode if the speed is below 20 km / h, for example in traffic jams, or if we are standing at a stoplight. Tips are included in the price, and passengers always travel in the rear seats. Autolux Taxi www.taxisautolux.be Tel 02 411 4142. Taxis Verts www.taxisverts.be Tel 02 349 4949.

City ??buses
It is a convenient way to travel, especially to join tours of the city in which we had to change at subway lines. Only stop at marked stops long as we advised that we stop pressing the stop button, or have a passenger waiting to board. They work 24 hours a day, and the easiest to navigate is to look in the canopies of the stops on the tour information. The ticket can be paid in cash or by card do subway combined with which we can change line bus, subway to bus or vice versa during a one hour period without paying more. If you have bought the ticket before we make it back in the orange machines. Buses letter names belong to the company De Lijn Flemish, and those starting with number to the STIB / MIVB.

Long distance buses
The long-distance buses in Belgium are usually pretty slow and cumbersome than the train, but they reach rural and remote villages to which the railroad fails. The Society of linj www.delijn.be/index.htm Tel 02 526 2820 is managing all regional traffic. Tickets are usually purchased directly from the driver and the rates are calculated based on the distance. For traffic with Europe, and more specifically Españan, www.eurolines.es company Eurolines connects directly with several Spanish cities Brussels, Bruges or Ghent for 156 euros. Tickets can be purchased directly from the website, but the price is just exorbitant, considering the cost of a plane ticket.
tourist buses
There are several companies that are dedicated to transport tourists from one landmark to another. Www.city-sightseeing.com CitySightseeing Brussels Tel 02 466 1111 offers, for example, a package for 18 euros (children 5-15 years € 10 / over 60 and students 16 euros) in which we can be up and down the bus at key locations in the city as the Atomium, Sablon, Manneken Pis, Royal Palace, Cinquantenaire, European Parliament or for a whole day without worrying about plans or maps. The entire circuit takes about 90 minutes and starts 10 am, ending about 15:30. Hours vary slightly depending on the time of year. Buses run every 30 minutes, and the information is also in Spanish.

Shipping
Maybe the city of Bruges and Ghent are not as famous as Venice to enjoy boating, but is totally rewarding to spend the afternoon on one of these trips. In Bruges tour usually half an hour and each company has its piers around the city. It costs 6.90 euros (children 4-11 years 3,20 euros / under 4 free) and run from 10:00 to 18:00 every day from March to October and November and February weekends only. In Ghent there is much more variety of prices and boats. Some provide food and drink on board and prices go up to 12 euros per person, or 20 should serve Champagne. In the rest remain similar to those of Bruges to 6 euros for 40 minutes. Almost all companies have their own docks, although usually very similar routes. Gent-watertoerist.be Watertoerist http://www.gent-watertoerist.be. Tel 09 269 0869.

Horse and carriage (Bruges).
It is a tourist attraction than a mode of transport and are often seen circulating around the Market Square, as well as other places frequented by tourists. One of the most familiar sounds of Bruges is the sound of hoofs on the pavement of the streets. Usually addressed in the market place from 9:30 until 17:30, but in summer it is also possible to 22:00. Prices for 35-minute ride is 36 euros the whole carriage, and the drivers usually speak English, French, Flemish and German. You can also share with others. Hippo. www.hippo.be/Koets/index.htm Tel 05 034 5401.

Vehicle hire
To rent any vehicle in Brussels need only be Spanish Spanish driving license, although it is worth providing us previously the International Card Circulation. It is pure bureaucratic taking place in any Traffic Department with a passport photo and an approximate cost 9 euros. Gasoline is usually more expensive than in our country, and the roads are generally in better condition. With the exception of Brussels, which is sometimes very congested, the rest of the country is usually relaxed. The highways are toll roads and generally are well preserved. The speed limit on motorways is 120 km / h. Brussels is not a cheap city to rent a car, but quite the opposite. Despite the many deals that can be seen in many places, it is more than likely rent for a basic car type not less than 100 euros with third party insurance, unless you find a bargain. Sometimes offers are marked by the length of rental and the price of a week is only twice that one day. Besides being expensive, you can gradually add other disadvantage as the price of gasoline, which has increased dramatically in recent years, traffic at certain times it is chaotic and that it is difficult to park in the public roads and car parks are also expensive. All this makes it inadvisable to use this means of transport. If you're still interested, here are the main companies: Avis Tel 02 730 6211 Tel www.avis.es Europcar Hertz www.europcar.es 02 646 5130 Tel 02 513 2886 02 Tel www.hertz.es and Budget www.budget.com 646 5130

Bicycle
Increasingly reserved areas on asphalt Brussels to bicycles, but most often done bike rides by parkland and near the Park Laeken. The people of Bruges and Ghent mostly use bicycles as transportation usual. So, first thing in the morning, you may see many parents taking their children to school by bike, and then continue to work themselves, even on rainy days. Most streets have a special bike lanes and traffic lights. Companies engaged in Rent bikes are scattered throughout the city and not difficult to find. In Brussels, the company Cyclocity, which has been desarroyada by JCDecaux and is found in many cities, has scattered 250 bikes in 23 different points of the city, separated more than 400 meters. The first half-hour costs $ 0.50 and then incremented in fractions of 0.50 euros per hour.
In Bruges and Ghent rates start at EUR 5-6 and 9-10 euros noon daily. In Bruges can be rented at the same train station: 05 030 2329 Tel Stationsplein, as in Ghent: Maria-Hendrikaplein Koningin Tel 09 241 2224. Some companies are not limited simply to hire and offer bike tours around the city to descurbrirla a pedal stroke. One problem that often happens when you rent the bike is often requested his passport as security, something that we must refuse so flatly.
Segway
They are increasingly requested tours that take place in Segway. These two-wheeled platforms are ideal to visit every corner of the city. Incline the body forward, backward, left or right, the Segway slips right in the exact direction we want to take and the right speed you want. To get upright stop gently. There are several companies that are devoted to tours, including Belgium Seswaytour http://www.belgium-segwaytour.be (Wednesday to Sunday from May to September / outputs at 11:00 - 14:00 - 16:00) offers a tour through the most emblematic places of the city for 38 euros. You need to have a weight of between 40 and 113 kilos and have more than 16 years.

Walk
Without hesitating an instant, I can tell you that a trip on foot with the subway is the best possible plan to visit the city and its inhabitants, but sometimes can be strenuous. In Brussels, the vast majority of people do not pass the street when the light is red and always do for zebra crossings and areas designed for that purpose. Finding your way in Brussels is not always easy, since the level of the street from the old building in Brussels, and its medieval origins, is often chaotic. The naming of streets is in French and Flemish, with the right name in capital letters in the middle. As the best way to see the city is to walk in this guide will indicate a route within each district, taking into account the museums, entertainment venues, restaurants, hotels and all that can be interesting from every corner of this city.

CLIMATE
Belgium enjoys a climate typical of northern Europe with temperatures ranging between 24 ° C and -1 ° C. In summer (June to August) temperatures are usually warm and pleasant reaching as much at 24 º C, accompanied at times of storm, and winter (December through February) and it's natural that thermometers move around -1 º C and 7 º C. While in Belgium the weather is not too severe, there are long periods of cloudy and gray days with heavy rains. The fog is also normal to make an appearance in several days. It is also true that some winter days can be normal with clear sky. In autumn, the days are usually very changeable and rain alternating with sunny days with temperatures ranging between 9 º C and 18 º C in spring temperatures are pleasant, with an average of around 18 º C, so we could say that during the best time in climate refers to visit the city is in late spring or summer.
Temperatures range in the following indicators:
January between -1 ° C and 4 ° C
February between -1 ° C and 7 ° C
March 2 ° C and 10 ° C
April 6 º C and 14 º C
May between 9 º C and 19 º C
June between 12 º C and 22 º C
July between 14 º C and 24 º C
August between 14 º C and 23 º C
September between 12 º C and 22 º C
October 8 º C and 15 º C
November between 3 º C and 10 º C
December between 0 ° C and 6 ° C.
Every month it rains more or less alike, but between June and December are usually the most-boiled. As for sunshine, the average falls between November and February, even up to 52 per month, bringing the rest of the year over 120 hours. August may be the sunniest month with an average of 196 hours of sunshine.

USE SCHEDULE
In Brussels time zone applies for the Greenwich meridian, which is the same as used in Spain which is UTC +1, so there is no time variation. It forwards the time the last Sunday in March and one hour is late last October.

BUSINESS HOURS

The hours at the offices of the city ranging from 9:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Friday with an hour break at noon. The shops are open a little later, between 9:30 and 10:00 h, but also tend to extend the closing time to 19:00 and even 20:00 pm Friday and Saturday. Banks are open on weekdays from 9:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 16:00, and the post office from 9:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and on Saturdays from 9:00 to 12:00 . The rest day is mostly in museums on Mondays. The restaurants serve lunch from 11:30 to 12:00 until 14:00-15:00 and dinner from 18:30 to 19:00 from 23:00. The brasseries, however, remain open from 11:00 until midnight and even in some cases until 01:00.

COMMUNICATIONS
Internet
Internet is pretty cheap in this country and their prices can range from 0.50 per hour in cybercafes cheaper city and the most expensive 1.5 euros, depending on location and demand for these. Not many cafes around the city, but mostly booths also have this service. In hotels, of course, the rate soars quietly for three or four, but in some cases we can access Wi-Fi for free. If this is the case, it would be advisable to bring a laptop from home. In other hotels can expect to pay up to 8 euros for a Wi-fi, when about the same hotel we can find a small shop that sells drinks and offer free for less than 1 euro an hour. Most McDonald's has free Wi-Fi, but not the only bars or restaurants that have hung the sign of Wi-Fi.
Phone
In the case of telephone calls and if we carry the laptop, the cheapest would be open a Skype account. Through this company and an internet connection so we can talk for free with other Skype users or make calls to any country at bargain prices without paying roaming or abusive rates than we charge our phone company. To this we should provide our computer from a microphone and a speaker. In some cafes can also make calls from Skype, and they have it installed and have helmets and microphones. In the case of not taking computer and we had to call several times a day or stay connected with the outside world, the council would take a phone 3G liberalized in any store and buy Belgian phone prepaid card for "cell phone" with your SIM, with which we could call the same prices as any inhabitant of Belgium would. Public telephones are operated by Belgacom and accept coins, credit cards, collect calls, and the company itself cards sold in kiosks and post offices. We may also use call centers located throughout the city. The international dialing code for Germany is 32 and prefix of Brussels on 02. To call another country, dial 00 plus the country code, ie to call Spain marcaríamos 0034 and the phone number you want to call.
The phone is 101 police, and ambulance and fire 100. To reach the operator marcaríamos the 1380 and 1324 in the case of international telephone information.
Post
Postal rates increase as in our country every year. For a postcard or letter up to 50 grams would pay 1 euro. To know exactly how much it would cost to send something Bpost has posted on its website a rate calculator based on the size, weight and desired service: www.bpost.be/site/fr/residential/applications/calculators/overview.html. The stamps can buy them at any post office, or in some souvenir shops where they sell postcards. To deposit the mail boxes are located in different places of the city, but we can also take them to a post office or handed to the receptionist of our hotel if they have this service. If we want to send a package urgently have to pay extra and put a blue sticker that says A prior.

POWER
In Brussels, all plugs are prepared for two-pin sockets exactly like ours, so we need not take any adapter voltage is 220 volts also, except for the toilets of some hotels, which can be 115-120 volts.

MONEY
Currency
As is only resabido national currency is the euro, adopted in 16 of the 27 states of the European Union, known collectively as the Eurozone and one of which is obviously Spain. In some gas stations and souvenir shops do not accept banknotes of 100 euros or more, so you may want to come not only large bills. For tourists from other countries, there are exchange offices in railway stations, airports and some around town.
Credit Cards
ATMs are scattered throughout the city in countless banks. It is always best to withdraw money at a bank teller and, if possible, within it, not the view of everyone. Depending on the conditions we have established with our bank, the commission can range from nonexistent to extremely exorbitant, so you should inquire at our office before leaving home. In most hotels and restaurants can pay our bills with a VISA or American Express, with which it would be more advisable to handle money essential metal for everyday expenses and the rest pay by credit card, not involve any commission added.
Traveler's checks
Travellers checks can also be used in this country, especially those issued by American Express, but the best option is still take a couple of credit cards in case one fails. However, in the case of American Express, for example, in case of loss, theft or we will make a duplicate defect within 24 hours.
Phone numbers and addresses
The following numbers and addresses can get us out of trouble:
American Express 02 676 2121
Visa 0800 1 8397
MasterCard 02 352 51 11
Diners Club 02 626 65 55

HEALTHCARE
As residents of the European Union need not underwrite any insurance for emergencies. Until 2004, the healthcare bilateral agreement required us to request the Office of the Social Security Form E-111. Currently, this form has been replaced by a European health insurance card is also requested in the SS bringing the DNI and Social Security card. This card is valid for one year.

DISCOUNTS
If we are lucky because we are students with international student card, the famous ISIC (International Student Identity Card), we can get up to 50% off in major museums and theaters in the city, and the train. On trains discounts on weekends are 50% buying round trip, and there are also discounts for large families, pensioners and children up to 11 years. For those under 26, for 50 euros there Pass Go Bonus 10 which allows 10 separate trips to any part of Belgium for a year. Pregnant women can travel first class ticket purchasing a second, provided they have a medical certificate indicating their stage of pregnancy.
Brussels Calling Card is a card that combines public transport with the entry into 32 museums, plus discounts in shops, bars restaurants and theaters ranging between 25% and 50%. It can be purchased in Bootik from interenet on the same page www.stib.be managed the company STIB / MIVB, in some hotels, tourist information offices and museums. The Manneken Pass, which costs 5 euros, offers young people aged 18 to 25 years the opportunity to travel on public transport for a day, 30 minutes of internet, discounts at museums and planes.

