Unique Weekend Breaks in Brussels, Belgium

Weekend Breaks in Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Europe but rivals Paris for wonderful food, wine and Belgium beer. It's best for cultural tours with the marvelous "Grand Place" - the centre square with flower markets, cafes and the old town hall and an ice rink in the winter.

It's pretty easy to see why the Brussels is that often overlooked as the destination for city break, after all the synonymy of the capital with that red bureaucratic tape hardly lends an air of the excitement. However, there is much more to the Brussels than the first meets an eye.

Brussels might not be Belgium's best-dressed city architecturally (Bruges dressed that particular crown), but this capital city boasts a number of good cathedrals including St. Gudule's, St Michael's and the Grand Place resplendent in the heart of city. The "Place du Grand Sablon" is one of the most beautiful places of the city with hoards of antique shops and a familiar spot for laid back lunches and people watching. Meanwhile the Place du Petit Sablon together corrals some of the most striking monuments of the city, including the 48 statues (representing those medieval guilds) and the grim fountain that relates to the demise of the two Belgian beheaded Counts. The short walk takes you then to the most prestigious gallery of the capital, the Museum des Beaux-Arts.

Out of the centre of the city there is even plenty going in the suburbs, including an ideal place to make the kids get off your hands - Atomium in Laeken. Designed after the giant molecule, it has become the newest landmark of the capital, and while the exhibitions fail to capture the pulse racing; its other-worldliness itself makes it worth the visit. The architectural experience that is much simpler on the eye could be had at Mussée Victor Horta in the St Gilles. Horta has earned himself a title of the father of Belgian Art Nouveau and his home is the fitting tribute.

In the 6th century Brussels was christened by the Broekzele (a village of the marsh) and soon grew to become the important hosting post on a trade route between the Cologne: Bruges and Ghent. In fact, the traces of mercantile heritage of Brussels still can be found even today in the market of the Sablon antique. The favourite haunt of the dealers and the souvenir hunters are alike; the world-popular market has been doing the business each weekend since the past 35 years and is the Aladdin's cave of knick-knacks and curios.

Epicurean excess is the integral part of every city break of the Brussels. Brussels has more than 1800 places to dine and Belgians are said to dine out more than any other nations worldwide. With more than 400 beers to sample this alone should make most British holidaymakers feel at home. Additionally the chocoholics will feel they have died and are in heaven. The Museum of Chocolate and Cocoa (13 Grand-Place) is the best place to begin; then it is simply the case of following your nose. Brussels is a perfect short weekend break for everyone.