Belgium
Brussels, October 2016
Accommodations
- Hotel Saint-Géry: 3-star boutique hotel located in the historical center near many restaurants and bars and walkable to the main square. I liked the small, boutique vibe and decor of the hotel. The room did have a painted glass divider between the room and bathroom with no true door between the two. You might just want to keep that in mind if you are staying with someone else and are modest. The location is also close enough to public transportation, including the metro to get to the airport.
Sites/Tours
- Grand Place: The main square, excellent for people watching and glows at night.
- Atomium: Built for the 1958 World's Fair in Brussels, it's not your average building. The Atomium is made up of nine spheres that look like giant mirror balls. You can actually go inside some of the spheres, but I opted not to pay for the ticket. The surrounding area also has some beautiful green/park spaces nearby, so if it's nice outside, I recommend just enjoying it from the outdoors. The Atomium is not in the city center but is easy to navigate to via public transportation.
- Manneken Pis and Jeanneke Pis: Most people are familiar with the peeing boy statue, but you might not know that the city will dress him up for holidays and celebrations. You can think of it as either super cute or a little creepy. Additionally, the female version of the statue is lesser known but can be found hidden in the labyrinth of old town side streets.
Food
- Fin de Siècle: Originally recommended to me by a local bartender, this place is great and always packed. Get there early enough to get in line as the line goes out the door, but it's worth it. Patience is key here, and be prepared to get cozy with your neighbors. If you are looking for white tablecloths in an intimate atmosphere, this place is not for you. The emphasis here is on good food, good meat.