TAXES AND TIPS
Usually the price contained in the letters outside the restaurant is the total price you pay once we bring the account. In the restaurants of a certain category usually leave a 10% tip, and the rest, at least change the coins. At the price we are offering is already included the service charge and 21% VAT. A three course meal can cost less than 12 euros, but can rise to 25 in Bruges. In the taxi fares tip is already included, but if we give them the coins for change are welcome. In some public toilets in the city is almost mandatory minimum stipulated leave their caregivers, and usually varies from 0.50 to 1 euro.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Shooting in Belgium is quite comfortable, especially landscapes and monuments. Its inhabitants generally willingly accept that tourists taking photographs, you can even leave them. Also keep in mind that in cities like Bruges is difficult to walk without feeling the click of a camera on every corner. Although the whole mountain is oregano, also we can run the typical person wary of being photographed and will not hesitate to contact the photographer to losing follow explanations, if they sense that they have been photographed, and especially if a child the sitter. People always expect to be asked permission to be portrayed, so it is difficult to take photos spontaneously with people. This guide will try to give some photo tips in each chapter on how to improve our photographs.
Despite being almost prehistoric today, there are still many businesses in cities that sell reels, slides and everything related to analog photography. As for photo shops highlights, among all, Photo Alpha, Tel 02 733 7488 www.photogalerie.com, the Avenue des siuada Celtes, 5 in Brussels. Besides selling new material, have used and have a branch in Liege.

Travelers with Disabilities
In terms of accessibility is not exactly one of the European cities that best is. Some bathrooms of hotels, bars, restaurants and galleries are adapted, although often restricted to only high class hotels. Some subway stations, especially towards the outskirts, still do not have elevators or ramps and a person in a wheelchair is almost impossible to access the platform. The new trams and buses already fitted with ramps for easy access, but there are many who do not. In Belgian trains is convenient give one hour before departure for us to facilitate the transition to the train. Theatres and cinemas built in recent years have been designed in order to ensure access for all people to any area. There is a law of 2000 that forces architects to design and access ramps for disabled people so basically the biggest problem I have with the buildings prior to that date, which, unfortunately, are the majority. Bruges may be the city that is less prepared, with narrow sidewalks and cobblestone roads full. Not yet found the balance between preserving the charm of a medieval city with accessibility.
If we drove, blue plate parking for people with disabilities, the European model (with photo), entitled to park in a place reserved for this purpose in the entire European Union.
Toegankelijk Infopunt www.toegankelijkreizen.be Reizen is a point of information depends on the travel Tourist Board encompassing Flamenco and cooperation of various organizations and services in order to inform people with disabilities of the best options in each city . It also reflects the criticisms that we make, and informs us news events accessible.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN
More and more families who dare to travel with young children and the truth is that in a city like Brussels not have a problem, especially if we seek entertainment to share with them. For younger children, diapers are everywhere, but is not practical the typical stroller since the subway is a terrible effort raise or lower the endless stairs of some stations are not yet adapted, and in places like Bruges, with cobblestone streets lined with sidewalks and minúscalas may be, if possible, even greater ordeal if you decided to travel with the cart. Bring a backpack Ergo baby carriers www.ergobabycarrier.com type that distributes weight on hips and back. In this guide in each chapter indicate what are the best activities we can share with the children.

LEGAL
Entry requirements
As a European Union country within the Schengen agreement, simply need to enter the DNI Brussels. This agreement allows the lifting of controls at the borders between the signatory States and created a single external border where controls are made entry into the Schengen area under identical procedures. If you have lost your ID we go to the embassy of Spain, located at 19 Rue de la Science 02 230 0340 Brussels Tel. Mail: emb.bruselas@maec.es

Customs
We can enter the country with 1 liter of spirits or 2 of wine, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars. We can also introduce tax-free goods from the country of origin intended for use or consumption. If you travel with more than 10,000 euros in cash or travelers checks, money orders, etc., We declare them, because if not, you might think that we are evading taxes or dedicating arms trafficking or drug and would be inspected more the appropriate sanction.
Spanish Embassy in Brussels
Tel: 02 230 0340 www.maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Bruselas/es/home/Paginas/home_bruselas.aspx
19, Rue de la Science 1040 Brussels
e-mail: emb.bruselas@maec.es
Brussels Embassy in Spain
Tel: 91 577 6300 www.diplomatie.be/madrid/
Paseo de la Castellana June 18th floor 28046 Madrid
German Consulate in Barcelona
Tel: 93 467 7080 www.diplomatie.be/barcelona
Street deputation, 303-1 08009 Barcelona

TOURIST INFORMATION
The latest information on the city in a wide range of services such as hotels, restaurants, art, sports, etc. .., we have concentrated on www.visitbelgium.com but also have information written in Spanish-turismo.es www.belgica and www.flandes.net

SAFETY
Belgium is one of the safest countries at European level, with relatively low crime rates. This is due in large part to the hundreds of police patrolling every corner of the city. Anyway, it is always best to go with your eyes wide open and in the suburbs increased security measures. Also pay more attention on the subway entrances and exits and at night in poorly lit areas and near the Parc Josaphat and Botanique.
Emergency Tel: Police 101,
Fire and medical Tel: Tel 100

CURIOSITIES
In a city like this trivia almost alone could be the reason for a book, so we had to make a summary of the most interesting:
- Belgium was one of the founding members of the European Community, and is also the headquarters of the European Union capital, hence to be known as the "heart of Europe".
- In this country produces annually 220,000 tons of chocolate.
- By all accounts, Jean Neuhaus arrived from Switzerland Bégica in 1857, and opened a drugstore in curious Galeries St-Hubert, and wrapped the drugs of the time with a layer of chocolate to give them a better flavor. Then in 1912 his grandson invented the chocolate bonbon or praline. Today, Neuhaus is if anything even more popular and has more than 1,000 outlets in 40 countries, although all chocolates are made Vlezenbeek, near Brussels.
- The goffres are a traditional dessert of the regional cuisine of Liege, which was then introduced into the country to get to Brussels and then to everyone. The authentic Liege, are smaller and sweet, with a top layer of burnt sugar.
- The chips, which everyone associates as a French invention, emerged from the Belgian kitchens and now part of the famous national dish Moules-frites, containing steamed mussels with tomato sauce, onion, and white wine, accompanied by course of fries and mayonnaise.
- The Belgian beer is the national drink and is famous worldwide. The brasserie Café located in Brussels Delirium holds the Guinness record in varidedades beer with about 2000 different types.
- Brussels sprouts, which is characterized by its small size, it is a typical dish of this country, but is so named because originally grown near Brussels in the first half of the nineteenth century.
- The country's most famous monument is the statue of a naked boy urinating called Manneken Pis.
- Half of the world's polished diamonds pass through Antwerp.
- This country is the only country that has never censored adult films.
- As they say, the smallest town in the world is Durbuy, located 119 kilometers southeast of Brussels.
- The famous detective Hercule Poirot mustache, is a native of Belgium.

FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS
Every month there are events and celebrations that can be very interesting to take them into account when planning our trip.
January
On January 6, as in many other countries, we celebrate the Fête des Rois. The Epiphany is celebrated with the family gathered to eat and a big cake dessert called Almond Galette des Rois, which conceals a bean wrapped in silver paper, which become king for a day who would touch.
In the last week of this month marks the BRAFA www.brafa.be, one of the largest antique fairs each year attracts more than 30,000 visitors, curious, collectors and about 120 exhibitors.
February
The Festival of Gay and Lesbian Film www.fglb.org held in Brussels in the first week. Short films or feature films, documentaries or fiction, low or high budgets, from Western producers, or countries with a culture that is hardly known in the international scene, such as the Philippines, India, and Vietnam.
In Brussels also hosts the Carnival. The streets are filled with light and color with parades, bands and prizes for the best costumes.
March
In late February or early March is www.museumnightfever.be Museum Night Fever in Brussels. Fifteen museums open until three in the morning, on a night reserved for young talent.
Www.artexis.com Eurantica late March this fair is celebrated in archeology and modern art that brings together some 130 antique dealers in Europe with its most precious pieces.

April
During April Brussels residents celebrate www.bifff.org Fantastic Film Festival, which annually brings together thousands of film fans of science fiction and horror and the creations of the most visionary filmmakers. For two weeks, viewers can watch over 150 films, most premieres, and hobnob with the actors and filmmakers of the genre's hottest, coming from the four cardinal points.
In Ghent, every five years (years ending in 0 and 5) and coinciding with this month marks Floralías www.floralien.be, a meeting that brings together top international landscapers and florists to show contemporary floral art.
May
The day is celebrated on May 9 Europe Day http://europa.eu/abc/symbols/9-may/euday_es.htm an open day to visit the European Parliament and several street entertainment.
During May is celebrated in Bruges Procession of the Holy Blood, in which citizens, historical costumes, stage and biblical scenes recall the arrival of the Holy Blood to the city, which came from Jerusalem after the Second Crusade.
A month marks the end of the Brussels Jazz Marathon www.brusselsjazzmarathon.be, one of those unmissable events of the capital that brings together the best musicians in the kingdom, around the stage, in the open air, in the Grand Place, Sablon , Place Sainte-Catherine and the Place Fernand Cocq.
Zinneke Parade. www.zinneke.org. (Biennial on even years). The "Zinneke" invades the city with its colorful parades, creative and full of fantasy. It is composed of actors, dancers, musicians, and numerous fans, and is intended as a symbol of cultural diversity and cosmopolitanism in Brussels.
Gay Pride Festival www.blgp.be. As in many of our cities, gays and lesbians take to the streets at a party in style that brings parades, festivals, concerts, shows and many surprises.
Queen Elisabeth Competition for piano Inernacional. www.cmireb.be. Throughout the month we celebrate this festival of classical music that meets every year to thousands of music lovers experienced auditory sensations seeking blameless.
June
On day 21, and to celebrate the arrival of summer, we celebrate the Fête de la Musique www.fetedelamusique.be classical music concerts and electronics in various venues in the city, during the weekend move to the Place des Palais.
The Ommegang www.ommegang.be, later this month, marking the time of Emperor Charles V in 1549, paying a tribute, with more than 1,500 extras decked out in identical dresses to the Renaissance.
Brussels Film Festival. www.brusselsfilmfestival.be A image of pointers festivals like Sundance, the Brussels Film Festival presents films sensitive, original, personal terribly and always surprising quality.

July
The Tour de France. In more than ten times this legendary cycling race has crossed the Belgian territory, reaching near the Atomium.
On July 21, we celebrate the Belgian National Day with a military parade, fireworks and various entertainment activities.
Gentse Feesten. www.gentsefeesten.be During the second or third week they celebrate the festival in the city of Ghent. The city is full of free concerts in almost every square and four festivals are launched in parallel. The most important is the International Street Theatre, but they are negligible the Blue Note Festival, dedicated to the world of jazz, the 10 Days Off, and the International Festival of Puppet.
August
This month marks the Flower Carpet www.flowercarpet.be in which every two years (the couple) Ghent horticulturists teachers adorn the magnificent Grand Place in Brussels with refined designs and decorations, whose line is the best-kept secret until is ready. Millions of fresh flowers adorn the square of 1875 square meters.
It is also celebrated this month the Brussels Summer Festival www.infofestival.be over 150 concerts, theater, street entertainment and children's shows, free or for a token sum. In the program: rock, world music, jazz, hip hop, folk, reggae and electronic music in the most beautiful squares in Brussels, but also in countless bars that join the party.
September
A mid-month marks the Balloon's Day Parade www.balloonsdayparade.be parallel with the Fête de la Bande dessinée www.fetedelabd.be (Comic Party). All huge balloons participating in this parade through town are shaped characters and comic heroes. The parade is added a music festival, video, 3D, laser and fireworks at night and a comic www.comicsfestivalbelgium.com Festival during the day, in which each year fans gather to study the work of more seventy artists. There is also a fair collectors and many activities for children.
Autoloze zondag. The third week of this month marks the European Mobility Week displacing city cars and street espectáulos programming, including concerts, theater, music, theater and sports. In Bruges is interesting the "flash mob" organized by Steve Boedt.
October
Brussels Marathon. The first Sunday of the month marks one of Europe's most beautiful marathon attracts runners from around the world. www.sport.be/runningtour/brusselsmarathon and paralyzing traffic in the city.
Skoda Jazz Festival. www.skodajazz.be Skoda takes the Audi Jazz Festival.
Jazz, blues, music from around the world, art and hip hop sound in a number of concerts in various Belgian cities.
November
Winter Fair - Christmas market and skating rink Brussels. www.plaisirsdhiver.be From the last week of November Christmas markets begin. Gifts, meals and traditional drinks, ice rinks and large firs and cribs. Flanders Christmas receives more traditional way in a fairytale.
December
New Year. The venue in this city for that important day is the Grand Place, where many spectators flock to celebrate the countdown. Every year thousands of people flock here.

The best guide to Brussels:

 

Brussels Bruges and Ghent IN YOUR POCKET

Editorial: Everest Group, Leon
Format: Paperback 256 pages (1 X 11 X 13.3 cm)
Publication Date: March 2011
Language: Castilian
Price: 9,95 €
ISBN: 978-84-441-3067-5

 

Best guide PDF

Brussels for children
Children Brussels: Europe opens also for the kids

Brussels for Children: Tin Tin, museums, parks and chocolate
A Brussels is known primarily as the capital of Belgium and home to the main institutions of the European Union, but also has many attractions that will be exciting for the little ones: The Atomium, miniature Europe, the Belgian Comic Strip Center, Tin Tin, some interesting museums and even candy shops, to name a few.

Atomium
Atomium. www.atomium.be Rue Wiertz, 43. (All weekdays from 10:00 to 18:00 / ticket sales ended half an hour before / adult: 11 euros / students and children between 12 and 18 years: 8 euros / children between 6 and 11 years : 4 euros / under 6 and disabled: free). Heysel. Tel 02 475 4777. The Atomium, with its 102 meters high and 2400 tons, represents the structure of an iron atom increased 165 million times. Their fields were built by André Waterkeyn steel and aluminum for the International Exhibition of 1958, and consists of nine areas of 18 meters in diameter each, linked by escalators.

 

Inside the Atomium
At first there was talk of dismantled once the exposure, but quickly became a tourist attraction that still exists today, and it has even become an icon of the city. In March 2004, conducted a rehabilitation process that lasted until February 2006, including an elevator that rises to the top at a speed of 5 m / s. It has an interior space for exhibitions and a restaurant.

 

Foreign Atomium
Parc de Laeken. CHILDREN Parc de Laeken. Heysel. Southeast of the Atomium, this park is 160 acres, which houses inside the Chinese Pavilion, the Japanese Tower, the monument to Lepold, real greenhouses, the residential real and extensive woodland where you can even get lost. This park was primarily created and designed in the time of King Leopold II. In 1873 he joined the royal palace greenhouses, including a collection of exotic trees, palms and camellias, among many other plants. The palace is closed to the public, but the greenhouses are open two weeks a year, between the months of April and May. The royal residence, or Château Royal, is the official residence of the Belgian royal family and one of the most beautiful buildings in Brussels. It was built between 1782-1784 by Charles de Wailly, but was almost destroyed by fire in 1890, so it was later rebuilt by Alphonse Balat. Near the entrance to the royal domain, there is a monument to Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians, and a little further north, a pa-goda Japanese. They say that Leopold II was fascinated to see a temple similar in the Universal Exhibition of Paris of 1900, and commissioned the same architect one for himself. Right in front of the tower can be visited Japanese Chinese pavilion, designed by Alexandre Marcel between 1901 and 1909, which houses a large collection of oriental porcelain.

Following the Avenue Jean Sobieski to cross La Ville du Heysel, is the Colonial Garden. It was bought in 1905 by King Leopold II to take there his collections of exotic plants brought from the Belgian Congo in 1964 and transformed into a public park. The garden is made up of a large lawn area, a colonial house and a lake where ducks swim. Further south are the Gardens Jean Sobieski, in which children can enjoy a large playground.

 

One of the models of Bruparck
Bruparck. www.bruparck.com Boulevard du Centenaire. Heysel. Tel 02 474 8383. Bruparck is the quintessential theme park of the city of Brussels. It houses the Mini-Europe, with reduced scale models of many monumenos European Union, the Océade, a hot acuátivo park and wave pool, the Kinepolis with its many theaters, and restaurants and shops grouped at Le Village.

 

Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée.www.cbbd.be

Rue des Sables, 20 Botanique Kruidtuin. (From Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 / adult: 7.5 euros / retirement side, youth card and 12-18 years: 6 euros / under 12: 3 euros). Tel 02 219 1980. The Belgian Comic Strip Center, colloquially abbreviated as CBBD, is housed in a magnificent Art Nouveau building designed by Victor Horta between 1903 and 1906, from 4,000 square feet spread over three floors, which pays tribute to comic books at all statements: drawing boards, photographs, life-size reproductions, cartoons, movies, sketches, models, books, and 6,000 original plates. Center for the Belgian Comic Strip
Obviously, Tin Tin is one of the stars of this museum, making a tour of their covers, since its debut on January 10, 1929 in the journal "Le Petit XXe" going through the change from black and white to color and the incorporation of Captain Haddock, Thompson and Thomson and professor Calculus, to the decline of its creator, Georges Remi, evidenced in "Tintin in Tibet" in 1958. It is the only cartoon character that can be seen in the museum, which are also present Smurfs, Lucky Luke, Spirou and many others. Seven permanent and several temporary exhibitions, as well as various activities regularly make this museum program that will delight any child, and more than one adult. It also has a library and a bookshop specialized Zada in everything surrounding the world of comics. Outside the Museum of Comic also possible to see paintings of Tin Tin scattered throughout the city. Even made ??specific tours to look at these pictures.

Marionettes Thêatre Toone. Impasse www.toone.be Schuddeveldgang, 6. Bourse. (Taberna kill open Sunday from 12:00 to 24:00 / show from Tuesday to Sunday at 20:30 / 16:00 Saturday extra / genral entry: 10 euros / estadiantes 7 euros / reservations recommended). Tel 02 511 7137. By day represents a simple tavern, night becomes a little satirical puppet theater in which they have been working 8 generations of puppeteers, but the dynasty is popular is not necessarily transmitted from father to son.
Essential to see at least once a year the Toone Theatre puppets do their version of the classic French, English and Dutch with an accent typical of Brussels. To commemorate the history of the Royal Theatre Toone have to make a special trip for two centuries in time, to the old legends Brussels. Since the former Toone was born in 1804 and created his first works in 1830, until his time with Nicolas Geal, this puppet theater has become famous around the world, from Marolles neighborhood where he was born, the Ilot Sacre, along to the Grand Place. Today it is run by the son of Joseph Geal, Nicholas or "Toone VIII", who is being groomed to take over and ensure the long term survival of this legendary place. The theater has a repertoire of 33 plays, including some of Shakespeare. There is also a museum of puppets (which can only be accessed during the show) and a large antique bar.

Scientastic. Boulevard Anspach www.scientastic.com under the subway station. Bourse. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:30 to 17:30 and Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 14:00 to 17:30 / Adults: 7,90 euros / 3 to 26 years 5.30 euros). Tel 02 732 1336. This small private museum is about showing children ages six and some knowledge of science through interactive experiments involving the five senses.

Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles. www.sciencesnaturelles.be Rue Wiertz, 43. (Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 to 17:00 / Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00 / Adult: 7 euros / students: 6 euros / under 18 years: 4.5 euros / children under 6 years : free). Maelbeek. Tel 02 627 4234. The museum is famous for its collection of dinosaur skeletons, the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world. These Iguanodon skeletons were found in 1878 in a coal mine Bernissart, southern Belgium. In the area for evolution, presents more than 600 fossils and 400 animals to show the changes that have been suffering all creatures over time to adapt to life. You can also see all kinds of animals exposed to those found today, such as bears, alligators, foxes and elephants, all stuffed and are some animals that became extinct thousands of years ago.

Laurent Gerbaud chocolates Workshop Chocolatier
Laurent Gerbaud Chocolatier 2 D rue Ravenstein www.chocolatsgerbaud.be
1000 Bruxelles Tel 0032 (0) 2 511 16 02 0032 (Open Monday to Sunday from 10:30 to 19:30). This artist chocolatier has over nine years combining chocolate, fruit and spices to get some delicious chocolates. It was after a trip to China where he discovered thousands of aromas and began to combine with chocolate. In acualidad, Laurent Gerbaud has chosen to work with a proprietary blend composed of two strains of maracas nobles: the Trinitario from Madagascar and Nacional, grown only in Ecuador. These chocolates are combined with high quality fruit aroma: Shanghai oranges, figs from Izmir, Cape pears, apricots and ginger from Guilin Barrydale.

Laurent Gerbaud production is witnessing a groundbreaking original search and the traditional tastes of Belgian chocolate art. Held in beautiful boxes decorated with a red stamp that corresponds to the Chinese word "chocolate".

If the chocolates are delicious, for children to make them and touch the chocolate with your hands is one of the most enriching experience, bringing a more to the taste, the sense of touch. For 20 euros, organizes workshops Laurent himself in the back of the chocolate in that each makes its own chocolates and pralines, marinándolos and decorating them to your own taste. For smaller Uncía is an experience. Moreover also organizes birthday snacks and chocolate tastings.

Square Marie Louise. Square Marie Louise. Maelbeek. Brussels is there are plenty of parks and green areas, but this is special. This is a beautiful pond surrounded by grass and vegetation, ideal for a stopover. On the path around it there are benches and a beautiful statue, for example, "Naissance d'une nation", or Lieutenant General Bernheim, hero of the First World War. In the middle of the lake there is a kind of flowing water source in the form of geysers. It is also home to a dozen ducks roam, fed by children offering them food every evening.

 

The Traveler: Brussels, capital of Belgium and of the Flemish region, is an excellent starting point for a tour of Flanders, or even Europe!, As it is well connected by rail with major European cities: London , Paris, Amsterdam and the other Flemish towns, located at an average of only 50 Km

Everyone knows that Brussels hosts the European Parliament and Commission and the NATO and international corporations. Despite this fact, it seems to mark both the image in the city, Brussels and its 1.1 million inhabitants retain their provincial atmosphere, old neighborhoods and a rich cultural life. If there is anything that characterizes this city is its cosmopolitan spirit and varied, not only in terms of the people, but their buildings, streets, buildings, visitors ... Brussels is a mixture, and hence the colloquial form of calling its inhabitants, "Zinneke" word for a mutt, whose origin is a mixture of races. To put it another way, Brussels is a permanent Forum of Cultures.

If you want a map of Brussels can download it here.

The starting point for a visit to the city could be the impressive Grand Place with its union and City Hall buildings. Strolling the streets come to the legendary tourist Manneken Pis statue, the boy pees. The waiters at the legendary Rue des Bouchers you try to catch dinner at one of the terraces, but you can relax from the bustle in the Galeries St Hubert, the first indoor shopping arcades in Europe, or in the interior of the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, famous for its stained glass windows.

Following a route on foot, you can encaminarte up the hillside through the Sablon, a delightful neighborhood known for its markets and antique shops, chocolatiers and their streets. Nearby is the Mont des Arts, the Museum of Ancient and Modern Art, the Library and the Royal Palace. Do not miss the Museum of Musical Instruments. This is the former Old England stores, iron and glass built in Art Nouveau style. Worth the view from the restaurant located in the dome. Although the best view is seen from the viewpoint of the courthouse. To return to the lower area, take the elevator to the street. It will take up Marolles, the most traditional district of the city, which hosts the famous "Marché de Puces" or rakes.
If you time it takes to reach the neighborhoods of Ixelles and Saint Gillis. In them you will find many buildings Art Nouveau and Art Deco, art movements that had great impact in Brussels with its chief representative, Victor Horta.
Another fun way to tour the center is following the facades painted with comic themes related to the city-there are over 30 - and end in the Belgian Comic Strip Center, another fine example of Art Nouveau architecture. Do not forget that Brussels is the capital of this art!
On the outskirts of the city you can walk around the grounds of Bruparck, where the Atomium or parks and forests surrounding the city.
Whichever way you choose to enjoy the city, its cuisine, shop windows, shops or cafes chocolates will surprise you with its warmth. Brussels is really a discovery.

Information about the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken: http://www.monarchie.be/fr/activities/agenda/index.php

More information on Brussels:

http://visitbrussels.be
www.mivb.be
www.shopinbrussels.be
www.citytrip-brussels.be

PERSONAL SHOPPER

The European capital S. XXI has turned 180 degrees from what it was 15 years ago. Fashion stores and designers native, antique and unique products are now in some quarters about walking is a delight.

The Tourist City, Brussels International, has been available to its visitors a new sercicio of "personal shopper", whose assistance will help the visitor to find what you want, to guide you through the best addresses in the city, to advise on best buy and save time to devote to other facets of Brussels visit (or to have any working meeting ...)
You can continue in Spanish. More information www.brusselsinternational.be

MONSIEUR MAGRITTE TRAVEL IN BRUSSELS
Apart from the new Musée Magritte Museum with 140 works by the artist in Brussels, also worth discovering his House Museum in the suburb of Jette. Arcadia Association has also developed a route through the city. From his house, the walk leads to the city center, the café La Fleur en Papier Doré, a meeting place for artists, Greenwich, where he played chess, ... To complete the look, there is the possibility of a visit to the museum downloaded in MP3 format, anywhere in www.magrittemuseum.be www.museumtalks.be more

FLANDERS VISIT INFORMATION CENTER
The Tourist Information Office in Flanders and Brussels (Grasmarkt 61, next to the Grand Place in Brussels) will find, among other things, a range of suggestions for restaurants, bars, recipes, ...

To provide care to all visitors, the site has a desk specializing in accessibility. Specialists Travel Information Point without barriers, will help you find hotels, museums, transportation, etc .... tailored to the needs of the traveler: www.accessinfo.be

Brussels Card
The Brussels Card gives access to museums duante 24, 48 or 72 hours and offer discounts at restaurants, shops, attractions and free public transport during its period of validity. www.brusselscard.be

New App for iPhone
Visitbrussels, the Tourist Office Brussels, has released a new free application to know the city. Best of all: once downloaded, can be used offline to avoid roaming problems.

Brussels green destination
Brussels holds the "title" European Capital greener thanks to having the highest proportion of green areas (28%) per capita.

GREEN BRUSSELS - www.visitbrussels.be
Sustainable mobility: Green is the color great Brussels, the greenest city in Europe. And the bike, its characteristic mode of transport. VILLO The new system allows both visitors and local rent a bicycle and can park in the 180 stations spread around the city.
Green Markets: Place Sainte Catherine (Wednesday), Rue des Tanneurs 58-62 (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday), and so in the rue de l'Arqueduc 95 (daily). Real meeting points of dealers and lovers of healthy living.
Slow food: Many chefs have signed up to the initiative that brings out the true value of food and savor the pleasure of Burgundian style. www.slowfood.be
A green ride: A giant belt of 63 km well marked, with parks, forests and rural landscapes. The itinerary has won awards and international recognition for its unique character and exceptional service offering.
Greeters: Volunteers Brussels, Brussels or adoption, who share with visitors free custom rides around town. Free service and very, very real. www.greeters.be

The Museums of Brussels have their say!

Are you interested in finding out what is in the museums of Brussels and would like to discover on your own language? Navigate: www.museumtalks.be.
Mp3 audio guides MuseumTalks are alternatives to some 35 museums in Brussels that have been recorded by artists, musicians, media personalities, as well as anonymous visitors: original comments last about two minutes on the works that have impressed in a or another. And all at no less than 25 languages!

HALF PRICE Culture in Brussels
The website of the organization Arsène 50 (www.arsene50.be) shows a daily summary of the Brussels cultural events that take place every night and promotes the sale of tickets at half price if purchased on the same day function.
The website provides all the information, to buy tickets one must go to the two counters Arsène: Cinema Arenberg (Galerie de la Reine / Koninginnegalerij, 1000 Brussels) or the ticket counter Flagey (Pace Sainte-Croix/Heilig Kruisplein, 1050 Brussels).

COMICS CAFE - The village of comics in Brussels

Coinciding with the international premiere of the Spielberg film dedicated to the most famous Belgian comic character, has opened a special place dedicated to art 9th Grand Sablon Square, in the historic center of Brussels. Those familiar with the city have enjoyed the atmosphere of this lovely place, antique, its tea rooms, bombonerías and designer shops. The new "tenant" is installed in a building of S. XVII with alleys and small squares that resemble a village. The space includes a brasserie, a bookstore, a gallery with original panels and a private collection. This dedicated to comic books. The Pub Lounge dedicated to Captain Haddock can continue beyond the evening dinner toasting with real Loch Lomond whiskey. The faithful fans of Hergé will know that it is the favorite of Captain.
More information: www.comicscafe.be

2012: the year of gastronomy
In an effort to raise awareness of Flanders as born gourmand territory "Lekker Vlaanderen Land" ("Flanders, delicious land") that also created the initiative "Flanders for Foodies" ("Flanders for foodies"), to through which a selection of promising young chefs ambassadors of the Flemish dining disclosed worldwide. The figures demonstrate the importance of our destiny Dining: 17,334 restaurants (= 1 restaurant for every 353 inhabitants), 63 Michelin stars in an area as small (= 1 star for every 90,662 inhabitants, making Flanders made in the territory of the world with more Michelin stars per capita), more than 600 different beers, 112 breweries from which many accepted views ... What about a destination in which bombonerías are like jewelry? 2012 will be the great year of promoting this product in our destiny through events like the year of gastronomy in Brussels:

Brusselicious
January 1st> December 31
Brussels, all over town
www.brusselicious.be
Every 3 years Brussels celebrates the theme year. 2012 is the year of gastronomy. Tram converted into a restaurant, exhibitions, gastronomy modernist spaces, events, tours, exhibitions, chocolate ...

Ste-Catherine and St Gery
The Ste-Catherine area is very lively, especially at night. Lots of seafood arranged one behind the other customers are competing in a crowded and markedly flamenco. Its terraces and lounges to taste the chocolate slow the pace of a vibrant city. Saint-Gery, southernmost, takes its name from an ancient parish, in this case, San Gaugerico of Cambrai (ca. 550-ca. 626), who was bishop of that city in French Flanders. Before the major urban transformation, Saint-Gery was an island formed by the river Senne. The island was a large circle that went from the old church of the Poor Clares to the current stock market, along with other second smallest island around Place Fontainas, where the river bordering the church of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Ilot Sacre Y Jardin Botanique
The origin of Ilot Sacre is at the end of the 50s, when Brussels was immersed in preparations for the 1958 World Fair. In order to improve traffic and facilitate tourist access, agreed to extend and modify the city center. Centuries-old buildings located on the street Rue des Bouchers and Rue des Dominicains were demolished to make way for wider streets and avenues. In the early 60 owners came together to protect the historic buildings still standing creating islets (ilots in French) that retain their heritage.

GRAND PLACE.
Known for its beautiful architecture, this is the main square in Brussels and is ranked as one of the world's top ornate. Was inscribed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO in 1998, and in it are located buildings vital as the XV century gothic town hall and other equally picturesque dating from the seventeenth century. Unfortunately, in 1965, during the War of the League of Augsburg, most of the buildings to be made of wood, were reduced to ashes, resisting only some that were built in stone. Then the merchants in the area got together and build again, this time in stone, the huge ensemble that we see today. In August, every two years, horticulturists Ghent put a carpet of flowers that occupies 25 x 75 meters in the middle of the square.

MAROLLES
This district, which is easily accessible from the glass elevator located next to the Palace of Justice, has maintained the origins of the Belgian capital. Here still speak the true "marollien" mixed language words in Dutch, French and Spanish, which can only come to understand in these streets, dating back to the fourteenth century. Some of these words are so curisosas that have no literal translation into any other language. Its streets are also famous for the many craft shops and home of some of the largest flea markets in the city. Food, drink and nightlife are also factors to value positively.

REAL NEIGHBORHOOD
The Royal Borough is home to most administrative buildings, religious and artistic city, such as the Royal Palace, the Museum of Modern Art and the Fine Arts and the national parliaments and flamingos among others. Also referred to this part as the Upper City, due to the gap it has with Marolles beyond the courthouse. The jet set Brussels wanders through the streets decked out with lavish jewelry and fur coats contorneándose between tearooms, chocolatiers and luxurious craft stores. In this neighborhood also houses the cathedral, huge, built under the name of St. Michael and St. Gudula (XII to XV) and the beautiful south Coudenberg Église St Jacques.

QUARTIER EUROPÉEN
When one reaches the European Quarter has the feel of the city have changed. It is located to the east, surrounded by large green areas and huge community buildings, which are located around the park Leopold, and the streets Rue de la Loi and Rue Beillard. In the past, the district was famous for hosting a residential area aimed at the upper class, but today has become the hub of the entire European Community policy. The most famous building is the Berlaymont headquarters of the European Commission. Built in the 1960s, to host the first European Union headquarters. The work was paid for by the Belgian Government and the building is inspired by the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

PERIPHERY
For those who visit the city to a more relaxed pace and have time, the metropolitan area of ??Brussels offering different things, and no less interesting.
To the south, between Ixelles and Saint-Gilles is the house-museum of Victor Horta, one of the fathers of the art nouveau, and also belongs to the World Heritage Site of UNESCO since 2000. Northwest of the city gather several exhibition spaces. The most famous reference is the Atomium, a giant molecule of oxygen, temporarily built for exhibition at the Exposition Universelle of 1958 and was never removed. It was renovated in 2006, completely replacing its metal cover. The highest sphere provides stunning panoramic views of the city. In the near Mini-Europe park you can walk through a reduced version of the continent, with small replicas of the Eiffel Tower, Westminster and the Berlin Wall in full dismantling. Also located nearby Domaine de Laeken, a stunning parkland to enjoy nature.

 

WHERE TO BUY
Ste-Catherine and St Gery
Frederic Blondeel. www.frederic-blondeel.com Quai aux Briques, 24. <M> Ste-Catherine. (Sunday to Friday from 13:00 to 18:45 / Saturday 10:30 to 18:15). Tel 02 502 2131. Delicious chocolate also functions as living area, although in this case it would be correct to say chocolate salon.
Hoet. www.hoet.eu Dansaertstraat, 97. <M> Ste-Catherine. (Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:30 / Saturday 09:00 to 18:00). Tel 02 511 0447. Eyewear to be the latest fashion, and makeup mirrors and many other cutting edge accessories.
Nicolas Woit. www.nicolaswoit.com Dansaertstraat, 80. <M> Ste-Catherine. (Monday to Friday from 10:30 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:00 / 10:30 to 18:30 Saturdays). Tel 02 503 4832. Opposite is Hoet this Nicolas Woit designer boutique specializing in women's clothing.
Marianne Timperman. www.mariannetimperman.com Rue Antoine Dansaert, 50. <M> Ste-Catherine. (Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 18:30). Tel 02 675 5382. Bracelets, necklaces, earrings and all kinds of accessories made of gold and silver designed by Marianne Timperman.

Ilot Sacre and Jardin Botanique
Center for the Belgian Comic Strip. CHILDREN www.cbbd.be Rue des Sables, 20 <M> Kruidtuin Botanique. (From Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00). Tel 02 219 1980. The CBBD bookstore is the perfect place to buy the odd souvenir related to the world of comics: shirts, desserts, figures, toys, books, magazines and an entire universe around Tintin and his ilk.
Inno Galleries. Rue Neuve www.inno.be <M> Rogier 111-123. (Monday to Thursday from 9:30 to 19:00 / Friday from 9:30 to 20:00 / Saturdays from 9:30 to 19:00). Tel 02 211 2111. These galleries represent major department stores in the city and you can purchase products from over 600 brands. The days of the sales and holiday seasons are usually brimming with shoppers.
Neuhaus. St-Hubert/Galerie Galeries de la Reine, 23. Rue des Bouchers. <M> Gare Centrale. It was here where the Swiss Jean Neuhaus rode his pastry shop in 1857. Manufactured cough drops, licorice for stomach pain, until his grandson Frederic in 1912 began to innovate in the field of chocolate by adding vanilla, fruits, creams and even liquor, calling pralines. It's a good place to enjoy good chocolates or buy them on as gifts.

Grand Place
Godiva. www.godiva.be Grand Place, 22 <M> Bourse. (Every day from 9:00 to 23:00). Tel 02 511 2537. In this store Godiva, which was the first boutique opened in Brussels Draps Joseph, we find chocolates, truffles, coffee, cocoa, biscuits, dipped fruits and sweets, chocolate liquor, and other items arranged in gift baskets.
Chocolaterie Grand Place. www.grandplacechocolate.com Grand Place, 20 <M> Bourse. (Every day from 9:00 to 23:00). Tel 02 888 6620. For those who like to try different flavors, this chocolate shop next to the previous works cocoa from Vietnam to develop unique flavors and delicious to the palate.
Botique Tintin. CHILDREN www.tintinboutique.com Rue de la Colline, 13 <M> Bourse. (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00). Tel 02 514 5152. For comic lovers, this store focuses entirely on the legendary character. Here you can find everything from comics in different languages, posters, keychains, wallets, purses, shirts, toys, watches and even collector's items.

Marolles
Flea Market Daily Jeu de Balle. CHILDREN Place du Jau Ball. Porte de Hal <M>. (Daily from 07:00 to 14:00). It's good to get to the market early in the morning when vendors are placing gender if we want to get a bargain. Unlike large luxury boutiques and art shops, those who come to this market are mostly poor people in the neighborhood who haggle to the penny before reaching an agreement with the merchant. The market dates back to 1919 and Sunday antiques abound more often than the other days.
Mercado de la Gare du Midi. Around the Gare du Midi. <M> Gare du Midi. (Sundays from 07:00 to 13:00). Hundreds of stops and hundreds of people crowd every Sunday the narrow aisles between stop and stop. Along the railroad tracks are sold as fresh meat, fish and fruits and vegetables. All good quality and a good price. But not only is power in this market is impossible not to find any utensil or utensils, household textiles we need, as well as clothes, plants and flowers. And if we are hungry there prepared food stalls. Also interesting is the sale of second-hand bikes.
K.loan. www.kloan.be Rue Blaes, 101. (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:30 to 17:00 / Sunday from 10:30 to 16:30). <M> Louise. Tel 02 502 5619. In the Rue Haute and Rue Blaes, find many antique shops like this that sell furniture and objects of daily works over a century old.
L'instant présent. www.kloan.be Rue Blaes, 136. (Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 to 16:00). <M> Louise. Tel 02 513 2891. For lovers of photography in B / N, in this store you can find lots of snapshots of the city, framed and ready to hang.

Real Neighborhood
Pierre Marcolini. www.marcolini.be Place du Grand Sablon, 39. Porte de Hal <M>. Tel 02 513 1783. (Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 to 19:00 from Friday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00). This Belgian chocolatier, has become one of the greatest masters of chocolate in the world thanks to his tireless search for new flavors: sour, bitter, sweet and utterly delicious. They say that Pierre himself travels each year to remote places in search the best cocoas. Its price of around 200 euros a kilo, is not available to everyone.
Art & Paper. www.art-and-paper.com Place du Grand Sablon, 8. Porte de Hal <M>. Mobile Telephone 497 55 9798. (Saturdays from 10:00 to 17:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00). For lovers of art, this gallery specializes in European art from the sixteenth to the twentieth century, with impressive cache works, ranging from Dürer to Picasso.
Galerie Bortier. Rue de la Madeleine, 55. (Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 18:00). <M> Gare Centrale. Today, some shops have closed and the supply is reduced enough to used books, but we can also find old photographs, maps, paintings, postcards of the city, some antiques and curios. Worth dropping by inside these bohemian galleries, especially for lovers of ancient literature.

Quartier Européen
Crush Wine. Rue www.crushwine.be Carola, 39. <M> Trone. Tel 02 502 6697. (Tuesday to Friday from 12:00 to 19:00 and Saturday from 14:00 to 18:00). This wine bar specializes in wines from Australia and New Zealand with more than 200 brands of the most distinguished wines from Down Under.
6 babouin Autoworld. www.babouin.com Parc du Cinquantenaire, 11. <M> Schuman. Tel 02 732 9372. Lovers of miniature cars should not pass by this toy store located next to Autoworld. Besides cars small scale, have books and periodicals in models.
Market Place Jourdan. Place Jourdan. <M> Schuman. On Sunday morning held a bazaar of vegetables and handicrafts quite interesting.
Jack O'Shea. www.jackoshea.com Rue le Titien, 30. <M> Schuman. Tel 02 732 5351. (Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 18:30 / Saturdays from 08:00 to 17:00). It is a family business founded in 1790, which also has a branch in London since 2006, specializing in meat products of the highest quality, world-renowned and praised among others by the Sunday Times.

The periphery
Atomium Shop. www.shop.atomium.be Rue Wiertz, 43. (All weekdays from 10:00 to 18:00). <M> Heysel. Tel 02 475 4775. In this store at the base of the Atomium can find lots of souvenirs such as bags, shirts, hats, keychains, postcards, porcelain, and above all reproductions of the Atomium in all sizes and materials possible.
Venizi. www.venizi.com Boulevard du Centenaire. (Open seven days a week) <M> Heysel. Tel 02 478 4736. This branch of the Parisian jewelry Venizi, is located next to the restaurant area of ??Bruparck. Here you can find necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, jewelry and many other gifts.
Digimania. www.digimania.be Chaussée de Charleroi, 190. (From Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 19:00) <Tram> 81, 91, 92, 97 (place Janson) <Bus> 54. Tel 02 534 4611. In this futuristic electronics store, located near the Musée Horta, we can find many music-related products, telephony and electronics.
L'Univers Particulier. www.universparticulier.com Chaussée de Charleroi, 194. (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:30) <Tram> 81, 91, 92, 97 (place Janson) <Bus> 54. Tel 02 538 1777. Seller esoteric Particulier L'Univers is an institution in Brussels and has been operating for over 25 years.

EAT
Ste-Catherine and St Gery
Au Rugbyman # 1. www.rugbyman1.com Quai aux Briques, 4. <M> Ste-Catherine. (Open Monday to Sunday). Tel 02 512 5640. Created in 1949, the third generation is currently being done by this seafood restaurant, where fresh lobster is the house specialty. The prepared flambéed with whiskey, grilled with garlic, grilled or sauteed with vegetables and it sells for around 50 euros.
Les Crustaces. www.lescrustaces.be Quai aux Briques, 8. <M> Ste-Catherine. (Open Monday to Sunday). Tel 02 511 5644. Another seafood restaurant located next door to the previous offering three-course menus, more affordable. In the 23 euros we can choose main course meat or fish in the 33 euros lobster also has a couple of tasting menus at 38 and 47 euros.
Maison de la Bellone. www.bellone.be Rue de Flandre, 46. <M> Ste-Catherine. (Free admission. Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00). Tel 02 533 3333. The Maison du Spectacle, home entertainment around the performing arts is located brasserie run by Fabio De Santis that offers a Mediterranean menu Food Show, based mainly on fresh seasonal products, which end up becoming delicious Italian dishes . The dish of the day costs only between 8 and 10 euros.
The Txoko. www.eltxoko.be Lakensestraat, 122. <M> Roger. (Monday to Saturday from 18:00 to 22:00). Tel 02 203 1022. Delicious snacks made of exquisitely Basques in portions large and small, located in a XIX century mansion. Dinner can go from 25 to 40 euros per person.
Mer du Nord. www.vishandelnoordzee.be Ste-Catherine, 45. <M> Ste-Catherine. (Tuesday to Saturday from 08:00 to 18:00 / Saturdays from 08:00 to 17:00). Tel 02 513 1192. Everyone approaches this bar with stainless steel gas stoves, standing to try their delicious fried fish, shellfish and other seafood.
Ilot Sacre and Jardin Botanique
Alban Chambon. Place of Brouckère www.metropolehotel.com, 31 <M> Brouckère. (Tuesday to Friday from 12:00 to 14:00 and 19:00 to 21:30 / Saturdays from 19:00 to 21:30). Tel 02 217 2300. This is the Metropole Hotel's elegant restaurant where they cook in a French delicattesens Italian baroque marble floors and windows and Venetian blinds. It is widely awarded and menu prices start at noon 30 euros.
Aux Armes de Bruxelles. www.armebrux.be Rue des Bouchers, 13. <M> Brouckère. (Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 22:45 / 12:00 to 23:15 Saturday / Sunday from 12:00 to 22:30). Tel 02 511 5550. This restaurant is run by the same family since 1921 and specializes in Belgian cuisine served with sauces decorated with different styles. It has a menu at noon for 22.50 euros with drink included.
La Terrasse. Rue des Bouchers, 12. <M> Brouckère. (Every day from 12:00 to 23:00). Tel 02 513 0229. This restaurant, located near the former, especially dishes Maricos offers, exhibiting abroad, but also prepares moules-frites for 10 euros and Valencian paellas.
Comme Chez Soi. www.commechezsoi.be Place Rouppe, 23. <M> Anneessens. (Closed Sunday and Monday, and Wednesday at noon). Tel 02 512 2921. This restaurant with three Michelin stars is for many the most valued of all the city. Menu items are an average of 50 euros, but there are dishes that exceed 100 euros, especially those made with truffles.
Samourai. Rue du Fosse aux Loups, 28. <M> Brouckère. (Closed Tuesday, in addition to Sunday at noon). Tel 02 217 5639. This is the best Japanese restaurant in town. You can eat for 30 euros and it is advisable to ask the portion that bears bento sushi, sashimi, tempura and teriyaki chicken.

Grand Place
Le Paon. www.lepaon.be Grand Place, 35. <M> Bourse. (Every day of the week). Tel 02 513 3582. International cuisine with Belgian specialties. Sometimes magic shows have in entering the menu and drinks at a fixed price of 54.95 euros.
The Chaloupe d'or. Grand Place, 24. <M> Bourse. Tel 02 511 4161. It offers a good selection of international dishes and a good selection of Belgian dishes. It is perhaps too oriented towards tourism, but is a good place to relax by the Grand Place. In the toilets you have to pay for its use.
Aux paves de Bruxelles. Rue du Marché aux fromages 1-3. <M> Bourse. Tel 02 502 0457. For those who like meat, this restaurant near the Grand Place is one of the best options. Ribs for 21 euros and Argentine steaks are a treat.
Le Cerf. Grand Place, 20. <M> Bourse. Tel 02 251 4791. (Closed Saturdays and Sundays / 12:00 to 15:00 and 18:00 to 23:30). An elegant restaurant with ostentatious decor, serving Belgian. You can eat between 25 and 35 euros.
La Maison du Cygne. www.lamaisonducygne.be Grand Place, 9. <M> Bourse. Tel 02 511 8244. (Closed Sundays and Saturdays at noon). A culinary and cultural gem, this 17th century farmhouse offers guests a unique atmosphere in the heart of the famous Grand Place in Brussels. Innovative Belgian cuisine devised by Donald Loriaux. To accompany your meal, the Maison du Cygne has an impressive cellar of over 20,000 bottles of the finest wines in the market.

Marolles
Toscana 21. Rue de Rollebeek, 21. <M> Anneessens. (Closed on Mondays, and on Tuesday at noon). Tel 02 502 3621. The best Italian restaurant by far in Brussels. The products come from Italy and homemade desserts and delicious.
Les Brigittines, even marches de la Chapelle. Kappelemarkt www.lesbrigittines.com 5. <M> Anneessens. (Closed Sundays, and Saturday at noon / from 12:00 to 14:00 and 19:00 to 22:30). Tel 02 512 6891. In an art-nouveau delicate environment, with capacity for only 75 people, this restaurant offers delicious French food from fresh ingredients. Menu items range around 15 euros.
Ploegmans Brasserie. www.ploegmans.be Rue Haute, 148. <M> Louise. (Closed Monday / Tuesday to Thursday from 12:00 to 14:30 and 18:00 to 22:00 / Friday and Saturday from 12:00 to 14:30 and 18:00 to 22:30 / Sunday from 12 : 00 to 15:00). Tel 02 503 2124. Belgian cuisine tapas pub located in a 20's style. The three course menu costs 13.50 euros and 7.50 children.
Soul. www.ploegmans.be Rue de la Samaritaine, 20. <M> Anneessens. (Lunch Wednesday to Friday from 12:0 to 14:30 / dinner from Wednesday to Sunday from 19:00 to 22:00). Tel 02 513 5213. Cuisine using organic produce, without additives and free of toxic substances, as well as butter and cream to create delicious and creative dishes. You can eat for about 25-35 euros.
Les Larmes du tigre. www.leslarmesdutigre.be Rue de Wynants, 21. <M> Anneessens. (Every day except Mondays and Saturdays at noon). Tel 02 512 1877. For those who prefer a touch exotic, this Thai restaurant offers a good menu of 13 dishes for 13 euros. The Sunday buffet for 32 euros.

Real Neighborhood
Il Passatempo. Rue de Namur, 32. <M> Porte de Namur. (Closed on Sundays, in addition to Monday night). Tel 02 511 3703. A good Italian restaurant with very good homemade pasta and delicious desserts. The orechiette with sausages are real good. Advance reservations are required.
Kwint. www.kwintbrussels.com Mont des Arts, 1. <M> Gare Central. (Monday to miecores from 12:00 to 22:30 and Thursday to Saturday from 12:00 to 23:30). Tel 02 505 9595. European cuisine with a good view of the city. The letter offering niche products like caviar, ham and seafood.
Blue de Toi. Rue des www.bleudetoi.be Alexiens, 73. <M> Gare Central. (Closed Friday and Saturday at noon). Tel 02 502 4371. Fusion blends and essences of the Caribbean, Brazil and the Maghreb to achieve exquisite dishes, especially fish. It has a good French wine and the price is usually around 40 euros per person.
L'Epicerie. Europakruispunt www.restaurantlepicerie.com 3. <M> Gare Central. (Every day except Sunday evenings from 7:00 to 10:30 / 12:00 to 14:30 and 19:00 to 22:30). Tel 02 548 4716. The chef Vincent Masson tasty tidbits prepared with exotic and Mediterranean flavors. The market called menu costs 38 euros.
Aux Vieux Saint Martin. www.restaurantlepicerie.com Place du Grand Sablon, 38. <M> Porte de Namur. (Closed Mondays). Tel 02 512 6476. Authentic Belgian food prices slightly higher. The average per person is around 50 euros.

Quartier Européen
Friterie Maison Antoine. Place Jourdan. <M> Schuman. Probably one of the best places to sample good fries. Sometimes there are queues even 45 minutes. The recipe is simple, fried twice, first at very low temperature to be made inside a high heat and then to catch the golden color on the outside. Then the job is finished off with a jet of mayonnaise and enjoy some good chips.
Il Pasticcio. Rue Marie de Bourgogne, 3. <M> Trone. (Closed on Sunday plus Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night). Tel 02 512 6252. A good Italian restaurant that works with the pasta made by hand. No need to book in advance. Not expensive, but not cheap.
Senza Parole. www.newsites.resto.com/senzaparole/ Rue du Luxembourg, 39. <M> Trone. (Closed Saturdays and Sundays). Tel 02 503 3544. Another good restaunrate Italian. Pastes cost between 12 and 16 euros. It also has meat and fish cooked with a slight Italian twist.
Mamma Roma. Rue du Page, 5. <M> Trone. Tel 02 544 1402. In this case, although it is Italian, his specialty is pizza. The portions served by, we can eat in or order them to go.
Au Bain Marie. Rue Breydel, 46. <M> Shuman. (Closed Saturday and Sunday and every night during the week). Tel 02 280 4888. Delicious Mediterranean near the Palais du Cinquantenaire. It features a terrace and garden that gets full summer days. You can eat quietly for less than 25 euros.

The periphery
Restaurant of the Atomium. CHILDREN www.atomium.be Rue Wiertz, 43. (All weekdays from 10:00 to 18:00 / ticket sales ended half an hour before / adult: 11 euros / students and children between 12 and 18 years: 8 euros / children between 6 and 11 years : 4 euros / under 6 and disabled: free). <M> Heysel. Tel 02 475 4777. The Atomium restaurant meals are nothing special, but the view from the top of the Atomium ball are spectacular. By day self-service functions as typical Belgian meals like sloemp or Liege waffles, and at night it becomes a gastronomique brasserie.
Los Tacos Mexican Restaurant. www.bruparck.com Boulevard du Centenaire. (Open seven days a week) <M> Heysel. Tel 02 479 0232. This Mexican cantina delights you can savor all the Central American country, as burritos, tacos, nachos and many more. You can eat for 30 euros.
Paparazzi Restaurant. www.il-paparazzi.be/contactnl.html Boulevard du Centenaire. (Monday to Thursday from 12:00 to 14:30 and 18:00 to 23:00 / Friday and Saturday from 12:00 to 14:30 and 18:00 to 23:30 / 12:00 Sunday 23:00). <M> Heysel. Tel 02 478 7864. A good Italian restaurant to sample pasta dishes for about 11 euros, near the Atomium, in the same park Bruparck.
Wok. www.bruparck.com Boulevard du Centenaire. (Open seven days a week) <M> Heysel. Tel 02 479 0232. Another recently opened restaurants in Bruparck. In this case we can imagine as dedicated to Asian cuisine cooked with a wok. The dishes are cheap and the food is plentiful.
Air Brussel. www.newsites.resto.com/brusselair/?langue=en Boulevard du Centenaire. (Open seven days a week). <M> Heysel. Tel 02 476 8775. If you like meat, in this other restaurant Brupack and for less than 20 euros, we can enjoy a good grilled steak, baked lamb or beef kebabs.

CULTURE-LEISURE-Where for drinks
Ste-Catherine and St Gery
Halles St-Gery. Place St-Gery www.hallessaintgery.be <M> Bourse. This old market used as huge exhibition hall dedicated to local history. It has two floors, one above used only for exhibitions and a lower that in addition used for this purpose, with the obelisk marking the zero point in Belgium to measure distances. Inside, this obelisk with a lively bar is located, with comfortable sofas and a grand piano. At night he encourages more performances by some DJ's fashion.
Cafe Bizon. www.cafebizon.com Karperbrug 7 Rue Pont de la Carpe <M> Bourse. Tel 02 502 4699. (Free admission). Every Monday around 21:30 this venue hosts a jazz concert with local and international personalities. The other days the store operates in a more relaxed atmosphere brightening more on Friday and Saturday night. The most famous of the local cocktail called Blood Bizon and costs 5 euros.
Théâtre Royal Flamand. www.kvs.be Rue de Laeken, 146. <M> Rogier. (Schedule as Entertainment / Adult Tickets: 16 euros / students and over 60 years: 10 euros). Tel 02 210 1112. Programming the KVS (Koninklijke Vlaams Schouwburg, Royal Flemish Theatre) is one of the most interesting in Brussels, because not only reduces treatro, but also scheduled concerts, dance, lectures and readings among other activities. Usually works are in flamenco, but are subtitled in English or French. In the adjoining area are scheduled BOX parties with electronic music in the theme of Bal Box.

Ilot Sacre and Jardin Botanique
Jardine Botanique. www.botanique.be Rue Royale, 236 <M> Kruidtuin Botanique. (Prices and times according to the programmed functions). Tel 02 218 3732. What was in the last century the greenhouse of the Botanical Garden, is now the Cultural Center of the French Community of Brussels and Wallonia. Here are represented plays, music concerts, dance performances and art exhibitions. You can also enjoy a drink in the adjoining bar inside the greenhouse.
Hôtel Métropole. Place of Brouckère www.metropolehotel.com, 31 <M> Brouckère. Tel 02 217 2300. It is relaxing to sit in mid-afternoon for a beer or something to eat in the wicker chairs covered terrace of the Hotel Métropole, which for many, is the most elegant European hotel.
Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie / Koninklijke Muntschouwburg. www.lamonnaie.be Place de la Monnaie, 20 <M> Brouckère. (About 20 euros). Tel 02 229 1200. Dance and ballet have always had their place on the stage of la Monnaie, and for a significant part of its history had its own ballet company. Currently classical operas and contemporary ballet share the limelight.
Marionettes Thêatre Toone. Impasse www.toone.be Schuddeveldgang CHILDREN, 6. <M> Bourse. (Tavern open from Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 to 24:00 / show from Tuesday to Sunday at 20:30 / 16:00 Saturday extra / General Admission: 10 euros / estadiantes 7 euros / reservations recommended). Tel 02 511 7137. We suggest visiting this pub red brick and black columns if only to have a beer and watch the puppets on the wall. At night it becomes a little satirical puppet theater enjoyed in small and large.

Grand Place
Musee du Cacao et Chocolat. www.mucc.be Rue de la Tête d'Or, 9-11. <M> Bourse. (Every day from 10:00 to 16:30 / Closed on Mondays in winter). Tel 02 514 2048. This museum is about the origins, the discovery and the arrival of cocoa in Europe. Through videos and illustrations show the methods of cultivation of cocoa, coffee and tea, as well as the different stages of chocolate making. For the sweet tooth there are tastings and a store to buy all kinds of items related to chocolate.
Goupeil le Fol. Rue de la Violette, 22. <M> Bourse. (Every day from 21:00 to 05:00). Tel 02 511 1396. It is a magical place, full of fantasy, where you can enjoy French music while sipping homemade fruit liqueur or a typical domestic beers.
Le Roi d'Espagne. www.roydespagne.be Grand Place. <M> Bourse. (Every day from 10:00 to 01:00). Tel 02 513 0807. The former headquarters of the bakers, built in 1697 is today this taverna, restored in 1902. Besides being a good place for an afternoon beer, pasta dishes at reasonable prices.

Marolles
Brasserie de la clef d'or. Place du Jeu de Balle <M> Porte de Hal. (From Tuesday to Sunday from 05:00 to 17:00). Tel 02 511 9762. This brewery, located next to the flea market is a good place to stop along the way and live music accordion, while savoring a croque-monsieur grilled ham and cheese.
Fuse. www.fuse.be Rue Blaes, 208 <M> Porte de Hal. (Saturdays from 23:00 to 7:00 / 5 euro entry before midnight and $ 10 after / special nights are also scheduled some Thursdays and Fridays). Tel 02 511 9789. In this place often turn the best DJ's in the city playing music of different styles.
Recyclart. www.recyclart.be Ursulinenstraat, 27 <M> Anneessens. (Every night and weekend concerts scheduled). Tel 02 502 57 34. Local underground that fills every weekend to dance or attend the many concerts that are scheduled.
Havana. www.havana-brussels.com Rue de l'Epee, 4 <M> Anneessens. (Thursday from 19:00 to 02:00 / 19:00 to 5:00 Friday / Saturday from 19:00 to 07:00). Tel 02 502 1224. For lovers of salsa and Cuban rhythm, this place will not leave you indifferent.

Real Neighborhood
Wittamer. www.wittamer.com Place du Grand Sablon, 6/12/13. Porte de Hal <M>. Tel 02 512 3742. (9:00 to 18:00 Monday / Tuesday to Saturday from 07:00 to 19:00 / Sunday from 07:00 to 18:30). This chocolate familiar with tables on the street under an awning striking in brown and pink, has been operating since 1910. It midafternoon nice shelter to sample their pralines, truffles, chocolate with fruit and candied orange peel and many other delicacies. Adjoining the bakery have a tea room where you can also enjoy all of their products.
15 Palais des Beaux-Arts. Rue www.bozar.be Ravensteinstraat, 23. (Times and prices depending on the features and exhibitions). <M> Gare Centrale. Tel 02 507 8200. The Center for Fine Arts of Belgium has a multidisciplinary building divided into seven different artistic departamenteos: BOZAR Expo, BOZAR Music, Film BOZAR, BOZAR Dance, BOZAR theater, literature BOZAR and BOZAR Architecture. Each department manages its own shows and exhibitions, forming one of the most important cultural centers of the city.
Le Bier Circus. www.bier-Rue de l'Enseignement circus.be, 57. (Tuesday to Friday from 12:00 to 14:30 and 18:00 to 23:00 / 18:00 to 23:00 Saturdays). <M> Park. Tel 02 218 0034. A good place to enjoy a good Belgian beers from five different varieties and dozens of brands to choose from.

Quartier Européen
Malopolska days. CHILDREN Parc du Cinquantenaire. <M> Schuman. During the first half of September, this fair is held in the Cinquantenaire Park, which provides the opportunity for children to play with roundabouts and swings made by artisans by carpenters of the Polish region of Malopolska, accompanied by sounds of the region and other compositions of Fryderyk Chopin Polish also.
European Parliament. www.europarl.europa.eu Rue Wiertz, 43. (Guided tours Monday through Thursday from 10:00 to 15:00 and Fridays only 10:00 / Free). <M> Maelbeek. Tel 02 284 3457. The European Parliament offers visitors guided individual media visits and the possibility of attending a plenary session during the week. No advance reservations are possible, and are held in all official EU languages. The minimum age for entry is 14 years. To enter, you just have to be 15 minutes before starting the journey, carrying the passport or ID card.
Wild Geese. www.thewildgeese-brussels.com Avenue Livingstone, 2-4. (From 10:00 onwards / Saturdays and Sundays at 12:00 brunch for 12.95 euros). <M> Maelbeek. Tel 02 230 2007. Formerly meeting place between the Irish fleeing their country in times of Limerick in 1691. Today, local reference to sample a variety of beer in an authentic environment and cheaply. Some nights there are performances and happy hour.

The periphery
Atomium. CHILDREN www.atomium.be Rue Wiertz, 43. (All weekdays from 10:00 to 18:00 / ticket sales ended half an hour before / adult: 11 euros / students and children between 12 and 18 years: 8 euros / children between 6 and 11 years : 4 euros / under 6 and disabled: free). <M> Heysel. Tel 02 475 4777. The Atomium has a permanent exhibition on the peaceful use of atomic energy, and other temporary exhibitions related to science, progress and the future, organized by international institutions.
Mini-Europe. Boulevard du Centenaire www.minieurope.com CHILDREN. (From 20/03 to 30/06 and 01/09 to 30/09 from 9:30 to 17:00 / from 01/07 to 31/08 from 09:30 to 19:00 / 01 / 10-09 / 01 from 10:00 to 17:00 / some Saturdays in July and August with music and fireworks close at 24:00 / Adult: 13,10 euros / over 60 years: 13.10 euros / children under 12 year: 9.80 euros / children under 1.20 meters: free). <M> Heysel. Tel 02 474 8383. In this theme park can see 350 1:25 scale European monuments, among which are the Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Acropolis in Athens, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, and many others. Spain is represented in the bullring of the arsenal, the cathedral of Santiago, Barcelona's Columbus Monument and the windmills of La Mancha.
Océade. Boulevard du Centenaire www.oceade.be CHILDREN. (September to mid-March: Wednesday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 21:00 / April to June: Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 21:00 / Adult: 13.50 euros / adult and child up to 1.30 meters: 16.50 euros / children between 1.15 and 1.30 meters: 13.50 euros / children under 1.15 meters, maximum two children per adult-: free). <M> Heysel. Tel 02 474 4320. Océade is a subtropical water park, an area that has both indoor and outdoor. It has about 12 slides, wave pool, Aqua Fun House, Saunaland, jacuzzi, Bounty Raft, Caribbean Madness and Anaconda among other attractions, as well as a bar and restaurant.
Kinepolis. www.kinepolis.com Boulevard du Centenaire. (Schedule as programmed for each film). <M> Heysel. Tel 02 474 2600. In this resort devoted to film, we find nothing more and nothing less than 29 rooms with the latest market news film, plus an IMAX theater with surround sound and a screen of 600 square meters.

ACCOMMODATION
Ste-Catherine and St Gery
Brussels Welcome Hotel. www.hotelwelcome.com. Quai au bois a bruler, 23. Tel: 02 219 9546. This is a beautiful boutique hotel with personality. The 17 rooms are decorated in true exotic theme. Prices vary between 100 and 165 euros, breakfast included. Sometimes there are deals to 68 euros.
The Residence Les Ecrins. www.lesecrins.com. Rue du Rouleau, 15. Tel: 02 219 3657. Apartments with fully equipped kitchens just 10 minutes walk from the Grand Place. The apartments cost from 125 euros, but also have single rooms from 50 euros.
Novotel Brussels Centre Tour Noire. www.novotel.com. Rue du Rouleau, 15. Tel: 02 505 5050. It has modern, spacious rooms with air conditioning, work space and facilities for making tea and coffee. You can have free access to the Turkish bath, jacuzzi and gym. Prices per room start at 89 euros.
Hotel Noga Brussels. www.nogahotel.com. Rue du Beguinage, 38. Tel: 02 218 6763. The small Noga Hotel offers spacious rooms with private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi and minibar. In the morning a rich breakfast buffet in the cozy dining room. Prices of dual vary between 85 and 70 euros depending on the number of nights we stay.
Citadines Brussels Sainte-Catherine. www.citadines.com. Quai au Bois a Bruler, 51. Tel: 02 221 1411. Although it could do with a good renovation and breakfast prices down, this apartment is another option when Les Ecrins is full. Prices do not bajam of 125 euros.

Ilot Sacre and Jardin Botanique
5 Hotel Metropole. Place of Brouckère www.metropolehotel.com, 31 <M> Brouckère. Tel 02 217 2300. This glamorous Art deco hotel five stars is considered the best in town. Luxurious marble stairs in the hall leading to the bedrooms, which include all the amenities, plus several free drinks from the minibar. The rooms cost more than 150 euros per night, anything astronomical for being a hotel of this category.
Hotel Dominican. www.carlton.nl Rue Leopold 9 Tel 02 203 0808. This 4-star Carlton is one of the best valued in value. This modernist boutique hotel is 5 minutes walk from the Grand Place and offers a spa with sauna and steam room. Prices between 118 and 274 euros.
Hôtel Le Plaza. www.leplaza-brussels.be Blvd Adolphe Maxlaan, 118-126. Tel 02 278 0100. This 5-star hotel which will need to start thinking about a renovation, is located next to the City2 Shopping Centreo. Booking early, we can stay for 105 euros. The Internet service prices to 19.95 euros and 25 euros breakfast are just abusive.
Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo. www.hotelamigo.com Rue de l'Amigo, 1-3. Tel 02 547 4747. This 5-star hotel recently renovated is located next to the Grand Place. Retains its eighteenth-century Flemish tapestries, his big king beds, the bathrooms are marble and kitchen Fantastic place. Prices are down from 199 euros.
Le Meridien Brussels. www.starwoodhotels.com Carrefour de l'Europe 3. Tel 02 548 4211. Located opposite the Gare Centrale train station, this hotel room Victorian-style, offers all the comfort of a five star typical prices that revolve around 200 euros.

Grand Place
Hotel Saint Michel. www.hotel-saint-michel.be Grand Place, 15 <M> Bourse. Tel 02 511 0956. This simple, elegant hotel enjoys a unique location on the Grand Place. The rooms are not fancy, not available online, but breakfast is included in the price and the views are unbeatable. Prices from 85 euros the double room.
Best Western Premier Carrefour de l'Europe. Rue Marché aux Herbes www.carrefourhotel.be, 110. <M> Bourse. Tel 02 504 9400. Located just 20 meters from the historic Grand Place and near the Grand Casino Brussels This elegant 4-star hotel combines a good environment with the comforts of a 4 star. Sometimes there are deals to 129 euros including breakfast.
Aris Centre Hotel. www.arishotel.be Rue Marché aux Herbes, 78-80. <M> Bourse. Tel 02 514 4300. This is a hotel with a good value for money. Although no sympathy bonus, this three star hotel located just 100 meters from the Grand Place can sleep for 58 euros.
Royal Windsor Hotel. www.royalwindsorbrussels.com Rue Duquesnoy 5. <M> Bourse. Tel 02 505 5555. A five-star luxury with classic dyes afrancesados ??just 2 minutes walk from the Grand Place. It offers free gym and sauna and can find deals 109 euros without breakfast. Wireless internet is abysmally expensive at 10 euros per hour / day 22 euros.

Marolles
Hotel Galia. www.hotelwelcome.com. Place du Jeu de Balle, 15. Tel: 02 502 4243. This hotel is recommended only if the rest is full. Single rooms and breakfast right. For 65 euros it costs the least, you can find best hotels in central areas of the city.
Floris Avenue Hotel. www.florishotels.es Avenue de Stalingrad, 25-31. Tel: 02 513 4822. In Marolles not many good hotels and 4 star this is to be expected. Rooms cost from 80 euros, but the services do not correspond to their category.
Hotel a la Grande Cloche. Place www.hotelgrandecloche.com Rouppe 10. Tel: 02 512 6140. Housed in a nineteenth century building, features simple but functional. They are equipped with cable TV and private or shared bathroom. Double room with bath costs 77 euros.
Hotel Windsor. www.hotel-windsor.com Place Rouppe 10. Tel: 02 511 2014. Another simple two-star hotel close to the former, and not to be confused with the Royal Windsor Hotel 5-star hotel near Grand Place. It's decrepit and prices move around 80 euros.
Eurostars Sablon. www.eurostarshotels.com / en / Eurostars-sablon.html Rue de la Paille, 2-8. Tel: 02 513 6040. It is one of the best options in the area. Its rooms are spacious and well maintained. Internet is free and also features a sauna and a small gym with treadmill and exercise bike. Prices start at double 85 euros.

Real Neighborhood
5 NH du Grand Sablon. www.nh-hoteles.es Place du Grand Sablon, 2-4. Tel 02 518 1100. This four star hotel is located on one end of the beautiful Place du Grand Sablon. It has 193 rooms and 6 fully equipped meeting rooms for up to 150 people. The restaurant Il Cortile offers delicious Italian specialties. We can find deals at 89 euros.
5 Scandic Hotel Grand Place. www.scandichotels.com Place d'Arenberg, 18. Tel: 02 548 1811. The rooms are somewhat small but have all the amenities of a four star hotel, along with its proximity to the museum area. It offers an organic breakfast, and Internet access is free. Their prices are around 95 euros the double room with breakfast included.
Hilton Brussels. www1.hilton.com Boulevard de Waterloo, 38. Tel: 02 504 1111. Although it could do with a good rehabilitation, meets all the quality standards of the chain. The price of 12 euros for the Internet connection is abusive, like the parking at 35 euros a day. It is recommended only for less than 90 euros offers, if no other hotels in the city more interesting.
Hotel Chambord. www.hotel-chambord.be Rue de Namur, 82. Tel: 02 548 9910. Although no air conditioning, and breakfast is no longer correct, this boutique hotel has Art Deco certain charm, and very good location. The room prices typically cost less than 100 euros.
Le Meridien Brussels. www.lemeridienbrussels.com Carrefour de l'Europe 3. Tel: 02 548 4211. This five-star hotel has 224 newly renovated rooms decorated in classic style with soft tones. Sometimes you can find deals for 119 euros the double room excluding breakfast. All children under 12 are free.

Quartier Européen
Marriott Executive Apartments. www.marriott.com Rue du Parnasse, 15. Tel: 02 505 2929. Excellent choice for families with young children. The apartments are fully equipped and even have kitchens. You can get 99 euros deals booking well in advance.
Renaissance Brussels Hotel. www.marriott.com Rue du Parnasse, 19. Tel 02 505 2929. Right next to the apartments Marriott is a four star hotel in the same chain. It has a fitness center with indoor heated pool, jacuzzi and sauna as well. Prices vary between 79 and 369 euros. Internet is infinitely expensive, to 6.95 euros per hour.
Silken Berlaymont Brussels. www.hoteles-silken.com/hotel-berlaymont-brussels/en/ Boulevard Charlemagne, 11-19. Tel: 02 231 0909. This four star hotel has an eco-label and integrates the art of the twentieth century photography in their spaces. The Wi-fi is free and also features a sauna, steam room and gym. Double rooms cost 71.10 euros when they are on sale.
Aloft Brussels Schuman Hotel. www.aloftbrussels.com Place Jean Rey. Tel: 02 800 0888. Aloft Schuman offers loft-style rooms with flat-screen TVs of 42 ". They also have a gym and free Wi-Fi. Modern rooms with high ceilings and large windows. Twice the price starts at 75 euros without breakfast.
Euroflat Hotel. www.firsteuroflathotel.be Boulevard Charlemagne, 50. Tel: 02 230 0010. This three star hotel offers from rooms to apartments fully equipped with kitchen included. It also has a sauna and gym. You can get bids for 58 euros without breakfast.

The periphery
Catalonia Forum. www.hoteles-catalonia.com Avenue du Haut Pont, 2. Tel: 02 340 3400. This three star hotel is located near the Musée Horta. This is a modern hotel, completely renovated in 2004 and equipped with the best facilities. Speak Spanish, have Internet access, and the price of the double room is 65 euros.
Hotel Neufchatel. www.hotelneufchatel.be Rue de Neufchatel, 34. Tel: 02 537 3725. Another hotel situated near the Musée Horta, in the business district. It is recommended as a second option when the Catalonia Forum is busy, as prices are exactly the same and Neufchatel is more like a huge house that rents rooms. A family atmosphere, but with fewer services.
Le Centenaire. www.le-Centenaire-apparthotel.h-rez.com Avenue Jean Sobieski, 84. Tel: 02 479 5600. The apartment of two stars has ten rooms and is located near the Parc de Laeken. All rooms are equipped with wi-fi, kitchenette, fridge, and tea and coffee. The double room costs 89 euros, including breakfast, 79 euros and individually.
Ibis Brussels Expo-Atomium. Romeinse http://www.ibishotel.com/es/hotel-2846-ibis-brussels-expo-atomium/index.shtml Steenweg, 572. Tel: 02 461 0021. It is something out of town, but if you have vehicle is an interesting option near the Atomium and Bruparck. Rooms from 65 euros. The parking costs 7 euros per day and 10 euros Internet time.
Holiday Inn Garden Court.
www.holidayinn.com / hotels / us / en / brussels / bruep / hoteldetail Avenue Imperatrice Charlotte, 6B. Tel: 02 478 1000. Also something away from the city and close to the Atomium, this three star hotel has 79 rooms functional. Its facilities are equipped for people with reduced mobility. The double with breakfast costs 76 euros, parking 6 euros per day, and the Internet connection 4.5 euros per hour.

What to do?

Who is bored in Brussels is by choice. No one can deny that this city is an echo of everything that's brewing in Europe and even worldwide. This is demonstrated by its wide range of cultural, beating with the same dynamism that its inhabitants.
Places hard to forget
You may be a inveterate traveler and have visited all five continents, but when you're in the Grand Place, you will notice that it is a unique place. Its old buildings create a microsphere difficult to explain in words ... This is because the Belgians have paid homage to the architecture for centuries. This is demonstrated by the thousands of facades that you can see in one of our itineraries Art Nouveau and Art Deco. But it does not end here, as Brussels lies a most modern face, which does not go unnoticed by visitors. Countless comics painted facades, you can go on a journey of murals.
Art for all ages
Inevitable say the Magritte Museum is a must for any art lover. And a magical place untouched by the wand of a genius of surrealism!. Yet museums supply is endless. This city not only has collections of classical art, modern and contemporary, but even has a children's museum! And what of the traveling exhibits that are constantly renewed to update it to a more demanding public ...
Chocolate, beer, waffles and chips
There are topics that are overkill, but for chocolate and beer art that stores this city is not. And the truth is that it is fortunate. So say both inhabitants and tourists, who usually go home with a good load in the trunk.
Enjoy our chocolate tradition and remember that many of the chocolatiers offer demonstrations and workshops.
Testing the chips with a variety of sauces, one of our positions fritkots or chips. There is always a good excuse to sink his teeth!
Or take some good beer! It will be hard to choose, because the variety is huge, but we guarantee that there is one for every palate.
A visit to the trails, markets, neighborhoods and parks
Would you like an alternative view of the city? Here are some ideas:
Wander through our trails and markets.
Stay away from the center and runs other neighborhoods.
Looking for more reality zen? Meet the parks.

Brussels by night
It is true that vampires come from Transylvania, but nearly all have emigrated here. The nightlife is too juicy to pass up!
Check out our clubs.
Fancy a shortest night? So you want a bar.
With a good dinner and enough? Here are our restaurants.
Want to inform you of the artistic? No problem. Visit our theaters and concerts. Or our weekly.

Brussels rhyme with you. Will you miss it?

 

The coveted black gold - Chocolate and chocolate

What exactly is a "praline"? A white chocolate candy, milk or black with an original liqueur filling, marzipan, saffron, ginger ...

Each year in Belgium, produced 172,000 tons of chocolates! And are sold in about 2,130 stores. A huge number considering the size of the country! The Belgians themselves eat, per head, more than 8 kg per year of national pride and joy is exported to other countries.

Learn the history of chocolate - Visit the museum!
The chocolate in Belgium, has monuments, museums, festivals, tourist trail ... In other words, it is another good reason to visit the country. In Brussels, for example, in the Grand Place is the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate since 1998. During the visit, you can relive, thanks to a video, the whole history of this food considered a "food of the gods." And even you can try some specialties prepared by a skilled master chocolatier. But also in the Eupen Chocolate Museum documents the fascinating full story of this "black gold" through videos, papers, boxes and posters, and from a gateway you can visit the factory without disturbing the work of artisans.

What is the secret of Belgian chocolate?
It is clear that it is the use of the best ingredients: cocoa beans from Africa give much more flavor than the South Americans, who use many manufacturers in other countries. The palm of Belgian chocolate they take their famous pralines, filling the typical chocolate, delicate, refined and appreciated throughout the world, prepared by hand and without additives. Therefore it is retained for up to one week. Optimal excuse to return to Belgium to buy more! Jean Neuhaus invented this delicious chocolate. In Belgium there are many great craftsmen international experts in the art of chocolate filling: In addition to the legendary pralines, also have a long tradition the marquise, the manon, coated with white chocolate, the truffles, cherries and orange peels coated chocolate. Everything from homemade rigorous. A delight!

The Shops
A demonstration of the best chocolate makers? A tasting? Or, perhaps, just want to know what are the best chocolate for shopping before returning to your country.

Below is a list of the best Belgian chocolate shops:

CHOCOLATERÍA BELGA ARTESANAL PLANÈTE CHOCOLAT (BRUXELLES)
CHOCOLATERÍA DUVAL DE BRUSELAS (SCHAERBEEK)
CHOCOLATERÍA MARCOLINI (BRUXELLES)
CHOCOLATS GALLER GRAND-PLACE (BRUXELLES)
CORNÉ PORT-ROYAL (BRUXELLES)
GODIVA (BRUXELLES)
LAURENT GERBAUD CHOCOLATIER (BRUXELLES)
MARY CHOCOLATIER (BRUXELLES)
Museo del Cacao y del Chocolate (BRUXELLES)
Neuhaus (BRUXELLES)
WITTAMER (BRUXELLES)
Zaabär (BRUXELLES)

 

TOP 10 Wallonia and Brussels

What do they have in common the incomparable actress Audrey Hepburn, the well-known cartoonist Peyo , the indefatigable explorer Alain Hubert or the thunderous heavy group Machiavel ? No bones about it ... Everyone has or had roots in Belgium. Want to know what anyone tells you in the guides? She then meets our TOP 10.

TOP 10 Belgium :
1. A Protestant Walloon founded , nothing more and nothing less than the Bank of England . Her family fled religious persecution besieging Europe. His name was John Houblon and if you want to know what he looked like , you just have to take a look at a bill of £ 50 .
Two . They say the sax is an instrument for the free spirits because it invites improvisation. It must have felt free to invent Adolphe Sax . An inhabitant of Dinant , which today still honors .
Three . Surely you've danced . Is Pump up the Jam , a song that reached the n . # 1 in the United States in 1989 and created the legendary Belgian band Thecnotronic .
April . Revolutionized physics with the theory of the Big Bang in 1894 . Monsignor Georges Lemaître , born in Charleroi , was a Catholic priest. In 1927 , his work was published in the Annals of the Scientific Society of Brussels.
May . The more than 100 works by Georges Simenon , Belgian birth and known for his character Inspector Maigret , reach 550 million copies , when the best-selling fiction book in the world has a circulation of 200 copies.
June . Do you like dogs? A William the Conqueror also . So bloodhound imported to England . Actually, it was a breed of dog from St Hubert , in Wallonia , southern Belgium .
July . When you come to visit us, if you buy eggs , remember that in this country there are dozens , because everything is going in dozens .
August . In Belgium 11 million inhabitants living in an area of ??30,528 square kilometers. A luxury !
9. They worship the statue of a boy called Manneken -Pis , and nobody really knows why. Legend has it turned off a bomb with his pee . A heroic act , of course , because it has been honored with a wardrobe of over 600 costumes , some made ??by haute couture dressmakers.
10 . Little joke . Did you know that , as of today , there are over 1,000 Belgian beers ? They say that is because , in the past, each elaborated a beer town itself . Let's say in this country worship the hops !

TOP 5 Huy

Have you been wanting to learn a few tidbits of Huy ? Well , then , satiate your appetite.

In Huy was born :
1. Arlette de Huy , (1003-1050) mother of Duke William II of Normandy , who invaded England in 1066 and became King William I the Conqueror of England .
Two . Alain Coumont ( 1945 ) , the founder of the internationally known restaurant chain Le Pain Quotidien . All Belgian products served and sold in restaurants are manufactured in Wallonia and Brussels , the French-speaking regions of Belgium ,and are delicious ! The concept of these shared tables is borrowed from the cafés of traditional villages and warm attitude , typical of Walloon Ardennes . It has expanded rapidly and now has over 80 branches in 10 countries.
Three . Have you ever wondered who invented the skates ? Well you're about to find out. It was John Joseph Merlin (1735-1803) , also from the city of Huy . And for the first time took a costume party in Carlisle -House , London , in 1760 . But it was all invented . He also made musical instruments and automata .
April . Baiwir Luc ( 1958 ) was born in this land . He is the composer known for the Symphonie des Ages , which by the way is considered his best work. He has earned a place in history with its colossal electronic music concerts organized in stages .
May . According to the historian Jo Gérard , potatoes, which account for half of the Belgian national dish , is cooked for the first time in Huy . To ratify family has submitted a manuscript dating from 1781 and describing how needy inhabitants of Andenne (which includes Huy ) , used to be done with fishes and then the fry . In winter , when the river was frozen and could not fish, they cut potatoes in the form of fried fish and equally. This writer states that 1781 had been rife over a hundred years.

TOP 5 Spa

And , as no two without three , we present other curiosities of Spa:
1. Who has not dreamed of spending a morning at a spa or rather, a lifetime ? Spa is synonymous with relaxation . But where does this word? Spa is a Walloon city which gave its name to thermal care centers worldwide . Its origins date back to time immemorial . In ancient Rome, Pliny the Elder wrote : "In Tongaria , a region of Gaul , there is a springing well known and has an unmistakable iron aftertaste . Water is an excellent purgative . Cures fever and causes kidney stones disappear . When water boils , bubbles furiously and leaves behind a reddish residue ( Book 31 , Chapter 8). Apparently, the local Celtic Druids also knew the medicinal properties of the springs and worshiped for years. However, Spa not developed as healing center for vacation until s . IV , when wealthy and famous personalities around the world came here and enhanced their fame.
Two . Spa had the first casino in Europe in 1763, which belonged to the Prince - Bishop of Liege, known as La Redoute. A theater was added to the building in 1769 , followed by a dance hall in 1770 , and the gardens of Waux -Hall in 1776.
Three . Spa natives are called " spadois ". Spa has attracted countless people over the years, including Georges Krins , orchestra director on the Titanic , who played the hymn " Nearer my God to Thee " as the ship was sinking . He studied at the Liège Conservatory, before joining the Great Symphony Spa , moving to Paris in 1910 and then to the Ritz Hotel in London, where White Star Line hired him to play on board the Titanic . He died in the sinking , in 1912 , and his body was never recovered . In Liege, held a public collection and collected 2,000 francs (about € 4,000 today) for his memorial , but it was never built due to the German occupation in World War .
April . Agatha Christie , the English writer of detective stories often visited Spa . Hercule Poirot , his creation, a detective who investigated crimes in 33 novels and 54 short stories by the same author , was born in Spa interestingly . The works were published between 1920 and 1975 .
May . The Emperor Joseph II visited Spa in 1781 and described it as the coffee in Europe, due to the cosmopolitan nature of its visitors , who gathered to discuss various issues in the halls and other places. But it was not only because so did King Henry VIII of England , Casanova , Tsar Peter I of Russia and Alexandre Dumas . The film Barry Lyndon , Stanley Kubrick , refers to Spa and contains many scenes of s . XVIII.
The Belgian forefront
The Belgians love innovation. And so it proved by its past. For years , they have been to date and if not, read the following:
religion
Feminists saturated in our country than in any other. Proof of this is that one of the first feminist was a priest called Lambert Le Begue (Lambert the Stammerer ) . He founded the beguinages of Liege , a hundred years before they arise in Germany, the Netherlands and Flanders. The name of Beguines (awarded to women who meditate taking into account the rules of religious life without being nuns ) and the Begijnhof come from this nickname. This character is also known for his reformist and visionary attitude in times of Luther. Some of his letters are preserved in the Museum Hunterianum Glasgow.
transport
The company pioneered the Empain Belgian magnate who built railways and cable cars worldwide , created the Paris Metro 1900 onwards .
The luxurious Orient Express , better known as a series of long-distance trains Wagon Lit Company Company, was founded by George Nagelmackers native of Liege in 1872.
architecture
The Art Nouveau flourished in Brussels, in the avant-garde , from 1890 to 1914. The leader of the movement was the architect Victor Horta . After the First World War , sought the lines and pure concept was part of the launch of the Art Deco movement , which is typical of the early 30's .
art
Surrealism is a movement with which the Belgians are identified much . Brussels and Wallonia can be proud to have hosted two of the most prominent surrealist groups : the group of surrealists of Hainaut and the surrealist group in Brussels. Despite the political and philosophical differences of the two movements shared the friendship of the internationally known painter René Magritte , who was born and lived in Hainaut , Wallonia , before settling in Brussels the second part of his life.
fashion
The ballet shoes were introduced by the Franco-Belgian dancer Anne Marie Camargo Cupis in 1700 , and revolutionized both the art and fashion.
language
Belgian Professor Maurice wrote in 1936 Grévisse French grammar Le Bon Usage , not finding the kind of manual that needed in the market. To date , it remains a best seller.
publications
The French publisher Actes Sud, founded by Belgian Hubert Nyssen , in 1978 , was the first to translate and publish in France the great works of modern literature from other languages ??into French.
The creation of the comic strip and animated comics has a lot to do with the skills of many Belgian artists. Belgium is located in the middle of the ninth art , with a host of new artists who follow the example of those before them .
cinema
The Belgians went Belvaux and Bonzel , in 1992, the groundbreaking film C'est arrivé près de chez vous . They used hand-held cameras and scenes of graphic violence to create a surrealist atmosphere . According to the American director Martin Scorsese , this film is a milestone.
moral Issues
In 2002 , Belgium became the second country in the world to legalize euthanasia in specific circumstances , in which doctors can help terminally ill patients die . It appeals to the right to die with dignity . The Belgian writer Hugo Claus , who suffered from Alzheimer's disease , asked for euthanasia practiced in 2008 .
Belgium introduced marriage for gay and lesbian couples in 2003 ( the second in the world ) . The civil ceremony is legally recognized . It is exactly the same for heterosexual couples , and can marry any person residing legally in the country .

STE-CATHÉRINE Y ST GÉRY

The Ste-Catherine area is very lively, especially at night. Lots of seafood arranged one behind another to compete for customers in a popular neighborhood and markedly flamenco. Its terraces and lounges to taste the chocolate slow the pace of a vibrant city. Saint-Gery, southernmost, takes its name from an ancient parish, in this case, that of St. Gaugerico of Cambrai (ca. 550-ca. 626), who was bishop of the city of French Flanders. Before the major urban transformation, Saint-Gery was an island formed by the river Senne. The island was a large circle that went from the old church of the Poor Clares to the current bag, along with other second smallest island near Fontainas Square, where the river bordering the church of Our Lady of Mercy.

1 Halles St-Géry. www.hallessaintgery.be Place St-Gery <M> Bourse. (Exhibitions daily from 10:00 to 18:00). Tel 02 502 4424. In this place it was located gothic style church built at the end of the Middle Ages which was demolished between 1798 and 1801. Subsequently, the space served as a public square and market, until in 1881 he began the construction of Les Halles, designed by architect A. Vanderheggen. The site continued to operate as a market, but covered in inclement weather, until it was finally closed on February 28, 1977. Later, in 1985, the facade was restored and placed a iron frame for use as a cultural center and exhibition dedicated to the heritage and environment of the city of Brussels.
2 Zinneke. www.hallessaintgery.beRue des Chartreux corner of Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains . <M> Bourse . According to the Local gerga , this word was used to denote those stray dogs that roamed the city without an owner , but currently also gives its name to the expression of artistic creativity of European citizens , proud to be part of a mix of cultures and roots , at a time when increasing racial tensions arise and the politicians foster fear and hatred to divide citizens . During the month of May, and every two years the praises Parade Zinneke cultural diversity. This bronze statue of the dog -sized bastard on wetting in this corner symbolizes precisely all these concepts .
3 Exchange Building . Palais de la Bourse . <M> Bourse . ( No visits are allowed ) . It is an imposing building built between 1867 and 1873 by architect Léon Suys . Stand out above the bas-reliefs of the facade made ??by the sculptor Auguste Rodin with allegories of Asia and Africa.
4 Scientastic. NIÑOS www.scientastic.com Anspach Boulevard under Metro Station. <M> Bourse. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:30 to 17:30 and Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 14:00 to 17:30 / Adults: 7.90 Euros / 3 to 26 years 5.30 euros). Tel 02 732 1336. This small private museum show is responsible for children over six years some knowledge of science through interactive experiments involving the five senses.
5 Église Ste-Catherine. www.hallessaintgery.be Place Ste-Catherine, 50. <M> Ste-Catherine. (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 13:30). Tel 02 513 3481. This church was created between 1854 and 1874 by Joseph Poelaert, the same Belgian architect who had previously designed the Palace of Justice in Brussels inspired by the Église St-Eustache near Les Halles in Paris. It has a hybrid architecture, including Gothic and Baroque forms a spacious Victorian interior, which is a picture of the XIV century a Black Madonna and flamenco pulpit moved here from St. Rombaut Cathedral Mechelen. The church has a façade rather desangelicada with blackened walls cry out for immediate restoration. Along the northern facade is Quai aux Briques Avenue that are located in large amount of seafood restaurants and shops.
6 Maison de la Bellone. www.bellone.beRue de Flandre , 46. <M> Ste -Catherine . ( Free admission . From Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 ) . Tel 02 533 3333 . This late Baroque style house was built according to a schedule set in the facade in 1697 , according to plans by Jean Cosyn , architect and sculptor of the Grand Place. Its facade , situated in an interior courtyard covered with a glass dome , is one of the most beautiful in Brussels. In one of the reliefs above the door , there is a bust of Bellona , the Roman goddess of war , which names the building. In addition, accompanying , with columns , medallions of Roman emperors. The building , now called Maison du Spectacle , currently houses a center dedicated to the show with exhibits , theater , performances , lectures , and debates about the performing arts.
7 Église St- Jean Baptiste au Beguine . Place du Beguine . <M> Ste -Catherine . (From Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00 ) . Tel 02 217 8742 . For many it is one of the most beautiful Belgian churches and was built in 1676 by Lucas Fard'herbe a pupil of Rubens Flemish sculptor , who also participated in the creation of the Grand Place. Late Baroque style , its facade is architectural trends throughout the seventeenth century , especially in its towers and walls decoration . The altar is of Louis XVI and the central medallion depicting the Holy Family. The pulpit , of 1757 , is dedicated to Santo Domingo, the founder of the Dominicans . The church suffered a fire in the past decade and was restored in 2000.
8 Théâtre Royal Flamand. www.kvs.be Rue de Laeken 146. <M> Rogier. (Schedule as shows / Adult Tickets: 16 euros / students and over 60 years: 10 euros). Tel 02 210 1112. This is one of the last remnants of the area port. In 1883 he commissioned the architect Jan Baes creating this theater respecting the original facade of 1791, which currently gives the Quai aux Pierres de Taille. From a warehouse lifting this theater is achieved neo-renancentista flamenco, which stands above the long side iron balconies that allowed the simultaneous evacuation of large numbers of people in case of fire. During a visit by King Leopold II in 1894 received the title of "Royal". In 2006 it was all over rehabilitation work had begun in 2001, which enhances even more, if possible, its interior and exterior design.

 

SPECIAL Ronde van Vlaanderen

The May 25 is the 100th anniversary of the Tour of Flanders, one of the most classic cycling races in the world. What makes it unique ? Narrow roads, windy cobblestone slopes unexpected . Only suitable for the toughest guys , the Flandriens , those who are able to bring their bodies to the limit , constantly pedaling without losing concentration to reach the top in one day . It is curious that a region as flat as Flanders , may harbor one of the world's most popular summits cyclist : the famous Geraardsbergen wall . Those who do not live in Flanders can hardly imagine the impact of the Tour and the collective passion that overwhelms even those who are not fans of cycling . In this year of celebration , commemorating the centenary Flanders holidays, events and new cycle routes. A pedal! * Wall and Myth: a spectacle of light , sound and images inspired by the symbiosis between race and hill at sunset in Geraardsbergen Wall , sacred to the Celts , Druids ... and of course,the riders of the Tour ! May 23-25 ??, www.muurenmythe.be

* 100 -Classic Ronde : The May 25 1913 Karel Van Wijnendaele organized the first Tour of Flanders. It covered 330 km along small roads , and consisted of 27 runners. The May 25, 2013 is celebrated race again , recalling the initial itinerary of it. www.rvv.be

* RetroRonde a historic cycling event : On May 26 there will be a colorful gastronomic event for runners and cyclists across Europe involving costumed bike and before 1987 . The RetroRonde not a competition , but a nice walk through the Flemish Ardennes region . Specialty food stalls and stalls complete the program exchange . www.retroronde.be

* New route of the Tour of Flanders East Flanders region organized by the Office of Tourism of the Province , www.tov.be

* The province of West Flanders is another good option to feel the Tour: routes , cafes with names of cyclists , monuments that honor the Flandriens , battery charging stations and electric mobile app complete the offer. www.iedereenflandrien.be

* Roeselaere Cycling Museum , " WieMu ' presents a story of heroism , determination and suffering linked to biker culture : careers , pubs , sponsors , builders , commentators, jargon squad ... and a unique collection of cycles . The museum offers even the possibility that your visitors are cited with Flandrien . www.wielermuseum.be

* Sportimonium , Olympic Museum in Belgium , will focus on inheritance and figure of Eddy Merckx and will be starting the bike ride through the region of this well-known sportsman flamenco. www.sportimonium.be

* Visitor Center Tour of Flanders ideal base for a cycling break in the region. This year presents new interactive installations . www.crvv.be

 

Belgium cradle "Michelin stars"

The small country of Belgium whose length is smaller than that of Catalonia with a population of 11 million with 118 Michelin-starred restaurants, 3 three stars, 16 with two to 99, according to the latest Michelin guide 2012 Belgium - Luxembourg.
So much so that in terms of data per star, Bruges is in sixth place, according to the Huffington Post that calculated what are the top 20 culinary capital on the basis of Michelin stars, applying a formula to calculate the number of stars per hundred thousand inhabitants in each city.
Bruges is a city where 116,741 people live, and 6 Michelin stars are concentrated. The restaurants that have achieved the highest award are De Karmeliet (Bruges) and Hof van Cleve (Kruishoutem, 25 minutes of Ghent).
[aleti] In addition to this high number of Michelin star restaurants, Belgium has 140 restaurants "Bib Gourmand", which is what the Guide defines "good food at moderate prices" (in many restaurants you eat for less than 26 euros) .
So if we decided to visit Belgium specialties besides waffles, pralines, cookies, speculaas ... is necessary if we have the opportunity to visit one of these temples of gastronomy, previously informing the reservation.
Some of the specialties that we can find these recipes famous restaurants retain the traditional dishes of the land of Flanders, the "Waterzooi" chicken or fish, consisting of a fine soupy stew vegetables and chicken or fish, "Carbonades" the Flemish, a stew of beef-based beer, cuckoo from Malines, gray shrimp croquettes or cheese, or stuffed endive gratin or even a large selection of fine cheeses, which of course, have nothing to envy the French.
And as a sign of the importance given to the Belgian food and great nutrition is noteworthy to mention the "Veggie days", an initiative of the city of Ghent that encourages residents to avoid eating meat and fish on Thursdays . It is the first city in the world that was positioned with this in 2009 and collaborating in the restaurants in the area to participate in the contest designed by the local council for the award for best vegetarian dish.
Who said that feeding the Belgians are the "frites" and "chocolate"? Give a chance to the country of Flanders where some of the best chefs in the world, yes, accompany it with one of more than a thousand different beers.